Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Dame Gillan MP, Mr R Chalmers (Oasis), Mr J Ratcliff and Mr P Stack (Chiltern Rangers).

To approve as a true record the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 November 2020

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held 17 November 2020 were AGREED an accurate record.

The following representatives of Beaconsfield Town Council (BTC) declared their interest in item 6, BTC having submitted a funding application: Cllr J Read, Cllr A Dunlop, Cllr P Bastiman, Cllr A Cranmer, and Cllr P Hogan.

The following representatives of Penn Parish Council (PPC) declared an interest in item 6, having submitted a funding application: PPC Cllr J Waters, Cllr M Morley, Cllr K Dicker and Cllr D Marsden, 

The following representatives of Hazlemere Parish PC (HPC) declared an interest in item 6, HPC having supported the Hazlemere Scouts with their funding application: Cllr A Cecil.

Declarations noted refer to items discussed at this meeting only.

Video 17m 36s

The Chairman and Vice Chairman gave a local area update.

The following points where highlighted:

• The Board had now met 3 times all under Covid restrictions. From the June meeting the Chairman hoped to refocus the Board by concentrating on its wider aims.
• There was now a Facebook page and Community Board webpage but more work was needed to promote the Board.
• Different Community Boards had been taking different approaches reflecting their different demographics and priorities but a common ambition was wanting to put residents and local needs at their heart.
• As well as individual projects, there had also been successful cross-board funding including the Dial-a-Ride initiative for vaccine transport and Be Your Own Boss courses run in partnership with  Bucks Business First.
• The Chairman referred to slides for details on the Boards priorities, spending to date and details of the different organisations who had been involved. 

Video 26m 42s

Mr A Chapman, Community Board Co-ordinator provided a brief update on the Board’s budget

• A decision had now been made to allow remaining unallocated funding for 2020-21 to be rolled over into 2021-22. This recognised the unprecedented pressures Covid had brought to the Board.
• £90,099 allocated to Local Infrastructure remained unspent. This area would be focused on after the May elections. Other Community Boards were in a similar position.
•  Most applications paid to date had received match funding from the applicant and/or other sources.

o   Dementia Friendly Community – Cllr David Johncock

o   Covid Recovery & Regeneration – Cllr David Watson

o   Highways & Traffic – Cllr David Johncock

o   Community & Open Spaces – Cllr Jonathan Waters

                            Hazlemere Scout Hut – Malcolm Waters

                            Nest Swings – Cllr Kate Dicker, Penn P.C

                            Beaconsfield Community Garden – Alexa Collins, Beaconsfield T.C

o    

Video 30m

Covid Recovery & Regeneration – Cllr D Watson

• The group wanted to support residents looking for new employment opportunities to start their own business. They would be working with Bucks Business First (BBF) and 6 other Community Boards to provide Be Your Own Boss training. £3k had been awarded to provide 12 support places. The initial communication plan had not been effective in reaching the target audience affecting take up. BBF had rearranged dates and new details would be publicised on the Board’s Facebook page.
• There had been discussion around how to support High Streets across the area. Ideas had included:
  • Free parking.
  • Promoting local connections for business.
  • Space for pop-ups.
  • Considering challenges created by businesses who had restructured under Covid and may not return to the High Street.

Highways & Traffic – Cllr D Johncock

• The group had met once and had  submitted 10 proposals for Transport for Bucks (TfB) to provide costs and assessments. Once costings were received the group would discuss match funding opportunities with town and parish councils before confirming which schemes to proceeded with.
• Two petitions had been received (also see video 1h 15m):
  • Lakes Lane Parking Restrictions – The petition had formed one of the applications made to TfB. This would be discussed at the next Highways and Traffic working group.
  • A455 30mph speed limit - Feedback would be sought from TfB regarding whether the area had already been identified as a safety need.  It was agreed this would be discussed at the next meeting of the Highways & Traffic working group, 15 March 2021.
• Many applications received had been regarding parking and the need for double yellow lines. It was hoped that the costs of the Transport Regulation Order (TRO) needed to install yellow lines could be shared across several Community Boards.

Community & Open Spaces – Cllr J Waters

• A Climate Change working group lead by Cllr C Oliver would be created to support positive change locally. Interested parties should contact Mr Chapman to join the group.
• Mental health in schools had been identified as an area of concern. Mr Chapman was in discussion with Bucks Mind to provide Mental Health First Aid training to school staff. Other Community Boards had shown an interest in sharing costs.
• The Dementia Friendly Community project, chaired by Cllr Johncock, in collaboration with Chepping Wycombe PC had been raising awareness locally, including with leaflets and a new webpage.  Local businesses had attended the first round of training in December. It was hoped the model could be shared with other Community Boards.
• Working with parish and town councils to improve accessibility to outdoor spaces and facilities across all abilities and ages.

Funding applications

Where a vote is required (where there is not consensus) then this will be by a show of hands of formal board members present. Prior to such a vote, the Chairman may upon his/her discretion take an indicative vote of representatives from local organisations, including town and parish councils, who are present. Each organisation will have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A discussion on potential local cultural projects.

Ruth Page (Culture & Leisure Services Development Manager) and Lallie Davis (Partnerships & Strategy Manager, Buckinghamshire Culture)

Video 1h 18m

Ms R Page, Culture & Leisure Services Development Manager and Ms L Davis, Partnerships & Strategy Manager, and Cllr P Hogan, Cabinet Member for Culture gave a presentation a copy of which would be appended to these minutes.

The following points were highlighted:

• The Rothchild Foundation had donated money in 2019 to create a joined-up Buckinghamshire Culture Strategy. The strategy wanted to look at the way arts and creativity could help to address local needs. This could include a focus on mental health, developing skills, building confidence and improving the vibrancy of the area.
• Ms Page and Ms Davis were available to support the Board with brainstorming, sourcing artists and fundraising.
• Five key heritage areas had been defined:
  • Literary.
  • Sports.
  • Places of historical and cultural interest.
  • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  • Cultural and creative economy.
• Key outcomes had been identified:
  • Economy and jobs.
  • Equality in accessing cultural activities.
  • Improving health and wellbeing.
  • Revitalising heritage.

Following discussion several existing local groups/projects were identified:

o   The Beaconsfield Society, who had already made a start with walking and cycling route maps. They were open to expanding these to include children and would like to create a literary walk celebrating local authors.

o   The Beaconsfield Film School, whose students were often looking for ideas for local projects.

o   A local textile group.

o   Schools.

o   The Widmer End Monster Trail, which had been successful in two different locations but had led to damaged footpaths and litter.

o   The Beaconsfield Archive Project, who were interested in creating information boards   and linking with school history curriculum projects, but were also in need of suitable storage space

o   A local resident who had started her own children’s heritage trial to be launched shortly.

The following ideas were raised:

• Tapping into an increased interest in photography and sharing of local images on social media during lockdown.
• Historical society in Penn & Tylers Green
• Beaconsfield’s twin town, Langres, France, had had an event where the locality was decorated with embroidery and textiles arts.
• ‘Yarn bombing’ – decorating trees with textiles
• Members who had ideas or were interested in possible subgroup participation should contact Mr Chapman, the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman.

(Please note that we cannot guarantee having time at the meeting for all questions, but will respond separately)

Written questions in advance to bcwcb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Written questions were requested in advance of the meeting, no questions were received.

Hazlemere Parish Council had noted an increase in scam calls locally. Mr A Simone, Trading Standards, would be invited to a future meeting to give a presentation.

Tuesday 29 June 2021, 7pm on Teams

Tuesday 29 June 2021, 7pm