Agenda and minutes

Venue: Via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Tom Fowler 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

2.

Welcomes and Introductions

Minutes:

The chairman welcomed the members and guests to the first Beeches Community Board meeting.

 

Members introduced themselves and Jack Pearce introduced himself as the Community Board Co-ordinator.

3.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

Community Board Overview

Minutes:

The Community Board Co-ordinator gave an overview of the Community Board and its functions.

·         The Board would aim to collaborate with local stakeholders and engage with the community.

·         The core membership is composed of the Buckinghamshire Councillors for the Beeches area, and standing invitations to meetings would be made to Parish Council representatives and other partner organisations; however, the Board is open to anyone who wishes to contribute.

·         Beeches Community Board had been allocated £86,000 from the Community Area Priority fund and £27,500 from the Health and wellbeing fund. It had received £0 from the Local infrastructure fund. It was noted that only 50% of the allocated Community Area Priority Fund could be used for Highways matters

·         An aim to build upon the connections formed in the Local Community during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

5.

Reflections on Covid-19

Minutes:

The Consultant in Public Health gave an overview of the Public health situation within the Beeches Community area.

  • Statistics about the Community Area were noted by the Members of the Board.
  • Obesity, mental health issues and rates of degenerative diseases were higher than the average for the County.
  • Loneliness for those aged 65 and above was an issue within the area.

 

Reflecting upon Covid-19, the Board observed the following.

  • There was a notable loss of confidence and mobility during the lockdown which would not be easy to re-acquire.
  • Some individuals/families were more isolated due to low profile and not naturally joining.
  • A multi-faceted approach would be required to restore confidence and engagement.

 

6.

Local Priority Setting

Minutes:

The Community Board considered what the priorities for the Community Board moving forward should be. The following issues were discussed and suggested as possible priorities.

  • Highways & Infrastructure issues, including speeding, road disrepair, footpaths, vegetation overgrowth and noise.
  • Health and social care, including obesity, mental health provision, social care for the elderly and youth provision.
  • Environmental concerns linked to mental health
  • Community re-engagement following COVID-19
  • Establishment of sub-groups (suggested groups to include Infrastructure and Health & Social Care)

 

Action:

  • Jack to liaise with chairman and members to establish sub-groups and agree membership
  • Jack to formulate action plan with priorities and circulate prior to September meeting