Agenda and draft minutes

Nick Naylor, in the absence of Chairman David Anthony welcomed all to the meeting, which would comprise of two halves:  the first solely concerned with the Proud of Bucks Awards and celebrating our community, and the concerned with more official Community Board business.

David Anthony, George Sandy

To agree the minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 28 February 2023 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Chairman to welcome Martin Gallagher, CEO of The Clare Foundation, who will present awards to winners.

Nick Naylor impressed upon the group the significance of the awards: from the entirety of the Board area, there would be three winners and two highly commended nominees. He noted that the Board is lucky to have a wide-ranging selection of groups and people in the board area, who help contribute to such a thriving and inclusive community.

Highly Commended Community Group

The Care & Share Volunteers  - a group who has 16 regular volunteers and a waiting list of others who wish to join. They accept and date food and toiletry stock, make up food bags and deliver these to clients amongst other things. Having helped over 2700 people in 2022, all could see why they won highly commended community group.

Winner Community Group

Thames Valley Heartbeat  noticed a need for defibrillators within Stoke Poges, recruiting volunteers and fundraising to purchase Defibrillators and train the community to use them. Stoke Poges now has five defibrillators spread across the parish, which is reassuring, and will save lives.

Winner Young Community Champion

Avi Bond at only 8 years old was the winner, and has been making loom band bracelets and necklaces, selling them to raise funds for local charities including: £200 for Care & Share Foodbank; £150 for Alexander Devine Hospice; £150 for Help for Ukraine.

Highly Commended Local Community Champion

Andrew Strathdee was the highly commended nominee, with words used to describe him including dedicated, hard-working, kind and passionate. Several people nominated our champion, and it was evident that many think of him as a truly good person, who always goes the extra mile.

Winner Local Community Champion

Ann Sibley was the winner, being called kind, thoughtful and big-hearted and was nominated several times. Ann set up the Friday Club – a space that provides a valuable service to the senior community. She is also involved in the Village Food Cupboard initiative - helping members of the community who need help in this economic climate.

Richard Ambrose, Director of Major Projects, to provide updates.

Richard Ambrose updated the Board, with the update attached to these notes.

A simple explanation of the budget was given, with a summary attached to these notes.

Budgets had been reduced across all Boards, resulting in a Beeches budget of £95,369 in 23/24, a reduction of £5,019 from 22/23. All were asked to note that this year the Board will be looking for more contributory funding from applicants, which will help the budgets go further.

Priorities:

The priorities for 22/23 were:

• infrastructure and highways
• improving our environment
• wellbeing

Further to discussion, it was noted that these priorities have worked well for the board, and that they should be kept the same, with the board continuing to develop these.

Updates to be provided by the Action Group Chairmen.

Ralph Bagge updated the Board, noting that there had been no additional meetings of the groups since the last meeting of the Board. The change in Highways contract was mentioned, with Ralph highlighting that this should be a more flexible, pragmatic way of working.

To include public questions (can be sent to beechescb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk), consultations and petitions.

Ongoing Petition: Dropmore speed reduction and road safety

A petition had been submitted in regard to “Dropmore speed reduction and road safety.” A group of petitioners attended the meeting and vehemently expressed their reasons for the petition. As the petition is ongoing, and reports have not yet been produced, this will be bought back to the Board at its meeting on the 3 October 2023.

Further to questions raised by Viv Nicholas of Burnham, regarding the road safety at the entrance to his building and the parking enforcement on market days, Cllr. Paul Kelly reminded all present that any issues should be brought to their ward councillor in the first instance. He also shared that he had sight of the grass-cutting schedule, noted that the 26^th of June is too late for the grass-cutting to be undertaken, and that this should be moved forward next year.

Tuesday 3^rd October 2023

3 October, 2023, 6pm – venue TBC