Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Contact: Elly Cook 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

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

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies had been received from Councillor Lin Hazell, Councillor Nick Naylor, Simon James (Service Director for Education, Buckinghamshire Council) and Helen Mee (The Clare Foundation).

3.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 421 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

5.

Petition - Burnham Beeches Parking pdf icon PDF 82 KB

To receive a report regarding a petition – covering report to follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Community Board received a report on the response to a petition which had been received on Burnham Beeches traffic issues.  The concern set out in the petition was around pavement and illegal parking in residential roads by visitors to Burnham Beeches. The petition requested that Buckinghamshire Council take a long-term view of the situation, which had been steadily getting worse as a result of more people moving to the area, and more visitors to Burnham Beeches due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

In recognition of the seriousness of the issue, the Community Board agreed to make representations to the Cabinet Member for Logistics stressing its support for the petition and the need for a long term solution to be put in place to tackle the issue as a matter of priority. The Community Board requested that they be consulted on any potential measures which may be introduced.

 

In response to concerns which had been raised around a lack of social distancing at Burnham Beeches, especially at the cafe, the Community Board agreed to liaise with the police about increasing Covid patrols in Burnham Beeches.

 

6.

Sub-group Updates

·         Infrastructure & Highways

·         Supporting Older & Vulnerable People

·         Young People

 

Minutes:

The sub-group chairs gave their updates to the Community Board.

 

•Councillor Ralph Bagge gave an update on the Infrastructure & Highways sub-group. The sub-group at its last meeting had considered the Active Travel Strategy which had been produced by Farnham Royal Parish Council. A discussion was held regarding the possibility of producing and adopting an Active Travel Strategy for the whole Beeches Community Board, possibly including other neighbouring Community Boards. Jack Pearce was investigating how the £2.261 million of government funding has been spent in Buckinghamshire on active travel and what proportion of this has been allocated to Beeches. A discussion had also been held around congestion on the A4 Bath Road. It was noted that congestion on local roads and the resulting pollution were having an effect on air quality and it was felt that this should be addressed through an Active Travel Strategy. Maintenance of pathways was raised as an issue, especially as paths were often blocked by vegetation. Parish Councils were looking for support from Buckinghamshire Council when requiring residents to maintain hedges which were encroaching onto pathways. It was agreed by the sub-group that the procedure for Parish Councils when escalating issues with hedge cutting would be circulated.

 

•Councillor Trevor Egleton gave an update on the Supporting Older & Vulnerable people sub-group.  Reference was made to the number of projects underway.  The next meeting of the sub-group would involve a discussion on forward planning to help identify areas of interest or specific projects which the Community Board could support and fund going forward. It was noted that more involvement from Taplow, Dorney and Stoke Poges Parish Councils on the sub-group would be welcome.

 

•Councillor Dev Dhillon gave an update on the Young People sub-group. An update was provided on the work being carried out to set up a Youth Council. A final implementation plan was due to be submitted to the next sub group meeting and schools were to be approached once they had re-opened and have the capacity to participate.  It was noted that the options in relation to mental health first aid training for schools and youth clubs/groups were being explored. 

7.

Community Matters

An opportunity for attendees to raise any community issues.

Minutes:

The Community Board received a presentation from Pei-Ling Harper and Aldo Simone from Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards to raise awareness on the work being carried out by Trading Standards on the support available to victims of fraud and scams.  The Community Board discussed the seriousness of the issue of fraud and scams and the devastating impact it has on victims especially the elderly and vulnerable. The Community Board noted some of the initiatives being carried out by Trading Standards and its community partners to raise awareness in the community in relation to fraud and scams including leaflets and stickers for windows.  It was noted that Trading Standards were offering trueCall call blockers free of charge on loan to those who need them.  Doorbell cameras were also available for free for victims of door step crime.  Requests could be made to Trading Standards via email: trading.standards@surreycc.gov.uk

 

The Community Board noted the following Buckinghamshire Council consultations which were currently underway:

·             Help shape the local nature recovery strategy for Buckinghamshire- closes 26 February 2021

·             Call for brownfield sites in Buckinghamshire – closes 22 March 2021

·             Statement of Community Involvement Consultation – closes 22 March 2021

 

 

8.

Community Board Funding Application - Pen-Pal Project pdf icon PDF 373 KB

To consider a funding application.

Minutes:

The application from the Burnham Resilience CIO for the Pen-Pal Project was approved for funding.

9.

Community Board Update & Reflections

An opportunity to reflect on the first year of the Community Board and provide feedback.

Minutes:

The Community Board received a presentation from Jack Pearce, Community Board Co-ordinator, which covered the following areas:

·         Achievements of the Community Board including the bringing together of local stakeholders to discuss local issues and identity priority areas of focus.

·         Projects which the Community Board have funded.  Overall the Community Board had allocated £53,489 on local projects to date.

·         What the Community Board was currently working on through the work of the subgroups.

·         Challenges the Community Board had faced due to Covid.

·         Plans for development of the Community Board going forward including a review of the local priorities, making sub groups more action focused and taking a more proactive approach to funding.

 

The Community Board were invited to provide feedback on any ideas on the future development of the Community Board.   Comments were made on the good progress which the Community Board has made since it was formed.   The Community Board thanked all those who had participated in the Community Board since it was established in July 2020.  The Community Board also thanked Jack Pearce for all his work in co-ordinating the work of the Community Board. 

10.

Budget Update pdf icon PDF 379 KB

To note.

Minutes:

A budget update was provided to the Community Board.  It was confirmed that the underspend from this year’s budget due to Covid would be carried over to next year’s budget.

11.

Community Board Action Plan pdf icon PDF 429 KB

To note.

Minutes:

The Community Board Action Plan was noted.

 

In response to a question regarding what the Community Board was expected to do on an annual basis , Simon Garwood (Localism Manager) explained that there was a requirement in the Community Board’s Terms of Reference that an Annual Report be produced in April/May time which sets out a self-assessment of success in relation to the aims and objectives for community boards and action plan delivery. The Community Board would be asked to sign this off at its first meeting following the elections in May. There was also mention in the Terms of Reference about holding at least one annual community event to enable residents and community groups to set area priorities and address issues.