Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair, Councillor David Anthony, welcomed all to the Beeches Community Board meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Louise Hayday (Burnham Parish Council), John Carey (Burnham Parish Council), Cllr Edwina Glover (Burnham Parish Council), Rachel Horton-Kitchlew (Taplow Parish Council), Jill Dax (Dorney Parish Council), Ruth Senior (Taplow and Dorney Parish Councils), Angela O’Connell (Thames Valley Police) and Sue Strange (Bluebell Memories).

Apologies were also received from Joy Morrissey MP but was represented by David Moore.

To agree the minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 15 November 2022 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2022 were agreed as an accurate record.

Councillor Dev Dhillon declared a personal interest that he was Friend of Library for the Farnham Common Community Library which was presenting in Item 5, this was declared for transparency.

-          Alex Beckett, Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager, and Phoebe Rison, Climate Change Officer

-          Joanna Ward, Burnham Library Manager

-          Michael Mills, Chairman Farnham Common Community Library

Michael Mills, Chairman Farnham Common Community Library

The Community Board were informed of the following points:

·       The Farnham Common library had been a community library since 2011.

·       The library was run totally by 35-40 volunteers in two hour shifts and supported by the Council. The library was always looking for more volunteers.

·       There were 300 Friends of the Library who donated to it.

·       The cost of electricity was the major cost at present.

·       Part of the library was rented out to generate income.

·       There were plenty of events and fundraising that took place at the library.

·       The underfloor heating system needed to be replaced which would be a large capital expenditure.

The Chair asked to what extent the library was a social hub for residents and was informed that the library was used for many different things, events for children, lunches, coach trips, dinner clubs, other adult events and just a place to come and chat. Even though many resources could be accessed online, the library was still very popular with children, especially with the connections with the local schools. The library was always a busy social hub in bringing the community together.

The Board thanked all the volunteers for their hard work in keeping the community library a key asset in the ward.

Alex Beckett, Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager and Phoebe Rison, Climate Change Officer

The Board received a presentation from Alex Beckett (attached to the minutes). The following points were covered in the presentation:

·       The progress reported in the presentation was from October 2022 onwards.

·       Half a million trees had been planted on council land and further work was being done to engage local communities to secure funds for further tree planting. The planting programme had been mainly in Bury Farm, Amersham and Grange Farm, Hazelmere. The tree planting season had been exceeded for 2021-22.

·       There was engagement with the Forestry England Woodland Partnership Scheme who were paying to use Council land.

·       Other funding was from Urban Tree Challenge Fund and Woodland Creation Planning grant.

·       The followings areas were presented to the Board:

o   The projected carbon

o   The Climate Change Team

o   Capacity and Capability Improvements

o   Emissions from domestic premises

o   Emissions from Transport

o   Community Support and Information

o   Emissions from Council buildings

To a question asked about whether climate change would always be seen as cost focussed or would there ever be cash returns, the answer was that the investment now would be a benefit for the future.

Joanna Ward, Burnham Library Manager

Joanna Ward informed all that it was the library’s 50^th year. The half-term week had been very busy with the healthy food activity. The children had planted a seed to understand how food grows and designed a poster about healthy food. The healthy food activity would nicely lead into the summer reading challenge. Burnham Library is one of the libraries piloting a new Healthy Libraries scheme which will later be rolled out countywide.

The library hosted painting, board  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

An Update to be provided by Richard Ambrose, Director of Major Projects.

The Director of Major Projects, Richard Ambrose, provided an update from the Council, note appended to minutes.

The main points that were highlighted were:

·       A local Heritage List had been created which identified locally significant heritage sites. These sites had been nominated by local communities and council staff and had been evaluated by the council’s Heritage Team. The list would be recognised and considered in future planning applications, helping to protect local heritage assets for future generations to enjoy. The list of nominated sites can be seen at the link: Buckinghamshire Local Heritage List website.

·       Local Plan Update – Over 700 sites had been submitted for consideration as land for possible future development within Buckinghamshire. An interactive map was available on the Council website showing the Brownfield sites Brownfield CFS 2021-22 (arcgis.com). Each of the sites were now being evaluated against the criteria of suitability for their chosen use, availability and deliverability over the plan period to 2040. They were currently setting the overarching vision and objectives for the Local Plan. The team were working on a forthcoming public consultation which would enable people to comment and give feedback on the draft Vision and Objectives. Work had commenced on an Employment and Retail Evidence Study and a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. The process of appointing consultants for several other studies which were needed to inform the plan.

·       The Cost of Living Programme – Further provisions have been made to assist residents in need. A range of support can be found on the Council website at Help with the cost of living (Helping Hand) | Buckinghamshire Council

Updates to be provided by the Action Group Chairmen.

Improving our Environment Action Group

Councillor Dev Dhillon spoke of the two ongoing projects. He advised that there was air quality monitoring equipment available and banners and posters to discourage idling engines. The Community Board Manager could be contacted for more information.

Councillor Dev Dhillon commented that it was great to see the new footpath on Blackpond Lane. It had been done to a very good standard, the road had not been closed whilst the work was taking place and some free drainage gullies had been put in, at no extra cost. This had encouraged residents to walk to the shops, to the surgery and the library, wheelchair users could now use the footpath and it had also reduced the speed of drivers. He thanked Members and the Board.

The Chair asked about the progress of the local cycling and walking infrastructure plan and was informed that more time had been given to collate feedback. The Community Board Manager suggested that the Community Board put one submission in, and he was happy to put all comments together and submit.

ACTION: Send A Chapman any comments as soon as possible

The Burnham Beeches Parish Councillor commented that the maps in the infrastructure plan were not a true representation of the area. The Jubilee River was not shown on the maps. Cyclists could not cycle on the roads with so many potholes, these needed to be repaired first.

The Members discussed an old travel plan for the area which was due to be part of the Neighbourhood Plan submission and reintroducing this as it had been put together by Roger Home. It connected pedestrian and cycle lanes by connecting farms.

ACTION: Paul Rowley to discuss with Roger Home

It was reported that the dropped kerbs in Burnham High Street were really useful but had prevented wheelchair users using the pavement, which was not very helpful. This would be followed up by the Community Board Manager.

Wellbeing Action Group

Councillor George Sandy reports that discussions had progressed and updates on the projects had been received as below:

·       Farnham Common Village Hall refurbishment, this was with Members for voting.

·       Sound & Song CIC - Singing for Mental Health & Wellbeing for New Mothers, the Parish Council and Clare Foundation had agreed to part fund the project and the Board contribution had been approved.

·       Learning & Sharing Together – The Monday Club & Lent Rise School Intergenerational Project – the Board contribution had been approved.

·       The Well @ Lent Rise – The Meeting Place and the Stitchers group proposals: the final costing were still being awaited for the purchase of outdoor parasols; the exhibition trip had been rejected.

·       Event to provide Group and Board members had provided support to the new Arbour Vale and Rotary Club partnership, which supports pupils with special educational needs to access employment and training opportunities, with offers of assistance and introductions to Bucks Business First and the Clare Foundation.

·       Members of the group have continued with planning for a roundtable event for local groups  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Update to include:

-          Burnham Beeches Rotary Club Christmas Parcels Project – George Chapman

-          Festive Fun & Carols – Paul Rowley

George Chapman, Burnham Beeches Rotary Club, reported that 320 Christmas parcels had been distributed in the Farnham’s and Burnham with the help of Burnham Care and Share and five primary schools. The parcels were in a ‘bag for life’ with 20-30 items in each one ranging from food, colouring, pencils and games. Twenty volunteers assisted to putting the parcels together, each costing an average of £30 per bag. The total spent was £8900, the Community Board funding was £5000. Each bag had a feedback form and many praise and thanks had been received. George Chapman thanked the Community Board for its support with the project. It was highlighted that there was one negative aspect of the funding application procedure. The form was very detailed in asking for financial details and very complicated to complete. The Club had to spend its own funds for the parcels and was then given the money, which prevented the Club from carrying out other planned projects. It was a very time-consuming process. It was requested that the process be reviewed.

ACTION: The Community Board Manager would follow-up on this matter.

Paul Rowley, Farnham Common Parish Councillor, informed the Members that the funds from the Community Board really helped towards the Carols at Christmas event, for the activities for the children. For next year, the event would be less of a church event and more of a community event so that there would be more involvement from all groups and bring all parts of the parish together to coordinate planning for the various events

Andy Chapman, Community Board Manager, reported that there was still £22, 939.26 remaining in the budget this year.

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

Andy Chapman, Community Board Manager, advised that no questions had been received.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) was to provide the Council with information on the final new Ward boundaries + number of Councillors (98) for the Council to take effect, when approved, from the 2025 elections.  The LGBCE haven’t been able to resolve all issues so they will be carrying out a further round of  public consultation to run from 28 February 2023 until 11 April 2023.  This consultation will focus only on four proposed new wards including Chalfont St Peter, Farnhams & Stoke Poges, Gerrards Cross & Denham and Iver.

To include Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

It was reported that there would be a webpage on planning local events for the Coronation. A link would also be included on the Board’s Facebook page @beechescb too.

Tuesday 6 June 2023 at 6pm on Microsoft Teams

It was noted by all that the next meeting would be a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday 6 June 2023 at 6pm at Burnham Park Hall.