Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest

Cllr Joseph Baum

Cllr Patricia Birchley

Cllr Colin Sully

Cllr Michael Smith

Anisa Sheik

Sophie Thomas

Mary Mobbs-Beal

Stuart Grosse

Phil Harrison

Andy Garnett

Minutes were agreed

The Chairman highlighted the priorities for the Board which are now in line with the priorities of Opportunity Bucks and the Chesham Regeneration strategy.

Caitlin from Project Groundwater gave an introductory presentation about the scheme which aims to transform how communities prepare and respond to groundwater flooding. Chesham has been chosen as one of the pilot communities. The project is led by Buckinghamshire Council although out-of-area communities are also included in the pilot.

Please see presentation for more information. 

Amber from Mama Bee announced that there will be a pop-up youth café in Lowndes Park where young people can access complimentary toasties and smoothies.
There will also be partnership work which is being led by Monica Bergh and also Chesham Youth Council.

The project starts on 24^th July where they will reconnect with the young people through outreach work to work out what they would like with regards to times of day.

There are 26 sessions costed rather than works so that the project can adapt accordingly i.e. more than 1 session per week where needed.

Isabelle from the Youth Centre said that with some additional funding the youth centre will be open over the summer months (Weds 7-8.30pm).

Mama Bee will not open on a Weds and are looking at Mon.

Projects

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Community Board Manager explained that the Community Board has refreshed their way of working and will no longer give out grants to organisations without being involved in the project. Therefore, the Board will look to work with its stakeholders to deliver meaningful projects to the community.

The Community Board Manager gave an update about the Homes for Ukraine scheme in the board area. There was an emphasis on looking for re-match Sponsors for families that need to move on from their current accommodation. As of June 2023, Bucks had welcomed 1,673 guests. The Board Manager also extended thanks to the two community groups (Hilltop Ukrainian Support Community and Chiltern Sunflower Support) that support the Ukrainians in the Board area. An additional thanks was given to the Chesham Area Lead in the Ukraine team, Ryan Robinson, who is returning to his usual role after a 12-month secondment.

Consultations, Public Questions, Petitions

Chesham Town

Buckinghamshire Council Updates - The Buckinghamshire Council updates are circulated in the Agenda pack and give detailed updates from across the different services in the Council.

There were no consultations, public questions or petitions on the Chesham and Villages Board area.

Update from Cllr Rachael Matthews on Chesham Town Council. The regeneration strategy document is going through a governance process within Bucks Council and is due to be released soon.

Cllr Jane MacBean gave an update on the project with Chesham Museum and the Board to improve the alleyway in Chesham High St by Waitrose. The second project is working with TFL to placing a new ‘Welcome to Chesham’ board at Chesham Train Station. There is also an appetite for the Board to support projects that improve the public realm.

Cllr Rachael Matthews gave an update on Love Lowndes group looking at renovating the park equipment in the park. The Community Board funded the Masterplan which will look at the vision for the park over the next few years. The Love Lowndes group are looking for fundraising after having secured £35,000 from Chesham Town Council, though the ambition is to raise c. £150,000.

Updates for each Board Member (Unitary Councillors)

Cllr Emily Culverhouse promoted the following events in Chesham: Hats Off! Chesham, the For You festival from Theatre Shed (Ley Hill), Quiz run by Chiltern Chamber at Ley Hill Memorial Hall.

Cllr Gareth Williams promoted the upcoming Buckinghamshire Job Fair taking place on Sat 23^rd September at the Elgiva in Chesham.

Updates were then given from the Parishes in the Community Board including Cholebury, Chartridge and Chenies.

11 October 2023

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 11^th October at 6pm online.