Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and notified the Board that the former Chairman, Warren Whyte, had stepped down. The Chairman thanked him for all the work he had done, and said he understood his reasons for stepping down. In future Councillor Howard Mordue will chair the Board. However, for this meeting the Vice-Chairman Patrick Fealey would chair, due to his involvement with the agenda and items. 

Apologies were received from Councillor Warren Whyte.

To disclose any Personal or Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

There were none.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. The Community Board Co-ordinator, Leone Dale, gave updates on previous actions:

·         An update on the flood mobile, which was addressed in the action group updates.

·         A query about street lighting was being taken via a separate application.

·         Action about bonfire safety, which would be looked into further.

Sara Turnbull, Service Director, Transport Services

An update from Sara Turnbull was given, Service Director of Transport Services with 4 updates from Buckinghamshire Council.

Ø  There was a Consultation underway for ward councillors following the local boundary commission decision that there would be 98 councillors overall. The deadline for the consultation was 4^th April 2022. https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/lgbce/ward-boundaries/

Ø  Helping Hands Fund- this fund was available to help low income families and individuals, details about application could be passed onto those interested and their networks.

Ø  The Ofsted re-inspection results was completed on Friday 11^th February, and had progressed from inadequate to requiring improvement to be good. The progress and improvement of children’s services, and quality of care in social work was noted. The ongoing challenge in the work force and the work underway to retain social workers was acknowledged.

Ø  70 trees for 70 years campaign – there were numerous ways to get involved. The idea was to nominate a tree in the community, by submitting a picture or story by email. When complete there would be a map of celebrated trees. https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/the-queens-platinum-jubilee/nominate-a-tree-as-part-of-jubilee-celebrations/

The Service Director then took comments and questions from members;-

·       A Member commented on the achievement of the Children’s Services Ofsted result, and thanked those involved in this. He also proposed shared community events for the jubilee celebrations.

·       The Chairman asked about school involvement in the Jubilee tree planting scheme, and was informed that every school in the area had received an offer of a free tree and plaque to commemorate the Jubilee. There were opportunities for local councillors to get involved in that process.

·       An inquiry was made by a Member as to how schools could get involved in this program, and was advised that a letter was sent out inviting them last summer. Free trees for schools could still be provided by the Woodland Trust and the contact details for this would be circulated after the meeting. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/

To be presented by Inspector James Davies

An update was provided by Police Sergeant David Kuttner of the rural neighbourhood team.

Since the last Board, the team has reduced in size, but they had obtained  an officer transfer from Wing to help the shortfall.

The team had been focused on rural crime, primarily thefts and burglaries from farms, and whilst there were numerous offender groups, the main organised crime group was identified and arrested in Bedfordshire. In addition to this, there have been crime prevention visits to victims as well as the arrest of tool thieves. Furthermore, there would be a rural crime prevention event, advertised on the Aylesbury Vale Thames Valley Police Facebook.

Sergeant Kuttner described talks taking place at primary schools, where PCSO’s teach internet safety, the importance of which was compounded by the ease of access children have to the internet.

An update was given on anti-social behaviour, which was low due to winter, but this could increase with changes in the clock and temperate changes.

Finally, an update was provided on Speedwatch, where members of a local community could set up a group to record speed and details of speeding vehicles. Initially a warning would be issued but repeat offenders would be followed up by traffic officers. The equipment could be purchased or loaned out.

The Police Sergeant then took questions including:

·       The Chairman asked if the officers involved in the arrests were injured and was reassured that the officers involved were fine.

·       The Chairman then inquired how long it would take for the stolen property to be returned. In response, the officer said that it was generally quick, but varied based on the need for forensics, as well as the availability of identifying marks to help it be returned. He said there was a lot of proactive work being  undertaken, and the police were looking to get tools and such back to people as soon as they could.

·       In addition, the Chairman raised how parents’ awareness was also an issue regarding internet safety and inquired if there was an officer who went into schools who worked with parents on these issues. Sergeant Kuttner said that schools’ officers only work with secondary schools, but they also sent out newsletters.

·       Two points were then raised by a Member, asking for an update on local arson attacks, as well as asking if there had been an increase in police officers locally.  In response to this, the officer said that a suspect was arrested and then released, however no more arsons had occurred recently. Regarding the second point, the officer stated that there would be an increase in police officers over the coming year, the highest number of recruits ever for Thames Valley.  

·       Another Member asked how members of the public who joined Speedwatch would be safe and protected from abuse when doing their work, in particular from those working on HS2 and East West rail. The Officer replied by saying that there was a specific complaint procedure for HS2 and East West rail, and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Guest speaker Cynthia Stroud to present

Cynthia Stroud, of Jedidiah Fresh Food Pantry and Baking Academy gave a presentation on her charity and the work they do in the local area. The charity was set up two years ago, initially to provide food parcels for those in need, as well as providing a mentoring scheme for teenagers and giving cooking courses at a local YMCA.  During the pandemic, this developed to supporting thousands of families with food parcels.

In addition to this, the charity provided a fresh food pantry, an important area as Buckingham food bank have said they lack fresh food. This fresh food was provided by 8 local supermarkets. The site also possessed the capacity for cooking facilities, and classes could be run there by Cynthia Stroud due to her background as a chef. These facilities would also enable them to provide apprenticeships to young people who could not afford to train conventionally. The program would be unpaid, and they would have to be referred to the course, however the course would provide them with the skills they need to start a business.

Cynthia Stroud then took questions and comments regarding the charity, these included:

·       The Chairman commented on his youth project, and the creation of a youth café, as well as acknowledging the need for more cooking skills for young people. It also provided a social and useful tool for both parents and youth. Moreover, the Chairman stated how it was helpful that premises had been secured, and that this should promote healthy eating particularly with more fresh food at the food bank. There were opportunities for joint working across these organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of the area.

·       Two Members commented on potential future co-operation and said they would be in contact after the meeting. One such example of this was the Buckingham Food Fair.

·       A Member asked if there was a religious requirement to be involved with the charity and was told that all faiths and beliefs were welcome, and that there were no requirements which would stop people participating and information on the background to this charity would only be provided if the participant asked.

·       When asked by a Member if all the food was sourced locally, Cynthia responded that all the food came from local supermarkets.

An update to be given by the Community Board Coordinator, including the following:

Funding Update

Funding report

The Community Board Coordinator, Leone Dale, gave a report on spending thus far, the budget was £228,200, and as of the 7^th February 2022, £164,501 had been spent, with £63,699 remaining. The funding window ran from April to February, and the Board would no longer be accepting new applications. Applications which had already been received would be reviewed. Information regarding these applications would be circulated following the meeting.

An update was also provided regarding the status, cost, applicant details and goals of the projects, and was attached in the agenda reports pack in the form of tables.

The Board then commented on the report, and the following points were noted:

·       The Chairman stated that a potential project in Buckingham was being looked at and would take up a portion of the remaining funds.

·       A Member commented on the processing of projects and asked about consultation with the Board when accepting projects. In response, the Board Coordinator reassured the Member that the Board would be consulted, and older projects would be reviewed too, not just new projects.

·       A question was raised by a Member regarding the Highway applications to Transport for Bucks and asked when a response would be received. Leone Dale proceeded to inform the Member, that nothing had been received yet, although the Board would receive an update as and when there was a response.

·       This was echoed by another Member, who expressed concern over the timeframes of these applications, and commented that it would be helpful to know when the projects originated. The Chairman advised that this would be followed up.

·       A Member asked if there had been any feedback or recommendations from the Communities and Localism Select Committee regarding how smaller organisations could petition the Boards. The Community Board Coordinator answered by explaining that smaller organisations could approach a larger body such as the Town Council to engage with the Board. This was followed up by Amy Jenner, Localism Manager of the North Community Board team, who said that all the information from that Committee was being shared and fed into the next funding cycle.

·       Another point was raised by a Member, asking for clarification of the specific roles of those involved with the Community Board.

Action: Leone Dale to circulate an updated list of contacts.

·       Further clarity was requested by a Member regarding funding for the following year.

To be presented by Action Group Chairmen

·         Action Plan

The Board then received updates from 4 action groups on their progress and plans.

Environment, presented by Councillor Ade Osibogun

Ø  Presentations had been received from Bucks Community Energy, Oxford Swift City Project and the Buckingham Canal Society.

Ø  Parish Councils and groups were encouraged to get involved with the Green Canopy.

Ø  The Section 19 report was still awaited and would be submitted for approval and circulated. A Member commented on this, saying the report should be available soon.

Ø  There had been two visits from the Floodmobile this year and dates were being identified with Buckingham Town Council, as well as an initiative to distribute wildflower seeds to the area. The Flood mobile events would be attended by a range of other organisations too, such as insurance companies.

Ø  Work was also being undertaken on electric charging, as well as involvement with the upcoming Green Spring Fair.

Road Safety and Highways, presented by Councillor Caroline Cornell

Ø  A Meeting was scheduled for April, awaiting PID’s (Project Initiation Document) to come in. The date and time of the next meeting would be circulated ahead of time, and input on the content was welcome.

Ø  They were awaiting feedback following a meeting regarding Tingewick road 30mph speed limit.

Ø  Possible project to impose 20mph speed limit on areas near schools in term time. Liaison with Transport for Bucks around funding was required.

Ø  Traffic calming in Water Stratford and Radclive would be helped by the redirection of lorries and large vehicles for Buckingham.

Ø  Proposed traffic calming for Bufflers Holt for next meeting agenda.

Youth Engagement- Presented by the Chairman, Councillor Patrick Fealey

Ø  An update had been given on the Youth Café project. There had been coordination with various groups, including Buckinghamshire Council on determining what young people required. The Youth café would provide benefits for young mums as well as children.

Ø  There had been co-ordination with external organisations and other Boards.

Ø  Support for Play Around the Parishes, which was a popular project in easter and summer holidays and provided opportunities for young people and their families.

Ø  A group was supporting LGBT issues locally.

Economy- Presented by Chairman, Councillor Patrick Fealey

Ø  Work had begun on organising a project to improve Buckingham Town, consultation was required with the Town Council and other local groups.

Updates to be given by the Community Board Coordinator on the following:

• Public questions
• Consultations

·         Petitions

No questions received from members of the public.

A few Updates were provided on consultations. The list will be circulated following the meeting.

-          Silverstone Road

 https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/highway-projects/silverstone-road-dadford/

-          Have your say on pharmacy

 https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/clinical-commissioning-group/have-your-say-about-your-pharmacy/

-          Have your say on new council ward boundaries.

https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/lgbce/ward-boundaries/

-          Education strategy consultation.

https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/schools/education-strategy-2022/

Another Community Matter was brought to the attention of the Board, regarding free flood resilience training for communities taking place in Buckingham on the 1^st of March. Details of the event and how to book was sent to Members enabling them to it share with their communities.

A more detailed update was provided by the Community Board Co-ordinator and a Member in relation to the Section 19 report which was underway, Buckingham Report would be completed and distributed soon. This would be circulated alongside the minutes following the meeting.

Building upon this, a Member commented on the improvements made to flood warning triggers on local river gauges, as well as a commission which had been formed to study water storage in the area. When queried on this by another Member, regarding the timeline of this report and response, the Member responded by stating that the project was ongoing, but it was a long process. 

Ongoing petitions updates were presented to the Board.

Petition regarding School Lane and Castle Street potentially becoming one way - A response from Transport Strategy had been received, comments and feedback on this should be sent to the Community Board Coordinator, Leone Dale, to ensure they were in writing and noted. A Member mentioned two relevant reports, which should be viewed in conjunction with this petition, which was concurred by the Chairman.

A petition relating to street lighting remained under review, and the response would be presented when an update had been received. The Chairman mentioned that potential changes to speed limits may affect this petition, and as such it may have been a little premature.

In response to these, a Member commented on the possible need for a more in depth look at Buckingham Town centre’s management going forward, to which the Chairman responded that ongoing reports should help provide further clarity and joined up working was required.

Ideas to be welcomed from members of the board

A Member proposed that a closer look at Buckingham Town Centre be added to the agenda for next meeting.

Another suggestion from a Member was that an upcoming Council report on social housing be looked at by the Board, as well as information on community hubs from the health trust.

Finally, the Proud of Bucks Awards were raised as an important matter, as the Board wished to celebrate and promote the success of those who had participated and won. This would be conducted after the notification and announcement organised by the Chairman and Coordinator.

TBC

26^th April 2022.