Agenda and minutes

To be presented by Howard Mordue, Buckingham & Villages Community Board Chairman

Howard Mordue, Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and highlighted that the temporary banking hub had officially launched in Buckingham Library.  A permanent hub was in development and an official press release would be released the following day.

To be noted by Alice Williams, Buckingham & Villages Community Board Manager

Apologies were received from:  Caroline Cornell, Frank Mahon, John Chilver, Angela Macpherson, Michael Rand, Jilly Jordan, Thornton Parish Meeting, Stowe Parish Council, Gawcott with Lenborough Parish Council, Foscote Parish Meeting,  Calvert Green Parish Council, Tingewick Parish Council, Buckingham Canal Society, Project Street Life, Trading Standards and David Williams.

Declarations of interest related to items on the agenda to be noted by Alice Williams

There were none.

Updates on actions to be noted by Alice Williams

Notes of the previous meeting to be AGREED by the board

Alice Williams, Community Board Manager updated on the actions from the previous meeting.  All action were either complete or ongoing. No required changes to the previous notes were requested.

RESOLVED:  Action notes of the previous meeting were AGREED as an accurate record.

Members of the community board raised some concerns about the banking hub as they felt it was unclear who was responsible for the operation and management.  It was clarified that Cash Access UK is a national company and the service is funded by the major UK banks. Social media had played a part in confusion due to mixed messages but the official press release should provide clarification.

Buckingham temporary Banking Hub opens | Buckinghamshire Council

To be presented by Sara Turnbull, Service Director for Adult Social Care Operations, Buckinghamshire Council

Sara Turnbull, Service Director for Adult Social Care and the service director representative for the Buckingham and Villages Community Board presented the update circulated with the agenda. 

Sara highlighted the consultation for the proposed relocation of Furze Down School sixth form to Wells Street, Buckingham (to share a space with the Buckingham Opportunities Centre).  

Members of the board raised concerns over the risk of congestion during school pick up hours.  It was highlighted in response that the school would stagger collection times in order to manage traffic volume.  Other members of the board expressed their support for the proposal, as the building is currently underutilised.  The move would provide better opportunities for Special Educational Needs (SEN) students and would support OFSTED recommendations.  Transport officers had reviewed the space and would take measures to reduce congestion. The school would advocate for walking to school.   Members of the board were encouraged to read and participate in the consultation.

ACTION:  Alice to circulate the link to the consultation in the notes.

Proposal to move Furze Down School sixth form - Your Voice Bucks - Citizen Space

To be presented by Victoria Nash, Domestic Resource Efficiency Service, Buckinghamshire Council

Vicky Nash, Energy Doctor conducted a presentation about the scheme and the initiatives available to improve energy efficiency. There were small measures that could be undertaken to make improvements to homes.  The scheme would run until 2025.  There was a limited budget and the service would source additional funding if required.

In response to queries about how the scheme was rolled out, it was clarified that the scheme would commence in March 2023 in Opportunity Bucks areas (Aylesbury, Chesham and Wycombe) before being rolled out more widely.  Initially it would be specifically available to private rentals.  Residents could request an assessment online:

Home - Better Housing Better Health (bhbh.org.uk)

Request a visit from an Energy Doctor | Buckinghamshire Council

Sara Turnbull asked Vicky if they could have a discussion outside of the meeting regarding links with Adult Social Care.

ACTION:  Alice to provide Vicky Nash contact details to Sara Turnbull.

To be presented by Ross Hockham, UK Astronomy

Ross Hockham provided a project update from UK Astronomy (project received funding from the Buckingham & Villages Community Board).

The presentation included details of the project beginnings and how it has developed into an educational charity, teaching people of all ages about astronomy.  UK Astronomy now has an inflatable planetarium that can be used to conduct sessions during poor weather.  The project will soon be rolled out to local secondary schools.  The planetarium could fit 40+ young people.  It was most suitable for Year 6 and above but they have recently acquired software that was targeted towards younger children.

Ross highlighted that free software is available- Stellarium Astronomy Software. This can be accessed from home for self learning.

To be presented by Alice Williams

·       Funding Update

·       Action Plan / Task & Finish Groups

·       Project /Board Activity Update

Alice Williams highlighted the funding report on page 15 of the agenda pack.

As part of the update, the funding process was clarified.  Applicants were required to speak to the Community Board Manager before submitting an application to ensure that the project was suitable for community board funding. There were two funding streams-  community project funding (over 1,000) and small grants (up to £1,000).  Contributory funding was required for project funding but not small grants.

The Community Board priorities had been set for 2023/24.  These were:  Youth, Health and Wellbeing, Road Safety and Economic Regeneration. Action groups would be formed around the theme of each priority to initiate and develop projects around these themes.  An online form has been set up for residents to submit ideas, this would be shared and promoted on social media:  https://forms.office.com/e/9EJWVumtGQ 

Alice gave thanks to all who had attended the Community Engagement and Partnerships / Proud of Bucks Awards event on 4 May 2023.  A member of the board raised that the social media posts celebrating the winners / highly commended nominees did not explain why they had won their awards.  Alice responded that the reason for this was to keep social media posts short and concise, however the community board summer newsletter would provide detail.

Alice advised that she frequently worked “on the patch” and her schedule was to base herself at Molly’s Community Café, Steeple Claydon on Wednesdays, 10am-1pm and Buckingham Library on Thursdays, 10am-1pm.  Board members were welcome to drop in at these times, but were advised to let Alice know beforehand in case there were diary conflicts.

ACTION:  Members of the board to contact Alice if they had a project idea or wanted to be part of an action group.

ACTION:  Alice to share link to the online form:

Opportunity for members of the public and the board to raise local matters and questions

No questions were submitted in advance. 

A member of the board highlighted local events taking place over the summer, including Buckingham Play Day: Buckingham Play Day - Buckingham Town Council (buckingham-tc.gov.uk)

It was requested that communication be sent to Town and Parish Councils about community safety engagement and Thames Valley Police (TVP) surgery dates.

A member of the board asked if letters could be sent on behalf of the community board to celebrate local milestones, such as 100 years of Stowe.

ACTION: Members of the board to send Alice any local events that they wanted promoted in the summer community board newsletter.

ACTION: Alice to send details of TVP surgeries to town and parish council contacts.

ACTION: Alice to follow up regarding local milestones.   

12 October 2023

8 February 2023

12^th October

8^th February

Thanks were given to Akeley Parish Council for hosting the meeting at Akeley Village Hall.