Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed attendees to the meeting.

There were apologies for absence from Cllr Tim Butcher, Cllr Linda Smith and Cllr Isobel Darby.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held 8 June 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Presentation by Andrew Smith OBE.

Andrew Smith OBE Deputy Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire and Corporate Affairs Director at Pinewood Studios gave a presentation on the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The slides were appended to these minutes and the following points were highlighted:

• The Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire Lady Howe was the Sovereign’s personal representative in Buckinghamshire.
• The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is the highest accolade for UK businesses to achieve.  The awards recognised worldwide celebrate outstanding contribution from businesses.
• There were four categories which businesses were required to excel in one. These included promoting opportunity, sustainable development, innovation and international trade. The majority of winners from Buckinghamshire achieved international trade and innovation criteria. 
• The benefits of winning the award include an increase in sales and exports, a reception at Buckingham Palace, global recognition and opportunities to work with the government.
• The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. It is considered the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.
• The eligibility criteria is available online https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/
• The awards are decided by the Cabinet Office however; lieutenants can advise voluntary groups on the application process.
• There was a request for the Board to promote the awards and encourage voluntary organisations in the area to apply.
• There are over 4100 voluntary organisations in Buckinghamshire.

A Member asked if there was a criterion to identify organisations which would be ideal candidates for the award. It was advised organisations with an outstanding contribution in the local community would be considered. The deputy lieutenants would assist with the application process and there was a checklist highlighting all information required.

The Chairman thanked Andrew Smith OBE for his informative presentation and advised the information for organisations to apply would be included in Community Board communications to encourage applications.

It was highlighted the Lieutenant officers who assisted with the application process were local officers part of the wider national office. The Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council was the Clerk to the Lord Lieutenant providing administrative support.  

Presented by Cllr Santokh Chhokar, Chair of Denham, Gerrards Cross and The Chalfonts Community Board.

The Proud of Bucks awards would return after last year’s success, to award local people for their outstanding contributions in the community. Nominations would open from 9^th January 2023 and close on 12^th February                2023. Successful nominees would be welcomed to attend an event in the spring to celebrate their achievements. The awards would recognise smaller locally focused projects with adult, young person and group community champion categories.

Presentation by Lizzie Wright, Community Board Manager for Amersham & Villages.

Lizzie Wright, Community Board Manager for Amersham and the Villages gave a presentation on youth engagement with a focus on schools.

The following points were highlighted:

• Young people are a large proportion of the demographic in Board areas. Reaching out to school pupils would also help engagement with parents and carers.
• In Amersham and the Villages all schools in the Board area were approached to seek project ideas. School assemblies were useful in spreading the word about initiatives. The Board was introduced through letters to pupils and parents and school newsletters. A simple idea form was created to take to events and schools which was accessible for all ages to put forward project ideas. 
• The projects supported by the Board were highlighted on the presentation. Projects included wildflower seeds for primary school children, Amersham Youth Club refurbishment and fitness garden, Stoney Dean pond refurbishment, Little Chalfont Primary School kitchen garden and herb garden, Chesham Bois School no stopping signs outside the school, five commemorative benches installed along walking routes, defibrillator instillation and first aid training with Dr Challoner’s School.

A new competition was launched for young people and schools to put forward project ideas to win a share of a total £9,000 prize fund.

The Chairman highlighted the Board would contact local schools to discuss project ideas. The bright ideas competition for young people was commended as a great way for children to lead on project initiatives.

The Community Board Manager, Liz Charter advised the Chesham and Villages Community Board were piloting a literacy and cultural awareness project in five primary schools. The project would entail five Ukrainian cultural days for key stage two pupils. It was noted this would be useful in the Denham, Gerrards Cross and the Chalfonts area where there was a large number of Ukrainian guests.

A member of the Board queried if the projects listed were suggested by school children and their parents or schools. It was highlighted the projects had arisen from a variety of means including word of mouth and discussion with headteachers. 

Questions from members of the public can be submitted in advance of the meeting to denhamgxchalfonts@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk

It was confirmed no public questions had been received for this meeting. Members and residents were encouraged to submit questions five working days in advance.

Presented by Simon James, Service Director for Education.

Simon James, Service Director for Education, Buckinghamshire Council provided an update on Council matters. The update was appended to these minutes and the following points were highlighted:

• The Council had a number of schemes to help residents with the cost of living crisis. The Helping Hands scheme was supporting families experiencing financial hardship via cash payments or post office vouchers. Support was available during the school holidays with free activities and food. Council libraries and community buildings were open as ‘welcoming spaces’ providing a warm space for residents to sit during the day. There was a dedicated cost of living crisis section on Buckinghamshire Council website https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
• There were currently 58 roads and highways projects across the county. The Board would not accept additional highways funding applications for the year 2023-24. All Community Boards would be consulted on the new protocol for highways funding going forward.
• There were 700 Ukrainian families supported in Buckinghamshire and 1200 guests housed with 500 children attending local schools. The six-month initial stay for families would come to an end soon with various options available including an extension of offer from sponsors, re-matching and private rental and social housing.
• The waste team were aware of missed bin collections in some areas in the south. The chargeable garden waste subscription service was rolled out across the Wycombe area.

A Member highlighted there were ongoing missed waste collections for certain residents on the collect and return service. These residents did not have access to computers to reports missed collections. It was requested that this was investigated further by the service area.

It was confirmed that no further highways projects would be considered by Community Boards for the next year. Residents or community organisations were encouraged to research and prepare any highways applications to be considered in 2024-25.

A Member raised the issue of footpath and rights of way repairs in Denham. It was requested the member email Liz Charter and ward Councillors the specific locations in need of attention which can be passed to the relevant department. It was noted the footpaths at Denham Garden Villages were referred to Transport for Bucks for attention.

A Member raised antisocial behaviour horse and trap racing on the A413 and the lack of progress on providing a solution to the issue. A meeting was requested for all interested parties including Transport for Bucks, Thames Valley Police and the MP for Beaconsfield.

Presented by Liz Charter, Community Board Manager, Denham Gerrards Cross and The Chalfonts.

Liz Charter, Community Board Manager, Buckinghamshire Council provided an update on Board matters. The following points were raised:

• There were four priority areas for the Board including the environment, health and wellbeing, community safety and highways and economic regeneration.
• The Board had an annual budget of £114,206 with a total spend to date of £67,137. A breakdown of the budget spend areas was provided with 51% spent on health and wellbeing, 25% on community safety and highways and 24% on environmental projects.
• Projects funded were listed including a silver Sunday community event at Denham Garden Village which was well attended.
• Projects in the pipeline were currently under consideration by Members. Kings Church Amersham Christmas hamper appeal was a multi Board project to provide food for families in need.
• There was a reminder when applying for funding to check the Community Board website and discuss projects with Liz Charter pre-application. There was a maximum of £15,000 for general funding and small grants would increase from £1,000 to £5,000 if the project related to the cost of living crisis. 
• As part of the welcoming spaces initiative organisations were encouraged to use the online toolkit and register their community space online.
• The ‘all together’ community event held in Chalfont St Giles was well attended and successful.
• Christmas events across the area were highlighted on the presentation. Any further community events contact Liz Charter to be added to the list.                       

The Chairman highlighted the budget setting meeting would take place in January 2023. There would be survey for residents to have their say on the Board’s key priorities.

The calendar of meetings for the next year was requested.

February 23^rd – Board Meeting via MS Teams

January 26^th 6.30pm – Funding Meeting via MS Team

Budget Meeting 26^th January 2023, 6:30pm, MS Teams 

Community Board 23^rd February 6:30pm, MS Teams