Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed all in attendance and introduced Vice Chair Cllr Mimi Harker, Cabinet Member Cllr Arif Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities and BC Officers.

Apologies were received from Cllr Jane MacBean, Carole Eaden, Vanessa Martin, Kyle Banks, Darren Walsh, Christopher Black

No declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023.

Approved

·       Buckinghamshire Council Updates - Lindsey Vallis (5 minutes)

·       Consultations – Cllr Peter Martin (1 minute)

·       TVP/Community Safety – Robert Gibson (10 minutes) 

·       EPetition- Speed Reduction on London Road (Lindsey Vallis / Cllr Peter Martin) (10 minutes)

·       Questions - (members of the public have been invited to submit questions in advance of the meeting to missendenscb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk)

• Buckinghamshire Council Update:

Lindsey Vallis provided an update (attached). Highlighted Playstreets, Openreach, Film Office, Cost of Living, Ward Boundary Consultation and Rural Business Grants.

The Chair, Cllr Martin highlighted that one local business in Prestwood have been referred to the Rural Business Grant Scheme and appears to be a good fit in benefiting them.

Comment:

Cllr Jonathan Waters commented about the local plan consultations and asked that all please put in their views as it is very important to get a broader view of the diverse community, particular from the younger generation.

The Chair, Cllr Martin asked if the council were getting a good response to the consultation. Cllr Waters highlighted areas where it was promoted had highest response rates.

Action: All to assist in promoting the Local Plan

Mike Etkind commented that feedback once the consultation has been completed is very useful and doesn’t currently feel that Buckinghamshire Council give enough. Residents need to know that they have been listened to and this needs demonstrating.

Cllr Waters responded to say there is a need to look at how terminology is managed etc, and there will be some noticeable changes.

Action: Cllr Jonathan Waters to feedback comments made tonight back to the Planning Team at Buckinghamshire Council.

• Consultations: None noted

• Community Safety Update

Robert Gibson of Chiltern and South Bucks Policing Issues Forum provided a presentation (attached).

Robert explained the focus for the Missendens Community Board is on Neighbourhood Teams and discussed what we can do locally. For example, Neighbourhood Watch initiatives and Community Speed Watch. 

It is noted that Chiltern & South Bucks area responses were lower than the last survey but during that point, the area was experiencing a higher burglary rate. These numbers have thankfully reduced since then. The  Missendens area were the most engaged on the forum. Strong themes emerged from the survey with speeding being the number one concern (since Nov 21), followed by Drugs & ASB (2&3) then Burglary (4) which is currently standing at around four per month in The Missendens. Crime trends in The Missendens are the lowest in Chiltern & South Bucks. Will retain focus areas around Burglary, Speeding and Drugs.

Quarterly Neighbourhood Policing Reports are produced by TVP.

Action: all to visit ‘CSB-forum.org’ to access report

Safer Bucks Partnership (Local community safety partnership: The Safer Buckinghamshire Board | Buckinghamshire Council) This is a Buckinghamshire Council led partnership to make Buckinghamshire safer. Neighbourhood crime is a priority. PCC- published ‘crime fighter’ strategy.  Neighbourhood policing at top of the agenda. TVP going through restructure. Ambition is for LPAs to have double no of constables, could be fewer PCSOs and problem-solving teams. More resource at Neighbourhood level. Is a resourcing challenge.

Neighbourhood Watch:

Community Speed Watch: It is noted that there have been no new Community Speed Watch initiatives in past four months. Eighteen volunteers have dropped to seven (could be due to new training requirements), 

John Cadman noted that 60% of local residents are the speeders and asked how can we get  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

·       Kingshill Baptist Church- Community Hall - Martin Hatfield (5 minutes)

·       Misbourne Area Youth – Colin Veysey (5 minutes)

·       GMPRG Revitalisation Group Written Update – Emma Barrows) (5 minutes)

Martin Hatfield – Kingshill Baptist Church (Minister) provided a presentation (attached).

It has been a 20 year ambition for the Kingshill Baptist Church to address a new church hall with this 7 year vision now coming to fruition. The new community hall will be a hub for the village. Highlighted were the environmental focus of the project sustaining and enhancing wildlife habitats. New build hoped to be completed by the end of 2024. Two thirds of funds are from churchgoers with the remaining from other partners. 

Martin thanked the Community Board for funding towards the project.

Chair, Cllr Martin commented that the Kingshill Kitchen coffee shop is great and asked if HS2 contractors Align/EFKB have been helpful and is happy to speak up on behalf of the church’s project.

Action: Cllr Martin and Rev Martin Hatfield to speak after the meeting

Catherine Bunting asked for total cost of project and hall size. Rev Hatfield responded to say the total cost of the project is circa £750k with the hall space slightly larger than the Little Kingshill Village Hall.

Anne Hewett of Great Missenden Paris Council noted for the benefit of all attendees that the Little Kingshill Village Hall is tied to the school for use and so not always available, justifying the need for an additional community space for the area.

• Colin Veysey- Misbourne Area Youth (MAY) Presentation.

Dave Rollins (local Youth Worker) delivered a research project for the Missendens area. All local schools were sent a survey to be completed by students and parents and three hundred responses were received. Colin explained that there are a lot of activities available to young people in the Missendens area and these need to be promoted. Draft report expected end of September 2023 followed by publication in the public domain. Areas of concern and opportunity highlighted:

• Freshers type fair- local groups to present their opportunities.
• Guide for opportunities for young people, online and hard copy.
• ‘Lifestyle’ type centre- Great Missenden Library safe space, cafes & halls nearby- development of a less defined space for young people to be.
• Radio and podcasting training
• Develop a catalogue of experts by experience from older generation- i.e. life skills

It was identified through the survey that young people spend a lot of time on mobile phones; on average six hours per day. The aim is to give an opportunity to use devices more effectively and to meet face to face.

Cllr Martin highlighted that the Community Board are currently working with MAY to get the youth space and freshers style event up and running.

John Cadman noted that parents have said teenagers can’t use Sprinters Sports Club in Prestwood if not accompanied by an adult. Could this be clarified?

Colin Vesey responded that this is possibly the case in specific areas, such as the gym, but not for overall use.

Debbie Hulme introduced herself as the Community Co-Ordinator, Childrens Services at Buckinghamshire Council and offered her support for the Missendens area.

Action: Colin and Debbie to speak  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To be presented by Kerry Rackstraw / Emma Barrows

Cllr Martin highlighted budget as £73,724.00 for 2023/24.

Actively looking for other projects. It has been highlighted that some people have struggled with the application. Cllr Martin emphasised that the Community Board Managers are here to assist with this. 

Feedback given about the application process. Cllr Martin welcomed partners to feedback to the Community Board team to help inform the improvement work of this process. It was highlighted that the Council need to follow policy and procedures surrounding funding.

Cllr Harker highlighted the need to use the recent Select Committee Report recommendations.

Emma Barrows highlighted the many partners we are working with in the community. It was emphasised that the Community Board Managers are based in the community and are happy to meet onsite at any time to discuss bringing partnerships together and funding opportunities.

Emma highlighted two ideas and asked for Board feedback:

• Self Defence Classes for females 12+ (with adult) and then 16+

-       Cllr Catherine Bunting noted that this shouldn’t be female only- especially for young boys. This is noted by the Board. 

-       Cllr Harker highlighted personal experiences and supports in principle.

-       Mike Etkind referred the Board to the recent BBC article on Prestwood and asked should we look at need first- health inequalities etc? Emma and Cllr Martin highlighted yes.

• Dementia Awareness Training

-       Debbie Hulme highlighted the Dementia Bus training has been delivered in other areas and has been very successful.

-       Cllr Waters agreed it was a valuable experience when he took part in the training.

-       It was note that Dementia is an issue within The Missendens Community Board area due to demographics.

-       Cllr Harker highlighted the Dementia Friends sessions which have been delivered in other areas. 

-       Wendy from Road Farm noted consideration for carer support should be highlighted. The Countryman’s Club is held at Road Farm and people from the local community often highlight this need for support.

-       Link to Carers Bucks

Kayleigh from Holy Trinity Church, Prestwood noted that they are currently looking to develop an Intergenerational café for those living with dementia, their carers plus SEND children and their carers. It is noted that the Community Board Managers are currently in conversation with Holy Trinity Church regarding this project.

Cllr Peter Martin / Cllr Mimi Harker

·       Bringing the community together

·       Young People and Families

·       Regeneration

·       Health and Wellbeing

·       Community Safety

Cllr Martin highlighted priorities for the current year as per agenda and welcomed the Board’s comments and ideas.

Thomas Tyrrell noted that the concrete planters in Prestwood need to be improved.

Cllr Catherine Bunting noted the Pride flags which were flown during the recent Pride Week were popular and looked great. Many positive comments were received. Residents have asked if the flagpoles can be used more often and introduced into Prestwood. A good way to get colour in Prestwood and highlight particular events.  

Mike Etkind highlighted the need to have more youth engagement on the Patient Participation Group based in the Missendens doctors surgeries. 

Cllr Catherine Bunting noted that there are many pupils at Misbourne School who might be interested in volunteering.

Action: Mike Etkind to share information with Cllr Catherine Bunting regarding PPG volunteering

Cllr Martin highlighted that the priorities will underpin work going forward.

Cllr Martin announced the very positive news that the Great Missenden to High Wycombe (number 41) bus service will now be extended to Amersham (old and new town) A meeting with Carousel Buses took place earlier in year and it as highlighted that the service is now being utilised more.

It is noted that comments were received stating the service is reliable, on time and the app is very user friendly. Going forward, it would be appreciated if the service could run later into the evening. Cllr Bunting enquired whether we could fund buses rather than car park use during the Christmas period to encourage people to visit their local towns / villages to do shopping / eat out. 

Action: Lindsay noted the above comments to take back to the service.

Action: All to promote the new Amersham service

Cllr Martin thanked all for attending and contributing to the meeting this evening.

Tuesday 28^th November 2023, Venue TBC

Tuesday 28 November 2023 – venue TBC