Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Wendy Matthews welcomed the Community Board to the meeting.

Alan Wilson and Kevin Brown declared an interest in Pinewood Studios.

To review and sign off the actions notes from the meeting on 6 July 2021

The Chairman updated the Board on the outstanding actions from the previous meeting.

·         Item 5, the working group membership had been collated and established.

·         Item 6, information on how to join the Waddesdon meetings concerning Freight Strategy had been circulated.

Update delivered by Sgt Dan Ryder, Thames Valley Police.

The Community Board Co-ordinator, Alice Williams gave an update on behalf of Sgt Dan Ryder.

• There had been an 8% reduction in the number of burglaries compared with the same quarter from the previous year for the Wexham/Ivers and Stoke Poges Neighbourhood policing area. This reflected a 41% reduction in yearly burglaries. From October 2019-2020, there were 102 reported burglarly dwellings and from 2020-2021, there were 61.
• Action taken on antisocial behaviour and speeding had been successful and the pro-active response taken by police was highlighted in the report included in the minutes.
• The Community Board was pleased that the Police were taking action against parking on Iver High Street.

Action:

• Alice to check with TVP the law regarding parking on the pavement.

Update delivered by Stewart Pomeroy, Groundwork.

Stewart Pomeroy, the Colne Valley Park Programme Manager gave an update on the Colne Valley Park.

·         The work of the Colne Valley Park was highlighted, the 6 objectives were Landscape, Countryside, Biodiversity, Recreation, Rural Economy and Community.

·         There were notable challenges were facing the park, including the construction of HS2, Pinewood Studios expansion and extensive construction works throughout the park.

·         An ecological impact study was suggested for the park to pursue to assist with funding applications. The apprenticeship scheme the park operated could be eligible for funding from the Community Board.

Action:

• Alice Williams to discuss with Stewart Pomeroy projects eligible for Community Board funding

1)      Community Board Action Plan

2)      Working Groups

3)      Funding Update

The Community Board co-ordinator, and sub-group leads presented the Community Board Updates.

• Environment and Green Spaces sub-group. The sponsored planters at various locations throughout Ivers & Wexham parishes were highlighted. Suitability of plants for these locations were being assessed. The group was exploring wildflower planting on verges, the approval process for this was being finalised by Buckinghamshire Council. Further ideas involved a community clean-up and  an anti-littering campaign with school involvement.
• Economic Recovery sub-group. A virtual high street was still being pursued, using Princes Risborough as an example. Upskilling and developing employability skills were a priority for the sub-group. It was recently agreed to fund The Ivers hub, which may be used by Bucks Business First and Bucks Adult Learning for this purpose. 
• Highways and Infrastructure sub-group. The Ivers Parking scheme was progressing. The Iver Heath informal consultation had completed and TFB would be producing a PID which would come to the Community Board. The Group had been examining ways to fund elements of the Ivers Active Travel Strategy which would include regeneration of some rural footpaths. Bids had been received for TFB funding for next year, this was taken to the TFB group to explore options.
• Health and wellbeing sub-group. Key projects were highlighted. Mental wellbeing projects within school were being pursued, a key stage 1 project with Buckinghamshire Mind had been successfully funded. A street association project was explored with an update to be given at the next sub-group.

Funding Update

·         There was currently £305,721 left in the budget from an initial budget of £321,405, with £15,684 spent.

·         It was noted there were £59,844 in funding applications awaiting approval.

·         Public questions

The Chairman gave an update on Community Matters.

• Buckinghamshire is part of the new national design code trial, the Community Board was encouraged to respond to the survey.
• The Bucks Health Team are to provide a Health profile for the Community Board.

25^th January 2021

The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 25^th January 2022.