Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Karen Groom, Claire Bamber, Sue Severn.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December, 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Members to declare any interests.

There were none.

Repair Café - An update on the project and aspirations (Alex Razak)

Additional Project update tbc

Representatives from two projects that had received funding from the community board were invited to give a brief presentation to highlight the impact of their respective projects on their local areas.

Repair Café (Alex Razak)

The repair café had launched in February 2022 and alternated between Pitstone Pavilion and Ivinghoe Hub every 4^th Saturday morning, to repair electrical items that would otherwise be thrown away and contribute to electronic waste and pollution. Alex was extremely grateful for the volunteers who have given up their time to support the café by lending their expertise or providing food. The turnaround for funding from the community board had been less than two months, which had played a part in ensuring that the services of those volunteering could be kept. Savoury food and cakes were provided, and the café served a double purpose as a nice place for the community to socialise while they waited for their turn at one of the repairing tables. They were then asked if they would like to make a donation, which was used to maintain the café. The next meeting would take place on 25^th March between 9:30am to 12:30pm at the Pitstone Pavillion.

Alex confirmed that she was aware of at least three other repair cafés across the country that were able to continue to operate through donations exclusively, and this is what was intended for this project. The community board funding was put towards initial start-up costs including insurance and training courses for repair volunteers, however this was not expected to be a recurring cost moving forward.

Orchard Ground (Martyn Waters)

Community board funding had assisted in a wider project to renovate the recreational site and the surrounding area. This included efforts to restore previously waterlogged areas and helped to increase general accessibility to the site and allotments. The site played host to a number of community activities including the local cricket and tennis clubs, which were now better able to provide coached activities for young people around the Cublington area and further afield.

Following a survey of those in the community, the neighbouring North Field site was successful in acquiring planning permission for a change of use from agricultural land to public amenity. 2,500 tree whips from the Woodland Trust had since been planted at the site by a team of volunteers. Heart of Bucks had also provided a grant for a community orchard with 60 fruit trees, and a blossom circle to commemorate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic in the village. More mature trees had been integrated into the new woodland area following a donation from the Tree Council. Future plans for the site included a hard surface footpath and a fresh air fitness trail.

Martyn confirmed that he was happy to provide advice to other Parish Councils regarding the process by which planning permission was sought and granted for developments like the Orchard Ground site, in order to facilitate similar renovation efforts elsewhere.

Engagement & Funding Update

Working Practices 23/24

Engagement & Funding Update   

Katrina reminded attendees that the budget for the 2022/23 fiscal year stood at £99,040 of which £58,501.93 had been allocated. £40,122.54 was awaiting allocation to pending projects. It was explained that 50% of grant and small grants applications had been received between December and January, creating a bottleneck in applications processing, and explaining the large amount of money awaiting allocation.

Twenty projects had been funded in the 2022-23 fiscal year, double that of the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Of the four priority areas established by the community board (Economic Recovery, Environment, Health and Wellbeing, and Highways), 75% of funding had been allocated to projects related to health and wellbeing, identifying this as the top priority area for the community board by a significant margin.

Working Practices 23/24

Katrina also invited feedback on potential improvements to the funding application process into the next fiscal year. The responses were given in writing and would be collated and considered for implementation. A particular query concerned a digital means of applying for funding, which would allow applicants to track their application through various stages. It was explained that this was a good idea but might not be feasible to create an implement in time for the next fiscal year.

In the Patch

Katrina had been out and about much more over recent months and had enjoyed meeting people and taking feedback on the community board and its work. Anyone who wanted Katrina to attend an event to promote the community board, or provide advice on a potential project was free to contact her to discuss at wingandivinghoecb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

An update on the projects the Youth Council have identified and how this can support wider board communications and consultation. (David Kellner)

David Kellner (Wing Parish Chairman) gave an update to the community board to highlight project ideas that had been identified by the Wing Youth Council (comprised of eight pupils from The Cottesloe School, and four from Overstone School). The Youth Council’s Chairman had attended the last Wing Parish Council meeting to highlight their work and seek support from the Parish Council where suitable. A refurbishment the Jubilee green play area had been identified as the Youth Council’s first project. The Wing Allotment Society had also provided an allotment for the Youth Council to use to grow vegetables.

David would endeavour to arrange someone from the Youth Council to come along to a future community board meeting.

To address questions from the public. Questions to be submitted in advance of the meeting to: wingandivinghoecb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

·       Proud of Bucks Awards  

·       Community News

·       Dementia Awareness Training

Proud of Bucks Awards

Winners had been selected in all three categories (Young Community Champion, Local Community Champion, and Community Group Contribution). Congratulations were given to all those nominated. The awards ceremony would take place in June 2023 once a venue was confirmed. The date for the ceremony would be communicated in due course. The awards would be a community board event, so all parishes and residents were welcome to attend. Anyone with suggestions of who could be invited to speak or attend the ceremony (including representatives from local charities or community groups) was advised to notify Katrina.

Community News

Wing Market had invested in social media to boost local awareness. It was hoped that the community board would have a presence there once a month moving forward.

Attendees were asked to promote the Great British Spring Clean in their areas.

A huge congratulations was given to Wing Belles Girls Football Team on their U18s Berks and Bucks FA County Cup win.

Dementia Awareness Training

A training provider for the Dementia Awareness Training had now been booked. Sessions were free to access but would require advanced booking via Eventbrite due to limited spaces (108 in total). There would be three sessions per day (9:30am-12pm, 12:15pm – 2:45pm, 3pm – 5:30pm) on the following dates:

·       16th May, Pitstone Pavillion – Dementia Action Week

·       30th May, Watermead Village Hall 

·       07th June, (Venue TBC) – Carers Week