Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and undertook introductions.

He explained that the Cabinet Member for Communities and Thames Valley Police (TVP) had unfortunately sent their apologies.

Caroline Cousin – Great Horwood parish Council

John Collinge - Newton Longville Parish Council

Padbury Parish Council 

Wendy Taylor - Soulbury Parish Council

Oliver Rhodes

Councillor Arif Hussain – Cabinet Member for Communities

Inspector James Davies

To approve the draft minutes of the meeting held on 19^th July 2023 as a correct record.

The action notes from the previous meeting were agreed.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Arif Hussain

The Cabinet Member for Communities was unavailable sent his apologies.

TVP were unable to attend due to being on operations, and sent their apologies.

Lucy Martin

Lucy Martin, Chief Executive of Carers Bucks (CB) gave a presentation of the organisation and the work they undertaken.  The slides are attached to the action notes.

Aldo Simone

Aldo Simone, Trading Standards Officer gave a presentation on scams work.  The slides are attached to the action notes.

Martin Dickman

The corporate update was available online with the meeting papers.

The meeting was signposted to the local plan where engagement will start with communities in early 2024 and a reminder of the cost of living fund available to residents who may need support.

A reminder was also given about the consultation currently open - a review on where to vote (polling stations) and the Buckinghamshire Housing Strategy.

It was agreed to have an item for housing growth on the next CB meeting.

Q:  When is the local plan being published – no official date but likely 2027.

Sophia Comer

Phil Gomm, Chairman and Sophia Comer, Manager provided the update.  The slides are attached to the action notes.

Councillor Phil Gomm and Councillor John Chilver

Environment – several visits have been undertaken during the year to completed projects, the same arrangement will run in 2024 and suggestions are welcome for places to visit.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Rural Community Uplift – will be looking at a community bus transport project to bring people from more rural communities into towns.  Due to time pressure, the Chairman asked people to contact him directly for further information.

Questions submitted in advance to winvill@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

• Nash Community Garden project - A report on the project was available at the meeting.  A recommendation report will be circulated after the meeting for comment.

• A short overview was given about an environmental wellbeing centre being established at Pitchcott. We will invite Tony to attend our next meeting to provide a further update.

• Meetings/attendance – it was suggested there was not enough time for items on the agenda and the meetings were infrequent, should there be more?  Also was the town & parish attendance good?
  The Chairman confirmed he and the Board Manager were looking at these going forward; he also confirmed he had written to all town & parish councils encouraging them to come to the meetings and be part of the Board.
  It was confirmed the number of town & parishes attending board meetings across the county varies due to the number of local councils in each board area, so it was difficult to draw comparisons.  In some there were 30 local councils, in others just 2.  The view was that this meeting had a good level of local council attendance.

7th February 2024

7^th February 6:30 pm via Teams