Agenda and minutes

Contact: Iram Malik 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

To receive apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Graham, Hayday, Pearce and Teesdale.  

2.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Previously circulated

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 23 September 2020 be approved subject to the addition of a sentence at minute 7 stating that there were gaps in the provision of respite day services for older people and their carers.

 

3.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were received

4.

CHAIRMAN`S WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed all those present at the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

5.

PRESENTATION - BUCKS COUNCIL LOCAL SUPPORT HUB UPDATE

Please submit questions in advance of the meeting if possible to Fay.Ewing@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Minutes:

Emma Denley (Localism Manager (Local Support Hubs)) conducted a presentation on the Local Support Hubs in operation.

 

Brief details were provided regarding the numbers shielding during the previous lockdown and it was highlighted that numbers of clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people in the area were relatively high and had increased since the previous lockdown due to the inclusion of additional categories. It was emphasised that although the definition of (CEV) did not currently include those with learning difficulties or mental health problems the definition was continually changing with additional categories being added on a regular basis.

 

The work of the local support hubs was explained describing the ways in which support was currently provided and the main principles that they worked to. A Member asked if an extra column could be inserted within the table showing the numbers of CEV people within the Community Board Area. The percentage of the population that was currently (CEV) would be a useful tool in indicating the degree of assistance that would be required within the area. 

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(a)   the table within the document be amended to include an additional column

 

(b)   the presentation document be circulated to members along with any unanswered questions.

6.

HIGH WYCOMBE COMMUNITY BOARD PROGRESS UPDATE

Please submit questions in advance of the meeting if possible to Fay.Ewing@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Minutes:

Members were informed of and provided with feedback concerning a number of events which had taken place since the last meeting of the Board. For example a town centre visit on 15 October to encourage investment, the launch of a Community Board banner for Mental Health Day on 10 October and events surrounding Black History Month. This included a visit to an exhibition at the Eden Centre curated by Wycombe Museum.

 

7.

NICK GRAHAM

Minutes:

Nick Graham Service Director for Legal & Democratic Services provided a brief introduction to his role and background.

 

Members were informed that each of the Service Directors had been aligned with a Local Community Board in order to provide the necessary support of its planned activities.

 

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

8.

SUB GROUP PROGRESS UPDATES

Please submit questions in advance of the meeting to Fay.Ewing@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 

  • Covid-19 recovery, resilience and regeneration
  • Local infrastructure and transport
  • Community cohesion
  • Mental health and community
  • Environment and climate change

Minutes:

Updates were provided for each of the sub groups and its activities since the last Board meeting.

 

Covid Recovery

 

Much work had been ongoing including a joint project with High Wycombe Bidco.

There had been a leaflet distribution programme, a walk around the town centre to encourage investment within the High street. The sub group was working hard to bring together the groups that were most well placed to provide strategic help and coordination during the lockdown period. The Chief Executive of Bidco also addressed Board members to explain about the parklet which Community Board Members had agreed to fund and recent activities with which it had been involved.

 

The Chairman of the sub group stated that applications for funding had been received but not yet considered.  

 

Infrastructure Transport

 

The Chairman of the sub group provided a brief summary of ongoing projects. In terms of highways, 5 new schemes had been approved. In terms of Herbert Road and Hawthorne Road a feasibility study was ongoing to design a solution to the problems.  Work was also ongoing in relation to the A40 including eastbound where there was much traffic congestion.

 

It was also reported that a High Wycombe Transport Strategy Consultation would begin on 6 November for a period of 5 weeks. The final strategy document was expected to be produced by February 2021.

 

Community Cohesion

 

Initial discussions had taken place to explore delivering talks about Black History and unconscious bias with the aim of following on from Black History month in October.

Consideration had been given to providing a reward with a prize to residents with the tidiest gardens, with a view to rolling out the scheme throughout High Wycombe based on the scheme ‘Making Bowerdean Beautiful’.

 

Presentation from the police for the near future was planned regarding anti- social behaviour.

 

Preparations for sessions on teaching of English as a second language were underway. Councillor Baughan stated that she was interested in empowering women from an Eastern European or Asian background where English was their second language through informal sessions. It was confirmed that the Hive had donated a space for the learning to take place.  

 

Mental Health & Community

 

4 bids had been submitted from small charities and were ready to be heard.

 

Suicide prevention awareness- one more meeting was scheduled to take place with the Chiltern Samaritans and the police after which a bid could be submitted

 

The Black Mental Health Matters support group bid was also ready to submit partners included Wycombe Multicultural Organisation, SV2G, Connect2Serve and Hope Church

 

Youth Homelessness bid for an information guide for young people at risk of homelessness was to be presented by the charity in the very near future.

 

Hairoun Day Centre was submitting a bid for an administrative post dealing with research and submission of funding bids.

 

The gap in the town and in the west of Wycombe was reiterated in terms of respite for the carers of older people with dementia. It was proposed that the relevant Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Minutes:

This was yet to be confirmed in due course.