Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed the all those present to this the first official public meeting of the Board and requested that microphones should be muted. Members were asked to note that the meeting would be recorded and be subsequently available to view via the Bucks Council website.

Apologies for absence were received for Councillors: Mrs L Clarke, M Clarke and N Teesdale.  

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Community Board held on 16 July 2020 be confirmed as a true record.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Leader of the Council Councillor Martin Tett gave a brief introduction to the launch of the Community Boards initiative. He outlined their background and how they came into being together with a summary of the allocated budget. Members were informed as to how we could all work together to achieve improved outcomes for our residents.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted. 

The Chairman highlighted that the five sub-groups had been set up to identify local priorities. Over the course of the past few weeks there had been much activity. The work had involved networking and engaging in a two way dialogue with relevant organisations and institutions. A number of promotional mornings had also been held including one for Suicide Prevention which was held on 10 September. In addition World Mental Health Day was planned to take place on 10 October.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

a)     Covid 19 Recovery Resilience & Regeneration

b)     Local Infrastructure

c)     Community Cohesion

d)     Mental Health & Community

e)     Environment & Climate Change

Covid 19 Recovery Resilience & Regeneration

Councillor Knight informed Members that there had been 3 main areas of work which included. (i) Voluntary Sector work during lockdown and the good practice and positive work that was ongoing during the pandemic. (ii) Making the town centre a positive place for people which included support to local businesses during the restrictions. (iii) Recognising the markets in High Wycombe as a focal point to encourage activity in the town centre.

Councillor Knight went on to explain the answers to some of the many questions which had been received in advance of the meeting. These would be circulated separately with the minutes.

Local Infrastructure

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor Hashmi outlined the main plan for the forthcoming 6 month period. Issues to be considered would include: (i) speeding in the town of High Wycombe. This piece of work would include working closely with Thames Valley Police. (ii) Parking issues and problems with displaced parking. Also looking at the shortage of wardens and parking controls as part of the review. (iii) Junction protection and footpath maintenance. Accessibility to footpaths was especially relevant in the current situation with a need to encourage more people to walk/ cycle, and to generally manage the reduced capacity on public transport and the reduction in car use.

Questions received in advance of the meeting would be circulated separately

Community Cohesion 

Councillor R Raja explained that one of the main pieces of work within this sub group had included (i) the provision of information in community languages in order to get the Covid prevention message across, together with a planned ESOL course in obesity and healthy living. (ii) Black history month. A talk was expected to take place to educate people in the different forms of racism. (iii) keeping streets clean and tidy exercise.

Mental Health & Community

Councillor Wassell summarised the main headings within the remit of this sub group. It included (i) suicide prevention, (ii) BAME and mental health support, (iii) Respite care and (iv) youth homelessness.

Councillor Wassell emphasised that mental health was a very large subject indeed and that the first priority had to be suicide prevention awareness. This would involve close collaboration with the Samaritans and it was emphasised that young men and those in their middle years were particularly susceptible.

World Mental Health day would be held on 10 October.

BAME & Mental Health Support. It was emphasised that black men were 4 times more likely than any other community group to be held within secure units.  It was the intention to set up a support group in order to provide continuous care for both carers and survivors to help support each other.

Youth Homelessness

It was necessary to demonstrate to the youths how housing could be accessed, and provide an explanation as to their rights. It was essential to provide a level of optimism in Wycombe and the correct advice and guidance.

People were requested to contact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Inspector Steve Bobbett conducted a brief presentation on neighbourhood policing. This included information on the role and focus of neighbourhoods and the make-up of the teams in operation. He also proceeded to report on recent community initiatives that had been introduced and also future scheduled events which were due to take place within the community.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Fay Ewing provided a brief overview of the funding applications process. She directed members to the online application for community boards funding and encouraged the discussion of potential applications with herself to establish and ensure that it was in line with board priorities.

A total number of five funding applications were circulated for discussion. These included Geralds Road Traffic Calming, Mill End Road 20mph Advisory Zone and Parking at Hatters Lane. Two of the schemes namely Herbert/Hawthorne Road and High Wycombe Junction Protection Markings had been withdrawn for further information.

It was yet to be decided whether an electronic version of the two outstanding schemes would be electronically circulated for consideration/approval or whether it would require a special meeting to be held.  

RESOLVED: That funding for the 3 schemes be approved

RESOLVED: That the next meeting be held on Wednesday 4 November 2020 at 6.30pm