Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all those present and thanked everyone for attending the first physical meeting of the Board.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs: A Alam, S Barrett, I Hussain, Mr & Mrs Hayday and K Wood.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2022

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting of the Board held on 9 February 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.  

No declarations of interest were received

The Chairman introduced the item stating that the Proud of Bucks awards were to celebrate individuals and groups who had made a difference within their communities. A number of nominations had been received for each category, and it was emphasised that all those nominated were worthy winners.

The final winners of the 3 categories were announced

Best Adult contribution Award – Mike Dean. Highly commended (Hillary Harvey)

Best Young Person Award -   Henry Sinclair. Highly commended (Keyaan Hameed)

Best Community Group – Wycombe Environment. Highly commended (Windowland Trail).

(i)                  The Hive Fencing – Amjad Iqbal (WISE)

(ii)                Our Commonwealth Queen Jubilee Crown - Jacque Roberts, SV2G

(iii)              Refresh – Hilary Payne (Wycombe Environment Centre)

The Hive Fencing- Amjad Iqbal (WISE)

An update was received on this project aimed at setting up a multi - use facility to serve as a community hub. It had fast gained a reputation for providing professionally run services and promoting mutual understanding via community cohesion initiatives and addressing common local issues.

Gratitude was expressed for the Board`s support and 18k of funding that had been received. A further 15k had been contributed by the Hive. Members were informed that security gates had been fitted and that it was very much hoped that new projects and initiatives wold continue to be delivered for the benefit of the local community.

Commonwealth Queen Jubilee Crown – Jacque Roberts (SV2G)

The primary aim had been to work with and empower young people and families, and to design a Jubilee crown. This had created a number of opportunities to develop artistic and social skills and raise self - esteem.  Heartfelt thanks was expressed to the Board for making the project possible, and the charity very much looked forward to the next opportunity to display the designed crown at another event and to showcase the talents of the young people involved.

Members congratulated Ms Roberts for all her hard work in coordinating the production of the impressive structure which also had a future life beyond the Jubilee celebrations.

Refresh – (Penelope Tollitt)

Members were thanked for the provision of funding. This had enabled the project, run by Wycombe Environment Centre to run a scrap store using a rent free shop in the Chiltern Centre. The shop operated a couple of hours per week, selling mainly to crafters in the area and its success had allowed for the recruitment of a paid part time employee.

The long term ambition was to establish a repair shop and locate to bigger premises working with a number of partners. It was hoped that repairing items and objects could be brought into the mainstream.

The Chairman thanked Members for their support of the projects.

Louise Hurst (Public Health)

A verbal report was submitted regarding the Bucks wide priority to level up health within the HW area in which local CVD outcomes were some of the worst in Bucks. As such the public Health team had undertaken to pilot a scheme in which they worked with WISE mosque and faith communities to encourage engagement and impart knowledge. Volunteers from the mosque were trained so as to offer blood pressure readings alongside a survey to members.

It was anticipated that the next step in the project was the introduction of a workshop on the subject, and which it hoped would have a lasting impact.

Nadine Huntington, Helping Hands for Ukraine

An update on the scheme with facts and figures was provided by Nadine Huntington.

A member expressed concern about minimising the risks and worries for children of school age, in situations where they had to be re-matched into more suitable homes where the first placement had not been appropriate. The Member asked regarding any feedback received by schools regarding the children`s achievements and academic progress.

The funding applications status summary was circulated for 2021/22 and 2022/23. The tables highlighted the details of the budget allocation for the board and the current budget position. To date the Community Board fund was £237,853 with £68,360 having been allocated and a remaining budget of £169,493.

The presenting officer also gave mention to Frogfest, a successful promotional event, which had taken place on 1 May. It was hoped that this would become a regular feature. During the event people had confirmed that amongst the priorities for the area emphasis should be given to the environment, wellbeing, financial and food insecurity and young people. As such the Community Board would continue to work in these specific areas.

Members agreed that a greater emphasis should be placed upon involvement of children and young people, and that a formal set up should be put into place at council or sub council level whereby they can give their input and contribution as to the issues that matter to them. It was felt that the benefits and skills acquired for the youth of the town would be well worth any cost implications that may occur.

It was agreed that the matter would be investigated and reported upon.   

RESOLVED: That:

(i)                  The Chairman and Vice Chairman be thanked for their input and support in making the event such a success.

(ii)                The matter of youth involvement within the council be further explored and reported upon

Nick Graham

It was reported that the good work carried out by helping hands was still continuing helping to provide relief for many families. To find out more about the Helping Hand team and how they could support with food, bills and finances. The #backontrack scheme offered practical advice and support for people experiencing money difficulties: Money problems - advice and support if you are struggling to make ends meet | Buckinghamshire Council

Using the Government Household Support Fund, the Helping Hand team would be providing £50 Digital Food Vouchers to eligible children and young people to support families over the summer holidays. These vouchers would be distributed through schools in July.  Members were also advised regarding the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children who received benefits-related free school meals. Further information could be found at HAF information for families | Family Information Service (buckinghamshire.gov.uk) 

Members were further informed that over 80% of the £150 council tax rebates to help offset rising fuel costs had been paid to eligible households. There was also an additional discretionary £25 Helping Hand top-up which the Council was paying to householders who were on specific benefits.

Reference was also made to the change in bin collection arrangements which had caused some disruption. It was confirmed that mitigation measures were working well. In view of the disruption experienced by the round reorganisation, the start of the new garden waste subscription arrangements has been moved back to Monday 26 September.

Find out more regarding the garden waste changes.

More information on how the service worked could be found at Buckinghamshire Council’s Arrange a garden waste collection pages.

A member highlighted the 50% discount for compost bins for Buckinghamshire residents which could assist some residents following the change to charging for the garden waste collection in the Wycombe area. https://www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk/composting/

It was confirmed that the County Show was scheduled to take place on 1 September and that Community Boards would have a presence at the event, with a stall designed to raise the profile and showcase some of the good work that has been undertaken to date.

The Bucks Online Directory was mentioned to Members highlighting that it was an ideal place to publicise any community events, support groups, activities and services to local people. A reminder was provided that current consultations and surveys from Buckinghamshire Council were available to view on the Council`s website  Find activities, groups and services near you | Bucks Online Directory | Buckinghamshire Council

The Bellfield Road reserved matters consultation (due to launch 11 July) has been postponed until September. There are Bucks wide consultations currently open on the website https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/e.g. Bucks Accessibility Strategy, Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for Buckinghamshire, Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, Healthwatch survey

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

There were none raised

2 November 2022. Venue TBC

Members` opinions were sought as to the location at which future physical meetings should take place. It was unanimously agreed that it should be at the current central location at Queen Victoria Road.

RESOLVED: That the next meeting be held on 2 November 2022 at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber Queen Victoria Road.