Agenda and minutes
Venue: Via MS Teams
Contact: Makyla Devlin (Community Board Co-ordinator) Sally Taylor (Democratic Services Meeting Support)
Media
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The Chairman's Welcome PDF 1 MB Minutes: The Chairman, Dominic Barnes welcomed everyone to the meeting. |
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies had been received from Hector Sants Turville Parish Council, Pei Ling Harper Trading Standards, Geoff Peg, Dave Bull, Annie Roy Barker Marlow Bridge Rotary, Carney Bonner British Red Cross, Nahida Latif and Sophie Philips Red Kite Housing, Neil Dring Medmenham Parish Council, Paul Deriaz and Jodie Cayaye Hedsor Parish Council.
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Declarations of interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Notes of the last meeting PDF 616 KB To agree the notes of the meeting held on 7 July 2021. Minutes: The Chairman confirmed that all the actions had been completed. The minutes of the meeting 7th July 2021 were confirmed as an accurate record. |
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Buckinghamshire Business First To be presented by Philippa Batting, Managing Director, Buckinghamshire Business First. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Philippa Batting Managing Director of Bucks Business First. The slides were appended to the minutes.
Philippa explained that Bucks Business First support the creation of jobs and growth of the local economy with over 50 people working in partnership with the Council and local enterprise partnerships.
They were currently running a ‘be your own boss’ project in conjunction with the community boards across the County. The starting your own business courses ran for 2 days with 12 participants at a cost of £3000. 9 other community boards participated and currently there were 4 attendees and 8 places available for residents.
Philippa provided a statistical update and informed they were awaiting further information on the number of claimants due to the impact of the end of the furlough scheme. There was a higher number of claimants than usual however this was lower than the national average. The average amount for government backed loans during the pandemic was £49,000 with loan repayments due to start soon. Workplace travel was still 20-40% lower than precovid however, retail and recreational mobility was increasing. It was reported there were 3400 businesses in the community board area the large majority were professional businesses with annual turnover of less than half a million and 10 employees or less.
The challenges for businesses was reported with issues discussed ranging from cashflow, the end of furlough scheme, planning for redundancies and the shift to agile working post pandemic. Furthermore, the costs due to Brexit and fuel shortages were also affecting businesses. Solutions to these issues were discussed including how to increase turnover and decrease overheads, upskilling those on furlough and implementing technology and investment.
Philippa presented project ideas Bucks Business First could provide support on including:
The Chairman queried if this community board was the first Bucks Business First had spoken to with regard to the grants. Philippa advised 5 community boards have been consulted. The Chairman reiterated working groups would be interested in discussing initiatives. |
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Redcote Leisure To be presented by Charlie Metcalfe, Director, Redcote Leisure. Minutes: Charlie Metcalfe, Redcote Leisure, provided a presentation appended to the minutes.
Charlie explained he had started several businesses during the pandemic. The first business was Total Lawn Care which provided grass cutting and lawn care, the business accelerated quickly. In April 2020 Charlie opened a Redcote Leisure franchise which was a micro camper conversion company. The success of the franchise model was discussed and how the company had to adapt to contact free selling in the second lockdown. Charlie then opened Thames Valley Camper Hire in 2021 with a business partner. A new workshop in Cuddington was opened with the aim of converting larger camper vans. Charlie reflected on opening the businesses during the pandemic and the flexible positive work life balance he achieved.
The Chairman thanked Charlie for his presentation and he was congratulated on his business achievements. |
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Rural Economy To be presented by Alex Nelms and John Bloomer. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed John Bloomer, local group secretary for National Farmers Union and Alex Nelms, Director at Kensham Farms to provide a presentation on the rural economy.
Alex introduced himself and advised Kensham Farms was located in Cadmore End covering 2000 acres predominantly farming cereals for bread making and was home for small businesses and an equestrian business. John Bloomer was introduced and advised he was from the local National Farmers Union which represented 174 members in South Bucks. He advised he also had a rural insurance business in Marlow.
Alex informed the board he had a meeting with Cllr Collingwood and Cllr Zahir Mohammed about how the community board could help the rural economy. It was reported the NFU distribution list could be used to inform members and farms regarding community board grant funding. John advised the NFU was interested in funding opportunities and reiterated a clear vision was needed for the rural economy. It was reported grain prices were increasing which was positive for farmers however the grain quality had slightly decreased. The E10 fuel introduction produced more competition for farmers.
John discussed the issues facing farmers and the rural economy, these included.
There was a question relating to setting aside land in local farming communities. It was explained this policy of paying farmers not to over farm was not common practise anymore. There was an environmental land management scheme which would look at rewilding land and it was discussed that short tenancies may be due to upcoming incentives for rewilding soon. Alex advised that grain prices were increasing so there was more incentive for farmers to use land for growing rather than rewilding. In addition, growing local was essential to reduce food miles and co2.
A query was raised over when future government funding plans will be decided. Alex advised Kensham Farms would be partaking in a sustainable farm incentive pilot. The generous EU funding would be removed by 2028 and it was reiterated the time from planting crops to selling was over a long period.
The idea of how net zero worked for businesses in relation to farms was discussed with Alex confirming Kensham Farm was currently net zero with ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Formal Community Board Updates PDF 545 KB To be presented by Makyla Devlin, Community Board Co-ordinator:
· Funding report · Action plan · Community Engagement Action Group Update · Highways and Transport Action Group Update · Environment Action Group Update · Economic Regeneration Action Group Update
All the reports are included in the agenda pack. Additional documents:
Minutes: Community Engagement Action Group Cllr Carol Heap, Chairman of the action group gave a presentation which is appended to the minutes. The following points were highlighted:
Highways and Transport Cllr Mark Turner, Chairman of the action group provided an update on highways and transport schemes:
A member requested feedback on the car club and wireless charging in Liston Road car park. It was reported the scheme had been successful and was booked up with a point being trialled in Burnham too.
A query was raised on the approval of the Westhorpe interchange investment. There were no updates on this and ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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To be presented by the Chairman, Community Board Co-ordinator and Lloyd Jeffries, Service Director:
· Proud of Bucks Awards – to be presented by Lloyd Jeffries, Service Director · Queen’s Jubilee - – to be presented by Lloyd Jeffries, Service Director · Public Health Profile (included in the agenda pack for information) · Public question(s) – to be presented by the Chairman · Consultations (Trinity Road Quietway) – to be presented by Makyla Devlin, Community Board Co-ordinator · Petitions (Marlow) - to be presented by the Chairman. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Lloyd Jeffries Service Director, Business Operations and the Community Board Liaison Officer. Lloyd’s slides were appended to the minutes.
Lloyd explained the Proud of Bucks awards and advised on the community board’s responsibility to promote the awards and put forward people to shortlist nominees and present the awards.
Lloyd updated the board on the Queens Platinum Jubilee and the formation of a sub-group to co-ordinate activities and civic and ceremonial duties. Activities were already underway including tree planting, project toolkits for schools and communities. The webpage was made live for more information. The board was encouraged to arrange events, exhibitions and tree planting events for the local community to attend.
It was advised the board could provide micro funding for community events which could include picnics, fetes, artist collaborations and history exhibitions to celebrate the jubilee. The optional funding streams and backing information was appended to the minutes.
A query was raised on when the Council’s website would be updated so residents could request road closures for street parties. Lloyd agreed to circulate this to board members. Action: Lloyd Jeffries
The Chairman asked for members of the board to disseminate the Queen’s Jubilee information to all relevant groups. There was a suggestion that those who live alone or care homes could be targeted for inclusion.
It was reported no public questions had been received.
There was an update on consultations; the Trinity Road quiet way trial period ended on 27th October. The board decided to consult residents further via letters, with the view to make the quiet way permanent.
There was a query regarding a extending the Traffic Regulation Order for the quietway. The board advised this would need to be covered by the transport and strategies team.
The Community Board co-ordinator Makyla Devlin read out a petition received from residents of Barnards Hill and Terrington Hill Marlow. The Petitioner requested a slow sign or lower speed limit on the road due to speed concerns. The internal recommendations to the Board had asked for a speed limit assessment from Transport for Bucks for a slow marking on the road. It was reported in the meantime a Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign would be used in the area to capture speeding data courtesy of Marlow Town Council.
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Topics for future consideration Ideas to be welcomed from members of the Board. Minutes: Suggestions of topics for themed meetings or organisations who could come and speak to the CB were welcome and should be emailed to Makyla Devlin at SWCCB@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. |
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Wednesday 16 February 2022. Additional documents:
Minutes: 16th February 2022 6:30pm Saturday 2nd April 2022 Community Engagement Event 10am-2pm Higginson Park, Marlow |