Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Cllr Dominic Barnes, welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that the theme of the meeting was on the environment.

Apologies were received from Geoff Pegg, Neighbourhood Watch; Lindon Porter and Cllr Alex Collingwood.

Note 1:  Cllr Jocelyn Towns joined the meeting at 18.47 hours

Note 2:  Cllr Jodie Cavaye, Hedsor Meeting joined the meeting at 19.00 hours

There were no declarations of interest at the start of the meeting.  However, Ian Blazey declared an interest during Item 5 as he was a teacher at the Bourne End Academy.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2021.

Resolved:  The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2021 were agreed as an accurate record.

Students from Bourne End Academy will provide a presentation on their approach to the environment.

Cllr Sophie Kayani introduced Louise Cowley, Head Teacher, Bourne End Academy (BEA).  L Cowley stated that the Dyson project fitted really well with a couple of BEA’s programmes/societies and that some of the students had elected to be part of the Dyson project.  A couple of students attended the meeting and a video was shown (available on YouTube -  https://youtu.be/8g8wLA3nAVI) which provided an overview of the project and emphasised that air pollution was not only a problem in low income countries but was also a problem in the local area and was a major threat to everyone’s health.   The students from BEA believed the next generation would become the future leaders of the global economy and must be advocates for the future.  One of the students stated that, on a local scale, local authorities could direct more funding towards public transport and an increased number of safe cycle paths.  There could also be vouchers towards bicycles and accessories so that students from less fortunate backgrounds could access the scheme.

The following key points were raised during discussion:

• It was noted that it was a very interesting project and in response to a query on how the air sampling device would be implemented in engineering terms, L Cowley explained that it had been a six week project with an engineering focus; Dyson had provided the equipment to build the monitoring devices and then the measuring of the air pollution would be carried out.  The students had been working on the prototype and it was agreed that they would present the results to the Community Board (CB) at a later date.

Action:  Makyla Devlin 

• In response to being asked how the CB could help with encouraging walking or cycling to school to create a safer and cleaner environment; one of the students explained that walking or cycling was a good alternative for those who lived locally but it was not possible for those who lived further away.  One of the members added that the possibility of using Wakeman Road car park was being looked into so that parents did not drop children off so close to the school. 
• Councillor Wilson asked if the CB could help with a campaign for active travel; Cllr Kayani stated that there was also an eco-society which could work together with the Dyson project.  Cllr Kayani also highlighted the poor bus links to Bourne End which often resulted in students arriving late.
• Cllr Marshall mentioned the Air Quality Assessment (AQA) project that was being carried out in Marlow and suggested working together with the consultant from Marlow Town Council. 
• John Laker, Marlow Energy Group, added that the cycle route should be extended to run from the centre of Marlow to the centre of Bourne End.
• J Laker also asked if Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) levels would be measured.  Cllr Kayani stated she would check with Miss Ali, the project lead, and put Miss Ali in touch Cllr Marshall and J Laker.

Action:  Cllr Kayani

• The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

An overview of the project, supported by South West Chilterns Community Board, will be provided.

John Laker, Marlow Energy Group, provided a presentation, appended to the minutes, which he also recommended may be of interest to the BEA students.  J Laker highlighted the following points:

• An A5 leaflet had been produced to publicise the thermal imaging project.
• A publicity event had been held on 5 February 2022 at the Marlow town market.
• A booking form was available.
• A camera took images which showed where heat was lost from a property e.g., areas without cavity wall insulation.
• Information leaflets were sent out with the report providing details of organisations where advice could be sought.
• Grants and discounts were available and the organisations were listed on the leaflet.
• Recommended installers were included in the information.
• £161.19 remained from the grant of £1,000.
• More people were required to conduct the surveys – if anyone could spare some time contact marlowenergygroup@gmail.com

J Laker thanked the CB for the grant and the following key points were raised in discussion: 

• The thermal imagining could only be carried out until the end of March as a differentiation in temperature was required between the inside of the house and the outside temperature.
• Five ‘trainee’ surveys and a further five ‘actual’ surveys had been carried out and a number of surveys were booked.  The Marlow Energy Group (MEG) was likely to receive further enquiries at the next market and it was anticipated that 30-50 surveys would be completed by the end of March 2022.
• Cllr Marshall advised he was keen on the institutional buildings being surveyed and asked about the process.  J Laker advised that the form should be completed but stated that the MEG was concentrating on householders this winter and could do institutional buildings next year due to lack of time.
• It was confirmed that there was no charge for the survey; donations were welcome but not compulsory.
• Cllr Wilson commended the MEG and asked whether parish councils could take up the offer wherever feasible.  J Laker advised that Great Marlow Parish Council had asked to borrow the camera but the MEG was too busy at the moment; however, it was a perfect example of another organisation who could invest in a camera and would be money well spent.  If the MEG had two cameras, they would need more volunteers.  The Chairman suggested advertising in local magazines for volunteers as he felt the MEG should have a second camera.
• Cllr David Johncock advised that the legacy Wycombe District Council camera was still available and J Laker agreed to advertise for volunteers in the Marlow Bottom News.
• Nick Rowcliffe suggested that a loan scheme could be implemented for additional cameras; Cllr Marshall agreed to liaise with N Rowcliffe and J Laker to discuss the logistics e.g., insurance.

Action:  Cllr Marshall

The Chairman thanked J Laker for his attendance and advised he would support the use of extra cameras for the re-start of the programme in October/November, depending on the weather, and asked J Laker to attend a future meeting to provide an update.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Updates will be provided on the work of the action groups listed below; the reports are included in the agenda pack:

·       Community Engagement

·       Highways and Transport

·       Environment and Climate Change

·       Economic Development and Regeneration

The following reports have been included for information:

·       The Funding Report

·       The Action Plan

·       The South West Chilterns Community Board profile

Community Engagement and Health and Wellbeing Action Group

Cllr Carol Heap, Chairman, provided an update since the last meeting in November.  Cllr Heap reported that attendance had grown steadily and the reach had been extended to include additional voluntary organisations and individuals.   Funding applications for a wide variety of events across the areas continued to be received and Cllr Heap stressed that it was not just about funding projects, it was also about building community resilience.   Community organisations were invited to the action group meetings to raise awareness of their work; the sessions were well received and sometimes resulted in a funding application but generally had great value.  Members of the Communities Team at Buckinghamshire Council occasionally attended to talk about Council initiatives and services that might be of interest to residents e.g., community safety, crime prevention.   The action group also promoted services such as the Helping Hands School holiday programme activities and vouchers for eligible children and other initiatives supported by the Council.  Cllr Heap highlighted that several of the organisations would be in attendance at the event in Higginson Park on 2 April 2022.

Highways and Transport Action Group

Cllr Mark Turner reported that a number of project initiation documents (PIDs) were awaited and would be discussed with the CB members to agree on what could be afforded and programmed into the 2023 Transport for Bucks schedule.  Several other projects had been discussed; the cycle path project had progressed and a quote was being obtained from Sustrans which would help formulate the cycle path route.  Cllr Turner added it would not work for school travel specifically but the group would consider more involvement with Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs).  Cllr Turner advised that the Trinity Road Quietway consultation had been extended to the end of May 2022.  The ‘park and stride’ project was not viable as it would cost approximately £52,000 for the Dean Street car park in Marlow and half that amount for the Wakeman Road car park and it might be better to engage with the PTAs.  The group had also debated verge parking, the Marlow Bridge weight restrictions, the petition on Terrington Hill and cycle gullies on the Volvo Bridge.  A meeting had been held with Cllr Steve Broadbent to discuss the Westhorpe inter-change project.  Progress had been made on the broadband application in Freith.  Unfortunately, Open Reach would be ceasing the gigabit voucher scheme on 31 May 2022.

The following key points were raised in discussion:

• Following a query on why the Trinity Road Quietway consultation had been extended, Cllr Turner explained that it was going to full consultation as there were a number of issues and it was important to get it right.  Makyla Devlin, Community Board Co-ordinator, confirmed that it had been agreed by Buckinghamshire Council (BC) cabinet members that the duration of the trial be extended until May 2022 in order to facilitate the undertaking of a formal statutory consultation.  The consultation had closed on 19 January 2022 and the consultation responses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

• Proud of Bucks Awards – to be presented by Makyla Devlin, Community Board Co-ordinator
• Buckinghamshire Council update – to be presented by Lloyd Jeffries, Service Director and Community Board Champion
• Public Questions – to be presented by the Chairman
• Consultations (Trinity Road Quietway) – to be presented by Makyla Devlin
• Petitions

ü  Terrington Hill/Barnards Hill

ü  Marlow Bridge – Bollards – E-petition to be presented Stuart Dawson, Lead Petitioner

Proud of Bucks Awards

Makyla Devlin, Community Board Co-ordinator, advised that the Proud of Bucks applications closed on 31 December 2021; the South West Chilterns Community Board had received 11 nominations and the winners and highly commended would be mentioned on the BC social media posts.   M Devlin would be contacting all the nominees to invite them to the Community Engagement event in Higginson Park in Marlow where they would be presented with their certificates and prizes. 

Buckinghamshire Council Update

Lloyd Jeffries, Service Director and Community Board Champion, provided a presentation, appended to the minutes, and highlighted the following:

• A consultation for residents to provide information on local areas to help the Local Government Boundary Commission complete proposals for new ward boundaries would be open until 4 April 2022 - consultation.lgbce.org.uk/have-your-say/29857
• A new Local Plan was being prepared for Buckinghamshire and views were being sought from residents/communities -  https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/planning/local-plan-2021/
• A ‘helping hand’ was available for those struggling financially this winter and was available until 31 March 2022.   https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/planning/local-plan-2021/  
• The Buckinghamshire Online Directory provided information on activities, groups, organisations and services for adults in Buckinghamshire and now featured the ability for organisations to update their own information.
• Jubilee Celebrations – there were a number of ways in which the Jubilee could be marked e.g., The Queen’s Green Canopy - 70 trees for 70 years.  [After the meeting it was confirmed that the deadline for applying to plant a tree was midnight on 1 May 2022.

Public Questions – no public questions had been received and none were raised during the meeting.

The Trinity Road Quietway Consultation – this was covered under the previous item.

Petitions

Terrington Hill/Barnards Hill – M Devlin advised that data was being captured by a motor vehicle activated sign and the results would form a recommendation to the lead petitioner and a report would be compiled.

Marlow Bridge – As Stuart Dawson was unable to attend the meeting the Chairman read out the petition which had 396 signatories but it was not known if they were local residents.  The next step would be for the petition to go to the officer for comment who would provide a detailed report, appended to the minutes.

Ideas welcomed from members of the Board.

A couple of topics relating to pollution/respiratory problems had been raised earlier in the meeting.  Any other suggestions should be emailed to Makyla Devlin or the Chairman.

·       Saturday 2 April 2022 – Community Engagement event, Higginson Park, Marlow from 10.00 am until 2.00 pm

·       Wednesday 13 July 2022 at 6.30 pm

·       Saturday 2 April 2022 – Community Engagement event, Higginson Park, Marlow from 10.00 am until 2.00 pm

Wednesday 13 July 2022 at 6.30 pm