Agenda item

Proposed Reorganisation and Priorities

The Chairman proposed a reorganisation of the action groups, and invited the Chairmen of the Action Groupsto give updates on their respective groups.

Infrastructure and HighwaysAction Group

Councillor Ralph Bagge, began by commenting on the slow speed of the production of Project Initiation Documents. He followed this by describing the progress of the project to install lights and road markings on the A355, with the lights having already been installed.

Councillor Bagge then proceeded to inform the Board that there was design work in progress for the projects listed below:

·         A footwayextension atBlackpondLane, FarnhamCommon.

·         Drop kerbs atTemplewoodLane, FarnhamCommon.

·         Waiting restrictions atRogers Lane,Stoke Poges.

The Action Group Chairman then stated that the dropped kerbs for Lincoln Hatch Lane, Burnham Common, had been handed to construction.

He described the agenda of the next action group meeting on the 11 May,with applications from Dorney, Taplow and Burnham Parish Councils beingdiscussed, as well as all of the PIDS. These PIDs included:

·         A Road Safety Project at the junction of Taplow Common Roadand Cliveden Road.

·         Two  speedlimit changes onsections ofthe  A355

·         Pedestriancyclist safetywork atRogers Lane,Stoke Poges.

·         A requestfor redroad surfacingand lights outside Lent Rise School

·         HollybushHill, StokePoges, for aspeeding problem.

Improving theEnvironment Actiongroup

Councillor DevDhillon updated theBoard. He informed the Board that Wycombe Environment Centre had been awarded funding to support a Refresh Hub which was now open.,.In addition to this, Councillor Dhillon told the Board that the group has been exploring the idea of ballot boxed shaped litter bins, as well as coordinating with local schools and rotary clubs to help inform on how to improve the environment.

The Action Group Chairman continued by telling the Board that there was a proposal for water fountainsin Burnham, as well as a Bee Project. Farnham Parish Council was eager to get involved with the water fountain scheme, and will soon submit an application.

He encouraged attendance at upcoming meetings,in order to help share and develop more ideas.  Cllr Dhillon proposed the use of various methods to reduce environmental impact, with an emphasis on little things and common sense. This included the potential joint purchase of solar panels between Boards, and he also described the possibility offunding from central government due to the current energy prices.

Economic Development ActionGroup

The Chairman of the Economic Development Action Group, Cllr George Sandy, informed the Board that the group had found there was very little to be done in this area. Due to this, he stated that with the assent of the Chairman and officers the funds would instead be redirected to children and older people’s services.

Wellbeing Action Group

Cllr Trevor Egletongavean update to the Board on the work of the group. An application by Farnham Royal Parish Council, in support of a storage shed for local Girl Guides, had been recommended to the Board by the action group and was now in the final stages of approval, with an answer expected shortly after the Board meeting. A further funding update was given in regard to playground renovations by Stoke Poges Parish Council, a request which Councillor Egleton believed would become common.

Councillor Egleton updated the Board on an offer from Buckinghamshire Culture to provide additional local activities in support of their £10,000 funding for the countywide Roald Dahl Whizz Fizz Fest in local libraries during the summer. He stated that events were scheduled for Burnham Library on the 27^th July, but the group hadasked if Farnham Common community library could also be involved.

The Action Group is keen to promote the Learning and Sharing Together Jubilee resource.Learning and Sharing Together Webpage. Cllr Egleton urged the Board to continue discussion about local rights of way, as it was beginning to be flagged up in local neighbourhood and parish plans. He was pleased highlight two projects, a dementia group called Bluebell Memories at Farnham Common Village Hall, and the countywide review of the Movers and Shakers initiatives, which he believed were worthwhile for helping the older and isolated residents.

Councillor Egleton thanked members of the action group for their regular participation in meetings, as well as the extensive involvement of the wider community in the group.

Reorganisation

The Chairman thanked the Action Group chairmen for their updates and introduced a reorganization of the action groups, with the economic development action group being discontinued, while maintaining the Infrastructure & Highways, Improving the Environment and Wellbeing groups continuing. . and Councillor George Sandy taking over from Councillor Trevor Egleton as Chairman of the Wellbeing Action Group as Trevorwas standingdown. TheChairman proposed that the group have a new focus on helping younger and olderpeople.

Following this, the Chairman introducedMonica Bergh, lead practitioner for youthin the voluntary and community sector at Buckinghamshire Council. She provided the Board with a broad overview of the situation for youth locally, in particular highlighting a number of issues and difficulties facing them, including  a lackof fundingfor universalyouth provision; the  importanceof communitygroups inthis field,and theproblems they face with funding, staffing and resourcing; challengesfacing trainingof youth workers, anda lack ofplaces for youth to turn to, combined with large numbers of young peopleneeding support.

A range of possible measures were discussed, including

Councilsupport foryouth clubsandnegotiations with prospective funders toaid them;newyouth work opportunities beingidentified and supported; utilising theBoard as atool to identify youthprojects, issues of concernand to encourage engagement; and a widerparticipation strategyfor youngbeing developedby thecouncil and others.

One Memberstated there wereextensive outsidegroups alreadyexisting, such asthe Scouts and Girl Guides, who could provide youth activity and support, rather than councilfunded initiatives.In response,Monica stated thatthey alreadywere seeking to allocate funds and support to existing groups and that more specialised and extensive support was required than had been needed in the past. In addition, a Member voiced their support for local youth clubs, and the value of the work they do.

Another Member suggestedthat the action group look intothe formation of ayouth council, as an inexpensive and useful way to determine the wants and feelings of young people. This had previously been proposed and worked on, and the Board Coordinator Andy Chapman confirmed there was existing progress to work with.This received support from Members, but would need support from adults, not just young people.

It was agreed that the Board Coordinator would organise a meeting betweenMonica Bergh, Burnham Youth Club and Councillor Sandy following the meeting, to help direct the attentions of the action group.