Agenda item

·       Haddenham Zero Carbon Haddenham – EV Car Club project

·       Update on Bernwode Community Bus (Bernie Bus projects)

Haddenham Zero Carbon Haddenham – EV Car Club project

Haddenham Parish Councillor, Alan Thawley, along with Ross and Rebecca Batting, Directors of 3B Vehicle Hire, gave a presentation to the Community Board on the EV Car Club Project, appended to the minutes. Haddenham had declared a Climate emergency with a 2030 net zero target for the whole community. Cutting transport emissions through adoption of EVs was a key part of the plan and a car club was a good way to introduce people to EVs.

Over the last two years, an initial survey was completed to gauge interest, decide on a model, bring on partners such as 3B and get agreement for chargers and installation. Zero-Carbon Haddenham is a four-way partnership; Xero Carbon Haddenham, Parish Council/Village Hall, 3B Vehicle Hire and Thame Green Living.

The points raised by the Community Board Members included:

·       The car club would be non-profit making project for the near future but was not far off from paying for itself to run. The first year of the scheme would cover all costs.

·       It was interesting to see that 50% of users were regular users and to date, 35 bookings had been made since the start of the scheme, in December 2022.

·       Many other Parish and Town Councils had expressed an interest to expand the car club.

·       Visibility for the car club was most important in the community to make everyone be aware of the facility available.

·       The use of the cars was available for all to use via the 3B Vehicle Hire website, there was no fees to sign up to the car club.

·       The promotional material would be circulated to Community Board Members.

The Chairman thanked all for the presentation and for assisting all present to understand the way the car club worked.

Update on Bernwode Community Bus (Bernie Bus projects)

The Chairman, Councillor Ashley Waite, gave a presentation to the Community Board about all the minibuses acquired by the Bernie Bus Projects, appended to the minutes.

The project was launched in 2018 in Waddesdon, originally with a 16-seater minibus to serve the old people’s groups in Waddesdon and Quainton. This has increased with the addition of Bernie, a 16-seater, Bella, another 16-seater and Bernadette, a wheelchair friendly car that can take three passengers plus a driver and a wheelchair. The vehicles are used by elderly day centres, sports clubs, Brownies, Wedding and other party groups and many other local groups.

Bernie was also running a Foodbank Collection Box, collecting every first Saturday of the month from 26 drop off points across the area. This has become key in helping people gain access to food. In December 2022, the 5000 Can Challenge was achieved with 8293 cans collected. The challenge was achieved by schools, pubs, gyms and events.

There are also the Bernie’s Eco Warriors, a number of schools and litter picking groups, keeping the local area clean and tidy. Bernie transports the volunteers safely and gets rid of the bags afterwards.

Bernie’s buddies are a social group who uses Bernie for trips to garden centres and local markets. Bernie has reduced social isolation in the local community. Bernie also took the Bernie Santa Float to four villages in the Waddesdon area. Cash Donations in excess of £1200 were collected to assist with trips to help with social isolation.

The Chair ended the presentation asking for more volunteers to drive the minibuses.