Agenda item

Priority review

Feedback from survey (Areas of focus for the year ahead)

Action Groups

Liz Charter and the Chairman presented the item on looking ahead for the next year.

The following points regarding the budget, priorities looking forward and the Community Board survey were highlighted:

• A budget setting meeting was held on 26^th January to review the funds spent to date and remaining funds.
• The Board had spent £105,602 by the 21^st February with £8603 remaining spend. There was £10,000 funding currently going through the process however, not all projects would be supported this financial year.
•  The full list of projects the Board had funded and those in process were listed on the slides.
• The aims of the Board were listed with the top priorities for the year 2022/23 including the environment, health and wellbeing, community safety and highways and economic regeneration.

• A breakdown of spending by priority area was highlighted with 57% of funding going to community building and health and wellbeing focused projects. It was noted there were no economic regeneration projects funded this year.
• A breakdown of the Community Board survey was provided with the questions on the survey coming from the corporate and existing Board priorities, as well as input from services.
• In terms of the survey respondents there was a proportionate response from all areas in the Board with the majority residing in the area. The demographic of respondents was largely white British males and females over sixty years old. The profiles of the Board area compared to Buckinghamshire was highlighted.
• A Member of the Board queried the mandate for priority setting based on a sample of Board members. It was advised the survey provided the Board with a flavour of the important issues for Board members. There was also a query regarding the transport statistics for the Board area with a lower proportion of residents not having access to a car compared to the whole of Buckinghamshire. It was highlighted this did not address the issues with public transport access in the Board area with a greater emphasis on community transport needed.
• The priorities for 2023-24 were confirmed as community safety, infrastructure and highways, sustainability, health and wellbeing. A member of the Board commented on the importance of sustainability including better public transport for residents. Health and wellbeing was also important to focus on preventing diseases and illnesses in the community.   
• There would be a greater focus on action groups to relate to each priority and explore specific issues. Members should have an active interest and be knowledgeable on the action group priority. 
• The presentation featured a list of the current and proposed Chairs and Vice Chairs for the action groups. It was noted Cllr Guy Hollis would be Vice-Chair for health and wellbeing action group and Cllr Jane Chamberlain Chair for sustainability.
• The Community Board aspirations were listed. The Board was essential in promoting local connections and was not just focused on funding local projects.                               

A Member of the Board queried the arrangements for street parties for the Kings coronation in May. It was noted that applications for the current financial year were closed and that Liz Charter would follow up with any applications for the coronation after the meeting.