Agenda item

·       COVID-19 recovery

·       Health & Wellbeing

·       Transport, Highways and Environment

·       Youth support & provision

·       Community Safety

·       Communications & Engagement

Covid-19 Recovery and Economic Regeneration – Ms L Farn

• Lindsey advised she had co-ordinated the Prestwood and Missenden area community group and volunteers during lockdown. 
• There was still a private Facebook group and approximately 130 volunteers were available to help the vulnerable and elderly in the event of a second wave.
• The sub-group was working with the local Co-op to arrange deliveries to the elderly and vulnerable; the service had reduced to two days a week due to less demand at the moment.
• The effects of furlough and debt concerns had been discussed, particularly those who were not able to obtain support from the government.  More people would be impacted when the furlough scheme ended in October 2020.  The group would publicise information and services/advice and options for financial support.
• Many facilities had been closed until recently  which had affected young people and people’s mental health.  The group had discussed utilising local facilities.
• Working with local street associations to support the elderly and vulnerable – could more shops become part of the delivery scheme?
• Domestic abuse support for the high volume of cases since lockdown.

The following points were raised in discussion:

• It was recommended that the GP surgeries be contacted to advise of the work being carried out by the sub-group.
• It was agreed that the group should build on the volunteer action through Covid-19.
• A list of key contacts/facilities/funding opportunities was being created and could be promoted via Facebook.
• The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was able to provide information on debt advice.  Food vouchers could also be obtained from the CAB.  The CAB was planning to re-open the outreach centre in Prestwood.  Emma Burgham to action the CAB Social media person to connect with the CB on Facebook.

ACTION:  Emma Burgham

Health and Wellbeing – Mr M Etkind

The following discussions had taken place:

• Integration between Health and Social Care and the CB.
• The inter-relationship between the primary care network (PCN) and CBs – the PCN had an interest in four CBs – need to see how to integrate.
• Mental health related groups - Road Farm and Lindengate – contact to be made with the Getting Bucks Involved steering group.
• Promote wellbeing locally via The Source.
• Social prescribers – there was a recruitment campaign to recruit three full time people.
• Use of the Better Care Fund.

In response to being asked whether GPs could become involved with the CB; Mr Etkind advised that he would be attending a Patient Group meeting and he would recommend attendance at the CB from the PCN.  

Transport, Highways and Environment – Mr J Cadman

• The group had expanded to include environment.
• Since Covid-19, public transport demand had declined and there was no option to car share.  Therefore, it had been agreed that the public transport area of the sub-group would cease until further notice.
• The group had focussed on the environmental side, particularly anti-social behaviour (ASB); however, it was outside the remit of the group to get the police involved with ASB.
• The Chiltern Conservation Board had highlighted an orchard which needed work.
• Some of the budget could be used for litter picking – a good community activity.  The Chairman added that litter picking was being carried out, in a safe way, during weekend of 19/20 September.  It was also noted that a litter picking group had been formed in Holmer Green after being issued with litter picking equipment.

HS2 update – Mr M Johnson (GMPC)

• Mr Johnson provided a slide showing a map of the CB areas with the route of HS2 superimposed.
• Another map showed the HS2 construction sites in the CB area.
• Mr Johnson advised he had requested an updated map as he was concerned about the excavation and the internal haul road.  He would provide more detail at the next meeting.
• Enabling works continued and the main works had also commenced.
• It was highlighted that HS2 was a concern for many residents and its effects rippled far into the area.

Community Safety – Thames Valley Police – Inspector Richard Vine and Sgt Darren Walsh

The following update was given:

• The first meeting explored the main issues; burglary, ASB, litter and fly tipping, speeding (a big concern), nitrous oxide and parking around schools. 
• Burglary – the numbers had decreased after a spike at the start of the year.  Prevention was always better as detection rates were much lower than burglary rates.
• ASB – there had been issues in Holmer Green.  ASB was often mentioned on social media but not reported to the police.  It was stressed the importance of reporting bad behaviour and advised that a article had been written for the Chiltern Forum which had also been circulated to various organisations in the area.
• Fly Tipping – to be reported on the BC website.
• General litter picking – efforts were being made in the local area.
• Speeding – the new TVP lead on Community Speedwatch was based in Amersham.  
• Schools Parking – schools to be contacted.
• The Chiltern Community Forum held quarterly meetings to discuss/set local policing priorities. 

• The neighbourhood team had been subsumed into the response teams to ensure a 999 response during the pandemic.
• Speed enforcement had been carried out recently by Sgt Walsh and his team. 
• Everything the police did was based on threat, harm, and risk. 
• Burglary and exploitation (young people/drugs) had taken priority; accident hotspots/designated sites for speeding were dealt with by the speed vans. 
• Anti-social driving had been picked up with when dealing with burglary using a tool which would give the person a Section 59 warning for 12 months. 
• ASB – the police had been dealing with groups breaching Covid-19 regulations.
• There was a limit on what could be dealt with due to resources.
• It was confirmed that the automated number plate recognition (ANPR) camera in Prestwood High Street had been installed.

Youth Support and Provision - Colin Veysey

·         Covid-19 had placed young people in a very difficult position in terms of schooling and support structures.

·         The number of people thinking about young people was low; work was being carried out by a number of organisations with little cohesion with youth services locally.

·         The council funded youth services had a high bar for referral for help due to cuts.

·         High Wycombe would have a dedicated house to provide small scale counselling but it was not felt to be of help to young people in the local area.

·         It was recommended there should be a communication strategy for an integrated approach, possibly a directory for support such as there was for older people’s services.

·         There was a need to approach the schools now term had started to identify the issues and find help.

·         Cllr Mimi Harker advised there was a new programme due to start in Chesham for young people with issues related to Covid-19; however, transport links to Chesham were not good. M Harker agreed to provide further updates to inform the Community Board of the progress.

·         Public transport for young people was difficult as the area only connected to London and Aylesbury.

Communications and Engagement – The Chairman and Ms L Charleston

• This group provided an important link across all the subgroups.
• The group would make use of existing channels within the villages.
• Support from the BC communications team was available.
• Using simpler language and clarity.
• Communication between BC and the parish councils could be improved.
• Ms Charleston and the Chairman aimed to meet people in the community using libraries/coffee shops etc.
• Holmer Green Village Society had had difficulty contacting TfB and Environmental Health to comment on risk assessments/plans for events. There was a long wait time on the telephone and there was no email contact. Previously booked plans had been lost.  The would take this forward.

ACTION:  The Chairman

Quality of communications – BC Communications was poor.  There was a need to reach different groups in the way to suit residents. Twitter usually provided quick responses. It was difficult for councillors/public to find out who to talk to. Information needed to be targeted to local areas. The use of online forms/email should be encouraged to ensure direction to the correct department.  The public could also contact their local councillor if needed.  Feedback to be provided on the communications.