Agenda item

Minutes:

Business Forum

Steve Weston gave an update on this Sub Group which was the only business group set up by Community Boards. On the Group they had representation from Bucks Business First (Philippa Batting Managing Director), Buckinghamshire Council Economic Development Team and Ward Members. Steve had a background in setting up a platform to help find an easy way for local shops and businesses to sell online.

 

He informed the Board that there were 34,000 businesses in Buckinghamshire of which about one third were registered with Bucks Business First some of which were struggling, surviving and reviving during the covid-19 pandemic. The Group were aiming to provide workshops to businesses which provided an opportunity to create best practice and helping regenerate the high street. There was also funding available from Bucks Business First to help small businesses and it was important to provide information on these opportunities. Information could be provided on the Community Board website and social media relevant to businesses in the local area. There were also other opportunities if office space became available to use this space for other activities.

 

A Member provided information on restart grants where the government has announced two new packages of support to help existing and established businesses across England get back on track. Part of this package will be the allocation of 120 grants of between £1000-£3000 to businesses with a minimum turnover of £50,000 prior to COVID-19. The grants would provide 100% funding for a project between £1,000 and £3,000 (excl. VAT). Businesses must show that the activity funded by these grants was in direct response to the impact of COVID-19.

 

https://bbf.uk.com/forms/restart-grant

https://careersspringboard.org.uk/

 

Climate Change

 

This Sub-Group was being led by Cllr Tim Butcher who had been in contact with his Group. One of their ideas was because this linked so closely with the younger age group to organise an art competition for primary schools of which some of these pictures could be used on bins in the area to raise awareness of the environment. They would liaise with the Waste Team at Buckinghamshire Council. Members were asked to pass on the details of any local schools that would be interested in taking part.

 

Covid-19 Reset and Recovery

 

Cllr Guy Hollis gave an update on this Sub-Group. He was arranging a meeting of the Sub Group and had been discussing its terms of reference. They would like to have face to face meetings at town and parish councils venues and would like to include primary care networks. As part of this Sub-Group they would like to look at devolution of assets and using local venues to help community groups such as social groups for young mothers and babies, men in sheds, food banks etc and to link in with the voluntary and community sector to help vulnerable children and adults. This Sub-Group also had an interest in keeping the high street vibrant and would work closely with the Business Forum. They would add information to the Community Board website on Community Support Hubs.

 

Community Safety (Andrew Wood, Anthony Shinner, John O’Keeffe)

 

Andrew Wood gave an update on the Community Safety Sub Group. John O’Keeffe was leading on the CCTV installation for Gerrards Cross, with 27 cameras coming on board. A license would be needed for each person required to see the footage. There was a conversation being had around who would take over the costs to run the signal of the cameras from Gerrards Cross to TVP. There would also be a monitoring charge for this. John estimated that each static, fixed camera would cost £200 and that 10 cameras might suffice for Chalfont St Peter.

 

Anthony Shinner at the sub-group meeting had commented that the main interests of Chalfont St Peter in terms of this sub-group was around anti-social behaviour and CCTV. There was to be some upgrading of the current 2 CCTV cameras by the former Chiltern District Council, and an addition of a third camera. They would link in with the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG).

 

It was found that both Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter have a lot of similarities in terms of their Community Safety priorities. In terms of The Quietway, at a meeting of the Gerrards Cross Town Council on Monday 7th September, it was agreed it would be preferable to remove it. Everyone had agreed that this should have no bearing on the outcome of the quietway within Chalfont St Peter.

 

It was shared that the free parking in CSP was paid for by the Parish Council. Other areas that were discussed was that there was frustration at the length of time it takes to get through on 101 with a suggestion of trying to find a non-crime link or email address for reporting purposes. Another suggestion was made that a more user-friendly way of reporting multiples crimes was needed.

 

In terms of Public Space Protection Orders, there was one at the park next to Robertswood School, and that this had been worth the work it took to put it in place.

 

David Brackin expressed concern about the crime rate in New Denham and referred to some eateries which had late night licences which were causing anti-social behaviour and they had received about 80 complaints.

 

The Board had a discussion about the police attending the Board meeting. Whilst Members would find this helpful they were also concerned that this took the police away from their operational work. A Member referred to the work of the Chiltern Community Forum and commented that their next meeting was on 23 September at 6.30pm. This was a very useful forum that discussed setting crime priorities for Chiltern.

 

https://www.chilterncommunityforum.org/

 

Highways and Infrastructure

 

This Sub-Group had not met yet but was likely to meet in the next 2-3 weeks and an update would be given at the next Board meeting.