Agenda item

Discussion highlighting key issues facing communities within Chesham and the Villages during the winter months and solutions to address them.

1.      Lockdown Recovery – update from Mr Michael Rowan

2.      Winter support; adverse weather and 4x4 support and transportation to and from health appointments – from Mark  Rosales, (Local resident 4x4) and David Ouvry, Chiltern Dial-A-Ride

3.      Christmas Preparations and Support for Vulnerable Residents during the Seasonal Holiday – Mr Andy Garnett

a)        Lockdown Recovery

The Chairman was pleased to welcome such a large range of local groups and organisations to the meeting as they had been part of the impressive community support in the area throughout the response to the pandemic. Many of the issues that faced the communities prior to the pandemic had been exacerbated and other issues had also emerged. The way that communities had come together, adapted and responded had been very inspiring.

As the country had come out of lockdown and, locally, had moved into Tier 2 restrictions, views were invited on the following:

·         The support offered to local communities over the lockdown period.

·         They key longer term issues faced by communities within Chesham and Villages over the coming months. To explore ideas and solutions to address those issues.

·         Any gaps in support provision and funding requirements

Areas raised from the discussion would help inform the board’s priorities over the winter months and into spring and provide areas of focus for the local Covid recovery plan.

The Chairman welcomed Michael Rowan from Chesham Help for Coronavirus who was attending to provide an update.

Michael Rowan reported that numbers using their service had been low over the past month during the second lockdown. A meeting had recently taken place to discuss how to continue the service particularly as there could be a spike in mid-January following Christmas. Following the first lockdown, residents who had used the service were assisted in sourcing grocery deliveries as well as prescription pick-ups/deliveries. It was noted that the organisation had a healthy number of volunteers, although it was recognised that if volunteers were not called upon that some could be lost through non-use. To that end, volunteers were receiving a weekly update.

The Cabinet member for Communities and Public Health commented that the council had liaised and worked with Chesham Help for Coronavirus during the first lockdown and complimented them on setting up the infrastructure so quickly including putting safeguarding in place.

b)       Winter Support

The Chairman welcomed Mr Mark Rosales who would update the Board on the 4x4 response team.

Mark Rosales reported that he was a resident in Chesham and had been asked to support the 4x4 support team. He explained that he had a military background and was used to dealing with natural disasters. He also explained that his role would be to co-ordinate residents and that discussions with community teams and other groups were to take place shortly at which point a stronger update would be provided.

The idea of the 4x4 response was to identify residents with 4x4 vehicles who could respond in an emergency should they be needed during wintry weather.

The Chairman then welcomed Mr David Ouvry of Chilterns Dial-A-Ride to provide the Board with an update.

David Ouvry reported that Chilterns Dial-A-Ride had a fleet of nine vehicles which were driven by both volunteers and paid staff who were all trained to the highest standard and who work from 09:00 to 17:00 every working day. Their main objective was to transport people from their homes to hospital appointments, shopping etc. safely and they were of enormous value to the community as they had offered a free of charge service during the pandemic. This had cost the service in the region of £17,000 over the last few months although fundraising had continued.

David Ouvry explained Dial-A-Ride was there to step up in times of crisis which he believed they had done this year as help could be guaranteed for those who needed it. It was also believed that any return to something like normal would happen, possibly, in the spring of 2021. David Ouvry also explained that Dial-A-Ride was not an emergency service which differentiated it from emergency services organisations. He also reported that contact had been made with the British Red Cross and discussions were to take place as to how the two organisations could help each other going forward.

The Chairman thanked both Mark Rosales and David Ouvry and stated that:

·         Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) provided non-emergency transport across Buckinghamshire.

·         For eligible patients who were unable to use public or other transport due to their medical condition.

·         Thames Valley patients’ first NEPTS journey must be booked by a healthcare professional or by calling the Patient Eligibility Line, as follows:

Ø Patient Eligibility Line 0300 100 0015 (available 07:00-19:00)

Ø Health Care Professionals Line 0300 123 3235 (available 27/7, 365 days a year)

·      PTS Cancellation Line 0300 790 0143 and was available 24/7, 265 days a year.

·      For other routes to community transport, Community Impact Bucks transport line could recommend local transport options for appointments. Contact 01844 348834, 09:00-12:30 or email transport@communityimpactbucks.org.uk

c)        Christmas Preparations and support for vulnerable residents during Christmas time

The Chairman welcomed all the groups involved in the Christmas plans and support and looked forward to hearing what plans were in place to support the most vulnerable residents. The Chairman welcomed Andy Garnett who would provide an update on what plans and support was available.

Mr Andy Garnett reported that the Christmas Sleigh would be visiting around 9,000 households in the area and that a schedule had been published informing residents when the Sleigh would be in their particular area. There was a published route in the town centre and some villages had requested the Sleigh visit them too.

Councillor MacBean reported that those people who had been supported by the Big Community Takeaway would continue to support elderly, self-isolating and families on low income across the Christmas period. It was noted that the Big Community Takeaway was working with other charitable foundations with the aim to take the project, which was started in March 2020, to a much larger scheme. Councillor MacBean wished to thank the Rotary Club for acting as ‘banker’ for the Big Community Takeaway.

Councillor MacBean also reported that the Toy Bank had undertaken some incredible work over the past few months and would start to deliver toys out to in-need residents.

It was also noted, on a positive note, that the pantomime would take place this year due to everyone who was involved isolating in bubbles to ensure that it would happen. It was noted that the pantomime was one of only a handful taking place in the UK this year.

The Chairman thanked all Michael Rowan, Mark Rosales, David Ouvry and Andy Garnett for their updates and noted that there was a wonderful community spirit within the Chesham and villages area.