Agenda item

The Board will hear from community groups about local environment projects and explore opportunities for supporting new and existing community led environmental initiatives.

1.      Update about the Communi-Tree Project – Councillor Nick Southworth

2.      Update about the Re-Wilding Project – Paul Harding

3.      Update about the Public Health Community Grow Project – Sally Hone

4.      An overview of Sustainable Chesham – Vicki Mistry and Alison Phillips

5.      Update about the Zone 9 Cycle Group – Pamela Wignall and Richard Dunn

Update about Communi-Tree Project

Councillor Nick Southworth explained that trees disappeared over the years and erosion of urban environment, the loss of tree lined streets had detrimental effect on the community. It was noted that pollution at the front of a house was reduced by 60% if trees were located in front of a property. Trees also reduced flooding and captured carbon among the many other benefits.  Since 2017 vast amounts of work had been undertaken to get to a point to enable planting to take place. Funding had been approved and the Town Council had also approved £10,000 which meant that staff could be trained and equipment bought. CAT scanners were being bought and work with Buckinghamshire Council on licensing / site surveys was being undertaken in terms of getting people involved. In respect of Community engagement residents had been invited to nominate sites and following that response a long list of sites had been nominated. This list was being worked through. Residents would take ownership of the trees to maintain them. Covid had interrupted the work of planting trees. At first 35 trees were planted in the first few months of 2020. Covid then put everything on hold and no mass planting could be undertaken. As of December 2020 planting resumed and a total of 75 trees had been planted. The figure would be brought up to 100 within the next two weeks. A more ambitious project was being planned as the aspiration was for 1,000 trees to be planted in the next 2 years. It was noted that one of the biggest complaints was that residents had not got trees.

In answer to questions, it was noted that:

·         Residents had contacted Communi-Tree asking whether it was possible to donate trees to the scheme. It was stated this was being investigated further.

Update about Re-Wilding Project

Paul Harding explained that there was a strip of land at the back of Lowndes Park along where Chiltern Academy was located which was mainly used by dog walkers who stuck mainly to the paths. He reported that he had been to the site with Jim Ashton, one of the country’s biggest rewilding experts, discussing putting in a rewilded woodland. The advantages were that the site is south facing with runoff down to Berry Pond and it was close to the town centre. There used to be woodland there around 150 years previously although there was some woodland on private land to the south of the site. It was hoped that a full ecosystem would be put in place with deadwood for wildlife, shrubs around the edges and wild flowers along with habitat boxes for owls, kestrels as well as smaller birds.

The stage had now been reached whereby work could start during the next planting season, i.e. next winter. Being Town Council land permission would need to be obtained. It was noted that there was a budget of between £5,000 and £6,000 which was not considered large but it was hoped that the local community would get involved and help with the project.

A baseline survey would be carried out for the whole park or at least the site put aside for the rewilding project although cost was unknown at the moment. Funding would be applied for via the Friends of Lowndes Park.

In response to questions it was noted that:

·         A mix of trees would be planted. There would be about 10 species of canopy trees of different heights so as to be able to maintain the whole area’s attractive views. Then there were about 15 species of shrub etc.

It was agreed that the slides would be shared with Board Members.

Update about Public Health Community Grow Project

Sally Hone reported on two projects being delivered by Public Health within Chesham area both related to food growing. It was noted that there had been an increase of the use of Food Banks during the past year and work was ongoing, exploring how to support the more deprived areas of the county, helping them to achieve a healthier diet and lifestyle through community growing and cooking projects. The aim was to develop a more sustainable infrastructure and create a resilient local food solution for future years. It was hoped that communities would grow fresh produce on communal ground thereby supporting each other. Education and support would help communities gain the knowledge and skills to grow produce which, in turn, would lead to help develop nutritious meals.

The project would support communities for a year after which time they would take ownership of the sites, led by community champions. It was hoped to develop five sites across the county and while the growing season had begun sites would be up and running as soon as possible.  Each site would be led by an expert gardener who had experience of setting up community gardens and who got local communities to engage. An expert gardener was either an individual or organization with such experience. The aim was that the expert gardener would support the community for a year after which time they would begin to slowly step back to allow the community to take complete ownership of the site. During the second year the community would run the site with guidance being given by the expert gardener if required. Each site would be allocated a small pot of money to ensure that tools could be purchased as well as seeds etc. although it was hoped that communities would make donations. It was also hoped that partnerships with local garden centres could be set up as they could also support the scheme.

Another aim was to encourage other communities to set up their own growing gardens and this would be achieved by developing a website giving advice on resources, tool kits etc. and would also offer a training package.

The final element of the project was to set up a cooking project in the Spring in collaboration with communities who were involved in growing as well as wider stakeholders.

Within Chesham, 4 target wards had been identified and sites sought within those wards by contacting organisations from housing associations to Town Council etc. Following investigations a suitable site had been identified near the Waterside Primary Academy although the school did not use it. However, there were plans to develop the area to a forest school, school growing site and would house the community garden. Work with the school’s headteacher was ongoing.

Next steps were identified as:

·         Would the community support the initiative

·         An expert gardener had been tentatively identified although further suggestions were welcome

·         To identify local community champions to support the expert gardener. Some individuals had already come forward

·         To support and cultivate the land. Any support through equipment and manpower was welcome

The Board was informed that Restore Hope in Latimer were to distribute 100 growing kits regardless of the size of land – or lack of land – an individual or household had. These kits were for windowsill, balcony or small garden. These kits were being distributed to families who were currently receiving support through Restore Hope with the aim to introduce them to growing their own food. All equipment was provided along with guides and recipe cards showing them what to do with their produce.

The Chairman thanked Sally Hone and noted that an offer from Work Aid in Chesham would help to provide tools for the scheme.

Sustainable Chesham

Vicky Mistry explained that the scheme was part of the Transition Town network and had been running for 10 years. It encouraged the community to work together to be more sustainable. It was noted that the Local Produce Market was popular and showed how sustainable Chesham worked well with the town.

Tree planting: 300 trees had been received from the Woodland Trust which had been successfully planted, most trees were used for community asset with some being distributed to residents. The initiative would be repeated next year.

The Community Energy Switch Programme encouraged residents to change to clean energy. Information was available to ensure that residents were able to be fully informed about suppliers and their sustainability therefore giving the resident the power to choose a more sustainable supplier. Many could swap and people were able to then see their carbon footprint. Sustainable Chesham had partnered with the Clean Switch Initiative – they were a leading renewable energy comparison website.

Repair Café: this café encouraged people to not throw broken goods away but volunteers were available to help people learn how to fix/mend their broken items. During the pause, caused by Covid, the teams had been exploring venues, funding and repairers were being sought and there had been interest from community, Work Aid and the Artful Menders. Some micro-funding had been received from the Transition Network. The first of what was hoped to be a monthly event was starting in May (suitably socially distanced).

Community Assembly Series which was initiated to support the Town Council’s Action Plan and two events had taken place, one to engage residents to discover what their priorities were and the second on the subject of water out of which 5 projects were identified to be implemented across the town.

It was noted that with other schemes the group was very active and it was hoped that the Community Board could assist with Sustainable Chesham in the future.

Zone-9 Cycle Group

Richard Dunn explained that Zone-9 Cycling Group was set up a year ago by Sustainable Chesham.

The group believed it to be essential and necessary to increase cycling and walking space in Chesham if the local population were to become healthier. In reference to tackling the climate change emergency it was believed there was a need to take action now, cutting down on motorized vehicles on the roads in Chesham. This would encourage more people walk, cycle or use public transport.

Cycle routes for Chesham had been identified for all types of cyclists and a Cycle Hub was proposed which was identified as a need. It was noted there was already a cycle repair shop and café all-in-one, but a cycle hub would be a positive addition to the town. Some councils had already installed pop-up cycle lanes

During lockdown more people had been out on bikes along with many walkers and runners although little has happened in Chesham. It was noted that the government was providing the Council with funds and that the Council was commencing with its cycling and walking infrastructure plan and the aim was for Chesham to be a part of the plan.

The Zone-9 Cycling Group were asking the Community Board to fully endorse their proposals; to be pro-active and that Buckinghamshire Council be approached to ensure part of larger plan was carried out rather than wait for the Council to approach locally. Also, to seek any appropriate funding to ensure that appropriate cycling and walking space was provided. The Cycling Group would provide any help it could. Action for the Community Board was needed now.

In answer to questions, it was noted that:

·         Involvement with Phil Harrison looking at the Zone-9 proposition but that there were issues with it. Cycle lanes had not appeared all over the county and those that had been looked at had presented problems and that numerous officers had been made aware of all details within the Zone-9 proposal but that there were issues with it. The first tranche of government funding looked at shared spaces with cycles and vehicles. The second tranche specifically looked at now having shared spaces because of problems with the first tranche. The plans had been carefully assessed against both sets of criteria for both sets of funding. The relevant officer had now left the Council but had sent a detailed list of how Zone-9 could improve their proposition. Councillor MacBean stated that she was in contact with the officer’s replacement who was attempting to identify another officer to work with the Group.

·         That Chesham was the third largest town in Buckinghamshire and therefore had a major A road which brought traffic through the town and meant there was certain criteria to be met particularly in light of national safety concerns.

·         The Town Council was committed to taking this work forward. It was hoped that the cycle hub could be built into the ‘gym and swim’ expansion plan.

The Chairman thanked all the speakers for their very informative presentations.