Local Area Forum

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August 2015

The purpose of the Area Plan 2

Local Areas map 3

Map of The Chesham and Chiltern Villages Local Area 4

The Chesham and Chiltern Villages Local Area Forum 5

The Chesham and Chiltern Villages Local Area Forum membership 6

Local Area Forum representatives 8

Service representatives and other contacts 9

The Local Area Profile 10

The Chesham and Chiltern Villages Local Area Forum priorities 12

The purpose of the Chesham and Chiltern The Area Plan should be regarded as an initial Villages Area Plan is to set out a clear list of set of commitments, which can be added to in local priorities that need to be addressed in the light of emerging opportunities, rather than order to improve the social, economic and a fixed agenda that must be adhered to rigidly. environmental conditions within the Chesham and Chiltern Villages local area. The LAF will work closely with partner organisations to seek progress on the In some instances, the Chesham and Chiltern priorities within the area plan. Villages Local Area Forum (LAF) will be able to directly impact on actions to address one or . more priority themes through allocation of it’s delegated budgets. For most of the projects, it is likely that the main role of the LAF will be to act as a coordinating body and catalyst for action, with the LAF taking an investigative, supportive, developmental, championing and monitoring role.

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The Chesham and Chiltern Villages local The LAF has also discussed the Chesham community area is covered by one Town and Welllbeing Project. five parishes (see page 7) which form the Local Meetings are held throughout the area and are Area Forum. Local Area Forums are meetings normally hosted by parish councils, schools and where local county, district and parish council- community centres. Public attendance and lors, along with representatives from the police, questions are welcomed at all meetings. fire and rescue, other public and voluntary/ community sector partners, meet to discuss The Forum times and dates can be located at local residents’ needs and priorities. www.buckscc.gov.uk. From the A-Z menu at the bottom of the home page go to C and then One of the first tasks for each Local Area Forum committee membership. The LAF details are was to determine priorities for the local area towards the bottom of the page. plan. To this end, the Chesham and Chiltern Villages LAF held a local area planning workshop The LAF welcomes participation from in March 2010 and the priorities were refreshed partners, local groups and residents. at a workshop in October 2011 and reviewed by a LAF sub-group annually, with the final refresh approved by the LAF in January 2015.

The current top priorities are shown on page 12.Previous meetings have looked at: work to support communities in severe weather; the development of local approaches to increase community resilience; the allocation of funding to projects which meet the Local Area Plan priorities including highways projects, youth activities and the setting up of Good Neighbour and health and wellbeing schemes.

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The Chesham and Chiltern Villages local community area covers four divisions of the County Council. A county councillor will take the role of Chairman at the LAF meeting. County Councillors in the Chesham and Chiltern Villages local community area

Mark Shaw Chesham Tel: 01494 775731 Email: [email protected] Noel Brown Chess Valley Tel: 01494 783164 Email: [email protected]

Patricia Birchley Chiltern Ridges Tel: 01296 382480 Email: [email protected]

The local community area falls within the Chiltern Vale District. The Vice-Chairman for each meeting is taken from one of the following district councillors:

District Councillors in the Chiltern and Chiltern Villages local community area

Alan Bacon Asheridge Vale & Lowndes Phone: 01494 774870 Email: [email protected]

Jane MacBean Asheridge Vale and Lowndes Phone: 07812 177794 Email: [email protected]

Nick Varley Vale Phone: 07960 398804 Email: [email protected]

Peter Hudson St Mary's & Waterside Phone: 07557 819732 Email: [email protected]

Mike Stannard St Mary’s & Waterside Phone: 07759 952083 Email: [email protected]

Peter Jones Ballinger, South Heath & Phone: 01494 784681 Chartridge Email: [email protected]

Nick Rose Cholesbury, The Lee & Phone: 01494 837688 Bellingdon Email: [email protected]

Andrew Garth Ashley Green, Latimer & Chenies Phone: 07980 462628 Email: [email protected]

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Fred Wilson Hilltop and Townsend Phone: 07901 555383 Email: [email protected]

Emily Culverhouse Hilltop and Townsend Phone: 07540 410130 Email: [email protected]

Derek Lacey Ridgeway Phone: 01494 771508 Email: [email protected]

The Chesham and Chiltern Villages LAF also comprises the following parishes. Each will have a nominated representative (not shown) which, in addition to the County and District Councillors, are also voting members. Contact details for the clerks are available by going to http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/about-your-council/ and reviewing the list of parish councils in ‘Councillors, meetings and decisions’.

Parish council

Ashley Green PC

Chartridge PC

Chesham Town Council

Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards PC

Latimer & Ley Hill PC

The Lee PC

The LAF welcomes memberships from  Local Neighbourhood Action Groups other partners/local groups and resident  Thames Valley Police attendance. The following organisations  The Fire Authority are members of the Local Area Forum:  Chesham Action Partnership (ChAP)

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There are a number of representatives from the County and District Council at the Chesham & Chiltern Villages LAF

Representative Name Contact

Chairman Noel Brown Phone: 01494 783164 The LAF Chairman is a County Buckinghamshire Email: [email protected] Councillor agreed by the full LAF County Council membership

Vice-Chairman Fred Wilson Phone 07901 555383 The LAF Vice-Chairman is a District Coun- Chiltern District Email: [email protected] cillor proposed by the District Council and Council agreed by the full LAF membership Lead Area Officer (County) Zoe Dixon Phone: 01296 383710 The Lead Area Officer is a County Email: [email protected] Council senior manager who works with the Locality Manager to provide senior management support to the LAF.

Locality Services: Jackie Wesley Phone: 01296 383839 Localities and Communities Email: [email protected] Manager — Chiltern The Localities and Communities Manager progresses both the Local Area Plan and issues raised. The Localities and Communities Manager also works with local parishes and a wide range of partners on projects to benefit local communities.

Lead Area Officer (District) David Gardner Phone: 01494 732759 The District Council officer works in CDC’s Email: [email protected] Communities Team.

Democratic Services Officer Nicola Beagle Tel: 01296 382662 The Democratic Services Officer is Email: [email protected] responsible for the meeting administration and note taking.

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The following County Council service areas have local representatives working in your local community area. Service Contact

Adult Social Care Karen Adamson Tel 01296 383847 [email protected]

Prevention Matters Community Links Officer: Tel: 01296 382140 Natalie Judson Email: [email protected]

Transportation Transport for Buckinghamshire Tel: 0845 230 2882 Main number for reporting highways [email protected] issues, etc.:

Local area technician: Paul Snell Kathleen Wilmhurst

Area manager: John Lowe Tel: 0845 230 2882 Email: [email protected]

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The top actionable priorities will be worked on by the LAF and also updated on a regular basis as they are taken forward. The Local Priorities budget will be allocated to the actionable priorities

Top actionable priorities: to be worked on by the LAF and community organisations

Activities, facilities and support for young people aged 11+

Improving the local environment

Reducing social isolation for older and vulnerable people

Create community hubs to meet local priorities

Chesham wellbeing (linking with the Chesham Wellbeing project)

Support the local economy

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Priority: Activities, facilities and support for young people aged 11+ Summary of current The County Council’s priorities around young people relate to diversionary situation activities with outcomes relating to reducing instances of anti-social behaviour; mentoring, volunteering and aspiration projects to enhance a young person’s potential; training and projects around enhancing employment prospects; encouraging young people’s involvement in their community and democracy.

The Chesham & CV LAF priority would be of particular relevance to activities, facilities and support for young people. This relates to diversionary activities and to reducing anti-social behaviour. The priority includes voluntary work and in- tergenerational activities. It also noted that the LAF may, in the future, work with young people to undertake a survey of its local priorities.

Work being Chiltern Rangers conservation and volunteering project to include working with taken forward in NEET young people through the Chesham Wellbeing project 2015/16 and achievements to Intergenerational gardening project with Chiltern Youth Action date Funding of the Chesham Summer School project, a contribution towards the skate park in Lowdnes Park, Rafe’s Place and the Shed at the Park.

Priority: Improving the local environment Summary of current This priority relates to street scenes and footpaths, in addition parking and situation speeding.

Work being Chesham parking project taken forward and School flashing sign at Chiltern Hills Academy achievements Grasscrete at Blackhorse Crescent MVAS share between the Town Council and Cholesbury/Chartridge Entrance improvements near The Lee Village Hall

Priority: Create community hubs to meet local priorities Summary of current The community hub outcome would determine whether it is relevant for situation funding through the Local Priorities budget. A project to reduce social isolation, facilitate employment in the community, to link with volunteering, etc. would be something the County Council would wish to support. Other parts of the community hub could be supported by the LAF with information and advice (presentations from the relevant bodies) rather than specific funding.

This priority includes broadband/wifi in village and community facilities (site specific), particularly where it enables community members to access the internet, etc. Also, projects supporting local priorities to increase sustainability in the villages. Work being Cholesbury Community Hub project taken forward and achievements to Previously the LAF has worked on the Chesham Community Hub. date

13 Priority: Support the local economy Summary of The County Council has a strategic priority around thriving communities. current situation Work undertaken to address this priority will include promoting Chesham town and the villages as places to live and work. This priority will link with the Chesham Wellbeing Project priority and also include preparation for employment for young people. Work being Work ongoing through the Chesham Wellbeing project. taken forward and achievements to date

Priority: Reducing social isolation for older and vulnerable people Summary of Reduce social isolation is important, particularly for older and vulnerable people current situation and the Asian community. Action is targeted at older people through the Prevention Matters agenda. Social isolation may also impact vulnerable people who may have disabilities or mental health needs.

This priority includes community car schemes, good neighbour schemes, befriending and health and wellbeing projects. This will also include activities and projects to reduce social isolation in the Asian community and other ethnic communities.

Work being The health and wellbeing group in Cholesbury, which is supported by GLL and taken forward and Prevention Matters, following the set-up of the LAF-funded Bellingdon group. achievements to Previously work has taken place on the directory for Older Peoples Services and date the Community Transport Project with Dial-a-ride.

Priority: Chesham wellbeing (linking with the Chesham Wellbeing project) Summary of current As with previous years, the LAF will link with particular work strands situation going forward on the Chesham Wellbeing project. However, LAF members are particularly keen to continue work around young people’s employment and disadvantaged families.

Work being Previously the LAF has funded a job club for lone parents which has been under- taken forward and taken successfully and is continuing with a second cohort and The U Project. achievements to The LAF has been involved with the Chess Medical Centre co-location project. date

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