Wendover and Villages Community Board focuses on Climate Change and explores local environment issues

Cllr Bill Chapple, OBE Cabinet Member Environment and Climate Change showcased the council’s Climate Strategy which has 60 initiatives to address climate change and carbon emissions across Buckinghamshire.

There was great interest and discussion from residents; Climate Action Wendover, SUSTAIN, Grow to Give, Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Parish Councils.

This has resulted in bringing together these organisations and individuals to establish a working group to harness the local enthusiasm to improve and enhance natural habitats and look at local environment issues.

In addition to the varied projects the board has previously funded, two further applications were unanimously approved.

Funding was agreed for Action 4 Youth to support 121 sessions for young people aged 11 to 17 years old to improve mental health and wellbeing and to raise young people’s aspirations and confidence.

A further funding application of match funding of £5k was approved to refurbish the kitchen for Halton Village Hall that would address access issues and help in encouraging people back into the facilities and help with Covid recovery.

An exciting project to improve the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal was presented by Peter Elwin from the Wendover Arm Canal Trust.

The improvements will encourage active travel, tourism and also preserve and protect the towpath for the future. The Board agreed that this is an excellent scheme one they would like to see delivered over time. It was agreed to work collaboratively with the Trust to develop the scope of the project and to jointly source other potential funding options. The Board welcomed an update on progress for the next meeting.

Inspector James Davies, Thames Valley Police reported on ongoing community safety work and highlighted that in recent months crime figures for residential burglary had gone down by 74% but that there had been an increase in the theft of catalytic converters from cars.

Police work has been focused around enforcement of Covid regulations but as we emerge from lockdown plans are being put in place to manage the reopening of the night-time economy.

Julie Ward, Chairman of the Wendover and Villages Community Board said: “The Board is making great progress in developing proactive working partnerships in the community. Tonight, we have heard of three local projects that will positively impact the lives of our young people, residents and the environment.”

“We will continue to listen and engage with local people and evolve our working groups to reflect the topics that local people feel are important to them. I would personally encourage anyone who would like to get involved in the environment action group to get in touch.”

Applications for funding are welcome from any group or organisation within the local area of a community board but are most likely to be successful if they link to one of the areas the board has a particular focus on.

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Anyone with an interest in their local community is welcomed to get involved with the board and its working groups. If you would like to find out more visit our Facebook page or email: [email protected]