Please note the Planning Committee Meeting due be held on Monday 10th February will not go ahead as due to Councillors’ absence the meeting will not be quorate. The meeting of the Council will go ahead as planned at 8 pm.

Biodiversity is the key word in managing our natural environment nowadays; with this in mind the Parish Council sought expert advice as to how to manage Bricky Pond to ensure its biodiversity is protected and improved.
Tests conducted in November revealed that the water quality is currently good. We know that we have toads, frogs and newts breeding there but to encourage more wildlife and invertebrates, it is inadvisable to conduct a thorough clearance of the pond every year. Instead, a small team of Parish Council volunteers have waded in to remove the larger debris and cut back the water margins, but have held back on doing anything more invasive as the toads have already spawned and the newts and frogs will soon follow.
We will be keeping a close eye on the pond to monitor whether this gentler approach is successful. In the meantime, we would ask dog walkers to ensure that their dogs avoid paddling in the pond if at all possible. The products used to keep our dogs, flea, tick and worm free can get into the pond water which is obviously very damaging for all the creatures who live there.

The Chesham Bois Spring Common Clear Up will take place on Saturday 5th April, 10 am – 11.30 am. All volunteers should meet at the Parish Centre Car Park. Litter pickers, gloves and bags and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you!

The Planning Committee Meeting this evening has been cancelled due to several members of the committee being unable to attend. The meeting will be inquorate and cannot go ahead. The Council meeting at 8 pm will go ahead as planned.

Planning Application PL/22/4074/FA

The Parish Council have received notification that Buckinghamshire Council Planning Authority have challenged the decision to hold a public hearing and the Planning Inspectorate have advised that the appeal will be considered by written representations. Chesham Bois Parish Council will submit a response today and we await the decision of the Planning Inspectorate.

In the run up to Christmas, Buckinghamshire Council is highlighting where families and individuals can seek emergency help and support if they need it over the festive season.

Any Buckinghamshire residents needing emergency support or help with food and/or energy should contact the council’s Helping Hand service using the online form or by calling 01296 531 151. This service is available during office hours but is closed at weekends and on the public holiday days over Christmas and New Year.

Anyone in immediate need of food who cannot wait until the next working day when the Helping Hand service is open – and has no other avenue to help – should contact the council’s Emergency Social Work Team on 0800 999 7677. They will not be able to provide food on Christmas Day when the shops are closed, but otherwise can provide immediate help and advice in an emergency.

Many foodbanks will be operating different opening days and times over the Christmas period – residents who need to access a foodbank will need a referral from the council’s Helping Hand service, or another similar support service, so please contact the Helping Hand service in the first instance if you or someone you know needs to use a foodbank.

If you see anyone sleeping out on the streets in Buckinghamshire, please contact StreetLink online or call 0300 500 0914. They will notify the council’s dedicated outreach workers. If you see anyone you believe to be under the age of 18 and/or are concerned about the health or welfare of anyone that you see sleeping rough, please call 999.

Residents who may be finding this time of year challenging or lonely, or are experiencing difficulty with their mental health can find help and advice on the NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies webpage. In addition, there are some top tips on mental health and being ‘kind to your mind’ during the festive period at Health and Wellbeing Bucks.

Information about additional support can be found on the council’s cost of living webpages.

Online advice is available 24/7 from Citizens Advice Bucks, plus the national advice line is available during office hours on 0800 144 8848 if you need immediate advice.