The South East Bucks Community Board met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss initiatives for creating thriving communities and to receive updates on various local projects. The meeting featured presentations from several community organisations, highlighting their contributions and future plans.

Creating Thriving Communities Through Collective Action

The board heard from a range of local organisations and projects that are making a significant impact through partnership working and community-led initiatives.

Jordans Village Ltd Chris Jenkins, Estate Manager for Jordans Village Ltd, provided an overview of the village's history, heritage, and current activities, encompassing both Old Jordans and New Jordans. While no specific request for Community Board support was made, Mr. Jenkins emphasised the importance of maintaining the village's connection with wider Community Board activities and partnerships.

Chalfont St Peter Community Library John Hatton, Chair of Chalfont St Peter Community Library, outlined the library's operations and its community offerings. The library is run entirely by volunteers and relies on fundraising income following a long-term lease agreement with Buckinghamshire Council. Rising operational costs, particularly for heating, are placing financial pressure on the library. A project is underway to replace the ageing electric heating system with an air source heat pump and air conditioning solution, which is anticipated to have a five-year payback period. Community support will be sought to help fund this project. Discussions included potential support from Utility Aid for energy efficiency advice, opportunities for group purchasing, and the possibility of securing matched funding of up to £5,000 from Heart of Bucks for charitable projects. Ani Sultan, Community Board Manager, agreed to conduct a funding search and share any suitable opportunities with the library.

Iver Youth Centre Paula Carter provided an update on the Iver Youth Centre, which was established with support from both the Community Board and the Rothschild Foundation. The centre offers a welcoming and trusted environment for young people aged 13 and over, providing informal drop-in sessions, wellbeing and support services, assertiveness training, Duke of Edinburgh Award skills development, and educational visits. Ms. Carter reported a reduction in anti-social behaviour and noted that young people are increasingly developing a stronger sense of belonging and connection to their community.

Chalfont Skate Park Anne-Marie Vladar and Kenny Ross shared the development journey of the Chalfont Skate Park project, from its inception in 2015 to its completion. The project was realised through extensive fundraising, Buckinghamshire Lottery funding, and significant support from the Parish Council. The skate park officially opened in July 2025, with over 400 attendees at the launch event. The speakers highlighted the strong and diverse usage across all age groups, with visitors travelling from across Buckinghamshire and beyond. They also noted the development of new social networks among users and parents, and the positive community ownership of the facility. Ms. Vladar offered to share learning and contractor information with other communities considering similar projects.

Burnham Best Start in Life Hub Debbie Hulme provided an update on the development of the Burnham Best Start in Life Hub. The hub is being designed as a community resource for residents of all ages, not exclusively for families with young children. Plans include midwifery and health clinics, community meeting spaces, dedicated support services, and SEND activities and programmes. The hub is currently expected to open in April 2027.

Community Board Priorities Update

Ani Sultan, Community Board Manager, provided an overview of how Community Board priorities are developed. These priorities are informed by community insight and feedback, local data and intelligence, discussions with local councillors, engagement with community organisations and partners, and priority-setting workshops with stakeholders. The Board's role was highlighted as convening partners, facilitating collaboration, and enabling communities to develop sustainable, place-based solutions, with a focus on achieving long-term outcomes through partnership working rather than solely providing funding. Organisations and community groups with ideas for future projects were encouraged to contact the Community Board team.

Actions from Last Meeting

Updates were provided on several topics from the previous meeting's minutes:

• Heritage Working Group: Twelve heritage themes have been developed and will be displayed on eight-foot banners across Beaconsfield. A podcast will also be produced about Wilton Park and its contribution to the Second World War effort.
• Youth Work: Chalfont Community College has established a dedicated youth space offering support during lunchtime sessions and after-school activities, delivered by Mama Bee, including mentoring. Attendance is growing, and a replicable model is being developed.
• Little Libraries: Several Little Libraries have been manufactured, with positive usage reported in Richings Park. These libraries are built by Black Park Shed, supporting the wellbeing and mental health of participants. A demonstration unit was displayed at the meeting.
• Community Connections: Additional webinars are being developed, with further details to be shared soon.
• Town Centre Priority: A workshop will be arranged if there is sufficient interest to explore this priority further.

The next South East Bucks Community Board meeting is scheduled for 4 March 2027, with venue details to be confirmed. Organisations interested in hosting a future meeting were invited to contact southeastbuckscb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.