Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

It was confirmed that the Council would not be entering the Thames in Chiltern Bloom competition in 2026 as resources would be diverted to improving Unterhaching Park and preparing it for future planting.

In relation to the Schools in Bloom wheelbarrows, the Committee was presented with theme options for this year’s challenge and invited to nominate an organisation to be offered a guest wheelbarrow, in line with recent practice.

The Committee also discussed community gardening and schools’ vouchers. It was agreed that schools should be asked to retain receipts for purchased items. Community gardening groups would be asked to identify any items required, with vouchers issued only where items could not be sourced through the Council’s suppliers. As a new garden bed, it was agreed that the Queen Emma’s Community Garden group should be provided with a £50 voucher to support its establishment.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, the decision not to enter Thames & Chiltern in Bloom be agreed and,

3.      That, Yellow Submarine be invited to be the guest wheelbarrow organisation for the In Bloom Challenge 2026 and,

4.      That, the theme for Schools in Bloom challenge for 2026 be Sensory Wheelbarrows (plants to stimulate the senses) and,

5.      That, the voucher arrangements for community gardens and schools as presented in the report be approved.