This week, Chesham and Amersham MP, Cheryl Gillan, writes exclusively for Bucks Free Press readers:

Last October, the government announced two funding streams to help offset the disruption caused by the construction of Phase 1 of HS2. The HS2 Community and Environment Fund (the CEF) is intended to help local groups, while the Business and Local Economy Fund (the BLEF) is aimed at boosting local business.

These two schemes are being administered by the independent Groundwork grant management body. Last July, I met Cathy Elliott, who is the chair of the HS2 Community and Environment Fund. It is worth emphasising that Groundwork UK will be disbursing total funds of £40 million, over the next 11 years.

About that time, the recipients of the first two local schemes to be awarded money under the CEF fund were announced. £17,198 went to the Coleshill Play Area and Adult Activity trail, on the ‘Jack Adams Field’ owned by the parish council.

Ballinger Waggoners Cricket Club received £9,762, to purchase a mini tractor to improve the cricket ground and for access to the existing children’s play area.

In October, the Lee Parish Council received £44,100, to help replace the wooden fort in the children’s play area there.

The first local grant from BLEF was made the same month to Buckinghamshire Business First. £75,000 will go to set up the Visit Buckinghamshire Advisory Service.

This money is intended to support local retail and tourism businesses, up to 5km either side of the Bucks route, which may be affected by HS2. I was pleased to hear that there was a lot of interest from local businesses.

We should not forget that this funding is available. I hope local communities will put forward schemes which could be of benefit within our parishes bearing the brunt of HS2. To put it mildly, community engagement has not always been HS2’s strong point!