January 2026 Minutes
Bierton Parish Council
2025/2026 / 019
Minutes Monday 19th January 2026
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday 19th January 2026 at 7.00pm at the Jubilee Hall, Bierton
DRAFT
Present: Cllr S Cotton in the Chair, Cllr L Fisher, Cllr S Knowles, Cllr S Feeney, Cllr L Harridge, Cllr H Smith, Cllr S Kennedy,
Cllr C Monticolombi, Cllr J Ward (BC), 2 members of the public & the Clerk Mrs Wendy Tomlinson
- APOLOGIES – Cllr M Grieves, Cllr K Gibbon (BC)
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
- MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
• Insurance has been renewed on the Long Term Agreement of 3 years.
• Assets of Community Value – Cllr Fisher will complete these in time for the February meeting.
• Date for Open Gardens – 28th June 2026. - MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 17th November 2025 were agreed as an accurate
record and duly signed by the chair. - PUBLIC FORUM
• REGULAR UPDATE FROM CLLR J WARD – BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL –
o Cllr Ward reported that the capital resurfacing programme are looking at resurfacing the A418 from
Aylesbury to Rowsham in this year.
o There has been a lot of flooding at Rowsham.
o Cllr Ward and Cllr Gibbon have asked that the footways on both sides of Aylesbury Road, from the Red
Lion to up past the Jubilee Hall, the left footway down Parsons Lane and the left hand side closes off of
Parsons Lane are looked at within the 4 year rolling programme.
o A peer review has been a carried out on Buckinghamshire Council and is available online.
Buckinghamshire Council welcomes positive findings from LGA Corporate Peer Challenge |
Buckinghamshire Council
o Cllr Ward reported that a free shuttle bus to Aylesbury is running through Bierton and Kingsbrook via
Burcott Lane at the moment but it is temporary at present.
o Cllr Ward also reported that she is looking into getting Bierton added to the Village Connect on-demand
minibus service.
• A parishioner asked for an update on the Eastern Link Road South – Buckinghamshire Council are still in
negotiations with developers for the Woodlands Development. Completion is not expected until 2029.
• A parishioner asked if there was any update on the Red Lion – no official update.
• A parishioner commented that the traffic calming is not popular and asked if it can be reviewed. Cllr Cotton reported
that the safety audit has been carried out and we need to wait for the outcome. Cllr Knowles suggested that all
Councillors set an example. A discussion took place around the adoption of Mike Griffin Way and Bellingham Way. - PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PLANNING MATTERS –
• PL/25/5751/KA Ecology & Arts Club Ltd, The Old Brick Works Office, Brick Kiln Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire,
HP22 5DA Application to continue thinning, general maintenance and arboreal restoration work. Operations as
before include work to remove 103 limbs of less than 20cm in diameter and 25 limbs greater than 20cm diameter.
Comment submitted 15th December 2025 – Bierton Parish Council have no objections to the tree works as
recommended and permitted by Natural England. However, we note that Natural England have stated that
the works should be carried out before 31st December 2025 and question if the works will be complete by
then?
• PL/25/5619/VRC Land West Of Rowsham, Rowsham Road, Bierton, Buckinghamshire Variation of condition 8
(Surface water drainage layout) attached to planning permission 18/02518/ADP (Approval of Reserved Matters
pursuant to outline permission 16/04142/AOP for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the erection of up to
five detached dwellings with access, parking and amenity space) to allow the change of design to the sustainable
drainage system to the as built system as designed by Abington Consulting Engineers Comment submitted 22nd
December 2025 – Bierton Parish Council have no comments and no objections to this application.
• PL/25/5204/FA 25 Rowsham Road, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5DZ Proposed single-storey rear extension,
internal changes, installation of two rooflights, and replacement of existing fenestration Comment submitted 6th
January 2026 – Bierton Parish Council has no comments and no objections to this application
• PL/25/5651/FA 16 Burcott Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5AU Single storey rear extension, part garage
conversion – No comments and no objections
• PL/25/4514/FA Erection of seven industrial/warehouse units (Use Classes B2/B8/E(g)ii/iii) incorporating
photovoltaics and including engineering works, retaining structures, embankments, drainage infrastructure, external
yards, parking, landscaping and ecological enhancements, utilising existing access from Mike Griffin Way. | Land
East Of Mike Griffin Way Broughton Buckinghamshire – All agreed to submit a comment stating that the
Eastern Link Road South should be completed before this application is approved.
Minutes
2025/2026 / 020
Monday 19th January 2026 - CLERKS REPORT –
• We received the Fire Risk Assessments for both halls in December. There are recommendations and action points
that need completing as soon as possible. Should a Parish Councillor take on the responsibility for training and
testing? Cllr Smith and Cllr Knowles offered to take on responsibility. Clerk, Cllr Smith and Cllr Knowles will meet
to discuss further.
• Broadband will be renewed with BT in the next few days. - FINANCE & ORDERS – Clerk reported 4 additional payments. Payments and receipts which had been circulated to
Councillors ahead of the meeting were agreed upon with the financial receipts, payments, and proposed payment
schedule. - DEVOLVED SERVICES – Clerk previously circulated an email regarding the uplift required which is an additional
£874.40. Cane End Lane will also need to paid for in addition to this which cost £485.00 in 2025. All agreed to continue
with the devolved services agreement. - BUDGET 2026/2027 – Some discussion took place around some of the entries. All agreed budget for 2026/2027.
- PRECEPT – All agreed at 3% increase.
- ASSERTION 10 UPDATE – Cllr Fisher has produced an audit document and there is a plan in place to meet the
requirements. Cllr Monticolombi reported that the website is accessible. Cllr Fisher reported that policies are being
written which will be adopted at the next meeting. Clerk to meet with Cllr Monticolombi to look at how to ensure
documents are accessible on the website. - HALL BOOKINGS – Cllr Cotton is looking to pass over the administration of the hall bookings. Clerk will be looking at a
hall booking system with the Kingsbrook Community Hub manager this week. A discussion took place about what is
involved. Cllr Harridge offered to take it on with another person. Cllr Smith suggested setting up a Whatsapp group for
all Parish Councillors for when something needs looking at urgently. Cllr Fisher has set this up. - PROPOSED HIRE FEES FOR HALLS – 2026/2027 – All agreed to proposals previously circulated.
- CARETAKER/CLEANING OF JUBILEE HALL – Cllr Cotton reported that our caretaker will be retiring at the end of
March. She has found somebody else to take on the role except for the cleaning of Jubilee Hall. Cllr Cotton is looking
for somebody to take on the cleaning. - FLAT ROOFS – JUBILEE HALL – Cllr Cotton reported that in the event of needing to claim on our insurance for flat
roofs, we need to prove that they are inspected every two years. Cllr Cotton has asked the roofer who did the guttering,
fascias etc to inspect the flat roofs at Jubilee Hall and to clean them. - SOUND ABSORPTION – SPORTS CENTRE – Cllr Knowles has applied for a grant of £5,000 through Heart of Bucks
towards the project. Cllr Knowles has obtained two further quotes. The preferred company is the one that did the Jubilee
Hall. Cllr Knowles does not yet know when we will hear the outcome of the application but is optimistic. It is hoped that
the work will be carried out alongside the refurbishment in August 2026. - SPORTS CENTRE REFURBISHMENT, GRANTS AND CONTRACTOR – Cllr Cotton reported that Grantscape have
awarded just over £10,000 towards the refurbishment. Three quotes have been obtained. Cllr cotton suggested the
preferred contractor and all agreed. Hulcott Parish Council have some historic funding from Grantscape and Cllr Cotton
has asked if they would be willing to contribute some of their unused funding to the project. Hulcott Parish Council will
let Cllr Cotton know once they have made a decision. - FIREWORKS – Cllr Ward has taken advice from Buckinghamshire Council Environmental Health Officer and fireworks
are not allowed to be let off in any public open space unless it is carried out as a professional display with the proved
relevant licences, training and insurance. Cllr Ward will ask for some written information from the Environmental Health
Officer for Cllr Harridge to take to the next Scouts meeting. - COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION WORKSHOP – Cllr Feeney and Cllr Kennedy attended the workshop. Cllr Feeney
fed back the areas it covered. There are follow up meetings on Zoom but, to date, Cllr Feeney and Cllr Kennedy have
been unable to attend. Cllr Feeney will make the Parish Council aware if she feels there are any areas the Parish
Council need to look at. - CARBON LITERACY FOR THE COMMUNITY COURSE – Cllr Feeney will attend the online course.
- CROSSING BETWEEN MUDDY LANE AND THE DAIRY FOOTPATH – Cllr Smith reported how dangerous it is for
children crossing Burcott Lane to and from Bierton and Kingsbrook schools. She strongly feels that it needs a crossing
or a school crossing patrol. Cllr Ward reported that she had asked about it but has been advised the road is not busy
enough and there is not a pavement on both sides. A discussion took place and the majority of Councillors agreed that it
is dangerous. There is much more traffic using Burcott Lane now that the schools are built on Kingsbrook and drivers do
not stick to the 30mph speed limit. Cllr Knowles suggested as a first step to perhaps ask for some signage for both
drivers and pedestrians or possibly part time signals. Cllr Ward will ask Buckinghamshire Council again. Cllr Ward
suggested setting up a community speed watch scheme where the Parish Council could ask for volunteers. The trees
have not been cut as requested. Cllr Cotton will contact Barratts regarding the trees.
Minutes
2025/2026 / 021
Monday 19th January 2026 - UPDATES – To receive any updates on the following (If any) ;
• Bierton Events Group –
• Cllr Fisher reported that a cinema night is planned for March 7th, the quiz is on 25th April, a first
horseracing night will be taking place on 16th May, a Bierton Art Competition will take place over the
summer holidays, another cinema night is planned for 3rd October, the annual run on 15th November and
Santa will be returning on his sleigh on 13th December. The Events Group are looking for a charity to
support this year. Cllr Cotton enquired if the events group are raising money for charity or providing events
for the community. Cllr Fisher replied both. Funds are used to cover the expenditure of events and the
group also fundraise for charity.
• Cllr Cotton asked what the outcome was of the request for financial support for the Summer event,
‘Biertonfest’. The Events Group agreed to provide and man the bouncy castle. A discussion took place
regarding the event taking place. Clerk to put on agenda for February.
• Jubilee Hall & Sports Centre/Playground –
• Cllr Cotton reported that the Nest heating system stopped working at the Sports Centre over the
Christmas period and it is no longer supported. Our plumber has fitted a new Hive system. There were
issues downloading the App onto Cllr Cotton’s iPad. Councillor Monticolombi will download the App to his
device.
• Cllr Smith reported that the wood on the monkey bars has split. Cllr Smith will keep a check on it.
• Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors –
• Cllr Cotton attended Parish Liaison meeting and reported the following changes at Buckinghamshire
Council:
▪ Sarah Ashmead is the interim Chief Executive Officer.
▪ Zoe Ford from Devolved Services has left.
▪ Clare Bayley is now the Chief Planning Officer. They will be looking into the public comments on
the portal. Cllr Cotton also reported that they will look at how the emails are presenting when a
planning application is forwarded from the Clerk to Councillors.
• Cllr Cotton also reported that parishes are having trouble with getting gov.uk email addresses and feels
we should continue with our .org.uk email addresses at present as they are compliant.
• Highways/Footpaths –
• Nothing to report. - MATTERS OF REPORT – For Councillors to report any outstanding issues. Items not included on the agenda which
require decisions will need to be included on the next agenda.
• Cllr Knowles will be putting the Litter Picking station up at the Sports Centre.
• Cllr Knowles reported that the Social Hub is running well on a Tuesday afternoon. He reported that it needs more
people to attend.
• Cllr Smith suggested filling in the puddles through Muddy Lane with type 1 rubble. Cllr Cotton will speak to
somebody. Cllr Smith also suggested putting brushes for shoes at either end of the lane..
• Cllr Fisher reported that the Winter newsletter has gone to print.
• Cllr Feeney reported that the Chiltern Society has carried out some more clearing at St Osyth’s Well and residents
have commented on it.. - DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The meeting closed at 9.20pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 23rd
February 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.
Bierton Parish Council
Chair’s Initials