July 2026 DRAFT Minutes

MINUTES OF BIERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON

Monday 20th July 2026 at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall, Bierton

DRAFT

Present: Cllr S Cotton in the Chair, Cllr L Fisher, Cllr S Knowles, , Cllr H Smith, Cllr S Kennedy, Cllr L Harridge, Cllr S Feeney, Cllr J Ward (BC), Cllr K Gibbon (BC), 8 members of the public and the Clerk Mrs Wendy Tomlinson   

1. APOLOGIES –– Cllr C Monticolombi & Cllr M Grieves – Apologies were received and accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
3. MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES –
   • Cllr Cotton has obtained quotes for planters. Four will cost £1,640 without the soil and plants. It will cost £2,680
   including the soil and to be planted. All agreed to apply to Gib Lane Community Fund for four with soil and to be
   planted.
   • Cllr Knowles showed an image of suggested area for a Table Tennis table. Cllr Cotton asked if he had considered
   putting it near the outdoor gym. Cllr Knowles felt that was too far away from the car park. A discussion took place.
   Cllrs will look into further.
   • There has been some interest in the Simply Walk initiative. Clerk to forward emails to Cllr Feeney to liaise directly.
4. MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 15th June 2026 were agreed as an accurate record
   and duly signed by the chair.
5. PUBLIC FORUM –
   • Cllr Anderson and a Watermead resident spoke about the fields behind Bierton/Watermead. They have
   identified five fields where residents of Watermead regularly walk the boundaries but there are no rights of
   way. Watermead Parish Council are applying to Buckinghamshire Council for Definitive Map Modification
   Orders (DMMOs) separately for each of the fields. Landowners have to be notified before applications are
   submitted. The Parish Council were asked if we would consider extending the coverage of designated
   footpaths. It was agreed that Bierton Parish Council will share the information with it’s residents and display the
   poster on our notice boards. Clerk to print off posters for noticeboards.
   REGULAR UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS
   • Nothing other than the Local Plan (item 10.) to report.
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PLANNING MATTERS –
   • PL/26/04305/FA 7 Church Farm Close, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5EL, Demolition of existing conservatory
   and erection of single storey rear extension – Comment submitted 2nd July 2026 – Bierton Parish Council has
   no comments and no objections to this application.
   • PL/26/04243/FA Full Planning Permission 7 Church Farm Close, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5EL, Removal
   of existing garden wall and shrubs and erection of new garden wall to match existing wall – Comment submitted
   2nd July 2026 – Bierton Parish Council has no comments and no objections to this application.
   • PL/26/04790/FA Full Planning Permission 225 Aylesbury Road, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5DS Single storey
   front and rear extensions, changes to fenestration and internal alterations incorporating ground floor
   accommodation for relative – Comment submitted 2nd July 2026 – Bierton Parish Council has no comments
   and no objections to this application.
   • PL/26/04301/FA Full Planning Permission Cavan Farm , Cane End Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5BH
   Demolition of redundant agricultural buildings and erection of 1no. B8 unit (storage or distribution) with associated
   access and landscaping – A Parishioner had taken the time to look into this application and reported their findings
   to the Parish Council. Cllr Knowles commented that it is a very large warehouse. There will be heavy goods
   vehicles and on site vehicles and the road condition is already deteriorating. There will be two loading doors on the
   back of the warehouse. It was noted that Heavy goods vehicles should not be coming through the village but should
   use Bellingham Way and Mike Griffin Way instead. A resident pointed out that if a vehicle misses the turning at
   Cane End Lane they often turn into Rowsham Road and have difficulty turning around. Cllr Fisher suggested a
   footway may be needed as walkers regularly use the route. It was agreed that a positive point was that it may bring
   employment into the area. A response will be formulated and submitted.
   • PL/26/02275/FA Full Planning Permission Aylesbury Golf Centre Ltd , Hulcott Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire,
   HP22 5GA Installation of two purpose-built padel courts positioned back to back and running parallel to the existing
   12-hole Adventure Golf course – Cllr Cotton explained that this had been submitted again due to needing a
   Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment. All agreed to support again. Clerk to submit comment.
   • William Hill Drive – Visitors’ Car Park – Cllr Cotton reported that Anchor own the car park and that a developer
   wants to buy it and provide them with another car park in the field behind the bungalows. All agreed to support the
   residents of the retirement homes in retaining it as a car park.
   • Hampden Fields Employment Development Consultation – Cllr Cotton reported that we have received a
   consultation letter. It was agreed that we do not need to respond as a Parish Council as it does not directly affect
   us. Clerk to circulate email. Councillors can respond personally if they wish to.
   Cllr Cotton asked Councillors to ensure they respond to planning application emails when comments are required
   before the next meeting.
7. CLERKS REPORT –
   • Community Payback have cleared around the Jubilee Hall again.
   • RoSPA Inspection – Clerk had omitted to request to be added to the automatic schedule. If we would like the
   inspection carried out this year, it will cost £274.00 plus VAT. – All agreed to go ahead. Clerk to instruct.
8. FINANCE & ORDERS – Clerk reported 2 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.
9. POLICIES:
   • SAFEGUARDING POLICY – REVIEW APPROVAL – Resolved to accept. Clerk to display on noticeboards in halls
   and update website.
   • EQUALITY & DIVERSITY POLICY – REVIEW APPROVAL – Resolved to accept. Clerk to update website.
10. LOCAL PLAN – Cllr Ward explained the concept plan for Aylesbury NESS from the Local Plan in detail. A lengthy
    discussion took place. The Consultation goes live on 23rd July for six weeks. The Parish Council will formulate a
    response in due course. A public meeting will be arranged for Saturday 8th August, 1.00pm at the Jubilee Hall.
11. WEBSITE AND EMAILS – Cllr Knowles wanted to discuss if the website and emails are adequate for our current
    needs. A discussion took place. Cllr Cotton reported that our IT consultant will be visiting in the next few weeks and will
    be meeting with the Clerk. Councillors to send the Clerk an email with any issues they have with the website and/or
    emails. Clerk to add to the agenda for September.
12. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN WEBSITE FUTURE AND EARMARKED RESERVES – It was agreed to retain the
    Neighbourhood Plan website for the next year with the view of putting the Neighbourhood Plan on to the Parish Council
    website in that time. It was agreed that the earmarked reserves should remain where they are and that it should be
    renamed to Neighbourhood Plan and Local Plan Reserves. Clerk to amend the name in the accounting system.
13. REPLACEMENT FIRE DOORS – SPORTS CENTRE – We still only have one quote for the replacement fire doors as
    companies did not respond to the Clerk. Cllr Smith to contact another company to obtain a second quote.
14. BIERTON EVENTS GROUP – Cllr Cotton deferred this item to the September meeting.
15. BIERTONFEST – Cllr Cotton reported that the organising committee are preparing to organise another BiertonFest next
    year on Saturday 19th June 2026. The Clerk has joined the organising committee.
16. HALL BOOKING SYSTEM – The Clerk reported that her son is happy to work on and test the trial booking system from
    Lemon over the Summer. All agreed to pay minimum wage.
17. TREE PLANTING – Cllr Feeney reported that Buckinghamshire Council are offering tree packs. A discussion took place
    as to where in the village they could be planted but was difficult to see where. It was suggested that landowners be
    contacted. Cllr Feeney to put on Bierton Families Facebook page.
18. ENERGY ASSESSMENT – Cllr Feeney previously circulated the suggestions from the energy assessments. A
    discussion took place. Cllr Cotton felt that it would cost a lot of money for little return. Cllr Knowles suggested to take
    some facts from the full report when it is received. Clerk to add to September agenda.
19. OPEN GARDENS – Cllr Feeney and Cllr Harridge reported that the Open Gardens was a great success. It was agreed
    that it would be organised again next year. Cllr Knowles said that he would hope to be in a position to help with it next
    year.
20. UPDATES – To receive any updates on the following (If any):
    • Bierton Events Group –
    • Nothing to report
    • Jubilee Hall & Sports Centre/Playground –
    • Cllr Cotton reported that the redecoration of the Sports Centre is underway.
    • Cllr Knowles confirmed that the acoustic panels will be fitted on 1st & 2nd September.
    • Cllr Cotton reported that there is a leak from the tank at the Sports Centre and it will be replaced soon.
    • Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors –
    • Some Councillors and the Clerk attended some online Local Plan meetings.
    • Barratts Stakeholder meeting – Cllr Cotton reported that Buckinghamshire Council should soon adopt the
    A418 through Bierton.
    • Highways/Footpaths –
    • It was unknown if the stile in the field behind Cowley Close had been replaced with a gate. Cllr Feeney
    has subsequently checked and it has been replaced.
21. 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 Cotton reported that a resident has requested a dog waste bin in William Hill Drive. It was agreed that we have
    enough dog waste bins around the village and that there are two either end of the recreation ground.
    • Cllr Cotton had been asked by a resident for a skate park. This would require acquisition of land. It was agreed that
    this is not possible.
    • Cllr Smith reported that the cutting of the tree/hedge by the dairy footpath will be completed in September.
22. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The meeting closed at 8.55pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 21st
    September 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.