October 2026 DRAFT Minutes

MINUTES OF BIERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday 19th October 2026 at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall, Bierton

DRAFT

Present: Cllr S Cotton in the Chair, Cllr S Kennedy, Cllr L Harridge, Cllr S Feeney, Cllr C Monticolombi, Cllr K Gibbon (BC),
5 members of the public and the Clerk Mrs Wendy Tomlinson

  1. APOLOGIES –– Cllr L Fisher, Cllr S Knowles, Cllr M Grieves & Cllr J Ward (BC)
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
  3. MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
    • Cllr Cotton reported that Cllr Knowles met with the caretaker to discuss the findings of the playground inspection
    report. The caretaker will attend to the issues raised and he will attend to the toddler swing next year. The caps
    required for the dolphin are being sent free of charge from Kompan.
    • The Clerk reported that we have now subscribed to the Lemon Hall Booking system. It still requires some work
    before it goes live. Cllr Cotton and the Clerk are still to meet up with the person interested in the halls management.
    • The Clerk has applied to Grantscape for a grant for the tennis table table and the planters.
  4. MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 21st September 2026 were agreed as an accurate
    record and duly signed by the chair.
  5. PUBLIC FORUM –
    • Nothing raised.
    REGULAR UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS
    • Cllr Gibbon explained that Section 106 monies can only be changed to Community Infrastructure Levy if a Section
    106 agreement has not been approved and signed. Parishes with a Neighbourhood Plan will receive 25% of the
    Levy.
  6. PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY – A vote took place and Bob Dewis was co-opted from a result of 3 votes to 2.
  7. ENERGY ASSESSMENTS – Representatives from Buckinghamshire Community Energy attended to answer questions.
    An EV Charger at the Sports Centre was discussed which could have a booking system for people to use. If the user
    overstayed the booking time, fines could be charged. Solar panels and a battery at the Sports Centre were also
    discussed which could generate some income and Councillors felt this could be a good idea. Cllr Feeney asked about
    funding. The National Lottery have a community fund and there is also the government grant programme, GB Energy
    Community Fund. Next steps are to obtain quotes and then if agreed to proceed, put out to tender. Cllr Feeney will look
    into obtaining quotes.     Cavity wall insulation at both halls was also discussed. Cllr Feeney will look into finding out if
    there is cavity wall insulation in the halls.
  8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PLANNING MATTERS –
    • PL/26/07248/OA | Outline application (with all matters other than access reserved for future determination) for up to
    55 dwellings, including, public open space, landscaping, surface water drainage, and associated infrastructure, with
    means of vehicular access from Burcott Lane | Land West of Burcott Lane Bierton Buckinghamshire – Objection
    submitted 9th October 2026.
  9. CLERKS REPORT –
    • SparkX have inspected the streetlight cover in Old Orchards and have deemed it safe. A parishioner had taped it.
    • The fire doors at the Sports Centre have now been replaced.
  10. FINANCE & ORDERS – Clerk reported 3 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.
  11. MEETING DATES 2027 – The meeting dates had previously been circulated. All agreed to accept.
  12. POPPY WREATH – DONATION TO RBL – All agreed to donate £100.00. Clerk to send payment.
  13. BIERTON EVENTS GROUP INSURANCE RENEWAL QUOTE – FOR APPROVAL – All agreed that Bierton Events
    Group should pay for their own insurance this year.
  14. BIERTONFEST – TO AGREE PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET AMOUNT – All agreed to budget £3,000 towards the
    event.
  15. POLICIES:
    • DISCIPLINARY POLICY – TO APPROVE & ADOPT – All agreed to approve and adopt once amended.
    • GRIEVANCE POLICY – TO APPROVE & ADOPT – All agreed to approve and adopt once amended.
    Cllr Monticolombi noted some grammatical errors in both policies. Cllr Monticolombi to send a list to the Clerk. Clerk
    to make amendments and publish policies.
  16. JUBILEE HALL – CEILINGS IN KITCHEN AND OFFICE – Cllr Cotton reported that we had received a second quote
    for £2,580 excluding VAT to insulate both ceilings. All agreed to proceed. Cllr Cotton to arrange.
  17. NEW STREET NAME FOR GIB LANE (KINGSBROOK SIDE) – All agreed that as the road does not lie within our
    Parish, the other consultees and Buckinghamshire Council should agree on the name. Clerk to respond to
    Buckinghamshire Council.
  18. TRAFFIC CALMING SAFETY AUDIT & MOVEMENT OF THE SPEED CAMERA – The responses to the emails the
    Clerk had sent were previously circulated. It was agreed that the Safety Audit will be raised again at the next Kingsbrook
    Stakeholder meeting. The Clerk reported that it is not Thames Valley Police that manage the location of the speed
    camera. We need to contact highways at Buckinghamshire Council. Cllr Cotton to forward contact to the Clerk. Clerk to
    contact Buckinghamshire Council highways department.
  19. FOOTPATH NEXT TO BIERTON LAKES – Cllr Cotton and Cllr Feeney reported that the fence is falling. The Parish
    Council do not own the land the footpath is on. The Parish Council agreed that it is not their responsibility to contribute
    to the repairs as none of the land is owned by the Parish Council. Cllr Gibbon will follow up the original FixMyStreet
    report.
  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 Sports Centre roof windows will be cleaned over the Christmas period.
    • Cllr Cotton reported that both halls will be closed for two weeks over the Christmas period.
    • Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors –
    • Cllr Cotton and Cllr Harridge attended the Highways conference today. Both found it interesting.
    • Highways/Footpaths –
    • Nothing further to report.
  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 residents from the right-hand side of Rowsham Road (which is currently in Hulcott Parish),
    would like to be included in Bierton Parish. This needs to undergo a Community Governance Review.
    • Cllr Feeney enquired about the caretaker replacing the handrail down the steps at St Osyth’s Well. Also, the
    wooden posts are rotting and the caretaker was going to look into replacing them with stones. Cllr Cotton to remind
    caretaker.
    • Cllr Feeney raised the gap in the fire exit doors at the Jubilee Hall. The caretaker has managed to reduce the gap
    between the doors but they will require draft excluders. Clerk to contact caretaker to arrange.
    • Cllr Harridge raised (on behalf of Cllr Knowles) the weight of the tables at the Jubilee Hall. Clerk to look into
    whether lighter tables could be an option. Subsequent to the meeting, Cllr Knowles offered to research.
    • Cllr Cotton reported that she and the Clerk are meeting with the IT company to go through the IT issues tomorrow.
  22. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The meeting closed at 8.15pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 16th
    November 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.