Annual Meeting of Bierton Parish Council May 2026 DRAFT Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF BIERTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON

Monday 18th May 2026 following the Annual Parish Meeting at the Jubilee Hall, Bierton

DRAFT

Present: Cllr S Cotton, Cllr L Fisher, Cllr S Knowles, Cllr M Grieves, Cllr C Monticolombi, Cllr S Kennedy, 3 members of the public and the Clerk Mrs Wendy Tomlinson

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR – Cllr Fisher proposed Cllr Cotton as Chair, seconded by Cllr Knowles. Cllr
Grieves proposed Cllr Fisher as Vice Chair, seconded by Cllr Knowles. Declarations of Acceptance of Office were duly
signed.
APOLOGIES – Cllr H Smith, Cllr L Harridge, Cllr S Feeney, Cllr J Ward (BC) and Cllr K Gibbon (BC)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
• Cllr Knowles queried if the energy assessment had been booked yet. Cllr Cotton has given Cllr Feeney some
available dates but we are unaware if it has been booked yet.
• Cllr Cotton confirmed that defibrillator training has been booked for Monday 29th June 2026 at 7.00pm in the
• Jubilee Hall.
• The fire extinguishers have been replaced at the Jubilee Hall. Cllr Knowles requested that the old brackets be
removed and the walls made good. Cllr Cotton will ask caretaker.
• The Clerk has amended the asset register item number 1 to read ‘Sports Centre and Land’ and increased the cost
by £100.00.
• A further quotation for the Jubilee Hall Roof has been received for £4,500.00. The Clerk has been unable to obtain
a third quotation. It was resolved that R B Roofing will be contracted to undertake the work. Clerk to instruct
contractor.
• The Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign has been removed. The Clerk has also removed it from the asset register.
• The Clerk met with another company regarding the replacement fire doors at the sports centre today and is
awaiting the quote.
MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 20th April 2026 were agreed as an accurate record
and duly signed by the chair.
REGULAR UPDATE FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS
• Cllr Cotton reported that the Barnett Way planning application will be considered by Central and North
Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee at Buckinghamshire Council on 17th June 2026.
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. –
Request from applicant for a correction to the minutes from January and April meetings. A further email was
received from the applicant pointing out that there is a distinction which for practical reasons needs to be
drawn between the old brick works site and the 60m2 area designated a geological Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI). The two are fundamentally different and separate parcels of land.
Natural England’s interests can only ever relate to the SSSI and the application excluded work on the
SSSI. Bierton Parish Council accepted this explanation and agreed to record it in the minutes for
clarification.
• PL/26/03310/KA Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area 84 Aylesbury Road, Bierton,
Buckinghamshire, HP22 5DL Sycamore Tree – Remove Comments were submitted 12th May 2026 – Bierton
Parish Council resolved that it has no objection to this application. However, it recommends that another
native species tree is planted further away from the properties.
• PL/26/03289/EU Lawful development certificate for an existing use or operation or activity including those in breach
of a planning condition The Old Wainwrights Building, Rear Of 2 and 4 Burcott Lane, Bierton , HP22 5DW, Existing
use of the building as office, light industrial and storage, under Classes E and B8 of the Use Classes Order. – The
following response was submitted: At it’s meeting on 18th May 2026, Bierton Parish Council resolved that
based on local knowledge and recollection, it can provide the following information:
The building in question has never been part of Redberry House. The previous occupants used it as
community space holding events such as drama group rehearsals, brownie and guide meetings, allotment
society meetings and village social events.
Prior to that, many years earlier, we understand it had been a small factory.
To our knowledge, it has never been regarded or used as an agricultural building and has never been used
as domestic space.
• 24/03787/AOP Land South of Aylesbury Road, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, Outline planning application for the
erection of up to 47 dwellings, including means of access into the site (not internal roads) and associated highway
works, with all other matters (relating to appearance, landscaping, scale and layout) reserved. – update after
considered by Central and North Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee at its meeting, 13th May 2026.
Cllr Cotton reported that at the Buckinghamshire Council Planning Committee meeting, the application was
refused.
• 25/02163/APP- BIERTON Land West Of William Hill Drive And South Of Aylesbury Road William Hill Drive Bierton
Buckinghamshire HP22 5AZ Erection of 24 dwellings, with access from William Hill Drive and including landscaping
and related SUDS – update after considered by Central and North Buckinghamshire Area Planning
Committee at its meeting, 13th May 2026 and possible discussion regarding change from 23 to 24
dwellings. Cllr Cotton reported that at the Buckinghamshire Council Planning Committee meeting, the
application was refused.
Cllr Knowles commented that he was aware that the Planning Committee meetings can be viewed live online and
requested that the link be communicated on our Facebook pages for any future planning applications to be
determined by committee. It was agreed that this was a good idea.
Cllr Fisher requested it be minuted that thanks are extended to Cllr Cotton, Cllr Ward (BC) and Bierton Action
Group for their time taken to attend the meeting and present the objections.
• Cllr Cotton asked if any Councillors would be prepared to attend and/or speak at the Planning Committee meeting
for the Barnett Way application. Cllr Fisher offered to attend if available.
CLERKS REPORT –
• Kompan have been to deal with the issues in the Playground. They reported that the toddler swing frame is
unstable and causing a wobble. They will look into and provide a quote to remedy. The Clerk has enquired if the
Wehopper was dismantled and lubricated as there was no mention of it in the report.
• The Internal Audit is complete and the Clerk is in the process of arranging everything for the External Audit.
FINANCE & ORDERS – Clerk reported 7 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.
SPORTS HALL REDECORATION AND SOUND ABSORPTION PANELS – Cllr Smith has suggested colours from the
colour charts. A discussion took place regarding green or blue in the changing rooms and it was felt that green was a
more natural colour. It was agreed that a darker colour green should be on the bottom half of the walls in the changing
rooms due to scuff marks from boots etc. Cllr Cotton will discuss further with Cllr Smith and also query the colour for the
toilets. Cllr Knowles shared the colour chart for the sound absorption panels and reported that there will also be two
panels on either end walls as well as the ceiling. Cllr Knowles suggested Glacier colour and all agreed. It was noted that
a risk assessment and method statements are required from the contractor. Cllr Cotton will arrange.
SELF-GUIDED MYSTERY WALK AROUND BIERTON – Cllr Knowles enquired if the guide states how long it will take
and suggested adding a guidance time. Cllr Fisher will work on it further. It will be added to the website and promoted
via the Facebook pages. Cllr Cotton also suggested that a poster could be put on the notice boards to promote it.
UPDATES – To receive any updates on the following (If any):
• Bierton Events Group –
• Cllr Fisher reported that the Race Night was successful and raised approximately £800.00.
• The events group are now preparing for the Art Competition in the Summer.
• A discussion took place around how much is given to the charities from the proceeds of events. Cllr
Knowles and Cllr Fisher reported that the events group have been discussing the charities.
• The Clerk reported that Bucks Vision are looking for supporters as they receive no funding. Clerk to
provide charity contact details to the events group.
• Jubilee Hall & Sports Centre/Playground –
• Cllr Cotton reported that the outside of the Jubilee Hall fire exit doors and frames had not been painted as
part of the refurbishment and had sought a quote from a local contractor. As the quote was under the
threshold, the Clerk and Chair agreed to go ahead. The work has started.
• Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors – Nothing to report
• Highways/Footpaths –
• Cllr Cotton reported that it has been agreed to continue with the replacement of stiles and gates.
• Cllr Fisher reported that the bus shelter on the Aylesbury Road by Gib Lane has been painted.
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 reported that he has received a letter from Buckinghamshire Council regarding the Jubilee Hall being
nominated as an asset of community value. All trustees of the hall will have received this letter.
• Cllr Knowles reported that the Bucks Online Directory is being replaced by Joy Marketplace with effect from 1st July 2026. Cllr Knowles has registered the Social Hub. Clerk to register the Parish Council.
• Cllr Cotton reported that she has been discussing updating the History of Bierton book with a parishioner. Cllr
Fisher agreed to help with this.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The meeting closed at 7.50pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 15th
June 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.