Chair’s Report 2025/2026

Chairman’s Annual Report 2025-2026

This year began with County and Parish Elections early in May.  Bierton Parish Council were elected unopposed, with one vacancy.  Carlo Monticolombi was co-opted to fill this vacancy in June.  Lesley Harridge and Sarah Kennedy joined the Parish Council.

Julie Ward was re-elected to Buckinghamshire Council along with Kathy Gibbon.

Our big event this year was the adoption of the long awaited Bierton Neighbourhood Plan.  94% voted to accept it in July and this was verified by Buckinghamshire Council in September and is now operational.

The first draft of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan was issued in February and a well-attended meeting was held in March in the Jubilee Hall where we were told about the plan by Julie Ward and John Sylvester of Bierton Action Group.  Parishioners were asked to object to any or all of the 4 sites put forward, particularly the one north of Bierton for up to 8000 houses which  includes the much needed Northern Link Road.  We now await a Final Draft in July.

We still have outstanding plans lodged with the Planning Department – 47 houses South of Aylesbury Road, 38 (reduced from 60) houses on Barnett Way, 23 on William Hill Drive and 115 off Gib Lane along with a sports field.  This represents a 25% increase of houses in the Parish.    It is hoped the Neighbourhood Plan will help getting these refused.

A developer, Barratts Redrow, was announced recently for the Woodlands Development which includes the ELR South, another road much needed to alleviate traffic, particularly HGVs, through Bierton and Kingsbrook.  The not so good news is that this is likely to be 2029/30.

Work has continued this year updating our halls, etc.   We have had new fascias, soffits and guttering at the Jubilee Hall;  The Old Cricket Pavilion Roof has been replaced and the Bus Shelter near Gib Lane refurbished.  We thank the Mike and Claire Griffin Trust for the funding of the two latter projects, and Mike Glynn and John Chantler for their help.  Brian Small, our Handyman/Caretaker for the past 13 years has retired.   Brian has often been seen doing jobs around the village and at both halls.  He has been available almost 24/7 and will be missed.  Clive Woodfall is taking over some of these tasks.

Work continues on replacing stiles with gates on Public Footpaths in the village – courtesy of John Chantler and the Mike Griffin Trust.

Our Events Group have held a Quiz, Film Night, Fun Run and Meet Santa evening during the year and raised a considerable amount of money for Emmetts Genies.

The Social Hub continues to thrive on Tuesdays at the Jubilee Hall and we thank Steve and his team of volunteers for this.

We have continued to attend meetings with outside providers – Stakeholder Meetings with Barratts; Kingsbrook Parish Council; East Bucks Community Board; Planning Forums, Highways Conference and Parish Liaison.   We liaise with our Local Area Technician and other Highways staff regularly.  We continue to try and resolve the parking issues on Burcott and Parsons Lanes – which is by no means easy!  We also liaise with our Neighbourhood Policing Team and have held some Have Your Say sessions.

I will finish by thanking all my Parish Councillors for their support and work during the year.  Also to Julie and Kathy for their support and advice and looking after our interests at County level.  Special thanks, as always, to our Clerk, Wendy, who keeps us all informed and advised throughout the year, despite her family commitments.

We look forward to another successful year with the refurbishment of the Sports Centre and Biertonfest for starters!

Thank you all.

Sheila Cotton Chair, Bierton Parish Council