February 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Bierton Parish Council
Minutes 2025/2026/022 Monday 23rd February 2026
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday 23rd February 2026 at 7.00pm at the Jubilee Hall, Bierton
DRAFT
Present: Cllr S Cotton in the Chair, Cllr L Fisher, Cllr S Knowles, Cllr M Grieves, Cllr S Feeney, Cllr H Smith,
Cllr C Monticolombi, Cllr J Ward (BC), Cllr K Gibbon (BC), 7 members of the public & the Clerk Mrs Wendy Tomlinson
- APOLOGIES – Cllr L Harridge & Cllr S Kennedy
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
- MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
• Fireworks – Scouts have confirmed that they fill out an in depth form which they send to Buckinghamshire Council
and receive a confirmation back. We have asked for a copy of the confirmation for our records. - MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 19th January 2026 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 weather permitting the A418 will be resurfaced from Hulcott to Rowsham starting
from 9th March 2026. Overnight closures will be in place from 7pm to 7am.
o Cllr Ward reported that early conversations are taking place regarding replacing the gas main to Wing in
the Summer Holidays.
• A parishioner suggested we build two padel courts at the back of the recreation ground. Cllr Ward suggested there
may be a private operator that may be interested in building some on local land. The parishioner feels that it would
be better as a local venture for the community. They suggested applying to Sport England and the Mike and Claire
Griffin Trust for grants. It costs approximately £18,000 to build each court. Cllr Cotton pointed out that when we
mentioned padel courts for S106 money, Buckinghamshire Council said that there are plans for them at the Gib
Lane planning application so they would not accept this suggestion. A discussion took place around a private
operator versus Parish Council owned and also the upkeep and responsibility for them. The Parish Council agreed
to look into it further at a later date.
• A parishioner owns a building that has been used over the years for various purposes. They are currently using part
of it for office purposes and would like to make it into a wellness centre. Somebody has queried whether an
application for a change of use is required. Cllr Ward confirmed that there is a live enforcement investigation in
place to ascertain if planning permission is required. The Parish Council agreed that it would support an application
if or when an application is made.
• A parishioner reported that four streetlights on the Aylesbury Road are not working. Cllr Ward will email the relevant
person. - PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PLANNING MATTERS –
• PL/25/6762/VRC – Bierton Crematorium, Cane End Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5BH, Variation of
condition 6 (Hours of operation) attached to planning permission 14/01125/APP (Single chapel crematorium within
a single-storey building, with associated cortege facilities, private and remembrance gardens (including a small
remembrance chapel within the gardens), parking facilities, service areas, off site highway enhancements and
appropriate drainage and services infrastructure) to allow for an extension to the hours of operation – No
comments and no objections.
• PL/26/00621/FA Full Planning Permission 12 Burcott Lane, Bierton, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5AU Part single and
part double side extension – Application received whilst maintenance was being carried out on the planning
portal. Councillors to send comments to Clerk by Friday 6th March 2026. - CLERKS REPORT –
• Cllr Knowles, Cllr Smith and the Clerk met today to discuss the action points of the Fire Risk Assessments. The
Clerk will contact Zone 10 and possibly another company regarding the fire doors and other recommendations for
the Sports Centre. Cllr Cotton also has a contact that may assist with the fire doors. Recommended signs and log
books have been purchased. It was agreed that an outside storage box with a padlock be purchased for outside the
Jubilee Hall for the paint that is currently held in the loft. Cllr Knowles to measure and order. Clerk to also look at
fire extinguisher stands for the Jubilee Hall. Training was also discussed. Clerk to research online courses.
• Broadband has been renewed at both halls. - FINANCE & ORDERS – Clerk reported 1 additional payment. 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.
Minutes
2025/2026 / 023
Monday 23rd February 2026 - POLICIES
• PRIVACY NOTICE
• BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE POLICY
• DATA PROTECTION POLICY
• DOCUMENT RETENTION & DISPOSAL POLICY (INCLUDING SCHEDULE)
• IT & EMAIL POLICY
All resolved to adopt all policies. Clerk to update documents with dates and put on website. - BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN – Cllr Ward gave an overview of the process for the Local Plan and
stressed how important it is to respond to the consultation. The consultation is open until 16th March 2026 and can
be found at the following link:
Local Plan for Buckinghamshire sites survey – Your Voice Bucks – Citizen Space
A discussion took place as to how to reach residents who do not use the internet and it was agreed that a leaflet drop
would be a good idea. Cllr Cotton suggested that some Parish Councillors join Bierton Action Group. Cllr Cotton and Cllr
Monticolombi are happy to join the Action Group. Cllr Ward reported that Local Plans have been thrown out by the
inspector previously. A meeting will be arranged to make valid reasons for objections that can be conveyed to residents. - ASSERTION 10 UPDATE – Cllr Fisher reported that good progress is being made with the action plan with policies now
written and adopted at this meeting. The Clerk reported that a data audit has been carried out for the information they
hold and data is being reviewed and deleted where necessary. Councillors now need to carry out a data audit of the
information they hold. Clerk to send data audit spreadsheet to Councillors for completion and return to the Clerk.
Councillors to carry out a data review and delete files and/or emails where necessary. Clerk to contact previous
Councillors to ask them to delete any files and/or emails they still hold and ask for confirmation that it has been
completed. This all needs to be completed at the latest by 31st March 2026. - GROUND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT – RECREATION GROUND – All resolved to continue with Gardenforces
Landscaping) Ltd. Clerk to contact contractor to advise. - BIERTON NEWS – Cllr Fisher reported that we have lost our distributer for Oldhams Meadow and we have had issues
with other areas in Bierton. A company have quoted approximately £50.00 for the delivery of 1000 newsletters.
Suggestions of an online newsletter once a month were discussed but it was felt that this would not reach residents who
do not use the internet. It was resolved to use the distributer for 12 months and then review. Cllr Fisher to organise. - ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE – Cllr Fisher previously circulated a document for all Councillors to read. Cllr Fisher
also expressed that it was felt that not all assets would be accepted. It was resolved to submit the document to
Buckinghamshire Council. Cllr Fisher to submit document. - EAST BUCKS COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING – The Annual General meeting is on 24th March 2026 at 6.30pm at
Pitstone Pavilion. Cllr Cotton is unable to attend and asked for volunteers to attend. Cllr Knowles and/or Cllr Grieves will
attend. - ST LOUIS SCHOOL CONSULTATION – Cllr Grieves and Cllr Monticolombi have concerns about where the cars will go
if they are unable to park in that area. Cllr Grieves will draft a response and send to the Clerk. - ‘BIERTONFEST’ – SUMMER EVENT – Cllr Grieves expressed that volunteers are needed to help on the day. Some of
the Councillors offered to help. Cllr Fisher thinks it would be a good idea to ticket the event due to vendors’ supplies and
insurance. Bierton Events will contribute £250 towards the bouncy castles. Clerk to contact Insurance company to
ensure we are covered, sign, return and pay the deposit for the band contract and book the bouncy castles. - CROSSING BETWEEN MUDDY LANE AND THE DAIRY FOOTPATH – COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH – Cllr Cotton,
Cllr Smith, Cllr Ward, Cllr Gibbon met with the police. It is not possible to have a crossing on the road due to the
required regulations. Cllr Ward will talk to the football club regarding using the sports pitch car park for school parking.
The police will provide the Parish Council with some recommendations. Cllr Smith would like some greenery cut back by
the dairy path to enable better vision. Cllr Knowles will mention it at the next Stakeholders meeting. Cllr Smith will look
into Community Speedwatch further. - UPDATES – To receive any updates on the following (If any) ;
• Bierton Events Group –
• A Matilda movie event is being held on 7th March at the Sports Centre. Tickets are selling fast.
• The Quiz night will be on Saturday 25th April at the Jubilee Hall.
• A race night is being organised for May
• Jubilee Hall & Sports Centre/Playground –
• Sports Centre – Cllr Cotton reported that reports of rats have been received in the Sports Centre and the
Pavilion. Bait boxes have been put down.
• Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors –
• Cllr Cotton attended the Planning Forum but it was cancelled. Slides have been circulated since.
• Highways/Footpaths – Nothing to report.
Minutes
2025/2026 / 024
Monday 23rd February 2026 - 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 contacted the Heart of Bucks regarding the grant for the sound absorption panels
at the Sports Centre. A meeting is being held in early March and he hopes to have a decision by the next meeting.
• Mobile Phone Survey – Cllr Knowles reported that 69 responses were received and he has produced 3 maps for
the three main network providers. Cllr Fisher suggested contacting the providers. Cllr Monticolombi said he
believes there is a government scheme that we can report to. Cllr Monticolombi will look up the details and send to
Cllr Knowles.
• Cllr Cotton has received information about Grove Farm which is in Hulcott Parish. Cllr Cotton will attend a meeting
with Hulcott Parish Council.
• Cllr Cotton reported that she has been invited to the Royal Garden Party on 12th May 2026. - DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The meeting closed at 9.00pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 16th
March 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.