March 2026 DRAFT Minutes

1. APOLOGIES – Cllr L Fisher, Cllr M Grieves & Cllr J Ward (BC)
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
3. MATTERS/ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
   • Streetlights – Cllr Cotton will remind Cllr Ward to report to the Contractor direct.
   • Assertion 10 – Data Audit Spreadsheet is nearly complete and Councillors have been completing a data review. Clerk to remind previous Councillor (one not responded) to confirm that Parish Council documents/emails have been deleted.
   • St Louis School Consultation – Clerk to ask Cllr Grieves to respond to the survey on behalf of the Parish Council.
   • Stakeholders Meeting – Cllr Smith to send Cllr Knowles what she would like mentioned regarding the crossing between Muddy Lane and the Dairy footpath.
   • Community Speedwatch – Nothing further to report at this time.
   • Mobile Phone Survey – Cllr Monticolombi provided details to Cllr Knowles. Cllr Knowles will look into further and arrange for results of the survey to be put on the website.
4. MINUTES – The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 23rd February 2026 were agreed as an accurate record and duly signed by the chair.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
   • A parishioner commented that the Local Plan is of concern and that many people did not know about it. Cllr Cotton and Cllr Gibbon explained the process of the Local Plan. At this stage, we are commenting just on the sites that have been put forward for consideration. A draft Plan is due to be issued in July and a consultation will then take place. The Local Plan has to be submitted to the Government in December. The Parishioner also expressed concerns over the revised planning application at Barnett Way. Cllr Gibbon explained that Cllr Ward has called in the application for determination by committee. Cllr Gibbon also explained that she is on the Planning Committee at Buckinghamshire Council and must therefore remain open minded and have no predetermined view regarding the application. Cllr Cotton recommended that Parishioners object again.
   • A Parishioner queried why the consultation time is so short to submit comments for a planning application as other Councils have longer periods. The answer to this is not known. The Parishioner also expressed how difficult it is to submit a fully informed comment/objection when some of the Consultee comments are submitted so late in the consultation period. Cllr Cotton responded that unfortunately, we have no control over this.
   • A Parishioner pointed out that the K1 bus is an excellent service but he does not see many people using it. We are unaware of how long it will be in operation. Cllr Cotton will ask Cllr Ward about it.
   • Another Parishioner raised the revised plans for Barnett Way and how it sits within the site of the Local Plan.
   • Cllr Cotton reported statistics from the Police between 10^th January and 10^th March 2026 as follows:
     • 1 x Harassment 
     • 1 x Stalking  
     • 1 x Theft 
     • 1 x drug offences  
     • 1 x criminal damage
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PLANNING MATTERS –
   • 25/01867/AOP- BIERTON Land Off Barnett Way Bierton Buckinghamshire HP22 5DN Outline planning application for the erection of up to 36 dwellings, including public open space, sustainable drainage system and associated infrastructure, with all matters reserved apart from access. (Amended information received 27th Feb 2026, including: revised (reduced) red line site boundary, revised planning statement and design and access statement, revised Illustrative Concept Layout with reduced quantum of housing, including Parameter Plans/Strategies, and amended information/reports/surveys relating to landscape, heritage, arboriculture, ecology and biodiversity net gain and flood risk and drainage) – It was resolved that the Parish Council’s stance has not changed despite the reduction in dwellings. Cllr Feeney reported the response from Parks and Recreations stating ‘This application site isn’t within 300m of a publicly accessible for all, area of natural green space of at least 2ha in size and therefore fails to meet this requirement.’, referring to theVale of Aylesbury Local Plan. It was also agreed to refer to this in our second objection. Cllr Cotton suggested and it was agreed that the Parish Council will request that the application is called in for determination by Committee. Clerk to submit response.
   • S106 monies. The Clerk has received an email from Buckinghamshire Council asking if we still require the  same Sport & Leisure Project wording with the reduced number of dwellings. All agreed. Clerk to respond.
   • Grove Farm, Rowsham Road – Cllr Cotton reported that she had met with the developer regarding the plans and they looked good. Hulcott Parish Council are happy with the proposals. Cllr Cotton proposed that Bierton Parish Council support the application when it is submitted. All agreed.
7. CLERKS REPORT –  
   • We are still working on the Fire Risk Assessment recommendations but many of them have now been completed. The fire extinguishers at the Jubilee Hall have been lowered from the walls on to stands on the floor. One quote has been received for the replacement of the fire doors at the Sports Centre. The Clerk is in the process of obtaining two more. Cllr Knowles ordered an outside storage box and this is now in use.
8. 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.
9. RISK ASSESSMENT – All resolved to adopt. Clerk to update on the website.
10. FIRE AWARENESS/MARSHAL TRAINING – The Clerk has researched online training at a cost of £12.00 + VAT per person. It was agreed that not everybody needed to complete it. Cllr Cotton, Cllr Knowles, Cllr Harridge, Cllr Feeney and the clerk will complete. We will also ask Cllr Fisher to complete it. Clerk to arrange.
11. ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE – It was agreed to submit the following as Assets of Community Value:
    • St Osyths Well
    • Jubilee Hall
    • Sports Centre including the Recreation Ground and Pavilion
    • Great Lane Allotments
    • Cllr Cotton will ask Cllr Fisher to liaise with Cllr Gibbon regarding the costs.
12. CARBON LITERACY FOR THE COMMUNITY COURSE – Cllr Feeney provided feedback and some background regarding the course and would like the Parish Council to consider what we can do to help with the Climate Emergency. The following suggestions were put forward:

• Cllr Feeney suggested an Electric Vehicle Charging point in the village. Cllr Cotton responded that the car parks at the Jubilee Hall and Sports Centre are too small and the cost is approximately £6,000.00.
• Cllr Knowles suggested solar panels on the roof of one of the halls although again this would be costly.  
• Cllr Feeney proposed that when we respond to planning applications for new developments, we comment that the Parish Council would expect heat pumps and solar panels are installed.
• Cllr Feeney also mentioned setting up the Repair Café which would be better than buying new.
• Cllr Feeney suggested banking with companies who are not investing in fossil fuels.
• A Parishioner suggested asking hall hirers to possibly car share. Cllr Cotton will add this into the terms & conditions of hire.
• Cllr Knowles suggested having an open day. Cllr Feeney had arranged this before with little response.

It was agreed that we should start with smaller ideas initially. Cllr Feeney reported that Buckinghamshire Community Energy offer a free thermal assessment. Cllr Feeney will look into arranging an assessment. Cllr Cotton provided Cllr Feeney with details of the Cabinet member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste at Buckinghamshire Council.

13. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BEST KEPT VILLAGE – Cllr Cotton reported that we have never entered this before and she had attended a meeting about it recently. Cllr Cotton read out the marking schedule areas for it and asked for views. It was felt that it’s something that should be considered. It was agreed that it will be discussed further in November. Clerk to add to November agenda.

14. SOUND ABSORPTION PANELS – SPORTS CENTRE – Cllr Knowles reported that Heart of Bucks have awarded us a grant of £5,000.00 towards this. Cllr Knowles will talk to the company again regarding the price. Clerk to apply to the Mike and Claire Griffin Trust for the remainder of funds required for this including the Sports Hall redecoration.

15. OPEN GARDENS – This is taking place on Sunday 28^th June. Cllr Harridge reported that there have been three responses received so far. She suggested pointing out places of historical interest in the village also and ask if the church can be open. Afternoon tea is to be held at the Jubilee Hall. Cllr Feeney will advertise on Facebook and Cllr Harridge will design a poster.

16. ‘BIERTONFEST’ – SUMMER EVENT – Cllr Cotton reported that plans are moving well and ongoing. We have been awarded a grant of £2,250.00 from East Bucks Community Board. The event will take place on Saturday 20^th June 2026.

17. UPDATES – To receive any updates on the following (If any):

• Bierton Events Group –
  • Cllr Knowles reported that entries are starting to be received for the quiz.
• Jubilee Hall & Sports Centre/Playground –
  • Cllr Cotton reported an incident with the hire of the Sports Centre recently. The decision has been made not to hire the hall again for the event that took place as terms and conditions were not adhered to.
  • The contract cleaners have given us notice for the Sports Centre. Cllr Cotton is meeting with another company to discuss the cleaning of both halls.

• Outside organisations virtual meetings attended by any Councillors –
  • Nothing to report

• Highways/Footpaths –
  • Cllr Feeney reported that the footpath along side the ponds looks unsafe. Cllr Feeney will report on FixMyStreet.

18. 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 Monticolombi asked about the safety audit for the traffic calming. Cllr Cotton believes that Cllr Ward may have received some feedback but does not know if it can be shared. Cllr Cotton will ask for this to be added the agenda for Stakeholders meeting.
• Cllr Knowles asked if anybody else could arrange the flowers for the planters at the Jubilee Hall. Cllr Harridge offered to buy the flowers, compost and plant them. Cllr Harridge to claim the expenses from the Clerk.

19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING –The meeting closed at 8.50pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 20th April 2026, commencing at 7pm at the Jubilee Hall.