Preston Bissett Parish Council

Parish Councillors attended the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 04th September 2025 at The Old School, Preston Bissett. The meeting commenced at 7:30pm. 
In attendance: Graham Ellis (Chair), David Taylor (Deputy), Matt Killick (RFO), Jean Turner, Graham Gulliver, Robert Secret, Darren Parker

Clerk: Camilla Durnin
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Minutes 

Sep 0425/1      Apologies  - None

Sep 0425/2      Declaration of Interest – None 

Sep 0425/3      Approval of Minutes from 12th June 2025 Meeting – Minutes were unanimously agreed by all councillors and signed for by Chair at the meeting. 
		
Sep 0425/4      Payments and Finances for Approval by the Parish Council		LEAD: Parish Clerk

Sep 0425/5.1 
                           Bank Balances were noted: 
			Treasurers account £623.25 (as of 25.08.2025)
			Business Account £6250.39 (as of 25.08.2025)

Sep 0425/5.2 Income and Expenditure were noted and approved. 
All payments had been made prior to the meeting date.

Expenditure: 	From 01.06.25 To 25.08.25		
18.06.2025	HMRC	£47.00	
18.06.2025	Clerks Salary (June)	£188.00	
18.06.2025	B. Fludgate (Internal Audit)	£48.00	
18.06.2025	Krystal Hosting (Website Fees)	£84.00	
01.07.2025	Playdale (Playground Main. Deposit)	£1906.94	
18.07.2025	Service Charges Ref: 459100231	£4.25	
04.08.2025	HMRC	£47.00	
04.08.2025	Clerks Salary (July)	£188.00	
18.08.2025	Service Charges Ref: 461447266	£4.25	

Income:			
09.06.2025	Interest on Acc ***7258	£5.82	
09.07.2025	Interest on Acc ***7258	£4.21	
11.08.2025	Interest on Acc ***7258	£3.95	
19.08.2025	HMRC Tx Return	£419.89	

Sep 0425/5.3 Bank Transfers were noted:

17.06.2025	£500	From Business to Treasurers Account to cover monthly cost	
25.06.2025	£1906	Business to Treasurers Account 	

Sep 0425/5.4     Quarterly Audit Report                                                                      LEAD: Matt Killick
Quarterly report produced by Clerk, was signed by MK following confirmation that all accounts reconciled correctly in quarter. Financial Review from MK to be brought forward to November meeting.						                                                                                                                        		                         Sep 0425/6      Village Projects and Funding Options	                                          LEAD: Robert Secret
RS confirmed he has written to Mr D Butcher (HS2) regarding funding options for the village. They have responded with the required criteria for funding which will be looked into. Contact made with Tescos and Waitrose to support costs with children’s recreation grounds. DT shared he is also aware of some funding ideas which he will share with RS to bring to the next meeting. 		

Sep 0425/7      Planning Applications						  LEAD: Graham Gulliver

Erection of steel portal-framed building to cover existing cattle corral - Bushey Lane Farm      Bushey Lane Preston Bissett Buckinghamshire MK18 4ND
        Ref. No: 25/02238/APP
Agreed there would be no impact on the village. Council has no objection to the application.

Demolition of existing garage building and erection of replacement dwelling with associated landscaping - Garage Site 719999g The Elms Preston Bissett Buckinghamshire
Ref. No: 25/02346/APP
Council held a discussion regarding the above planning taking into consideration any potential negative impacts to those whom the garages were previously or currently assigned. Councillors agreed that the site would be improved with the removal of the garages that have become dilapidated in recent years and note there would potentially be less traffic to the one dwelling but would create less parking available in the village. The councillors agreed ‘no objection’ subject to the relevant due diligence being undertaken regarding the existing garages, ensuring there are no rights of use or ownership that could impact the property owners to which the garages were ever assigned to. 

Sep 0425/7.1     Parish council noted the following planning updates:

Change of use of land to use as residential caravan site for 4 traveller families, each with 2 caravans, together with laying of hardstanding, erection of 4 No. amenity building and construction of new access. Land South Of Preston Road, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire. Application Ref: 23/02597/APP Appeal Ref: 23/00107/REF
Planning Inspectorate Ref: APP/J0405/W/23/3334857. Appeal Dismissed Status: New Application Ref 24/03139/APP– Awaiting Decision (as of 15.08.25)
No further councillor comments

 Sep 0425/7.2    
Planning Enforcement: Alleged creation of access and erection of gates in  excess of 1m.       Sycamore Farm, Preston Road, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire. Ref: NC/24/00346/OPDEV. Councillors to note that the report has been logged and will be investigated by an officer. 
Status: No Update  
No further councillor comments

Sep 0425/7.3 
Change of use of land from agricultural to Sui Generis use (wedding / events venue). Erection of TIPI structure. Creation of hardstanding pathways (Retrospective). Preston Bissett Nurseries, Bushey Lane Farm, Bushey Lane, Preston Bissett, Buckinghamshire, MK18 4ND. Ref. No: 24/02266/APP. 
Status: REFUSED (05.08.2025)
GE shared comments from the planning portal which explained that further information was requested to support the application. This was not provided by applicant and therefore the application was refused. 
      
  Sep 0425/7.4
    Erection of 2 dwellings (retrospective) | The Piggery, The Common, Preston  
Bissett, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 4NA. Ref 24/03695/APP. 
Status: Awaiting Decision (as of 15.08.2025 – Expiry Date on Application 29.08.2025)
Potential breach of planning regarding height at which the dwellings have been built. Awaiting    any outcomes from planning regarding this issue. 

Sep 0425/8         Recreation Area Updates/News	                                                           LEAD: David Taylor
DT shared the work he has carried out with his wife to maintain the communal areas of the village including
the play area and tennis court. GE thanked them for all of their hard work . Councillors all agreed
a huge improvement had been made. DT went on to share his concerns regarding the Millenium Oak Tree
which has grown large enough to cause concerns for future maintenance of the area as well as potential
disturbance of the nearby tarmac as the tree roots continue to develop. DT suggested
the removal of tree, depending on any licensing issues, and replanting a replacement tree in a 
more appropriate area. A discussion was held regarding the impact this may have on any villagers but it 
was unanimously agreed the tree needs to be removed and replaced to allow for the ongoing maintenance of
the area. GE confirmed that GG will cut the tree branches back as much as possible and then a final decision 

can be made by the council e.g. if the stump requires professional removal. GG will also complete as much as
 the hedge trimming as possible this year and the council will then decide if further maintenance is required. It was also discussed and agreed that the ‘Wild Flower’ area be moved to allow for ongoing maintenance to be made easier and to maintain a pleasing aesthetic all year round. DT suggested that a plan needs to be put in place for the annual maintenance of the area and asked for any suggestion be brought to the next meeting.
DP added that new football nets will be required and will be purchased by the village to ensure these can
continue to be used. DP to purchase and be refunded. 

Sep 0425/9        Highways Updates/News	                                                                          LEAD: Darren Parker
GE confirmed a lot of work has been completed including potholes on Main Street and Bushy Lane as well as 
the Pond alongside Pound Lane being recently dredged (thanks to Michael Baker). It was agreed that the
 relationship with the area technician was working well but it remains important that all villagers use the ‘Fix
 My Street’ site to register any highways issues. DP to put note on Village Website and Facebook.
Main area of concern continues to be flooding in parts of the village and to ensure at least one point of access int         to the village remains open should flooding occur.  GE stated that flooding at Main Street is not as bad as 
previous years to date. GG agreed to talk to Mr Mullins about progress on clearing the Brook at South End of
 Village. MK raised the question regarding pipes being cleared. GE confirmed that Bucks Council agreed they
 will look to do this but it’s a matter of priority alongside other jobs that require more immediate attention. 
RS raised concerns of traffic entering the village travelling at high speeds from South End direction. He asked if
 the councillors could provide any solutions. DP suggested a mirror opposite Poplars Close could help with
the issue. All Councillors agreed this is an ongoing issue with this narrow section of road.				

Sep 0425/10 	     Villager Feedback							LEAD: Jean Turner 
JT shared her observations of multiple uneven pavement slabs currently around the village. DP to investigate
 and write up on Fix My Street. A Villager wished to raise their concern regarding the lack of disabled parking
 outside the church and village hall.
A discussion was held by councillors including any impacts this would have on residents who park every day in
and how the addition of permanent disabled parking would remove a space for residents. There is space in
 front of the Church to alight and pick up disabled passengers for both the Church and Village Hall. GE
suggested it would be the responsibility of the church and Village Hall Trust if they wished to add disabled
 parking. No further action to be taken by Council. 

	  Sep 0425/11	    Yearly Planner Actions for November and c/f prior meeting 	LEAD: Graham Ellis	
        GE sent out yearly planner to all councillors as well as a list of councillor responsibilities. These are both 
        available on the village website. 

Sep 0425/12       Correspondence or previously circulated items – None 

 Sep 0425/13	    Meetings and Training 
Clerk to establish when next Community Board meeting is to be held and cascade to all councillors. 

 Sep 0425/14	    Action List 	-    Completed/Closed since last meeting 
   Open and to be updated
			
 Sep 0425/15	    Items for the next Agenda
Damaged bench in Village. MK to look into costs for a replacement or getting existing bench fixed. To bring finding to next meeting. 

 Sep 0425/16	    Date of next meeting – 6th November 2025
   
   Close of Meeting		

    Open Forum 
No members of the Public were in attendance
DP shared he had taken some arial photographs of the village and offered these to anyone who may be interested in these. It was agreed he would share a selection of photographs to be published onto the village website, but should anyone wish to see more, they are welcome to contact DP directly who will happily share these. 
 
     Meeting end

Preston Bissett Website www.prestonbissett.co.uk
Agenda created and signed by the Parish Clerk: C. Durnin
Parish Clerk Email: parishcouncil@prestonbissett.co.uk
1 Norreys Drive, Chesterton, Oxon