Preston Bissett Parish Council

Parish Councillors attended the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 06th November 2025 at The Old School, Preston Bissett. The meeting commenced at 7:30pm. 

In attendance:- Graham Ellis (Chair), David Taylor (Deputy), Matt Killick, Jean Turner, Robert Secret, Darren Parker, Graham Gulliver

Clerk: Camilla Durnin

Members of the Public were also in attendance.

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Minutes  

Nov 0625/1      Apologies  - None 

Nov 0625/2      Declaration of Interest – None 

Nov 0625/3      Approval of Minutes from 4th September 2025 Meeting
Minutes were unanimously approved by councillors and signed by Chair at meeting.

Nov 0625/8      Recreation Area Updates/News					              LEAD: David Taylor 
                             
** Due to villager engagement over the past week in relation to the Council’s plans at the recreation area,  Agenda reference Nov 0625/8 was brought to the forefront of the meeting. 

The Chair (GE) opened the floor to welcome the villagers’ views and comments so these could be discussed and addressed.
 
The following points were raised by the eight villagers in attendance: -

The Oak Tree was planted for and on behalf of the village and was done so to survive for hundreds of years. 
The tree itself, being Oak, has a significant importance for biodiversity. The surrounding countryside has already been negatively impacted by HS2 therefore it was expressed that a healthy living tree should not be removed. It was highlighted that a healthy tree can provide shade as it grows and is a living legacy for children of the village. 
Further points were raised to support their view that the tree should not be removed, uprooted or cut down without consultation with villagers and Buckinghamshire Council. In addition to this, it was stated that there was not enough consultation with the village which they felt should have formed part of the decision-making process. 
The villagers present agreed to support the maintenance of the tree and surrounding areas should the tree remain in its current location.
Most villagers agreed the tree was not planted in the most appropriate area for the species of tree planted. GE confirmed that the tree was placed where it was without in-depth consideration to the future impact of its placement and agrees that in hindsight this was not the best position for such a tree. 
The villagers requested to know why Preston Bissett Parish Council (PC) wanted to fell the tree.
Councillor David Taylor (DT), on behalf of the PC gave a detailed response as to why this had become an issue that required action: -
As the councillor responsible for the maintenance of the recreation area, DT shared that he and his wife spent 50+ hours maintaining the grounds of the recreational areas, this year alone, to ensure The PC met its responsibilities as a Council and to ensure the whole Recreation Area remains fit for purpose to use by those in the village. Villagers appreciated the work done by DT.
An annual safety report (ROSPA) is commissioned and paid for by the Council. Its report makes recommendations (following its inspection) to ensure our responsibilities as a Council are being met, and the recreational areas remain safe and maintained. 
As a result of the ROSPA report, and due to the deterioration of the recreation grounds, the PC spent £2400 on replacing and repairing playground equipment based on the risk assessment of the area. 
As the oak tree grows and expands there is a concern that the roots and branches will cause further damage to the area. Research into this recommends that there is a minimum gap between an Oak tree and anything else of 10m+ due to the potential growth of this species. The tree is question is under 3 metres from the children’s playground and 4.5m from MUGA (Multi Use Games Area). An Oak will grow to have a truck of 1.5m diameter and a canopy spread of 25m which would span the infants play area, the MUGA and pathways. 
As highlighted in the ROSPA report in the existing basketball area, debris from trees can cause hazards and an expansive canopy could have a detrimental impact on the safety of the area, for which the Council is responsible for upholding. The tree being close to the Children’s play area creates a risk of being climbed by children, which, should any harm occur, would also be the responsibility and liability of the Council. 
DT also confirmed that despite being called a ‘Millenium tree’, it was planted in 2006 and as such has not been in place for 25 years as thought by villagers. 
Due to the limited funds available to the council and recognising the ecological benefits and importance of the tree, DT re-iterated that the proposal was to remove and subsequently replace the tree with on one or more oak trees in a more suitable location. 
In response to this the villagers raised the following: -
If ongoing maintenance and damage of the area is the main factors of wishing to fell the tree could there be considerations made to trenching around the roots, or a concrete barrier being put in place. It was also asked if consideration could be given to moving the existing tree. A villager had consulted a contractor who had suggested a cost of £2000. 
There was an assertion that such funding to move the tree could be met by fund raising in the Village as well applying for grants or subsidies to aid with any associated costs. It was also said that the village would raise funds to pay for the movement of the existing tree if this could be done. However, it was aired again that the wish would be for the Recreational ground and the tree to co-exist. 

The Chair shared the value of last year’s Precept being (£6000) and how this money is to fund the Council’s responsibilities in its entirety and therefore significant costs (circa £2000 to move a tree of this size) as suggested would require external funding. 
Councillor Graham Gulliver suggested a compromise whereby the tree and roots could be dug out by a local firm at lower  cost and moved to a more appropriate area – Taking into consideration the growth of the tree and ensuring this new location is future proof to allow for the tree to grow to its full potential without the need to cut branches or maintain the tree/surrounding area. He made clear that moving a tree comes with the risk that it may not flourish.  If  this occurs then the Council would fund a further 2 or 3 oak trees in a more suitable area to ensure future biodiversity and mitigate greater concerns. 
The majority of those present responded positively to this compromise/suggestion. 

The Chair brought the discussion to a close summarising as below: -
The PC has a lease on the ground for 99 years and it is the responsibility of the Council to ensure it is maintained and safe for all to use. The Council has a Recreation Area   budget of £600 per year, excluding grass cutting, to spend on the maintenance of all the recreational areas. £2400 has already been spent this year on maintenance/replacement for equipment considered ‘high risk’ as part of the annual ROSPA report. There is a risk that if the Council takes no action in respect of this Oak tree there could be greater implications to the Council and villagers on future maintenance costs.
 
GE acknowledged the villagers input and comments and  agreed to defer any actions in respect of the tree. The suggestion made by GG regarding the movement of the existing tree and other options presented at the meeting would be reviewed by the PC over the next few weeks and represent the best case to the Council’s next meeting on 8th January 2026.

As part of the commitment to keeping villagers better informed in a more timely manner, it was resolved by the Council that any minutes of meetings held would be approved and published on the village website and other village media within two weeks of the meeting taking place. The Council consider the minutes, along with a published agenda before any meeting is held, sufficient means in which to keep villagers informed on what topics are being discussed and encourage them to attend meetings to ensure they can share their views. 
The next meeting will be January 8th 2026 – an agenda will be made available confirming this issue will be re-presented and discussed by the Council. Any actions will be finalised and approved in this meeting. GE encouraged as many people to attend as possible. 

		
Nov 0625/4      Payments and Finances approved by the Parish Council		LEAD: Parish Clerk       

Bank Balances noted: 
		          Treasurers account £550.32 As of 26.10.2025
		          Business Account £7756.93 As of 26.10.2015

Nov 0625/4.1   Income and Expenditure were noted and approved:

Expenditure: 	From 26.08.2025 to 26.10.2025		
01.09.2025	Clerks Salary (Aug)	£188.00	
01.09.2025	HMRC	£47.00	
12.09.2025	N Power (DD)	£218.71	
16.09.2025	Service Charges (Banking)	£4.25	
25.09.2025	N Power (DD)	£45.84	
30.09.2025	Playdale (Playground Maintenance)	£817.97	
30.09.2025	Clerks Salary (Sep)	£188.00	
30.09.2025	HMRC	£47.00	
08.10.2025	ICO (DD) (Data protection fee – Annual) 	£47.00	
20.10.2025	Service Charges (Banking)	£4.25	
24.10.2025	N Power (DD)	52.91	
24.10.2025	Buckinghamshire Council (Recharges - May elections)	£97.00	
24.10.2025	Clerks Salary (Oct)	£188.00	
24.10.2025	HMRC	£47.00	

Income:			
19.09.2025	Precept	£3420.00	
09.09.2025	Interest on Acc ***7258	£3.26	
09.10.2025	Interest on Acc ***7258	£3.08	

Nov 0625/4.2      Bank Transfers noted:

27.10.2025	£1500	Treasurers Acc to ***7258 to gain interest	

Nov 0625/4.3       Known payments due before next meeting – all agreed by councillors:

Due to be paid in November:	Clerks Salary	£188.00	
	HMRC	£47.00	
	J V Gulliver and Son – Grass Cutting and Maintenance	£834.00	
Due to be paid in December:-	Clerks Salary	£188.00	
	HMRC	£47.00	
	Hall Hire Fees 	TBC once meeting dates have been confirmed for next year 	
November 	Poppy Wreath – Purchased by Mrs Hutton 	£25.00	

Nov 0625/5                                                                                                                     Lead: Clerk/Chair
                            Quarterly Audit Report produced by Clerk to be overseen and signed by Councillor (Not a
signatory) 
                      
    Financial Regulations Policy Review – Will be cascaded to councillors ahead of the next meeting.
 Update of RFO to Clerk – Agreed by all councillors. Clerk & Chair to work on forecasting and 
 budgeting for 2026/2027 Precept in readiness for January – Ongoing action for January. 						                                

Nov 0625/6        Village Projects and Funding Options	                                       LEAD: Robert Secret
                            Robert will be in contact with HS2 to establish if there is any funding available. 			

Nov 0625/7        Planning Applications - Received Prior to Meeting		LEAD: Graham Gulliver

           None received 

                              Parish council noted the following planning updates:

Nov 0625/7.1    
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 Status:- Approved

Nov 0625/7.2   
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 Status:- Awaiting Decision 
Email received from Mr B Wilhelm regarding this application who wished to raise their concerns. Chair responded confirming that his concerns were related to matters of building control and therefore it has been confirmed that no further comments have been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council from PB Parish Council. Mr Wilhem was advised to raise his concerns to Buckinghamshire Council. 

Nov 0625/7.3  
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 change. 

 Nov 0625/7.4  
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  

  Nov 0625/7.5  
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) 
No change/Update

GE re-iterated the role of the Council when presiding over any planning applications as well as
the process for individuals to comment on a planning application should they wish.   

Nov 0625/9         Highways Updates/News						LEAD: Darren Parker
                             Hedges – One hedge has not been cut back causing concerns of road safety – Located on the
                             road leaving the village towards Buckingham. The Council has agreed to write a letter on
                             behalf of the village.
                            Cars – a concern has been raised regarding cars being parked on pavements. It has been noted 
                            by the Council however this is an ongoing issue. The Council request that people be
                            considerate when parking their vehicles. 
                            Thanks given to Mr Mullins, Priory View for the work completed on the ditch at South End.
                            Thanks given to Mr Baker, Lock Harbour Farm for the work completed on the pond.
                             
Nov 0625/10 	     Villager Feedback							LEAD: Jean Turner 
                  JT raised the issue of an excessive amount of mud on the road due to farm machinery. GG has
    offered to raise this concern should it persist in an attempt to get it cleared. 

	  Nov 0625/11	    Yearly Planner Actions for January and c/f prior meeting 	             LEAD: Graham Ellis	
                   GE to action the update on Councillor responsibilities to reflect the change in RFO.
                   Councillors to agree Clerks Salary inline with required annual pay review.

Nov 0625/12       Correspondence or previously circulated items                                LEAD: Matt Killick
                              Council have agreed to replace the bench opting to replace the old bench. MK to purchase
                              and be re-imbursed by Council. 

 Nov 0625/13	    Meetings and Training
                              Clerk attended training on Precept, Forecasting and Budgeting. Free Webinar. 
                              Next scheduled meeting of North Bucks CB :- 17th March 2025. Venue TBC. 

                             Proposed meeting Dates for 2026-2027 – April, June, September, November, January, March –  
                             Agreed by all Councillors. 

 Nov 0625/14	    Action List 	-    Completed/Closed since last meeting 
   Open and to be updated
			
 Nov 0625/15	    Items for the next Agenda
                              Precept to be agreed with all Councillors for Clerk to submit

 Nov 0625/16	    Date of next meeting
    Thursday 8th January 2026

   Close of Meeting		

    Open Forum 
	
     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