Present: Cllr McCormack (Chair), Cllr Knight (Vice Chair) , Cllr Price, Cllr Manito, Cllr Blyth and
J Martin (Clerk). Ward Councillor Mark Versallion was also present. Numerous members of the public were in attendance.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm
1. To receive apologies for absence
Apologies received from Cllrs Quantrill and Jardine
2. To receive declarations of interest from Members for items on the agenda
No declarations of interest received
3. To Resolve the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 18th May 2026
The minutes of the meeting of Monday 18th May 2026 were Resolved as an accurate record and were duly signed by the Chair
4. To co-opt a new Parish Councillor
Following the resignation of Cllr Dillamore, CBC were notified of the vacancy and the need to co-opt a new councillor to fill the post. Having followed due process, one person applied and Fiona Blyth was duly co-opted as a Parish Councillor. Cllr Blyth was welcomed by Chairman Cllr McCormack.
5. Public participation for 5 minutes for members of the public to address the Council
Members of the public raised concerns in respect CB/26/01898/FULL that was registered by CBC on 15th July 2026.
Discussion followed in respect of CBCs responses to queries from members of the public.
Members of the public were critical of CBCs speed of response both before the development took place and after the work was completed.
Responses from CBC contradicted advice given by the local Member of Parliament, Alex Mayer and the Minister of State for Housing & Planning, Matthew Pennycook.
It was felt that CBC were slow to act particularly compared to other nearby local authorities. In general, members of the public stated that they had no confidence in CBC and their ability to manage planning matters in an expedient way.
6. To receive a report from the Police. Crime Stats for the previous months
The Police did not attend. The Clerk reported the following for June and July 2026
One incident of Public fear, alarm or distress in June
No offences were recorded to date for July
Concern was voiced regarding the increase in cases of anti-social behaviour and why they did not appear on the stats. The Clerk advised that anti-social behaviour was not recorded as a crime and as such would not appear on the stats.
It was Agreed to query this issue with the police, specifically the Chief Inspector.
7. To receive a report from Ward Councillor Mark Versallion
Cllr Versallion advised that issues regarding communication with CBC are a widespread problem impacting Ward Councillors as well as Parish Councillors and members of the public.
He is doing everything possible to urge CBC to respond to queries and Freedom of Information requests.
He supported the right of members of the public to
a) pursue issues with our MP
b) raise formal complaints through CBCs complaints system
c) send reports to the Ombudsman if complaints are not answered sufficiently
The recent consultation regarding the Call for Sites is an opportunity for CBC to identify sites suitable for Gypsy & Travellers and Showmen.
CBC have failed to identify a 5 year supply of sites despite owning many acres of land within the county.
Cllr Versallion gave advice in respect of attending CBC public meetings and tabling questions.
Cllr Versallion advised that CBC have withdrawn blue badges from organisations, often voluntary, who provide hospital transport. This is apparently because of newly introduced Department of Transport laws that link the provision of hospital transport to the provision of care.
Passengers can use their own blue badge when using hospital transport.
8. To receive specific matters for Central Beds Council
The issue of parking in Dunstable Road near the upper green is still causing a problem.
It was Agreed to raise this again with CBC Highways
9. To discuss planning matters
a) Planning application Home Farm, Dunstable Road, Tilsworth, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9PU CB/26/01311/FULL
The application was received on 4th June and required a response prior to this meeting.
Home Farm, Dunstable Road, Tilsworth, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9PU Creation of 3 additional pitches at an existing residential Gypsy and Travellers caravan site, each consisting of 1 static caravan, 1 touring caravan, parking, cycle and bin stores and associated infrastructure part retrospective
Following comments from councillors It was Agreed to object to this application
b) Planning application Orchard House, 28B Dunstable Road, Tilsworth, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9PU CB/26/01839/FULL: Single storey rear extension with roof lights
Following discussion there were no objections to this application
c) The retrospective planning application for the most recent traveller site in Dunstable Rd has not been registered in CBCs planning portal. We are advised that the application is invalid.
NB: Since publishing the agenda, this application has been registered by Central Beds Council.
After discussion it was Agreed to object to this application
10. To discuss the unauthorised work that has taken place in The Hyde
The Parish Council received several reports of earthworks taking place in The Hyde. The Clerk visited the neighbouring traveller sites and requested that work should stop. Further reports and visits by Cllr McCormack and the Clerk established that drainage pipes had been installed on The Hyde. It was established that the drainage pipes would serve Kingswood and Chiltern Meadows.
A site meeting between the Clerk, CBC Gypsy & Traveller Unit and other parties established that installing the pipework constituted a breach of a planning condition. All parties agreed that the pipes should be removed and positioned within the boundary of the traveller site.
The contact at Chiltern Meadows has advised that the pipework has since been moved.
To protect The Hyde from further unlawful work and trespass it will be necessary to issue a cease and desist letter to the owners of Chiltern Meadows and Kingswood. This will also ensure that matters are correct legally should enforcement action be taken against the Parish Council by CBC.
It was Agreed that part of the £8.5k budgeted for annual legal costs would be assigned to this matter.
11. To discuss CBCs Call for Sites consultation
Members of the public were reminded of the Calls for Sites consultation which can be completed on line.
The Clerk Agreed to publish the details on social media
12. To receive updates from the last full meeting and details of general correspondence
Most updates were covered throughout the meeting and various agenda points.
The next Police Priority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 7th October at Dunstable Police Station. Cllrs
Knight and Price are hoping to attend.
The village fete raised £4,739 in support of All Saints Church
The Clerk is working with Stanbridge to arrange a First Responders Event to be held at the Community Centre in late October.
The defibrillator pads will expire in September and will require replacing. 2 sets are required at a cost of approximately £68.00 per set.
Correspondence
May. A letter was delivered to Bury Rise residents regarding various issues including anti-social behaviour
03/06/26. Letter from CBC regarding trees on the upper green overhanging the highway. Trees have now been cut back
08/06/26. Request from CBC regarding leisure facilities in the parish. They were advised of the privately owned facilities including football, tennis, pickleball and padel ball pitches.
13. To discuss and Agree the purchase of a Parish Council mobile phone
The Clerk is currently using her own mobile phone for parish business which is not ideal. Parish Councillors are also receiving calls on personal mobile phones. It would be helpful to have a specific mobile phone for parish business and one that could be managed by others when the Clerk is away.
It was Agreed to investigate the cost of purchasing a basic mobile phone for Parish Council use.
14. To review and Agree the bank reconciliation for Q1/26
The bank reconciliation for Q1/26 was agreed and duly signed by Cllr Manito
The Clerk advised a spend of £3,069 for Q1 against an annual budget of £21,400
15. To authorise accounts for payment
The following payments were approved
| J Martin | July and August 2026 salary | |
| HMRC | July and August PAYE and Employees NI | £190.00 |
16. Public Participation for public to gain clarification on any matters discussed
There was no further public participation
17. To agree the date for the next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 21st September 2026.
This may need to be rescheduled if the main hall is required
Clerk to confirm
The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.30 pm