LIDLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
At the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7th September 2026 at 7.00pm held at the Church Hall.
PRESENT
Jean Peall
Zoe Fitzgerald
David Castella
Lisa Wakefield
Rob Foott
Ward Councillor Sue Clark, Saverio Bongo, Robert Morris, were in attendance and no members of the public.
8818 WELCOME, DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE AGENDA AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Parish Councillors Andrew Penn and Stuart Allen had sent apologies, accepted. Agreed that JP to Chair the meeting. There were no new declarations of interest received for the meeting, JP noted declaration under item 8820 d).
8819 OPEN FORUM
No public statements received.
8820 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
a) LOCAL PLAN CALL FOR SITES ratification of Parish Council response, comments collated and submitted, unanimously agreed to approve comments. Thanks to SC for assistance with this item.
b) CB/26/02198/FULL Single storey rear extension with rooflights at 3 The Paddock – Councillors reviewed application, it was unanimously agreed to have no objection though note it will potentially over shadow the neighbouring property, also leaving a reduced amenity space, resolution passed. New Action: Clerk
c) CB/26/01884/FULL Creation of a dropped kerb and block paving at 5 The Paddock – Councillors reviewed application, it was unanimously agreed to have no objection, however, encourage the use of porous material for the paving, resolution passed. New Action: Clerk
d) CB/26/02201/FULL Replacement of front and side windows and door with smaller recessed timber framed openings at 2 Station Crescent – JP declared an interest in this item so took no part in the discussion. RF arrived at this point of the meeting. ZF led the Councillors review to this application, it was unanimously agreed to have no objection to the application, resolution passed. New Action: Clerk
e) To include any planning applications received since the publication of the agenda – none received.
8821 UNITARY COUNCILLOR REPORT
SC had visited a number of the sites put forward in the Call for the Sites consultation, submitting comments to all the sites in the local area. MK Local Plan hearings commence shortly SC will attend. Hurst Grove Traffic Management update, timed restrictions will be in situ going forwards. The Paddocks consultation for highways linage SC had responded to this, also noted Local Transport Plan consultation closes shortly, to be followed up to ensure response is submitted by Parish Council.
New Action: SC/Clerk
SC added that Junction 13 campaign launched for presenting to the government.
Ward Councillor SB creating Community Speed Watch Group awaiting update.
8822 FINANCE MATTERS
a) Invoices for payment:
Lidlington Church Hall hire charge September £16.00
CPM Playgrounds Ltd play area repairs £552.00
E Barnicoat Dropbox reimbursement £49.95 – 5 months
Bedford Estates Recreation Ground rent £150.00
Wicksteed Leisure play area inspection £246.00
L Taggart reimbursement of Best Kept Garden trophy engraving £5.50
Lidlington Advertiser donation £50.00
Warners of Bedford Sports Field cut (3) £189.00 – four have been carried out
Warners of Bedford village grass cut (7) £394.50
Backlight Ltd administrative service £691.39
Eyelid Productions website support annual charge £100.00
JP declared an interest in this item so took no part in the vote. ZF led this part of the meeting. It was unanimously agreed to make the above payments, resolution passed.
Ratification of payments made between meetings:
SSE Electricity direct debit for street lighting energy £0.00
Pear Tree gardening services allotment corner £46.00
It was unanimously agreed to ratify the above payments, resolution passed.
b) Quotations for consideration – play area equipment maintenance updates document collated by Facilities Working Group list, it was unanimously agreed to approve the action log following the latest inspections, resolution passed.
Facilities Working Group sought ratification of MWP Handyman Services £780.00 quote be accepted for vegetation and play equipment work, unanimously agreed, resolution passed.
UK Power Networks quote for light reconnection following damaged street light at Millers Lane received for £7598.40, shared with insurers, feedback received, police report to be made to log the damaged column. Noted it would be helpful for the repair work to coincide with the improvements work being planned at Bury Ware for Marston Road bridge to only need one road closure. Action: Clerk
Village Christmas decoration, decision made previously not to continue to pay for a one off tree, RF and LW to look at Village Hall external lighting options. Clerk to contact Andy Muskett regarding rope light arrangements for this year, and to link RF and LW with contractor as well as find the source of the Kempston reusable tree.
New action: Working Group
Insurance Village Hall policy no changes confirmed by Management Committee, Councillors unanimously agreed to approve payment of this policy between meetings for £999.17, resolution passed. New action: Clerk
Insurance Parish Council policy, quote £632.00, Clerk had notified insurers of precept change, updated quote received for £1,116.15, or long term agreement at £1,021.06. It was unanimously agreed that Clerk to explore best value options regarding the policy coverage for the Council, resolving unanimously for this to be delegated and actioned between meetings to ensure coverage continuity. If a better value option was unable to be secured it was resolved to enter a long term agreement at a cost of £1,021.6, resolution passed. New action: Clerk
Working Group recommendation that a proper risk assessment of Council outdoor spaces, with trees, playground, village hall car park and allotments be carried out. It was unanimously agreed that RGS to be appointed to conduct a full assessment for £540 plus VAT, resolution passed. New action: Working Group
c) External audit – external audit paperwork submitted, initial feedback received, shared with Finance and GP Working Group, awaiting final report.
d) New Councillor guidance document – circulated, discussed, to be updated by LW and then re-circulated for next meeting. New action: LW/Clerk
SB arrived at this point of the meeting
It was noted that date with SB being arranged for village highways walkround with DC and JP.
8823 VILLAGE MATTERS to include any items relating to Working Groups
Marston Road closure and works, documents circulated, awaiting finalised drawings to be shared. There is currently a review the pedestrian access during construction following local feedback, there was disappointment with the closure of Granary Wood to pedestrians. Information is at present unclear which is challenging for residents, concern over the lack of vital pedestrian access for some properties on Marston Road. Traffic management is needed for the Bury Ware A507 junction to help during the bridge construction phase. It is hoped there will be community engagement event held in October in the village.
East West Rail feedback from meeting LW had attended, EWR offered to attend a community engagement event giving commitment to the village for sharing the new plan with the village regarding the East West Rail proposals through the village.
8824 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes from 30th July had been circulated; it was unanimously agreed to approve the meeting minutes as a true and accurate record. Thanks to ZF for work on these.
Clerk to follow up with local authority on securing new highways pole in Station Road for mounting VAS device, Council had agreed up to £250 towards the installation, Clerk had added to FixMyStreet. Update on action log.
Facilities Working Group exploring fruit trees at the Recreation Ground, contact made by Working Group with Jo Roberts at Forest Centre as part of a Section 106 funded village improvement. Update on action log. Action:WG
Overgrown hedge Marston Road, obstructing VAS device, to be reported to local authority in first instance, ongoing. Action: DC
Closed Graveyard application, remain awaiting clarity regarding three trust payments associated with specific graves. Clerk enquiring with insurance companies regarding policies for closed churchyards, establishing approximate costs. Council confirmed no need for local architect to better understand costing of survey and report of the wall and two pillars as not Parish Council responsibility. Noted application for closure is on hold. Action: Clerk
Street lighting energy contract update given, clarity sought on if contract could be split between different suppliers to get best value. Broker had advised two MPANs disconnected. New contract as of 1st April secured with SSE for one MPAN, cost implication outline. Clarity being sought on expected ongoing monthly costs, Clerk to get confirmation in writing. Bill is slightly reduced but not as much as expected, ongoing. Action: Clerk
DropBox monthly charge collection had been an agenda item.
HMRC VAT reclaim to be actioned, ongoing. Action: Clerk
Allotment Working Group beacon becoming an allotment community garden feature WG had followed up, preferred not to be placed at allotment was feedback. JP had followed up again. Action: JP
Highways Section 106 monies clarity on expenditure parameters being sought by WG for the £27k and £4k monies, with ZF working on sourcing quotes, ongoing. Update on action log. Action:WG
Land letter from East West Rail follow up, Clerk had not had a reply from East West Rail having requested to meet. Sports Club had recently had a meeting with representatives it was noted. Clerk had followed up again, not update. Action: Clerk
CB/26/02004/FULL response submitted.
CB/26/01767/FULL response submitted.
Allotments would like Parish Council to consider a software called clubtreasurer.com, £132 per year to track finances and membership. Clerk had reviewed, fed back would not improve rent collection records.
It was raised that kids are playing in the allotments, so could PC support raise this. A previous email had been circulated to some councillors. New Action: working group
Acceptance of Declaration of Office form, Register of Interest forms completed, Clerk to set up new Councillor email for LW actioned.
To issue allotment rents letters to include rent for 2027/28 at £2.20 ongoing.
Action: Clerk
AP provided an update on meeting with Jo Roberts from Forest centre. There are options they can support with spending S106 money. It was agreed to research the option further and brought back to the Council for a decision. It was also agreed to pause the fruit trees in the playground due to issue of rotten fruit and potential wasps in a play area. Update on action log. Action: Working Group
Grass in the village not be cut by the contractors until it starts growing again actioned, Facilities Working Group monitoring when to confirm cutting to recommence.
Action: Clerk
Heydon Close overgrown vegetation across various areas had been cut back now.
DC pursing tourist sign for shops. Action: DC
It was unanimously agreed to remove the action in the log regarding the sports gym equipment at Sports Club given the discussions had not progressed.
TJLS governor role, ZF to follow up with the school to better understand what they would school value in regards to governor support.
It was unanimously agreed to remove the matters arising section from the minutes, to insert the action log as an appendix to the minutes instead, resolution passed. Action: Clerk
8826 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Documents in supporting meeting folder available to all.
MP Letter invite to Parliament for 14th September
CBC proposal to introduce no waiting at any time on Marston Road response sent, Councillors unanimously agreed to ratify the comments.
Planning decisions since last meeting:
CB/26/1767/FULL Part single and part two storey side and rear extensions with rear bi-fold doors, side and rear rooflights and changes to front fenestrations. Demolition of existing porch and garage at 26A Station Road – granted
26/02004/FULL Erection of a new single dwelling with new driveway and parking, modifications to the existing adjacent dwelling roof, and associated works at land adjacent to, and 22 Marston Road – withdrawn
26/01159/FULL Single storey rear extension with roof lantern at 7 Station Road – granted
8827 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Agreed as Monday 26th October 2026 at 7.00pm to be held at the Church Hall. There being no further business the Meeting was declared closed at 8.40pm
Certified a true copy of the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th September 2026.
………………………. Chair