of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Wednesday, 16th September 2026 at 7:30 pm in Swineshead Village Hall
Present: Cllrs M Whitlock (Chairman), G Bird, J Lacey, B Morse and S Saville
In attendance: Clerk, and 4 members of the public
Open Forum
[Standing Orders will be suspended for up to 15 minutes (at the discretion of the Chairman) in order to allow members of the public to address the Council in relation to any business on the agenda or request matters to be discussed at a subsequent meeting.]
• Borough Cllr Reports – past reports are available on the PC website.
No further matters were raised, and Standing Orders were duly reinstated.
1 Apologies
Cllr T Kingham and Borough Cllr S Sira sent their apologies.
2 Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests
There were no interests declared.
3 To Approve Minutes
The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday, 15th July 2026 were approved by Councillors and duly signed by the Chairman.
4 Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
1. Item 6.2 re: Planning Enforcement investigation at The Spinney, Sandye Lane, Swineshead – residents are concerned as the tenant, who should be supervised, escaped and was wandering around the village. PSPC wrote a letter to Amplius who declined to discuss the situation due to ‘GDPR’ reasons. Chairman has sought advice from a local solicitor who suggested that we challenge Amplius warning that we would hold them responsible should anything happen. Resolved: Clerk to forward Chairman’s e-mail to Borough Cllr Sira and ask her to speak to Mayor Tom.
There were no further matters raised.
5 Highways & Footpaths
To receive reports regarding highways and footpaths
1. FP A4, Swineshead Proposed footpath diversion update – BBC’s ROW team has received permission from the tenant to go ahead with the proposed diversion. Resolved: Clerk to check progress with Harriet Falconer.
2. Local reports – Cllr Kingham noted that the very overgrown verges on the left hand side at the Pertenhall end of the Staughton (Gunnersbury) Road have been efficiently cleared and the hedges on both sides neatly trimmed. Cllr Saville has logged several potholes and subsidence on Swineshead Road with BBC. Grasscutting – Resolved: Clerk to forward grass contractor’s details to Cllr Lacey.
6 Planning
6.1 Planning Applications
1. 26/01339/FUL Erection of extension to existing poultry unit, external alterations to 3no. existing poultry units and the installation of 3no. feed bins at Bird Brothers Ltd, Sunny Farm, Pertenhall Road, Swineshead – Councillors will be attending a site meeting and will respond following this meeting.
2. 26/01698/LDE Certificate to confirm that the current occupation and operation of the whole property remains use as a dwellinghouse within Class C3 of Schedule 1 to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). The primary case is that the use falls within Class C3(b). Class C3(a) is advanced expressly in the alternative. On either basis, no material change of use from the established C3 use has occurred at The Spinney, Sandye Lane, Swineshead – object as it is actually a change of use. Use is unsuitable in a conservation area due to increased traffic on Sandye Lane, residents are concerned regarding the occupant’s behaviour. Is intended use of the property a risk to residents?
3. 26/01692/S73A Change of use of part of the site to equestrian use; construction of a new equestrian stable for personal use; retrospective planning permission for the formation of an access track and formation of a turning area to serve the stable at The Barn, Little Staughton Road, Pertenhall – no objection
7 Police and Crime
7.1 Crime Figures
Clerk advised that in July there was one Criminal Damage – Residential reported at Sandye Lane, Swineshead. In August there was one Assault with Injury reported at Green Lane in Swineshead and one Arson Not Endangering Life reported at Green End, Pertenhall
8 Solar Farm Update
A final response submitted by PSPC – a copy of our response is available on the PC website.
9 Finance
9.1 To approve payments and to note any income
Please see Appendix 1 for a summary of payments and receipts approved.
9.2 To receive information regarding the current financial statement
The bank reconciliation statement, having been previously to Councillors, was approved.
10 Matters Arising from Correspondence/Councillors’ Reports
1. E-mail from BBC re: Universal Studios – Bedford Borough hosts regional summit on Universal
2. Bedford Borough Council’s annual tulip bulb giveaway – Cllr Saville has collected the bulbs and will co-ordinate the planting of them around the parish.
3. Parish and Town Council Update: National Scheme of Delegation (NSoD)
4. BBC Consultation on Libraries – Have your say on the future of Bedford Borough Libraries
11 Date of next meeting:
Wednesday, 18th November 2025 at 7:30pm in Pertenhall Village Hall