COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
24th October 2025
Members of Stondon Parish Council:
Cllr A Marabese (Chairperson), Cllr M Thompson (Vice-Chairperson), Cllr N Benson, Cllr J Cleary, Cllr N Hanson, Cllr C Jenkins, Cllr P Lazenby, Cllr G Simkins, Cllr J Wallace
You are hereby summoned to attend a Meeting of Stondon Parish Council on Wednesday 29th October 2025, commencing at 7:30 pm in the Function Room, Community Centre, The Pastures, Upper Stondon, SG16 6QB for the purpose of transacting the business set out in this agenda.
Central Bedfordshire Council Ward Members, representatives of the press and electorates of Stondon, for information.
Sian van der Merwe
Clerk to Stondon Parish Council
AGENDA
56. Apologies for absence – 7.30pm
57. Declarations – 7:33pm
a) To receive declarations of interest from Councillors on items on the agenda. If, at any time during the meeting, a Councillor feels they have an interest in an item being discussed they should declare it at that point.
b) To receive any written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any).
c) To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate.
58. Chairman’s announcements – 7:35
a) Notice regarding openness and transparency of the meeting.
b) To resolve to extend the meeting finish time beyond 2 hours.
c) Other information.
59. Public session – 7.39pm
Standing Orders will be suspended for a period of up to 10 minutes to allow members of the public to address the Council in relation to the business on the agenda or request matters to be discussed at a subsequent meeting. Please note that this is limited to a maximum of 3 minutes per speaker.
60. Community reports – 7:49pm
To receive a report, for information only, from the following groups:
a) RAF Henlow representative.
b) Central Bedfordshire Council representatives.
c) Other Village Organisations.
Please submit a report for inclusion in the Minutes.
61. Neighbourhood Plan – 7:55pm
a) To receive an update on the progress of the draft NP.
62. Planning Applications as received from Central Bedfordshire Planning Authority for comment or information. 8:00pm
a) CB/25/02938/NMA – Former Henlow Greyhound Stadium – Deadline – Approved – For SPC Councillor information
Non-material amendment to planning permission CB/24/01679/RM (Reserved Matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for 75 dwellings with open space, sustainable drainage systems and associated works, pursuant to outline planning permission CB/20/02193/OUT and conditions 4 (Housing Mix, Type & Tenure), 5 (Landscaping and Public Open Space Scheme), 7 (Ecological Enhancement Strategy), 8 (Noise Assessment), 25 (Cycle Parking Scheme) and 26 (Electric Vehicle Charging Provision) thereof.) Amendment sought to change cycle storage to timber.
b) CB/25/02788/DOC – 147C Station Rd, Lower Stondon, SG16 6JJ – No Consultation Required Discharge of Conditions 3 and 9 against planning permission ref. CB/24/02407/VOC (Variation of condition numbers 3,7,9 15 of planning permission CB/22/00725/FULL (Conversion of existing detached dwelling into 4 no. 2-bedroom flats, including the erection of a two storey rear extension. Conversion of the existing detached two-storey annexe into a 2 – bedroom dwelling. Associated soft and hard landscaping) see D & A outlining removal and amendments to plans.)
c) CB/25/02567/VOC – 81A Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, SG16 6JN – Expiry extension agreed in writing by Planning Officer to 30 October 2025.
Variation of condition number 1 against planning permission CB/23/03293/VOC (Construction of 3 detached dwellings and associated works – Variation being sought to raise the height of the roof over the garages add rear access doors, windows and skylights and introduce a hipped end. Render to gable wall). Variation sought: To amend the approved plans, condition to read, “The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans, numbers:L-01 rev A; TUL/002; TUL/003; TUL/004; TUL/0005; Design and Access Statement, Waste Management Strategy, Planning Statement and Parking Strategy dated Sept 2020; Ecological Appraisal dated August 2020.
63. To approve minutes of the Stondon Parish Council Meeting of 10th September 2025 – 8:10pm
64. Clerk’s Report – 8:15pm
65. Community Centre and Village Hall – 8:20pm
a) Community Centre
i) Update on snagging issues as issued by the Village Hall Committee.
ii) Update on the payment of the commuted sum of £55k.
b) Village Hall
i) Update on Village Hall Refurbishment.
66. Procedural – 8:24pm
a) To consider the Terms of Reference for the 26/27 Budget Planning Working Group.
b) To consider the Terms of Reference for the Community Garden Working Group.
c) To review and adopt the following policies:
i. Volunteer Policy v1.0
d) To review the updates to the following policies and approve those for re-adoption:
i. Financial Regulations v2.0
ii. Standing Orders v2.0
iii. Investment Policy v2.0
iv. General and Earmarked Reserves Policy v2.0
v. Schedule of Delegation v2.0
e) To consider and approve changing Parish Council meeting times from 19:30 to 19:00.
67. Open Spaces – 8:35pm
a) To receive a report from Cllr Thompson on the transfer of open spaces in the Parish to the Council.
b) To review a report relating to use of the Football Pitch at The Pastures.
c) To Review and Execute the Deed of Transfer of Bovis Phase 2 (16/02314 – Land to rear of 104 to 168 Station Road) open space from Lower Stondon (BH) Management Limited to the Council.
d) Poppyfields Community Garden:
i. To receive and consider the Poppyfields Community Garden Volunteer Group Manifesto and Appendix 1.
ii. To consider and approve the Community Engagement Survey.
iii. To consider and approve the Community Garden Volunteer Agreement.
iv. To consider and approve the Community Garden Risk Assessment.
v. To receive an update on remedial works to the Community Garden.
vi. To consider and approve the installation of rose obelisks, benches and edging at the Community Garden in line with the original design.
vii. To consider and approve remedial actions related to the S106 definitions regarding the utilisation of the garden space.
e) To consider and approve remedial actions required to Brittains Rise.
f) To consider and approve health and safety remedial works to Fakeswell Lane Play Area, The Orchard Play Area, The Pastures Play Area.
g) Allotments
i. To consider and approve a proposal for re-numbering posts at allotment plots.
ii. To consider and approve a request from SALGA for a contribution towards training costs for SALGA event-related food provisions.
iii. To note action required related to a boundary tree at the Allotments.
h) Other green space updates and information including:
i. Hedge planting with CPRE.
ii. Anglian Water pipe installation and actions required.
iii. The Pastures and Pollards Way – goal post purchase and installation.
68. Community Engagement – 9:10pm
To receive an update on the following community engagement items:
i. Parish Councillor surgery at Fireworks Event.
ii. Christmas Tree delivery, electrics for the Christmas Tree and electrical inspection of Christmas Lights.
iii. Pensioner’s Christmas Tea.
69. Finance – 9:20pm
a) To consider and accept the External Auditor’s Report on Stondon Parish Council’s Annual Governance Accountability Return.
b) Budget vs actual report.
c) To approve the purchase of or costs related to:
i. Health and Safety repairs to Fakeswell Play Area play equipment.
ii. Replacement equipment for Christmas Tree lighting.
iii. Allotment Plot re-numbering supplies.
iv. SALGA training costs for event-related food provisions.
v. Laying down of football pitch markings at The Pastures and Pollards Way.
vi. Installation of goal posts at The Pastures.
vii. Purchase of rose obelisks, benches and edging materials for the Poppyfields Community Garden.
viii. Landscaping and remedial works to Britain’s Rise.
d) To approve payments to be made or made between meetings.
e) To receive details of income received.
f) To receive bank statements and reconciliations for September 2025.
70. CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS – 9:45pm
In accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.
a) Outcome of Formal Complaint: For Members to receive the outcome of a Formal Complaint and note
Please note that individual agenda item timings are only indicative.