Draft Minutes (Subject to Approval)

Notes of the Meeting of Dean and Shelton Parish Council held on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

Present at the Meeting: Cllr M Pattison (Chair), Cllr N Barrett, Cllr S Brett, Cllr J Gamblen, Cllr C Pattison

In Attendance: Mr R Grasmeder (Clerk)

Julie Balaam from Beds Rural Communities Charity attended the meeting to provide information about Affordable Housing and Housing Needs Surveys.

Enquiries were made regarding the Parish Council supporting an application to Chelveston Wind Farm Trust for a grant to resurface the tennis courts.

  1. Apologies were received from Cllr Moodie due to personal reasons and Cllr Phillips due to holiday.
  2. There were no disclosures of interest.
  3. With the agreement of all those present the Minutes of Meetings 2 September 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
  4. The receipt of the second Precept payment of £3723 was confirmed.
  5. The Clerk’s salary was reviewed and it was resolved to increase it in line with the 2026-27 National Salary Award agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services effective from 1 April 2026.
  6. Accounts for Payment – the following payments were approved:
    1. Cloud Next Invoice 277547 – Website Hosting – £119.98 (LGA1972 S.112) previously paid by Debit Card
    2. Cloud Next Invoice 277535 – Domain Name Two years – £60.00 (LGA1972 S.112) previously paid by Debit Card
    3. McAfee Subscription – Invoice 50584132 – Two Year Virus protection package – £64.99 previously paid by Debit Card (LGA1972 S.112)
    4. Felix Coleman – Invoice 001 – Repaint Lower Dean telephone box – £103.07 (LGA1972 S.133)
  7. The presentation received from BRCC regarding Rural Housing was discussed. The Clerk will ask for a sample Housing Needs Survey and forward questions raised by Members.
  8. The submitted Planning Application for East Park Energy is ongoing.
  9. Andrew Prigmore of BBC has advised Cllr M Pattison that the 20mph circuit in Upper Dean has been listed for future action.
  10. The provision of additional litter bins is still being pursued.
  11. Consideration of draft IT Policy was postponed.
  12. The repaired Speed Indicator Device has been repositioned. Traffic Reports from the SID on the High Street near Eileen Wade School have been circulated to Members for information.
  13. Cllr M Pattison is in contact with Beds B C representative for Highways to discuss various issues.
  14. Adult Fitness & Play Area Equipment – has been inspected in the last month and found to be in satisfactory order
  15. Date for next meeting will be 4 November 2026. The meeting will commence at 7.30 p.m. at Dalton Hall, Upper Dean and will set the budget for the next financial year.
  16. The Chair closed the meeting at 21.10.