of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Thursday, 10th September 2026 at 7:30pm in Odell Village Hall
Present: Cllrs B Halton (Chairman), M Cheadle, J Crouch, R Hall and M Hartwell
In attendance: Clerk, Mayor T Wootton and 3 members of public
Public Participation
[At this point in the meeting, members of the public may, at the discretion of the Chairman, address the Council, ask questions of the Council or request items to be included for the next Agenda for consideration.]
• Resident asked whether the streetlight on the green near the Bell had to remain on all night as it was very bright and they didn’t feel there was a need for it past midnight. Resolved: Clerk to write to Mayor to ask if BBC would consider turning it off after midnight.
• Member of the public attended regarding item 5.4 of the July 2026 minutes about the installation of a traffic mirror. He clarified that he now agreed it had originally been installed on the streetlight but that more recently it had been installed on the nearby post.
• Mayor Tom was in attendance to discuss items of local interest and what has been going on in the Borough.
There were no further matters raised.
1 Apologies
Cllrs A Fowler and J Ricketts, and Borough Cllr A Field-Foster sent their apologies.
2 Disclosures of Interests
Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in any items on the agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.
• Cllr Cheadle declared an interest in Item 7.2iii regarding FP 10 & 11
There were no further interests declared.
3 Minutes
To consider approving the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 (Copies previously circulated). Minutes were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.
4 Matters Arising from Minutes
1. Item 5.3 re: Savings Account – Clerk confirmed that she had opened a savings account and deposited £10K into it.
2. Item 6.3 (Actions) to consider a replacement picnic bench – Resolved: preferred option to be circulated via e-mail so that specification and delivery can be decided.
3. Item 6.6 re: Fete field water supply – permission for disconnection required from landowner – still awaiting permission. Resolved: Chairman to contact agent again.
No further matters arising that are not covered in the agenda.
5 Finance
5.1 To authorise payments and note any income
A summary of payments and receipts is attached as part of these minutes [Appendix 1]. Approved – Clerk to arrange payment.
5.2 To receive information regarding the current financial statement – information regarding current financial statement was approved.
5.3 To approve the annual Local Government pay award with effect from 1st April 2026
Approved.
6 Reports
1. Borough Councillor’s Report
Cllr Field-Foster was not in attendance. Her reports are available on the PC website.
2. Odell Village Hall
Cllr Crouch reported the following: The main cost expected this autumn will be tidying the trees behind the Hall. Awaiting further quotes to finalise the scope this year. We will try a community approach to clear the brambles to manage the costs. Several people have helped with clearing the paths and hedges around the Car Park, and we do appreciate the community support. We have not booked a play this autumn but are considering the options to add to the Quiz without risking a loss. The only play we have not booked with Alison Neil is a two-act production needing a technician to manage the set which is coming in at twice the cost of her one-act plays. Stasia has added on-line booking for events to the website at: https://odellvillage.co.uk. The first live trial will be the Quiz on Oct 3rd. Once confident of the on-line booking interface we may try an on-line request to book the Hall. We are hosting a Macmillan Coffee Moring Saturday 26th Sept 2026 and hope you will be able to join us for a fund-raising social chat between 10:30am and 12:30pm.
3. Crime Statistics
Clerk advised that in July there was one Residential Burglary – Home reported at Tannery Lane. There were no crimes reported in August.
7 Portfolio Reports/Updates
1. Highways
Speed Monitor Report – June/July 2026 – on days measured
28/06/26 – 14/07/26 Facing East. 871 vehicles/day incoming. Spy Mode Off.
The speed monitor continues to provide information on traffic volumes and speeds opposite The Mad Dog, Little Odell for the above period which can be summarised as below.
Incoming traffic – on days measured.
11330 vehicles, average speed 23.81 mph, maximum speed 51 mph
0-30mph 94.12%, 31-35mph 4.52%, 36-40mph 0.89%,41-45mph 0.3%,46-65mph 0.08%
Outgoing traffic – on days measured.
11397 vehicles, average speed 25.97 mph, maximum speed 62 mph
0-30mph 85.74%, 31-35mph 11.27%, 36-40mph 2.35%,41-45mph 0.4%,46-65mph 0.23%
Speed Monitor Report – Aug/Sept 2026 – on days measured
31/07/26 – 06/09/26 Facing East. 886 vehicles/day incoming. Spy Mode Off.
The speed monitor continues to provide information on traffic volumes and speeds opposite The Mad Dog, Little Odell for the above period which can be summarised as below.
Incoming traffic – on days measured.
48732 vehicles, average speed 23.59 mph, maximum speed 57 mph
0-30mph 94.64%, 31-35mph 4.17%, 36-40mph 0.89%,41-45mph 0.22%,46-65mph 0.07%
Outgoing traffic – on days measured.
47831 vehicles, average speed 25.64 mph, maximum speed 65 mph
0-30mph 86.60%, 31-35mph 10.38%, 36-40mph 2.43%,41-45mph 0.42%,46-65mph 0.16%
The High Street by The Mad Dog will be patched in Qt 3 of this financial year. Resolved: Clerk to forward details of Elan City to Cllr Hartwell so that he can order a solar panel pack for existing VAS unit.
2. Footpaths/ROW
Cllr Hall reported: Firstly, it’s really good news that the bridge is scheduled for repair in the 2027 budget. Meanwhile we have been requested to not contact BBC about it and to trust them to get on with it. FP28/29 is now in really good condition thanks to the hard work of Mark Cheadle, it is clearly well used.
FP12 through Yelnow Farm is now accessible but further work remains outstanding on the section where it meets Yelnow Lane. The landowner responded to the BBC’s request.
FP21 has now been properly reinstated. Several years ago, we requested that the stile exiting FP21 onto High Street be replaced with a swing gate, the stile isn’t very accessible, and it drops straight on to the road. I think this request needs to be remade. Resolved: Clerk to contact Harriet Falconer and ask her to consider installing a suitable gate.
A parishioner recently had a very unfortunate encounter on BW37, at Wold Farm, when he was refused access by a member of the team holding an event at the site, this certainly is a right of way, and no closure had been applied for. This isn’t the first time this has happened although more recently the landowner has made the proper application.
It’s a pleasure to walk along BW5 up from the castle and all the permissive paths around the wood. FP25 needs reinstating from Valley Farm up to White Lane. Resolved: Clerk to contact Harriet Falconer from ROW so that she can contact the landowner.
i. BW31 (Mill Bridge) update – BBC has advised this will be included in next year’s budget.
ii. BOAT 42 update – Following the resignation of the original Planning Inspector, a new Planning Inspector has stated that there is a vehiclular right of way as she believed Church Lane was part of BOAT 4 which is on the definitive map. Cllr Cheadle proposed that we request a hearing with the new Planning Inspector. Resolved: Cllr Cheadle and Clerk to write to Mayor asking him to raise this with the Head of Planning at BBC.
iii. FP10 and 11 Diversion – Rectory Farm FP Diversions. Planning Inspector will shortly be making a decision.
iv. FP32 Diversion – confirmation of the diversion of part of Bridleway 32 in Odell with immediate effect.
3. Playground
Cllr Cheadle submitted the following report:
Item 1: Informally inspected by myself on 6th September 2026 with the following comments.
i. Multiplay Jr – Handrails, need tightening.
ii. Multiplay Sr – One of the climbing wall blocks has come loose (urgent )
iii. Picnic Table (Far End) – Noticeably deteriorating, possibly beyond repair.
iv. Weeds (Multiplay Jr) – Needs removing
v. Overhanging branches – 2 or 3 of the trees do need a good cut back
Actions
HOCP volunteers assistance has been requested to help with weeds and branches, feedback next month. Seeking a tool to tighten the handrails and climbing blocks to rectify asap. Picnic table is already in agenda to be discussed.
Quote for £149 was approved at May meeting to fix the gates (change hook to latch, upgrade spring on far gate to make it close within 5 seconds, add stoppers on gate posts to ensure 1.2mm gap is maintained when closed). This is booked in for Thursday 17th September.
Grass – no cut in August due to weather.
4. Environment
Cllr Crouch advised the following: The analytical results of the River Great Ouse have been raised with Anglian Water with particular reference to the high levels of phosphate found. At our site visit Anglian Water showed that they had added a phosphate reduction step to bring the treated effluent within the guideline quality for river discharges.
Although they have not commented on the results of the river quality downstream of the Odell Reclamation plant or the plant’s effluent, our concern has been escalated within Anglian Water. I have requested a meeting to discuss the current situation but have not had a formal response yet.
5. Planning
UPDATES ON PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS
1. 26/00736/PIP, erection of one dwelling at 117 Odell Road, Harrold. Due to the site’s proximity with the parish boundary, we were consulted on this. We filed a “No Objection” reply on 30th April 2026 after a majority vote supporting this. Should a detailed planning application be submitted a close inspection of any proposed building will be required to ensure it complies with our NP. Permitted
2. 26/00349/LDE, Certificate to confirm lawful use for open storage, repair, maintenance, refurbishment and sale of construction site portacabin offices, modular buildings and amenity blocks at Grange Farm, Dungee Road, Odell.
We filed an objection to this on a number of points, mainly that we consider it an inappropriate use of farm land and that the size and quantity of vehicles that the proposed new activity creates is neither safe nor acceptable for the location. Refused
3. 26/00825/LBC & 26/00824/S73A. Erection of flood defence wall. Grade II Listed Building no. 1321532, 23 Horsefair Lane. Part retrospective planning application.
We did not object but confirmed that we would like it to be stone faced to match the building due to it being listed. We wrote to Heritage England who confirmed that they would not expect to be involved in this type of alteration. Permitted
4. 26/00883/FU. Erection of detached garage and boundary treatment with new vehicle entrance gate at 10 Tannery Lane. Application withdrawn
26/00884/FUL. Single storey rear/side extension, porch extension, external alterations and garage conversion to annexe accommodation.
Paddock View 10 Tannery Lane Odell Bedford Bedfordshire MK43 7AJ. Permitted
We did not object to either of these applications.
NEW PLANNING APPLICATION
1. 26/01092/FUL 26/01093/LBC 125 High Street, Odell. Demolition of garage, outbuilding and rear/side lean-to, extension of single-storey outbuilding and conversion of attic space over to form bedroom, erection of single-storey rear extension and conversion of main attic to form bedroom with ensuite, including internal works and relocation of stairwell, erection of two bay garage, erection of boundary wall, relocation of access, formation of crossover and construction of driveway and parking area. See email 24/6/26 where I recommend we do not object but reserve comment on materials to be used when details are known.
Update: the plans now include the existing entrance to be moved further away from the cottage and a new section of stonewall to be built. I propose we do not object. Deadline is Sept 18th for comments – no objection
PLANNING MATTERS
1. 26/01013/MAF. Land at Odell Road, Odell. Residential development of 16 dwellings and associated infrastructure. Resolved: Clerk to forward this application to Mayor Tom so he can ask Highways to attend the site to consider access and road safety. As well as one hundred objections, we have the support of Borough Cllr Field-Foster and Richard Fuller, MP.
2. Erection of orange mirror, outside 87 High Street. Historically there was a mirror attached to the light post. This was removed some time ago and reinstalled on an additional post which was erected without planning permission. Recently, the traffic mirror was damaged and a resident has installed a new mirror on this post. Cllr Halton to check with BBC Highways that this site is acceptable.
6. Fete (Formerly known as Scouts’) Field
i. Working Group Update – nothing to report (leave off future agenda unless required)
8 Matters Arising from Correspondence/AOB
1. Bedfordshire Festival of Autumn Walks 2026 – further details can be found on the PC website under ‘News’
2. Proposed woodland creation – Odell Great Wood
3. Request from member of the public to amend item 5.4 of the July 2026 minutes regarding the installation of a traffic mirror – see Public Participation, above.
4. Bedford Borough Council’s annual tulip bulb giveaway
5. Parish and Town Council Update: National Scheme of Delegation (NSoD) – Changes to Planning Policy
There were no further matters arising.
9 Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday, 4th November 2026 at 7:30pm in Odell Village Hall
10 To approve Pension Provision for the Clerk
[Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (as extended by s.100 of the Local Government Act 1972), press and public are excluded from this item of the agenda.]
Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) was approved with effect from 1st April 2026. Clerk to make arrangements with the Bedfordshire Pension Fund.