MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BRILL PARISH COUNCIL
ON TUESDAY september 16th 2025 aT 7.45PM
IN BRILL MEMORIAL HALL
(draft until approved at next meeting)
Present: Cllr Newman (Chair), Cllr Wilson, Cllr Tuffley, Cllr Springs, Cllr Fisher, Cllr Slater & Cllr Connelly and 33 members of the public were in attendance.
Updates and questions from members of the Public
The Chair of Brill Sports and Social Club addressed the Parish Council outlining the long standing relationship between the club and the maintenance of the playing field, particularly given the upturn in sport being carried out on both the football pitch and the King George V.
The Sports & Social Club shared a list of reasons to carry out the ‘Weed & Feed’ program and a number of photographs with the Parish Council detailing the current wear and tear on the pitches. These demonstrate the challenges being faced maintaining the pitches particularly after a long, hot, dry summer and then intense heavy rain.
The Club in 2022 invested significant funds into the playing field and undertook the application for a grant from the FA for a four figure sum, to enhance and maintain the fields.
A copy of the pitch impact report was shared with Councillors at the time of application and the application received support from the previous Parish Council.
The Chair of Brill Cricket Club supporting the application for the use of ‘Weed & Feed’ stated two years ago there was only one team playing on the pitch, now there are multiple teams including a new U11’s team. Whilst this is hugely positive, the engagement of more people, including children, in sport does come with the increased challenges of maintenance to the pitches.
The Secretary Brill Utd Youth Football Club, supporting the use of ‘Weed & Feed’, shared that the football club was founded in 2024 after decades without a Brill football team. This initially started with one U11’s team with 95% Brill based payers and coaches, but this, in one year, has now expanded to three teams with the inclusion of an U9’s and U10’s teams. The Club uses both the men’s football pitch and King George V for matches.
The reception and environment has only highlighted the positivity around the club, but an increase in teams leads to an increase in usage and a necessity for additional maintenance to the pitches. The club is committed to giving the very best and safest opportunity to all children.
The Co-organiser of the Touch rugby group – also supporting the use of ‘Weed & Feed’ stated that the touch rugby sessions have been run on an informal basis using King George V field for approximately the last 15 years. It has been very successful in bringing youth to the game as well all age groups, encouraging people to be outside on a weekly basis.
A resident – reiterated to the Council that the request is not about making the pitches look good. It is essential to make the fields functional and safe for participation in a variety of sports.
A resident asked for clarity from the Council if there are requests which are supported by significant proportion of the village.
If there was a canvassing of opinion regarding the use of herbicide on the fields, would the large number of children who are not from Brill but use the field be part of this canvassing.
Would the Council need a majority of the village or a majority of the responses on which to base their decision?
The Council responded that at this time there was no intention to carry out a canvas of the village on this matter.
025/032 To receive apologies for absence
No apologies were received
025/033 To receive any declarations of interest
Cllr Newman raised an interest in item - 025/040 Brill Sports & Social Club as a Director of the Brill Sports & Social Club
Cllr Tuffley declared an interest in item 025/042 – New equipment for the work carried out by the Common Volunteers
025/034 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2025
Cllr Tuffley proposed the minutes as a true record of the meeting, seconded by Cllr Connelley and unanimously approved
025/035 Finance : To receive the monthly finance spreadsheet
The Council confirmed receipt of the monthly financial spreadsheet.
023/036 Planning applications : Applications for review
Planning Ref 25/02393/APP
Address 58 The Firs Brill Buckinghamshire HP18 9RY
Proposal Householder application for two storey side extension
PC Comments Neutral
025/037 Communications Database : To review the recent communications
It was confirmed that a survey of the use of the MUGA was run in the summer with overwhelmingly positive results. The only concerns raised were regarding the tennis net as this can be time consuming and cumbersome to put up.
The Clerk has forwarded to all Cllrs the cost of a new lightweight tennis net and new netball post which had gone missing. These came in after the agenda was published so will be discussed at the October meeting.
Cllr Springs raised a request which had come via the Parish Council’s Facebook page requesting to light a lantern and release this on the Common – The Council unanimously voted against this request on the grounds that it would be unsafe to have any open flame near historic, listed buildings, livestock and in windy conditions.
025/038 Village Green : To review the installation of a path across the Green to the Church
The Council resolved for the Clerk to instruct the contractor to provide a quote to install the grasscrete across the village green from the path to the church entrance.
025/039 The Common / The Walks
Windmill car park potholes / signage
Cllr Fisher has contacted a company regarding the Windmill car park. The suggested idea would be to scrape and compact the existing area and relay. Once the quote has been received Cllr Fisher to circulate this to the Cllrs.
Cllr Spring has drafted wording for signs for the Common outlining the Common and how to respect the Common when being used. Cllr Springs to circulate the wording to the Cllrs.
Installation of new water pipe across the common at South Hills
Following the email received by the Councillors that the current pipe is collapsing and a request to replace it like for like. The Council approved the request with the proviso that the Common is restored to its original state and to ensure that no flora and fauna are damaged during the work.
Reinstatement of gateway off Houndsmoor Lane
The Council after reviewing the email request had no objection to the re-instatement of the gateway on Houndsmoor Lane
Installation of wooden stobs at Engimer Lane
The Council after reviewing the email request had no objection to the installation of the stobs. The Council did impose the condition that the stobs were those sourced and installed by the Council – Cllr Fisher to source the wooden stobs and the metal inserts.
Grass / Sheep in the Walks
The Council resolved to hold a meeting with the shepherd to discuss the future of the sheep on the Walks and to source a grazing license between the Council and Shepherd.
Cuckoo Close Farm
The owner of Cuckoo Close Farm addressed the Council stating that he has been maintaining the section of Common in question for 35 years. The resident stated that the stones has been placed on the common to stop vehicles parking, mounting edge and damaging the Common.
The Council explained that whilst the resident may have had the best intentions they do not have the legal right to place the stones on the Common without the permission of the Council which he can seek in writing.
The Council resolved that the stones be removed from the Common and the site be reviewed on a regular basis. Should there be further instances of damage to the site from vehicles then the Council will review whether it will install wooden stobs on the site.
Drainage at Span Green
Cllr Fisher stated that he was arranging to meet with the owner of the adjacent land to discuss the drainage on Span Green and would report back to the council following the meeting.
Ranger Project
Cllr Slater confirmed that the deadline for applications is Friday 19th September. Shortlisting will take place on Monday 22 September with interviews on 29th September
It was confirmed that Cllrs Slater & Tuffley with Alex Cruickshank and the Clerk will form the interview panel.
Marquee on the Walks
Following the complaint received by the Council of the party held on the Walks with multiple marquees, the Council resolved that any subsequent applications if granted would be done so with more prescriptive conditions.
The Clerk to respond to the complainant to inform them of the decision.
The Clerk to also contact those who were the subject of the complaint to inform them of the complaint and the subsequent decision.
025/040 Brill Sports & Social Club : To review the recent communication from the Sports & Social Club regarding the use of Weed & Feed on the Playing Field
Cllr Newman declared an Interest in this item as a Director of Brill Sports & Social Club and removed himself from the voting on this matter. Cllr Newman stated that as part of his declaration of Interest in this item he would continue as Chair to facilitate the discussion but would not take part in the final vote.
The Council heard the appeal against the Parish Council’s decision in July 2025 to refuse permission to use ‘Weed & Feed’ on the Football Pitch and King George V. The Council heard testimony from Brill Sports and Social Club, Brill United Youth Football Club, Brill Touch Rugby and Brill Cricket Club.
Cllr Slater again stated her concern regarding the use of a toxic herbicide on an area used by children and animals.
Cllr Slater also reminded all present that Parish Councils have a legal obligation to promote bio-diversity and move away from chemical herbicides.
Cllr Tuffley expressed opposition to the use of chemicals on the football pitch and King Geroge V field. He reiterated the requirement should the ‘Weed & Feed’ be used on the Cricket pitch that the Council would require a copy of the COSHH certificate, signs to inform the public and notice of the date the ‘weed & feed’ will be carried out.
Cllr Fisher thanked those who had made representations to the Council but had still not been given any evidence to demonstrate how using a herbicide will ensure the field will not become muddy and damaged following usage by the football and rugby teams.
Cllr Fisher had no objection to the use of feed or reseeding the football pitch and King George V, but does object to the use of herbicides.
Cllr Wilson expressed his support for the proposals put forward by Brill Sports and Social Club for the use of ‘Weed & Feed’ on the Football Pitch and King George V.
Cllr Connelley expressed his full support for the efforts to get children spending time outside and playing sport, but also reiterated he does not support the use of herbicides on the playing field.
Cllr Fisher proposed supporting the use of feed, reseeding and maintenance of the football pitch and King George V except the use of herbicides. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Slater and passed with five votes in support with Cllr Wilson objecting and Cllr Newman abstaining.
025/041 Request for the Installation of permanent Floodlights on the MUGA : To discuss the proposal from Brill United Youth Football Club for permanent floodlights to be installed on the MUGA and Parish Council funding to the project
The Council reviewed the request from the club and unanimously agreed in principle to the installation of permanent floodlights on the MUGA but would review the decision again once further information has been received.
The Council were keen to stress that once the floodlights were installed it must be available for use by all residents and not for one group.
025/042 New Equipment for the work done by the Common Volunteers : To review the request for a new electric hedge Cutter and Bow saws
Cllr Tuffley declared an interest in this item and removed himself from the discussion.
The Council reviewed the request for the new equipment and unanimously approved the purchase of the new equipment.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Cllr Tuffley was returned to the meeting
025/043 Fencing around The Walks : To review the current fencing and gates on The Walks
Cllr Tuffley carried out a review of the fencing in the Walks following a number of incidents of sheep escaping. There are a number of which require replacing.
The Five barred gate also needs replacing
The Clerk to contact a contractor to provide a quote for the repairs.
The Council also suggested enquiring with the contractor about installing a five bar gate near the entrance by the pond to allow access for contractors such as tree surgeons, grass cutters etc.
The Clerk to also enquire with the contractor the cost of installing fencing along the boundary of the Common and Hybanks
025/044 Roads & Traffic : To discuss the following road matters in the village
Overgrown Hedges – The Council noted areas within the parish where the hedgerows are encroaching and narrowing the roads. The Council resolved to ask Mark Cherry to cut back these hedgerows
Confidential Session To follow the conclusion of the public meeting if required
Confidential business: No Confidential Matters were raised.
Meeting closed at 21:16
025/033 Income & Expenditure
Income: 15 July 2025 – 16 September 2025
BMH – Electrical Work re-imbursement £934.00
Expenditure: 15 July 2025 – 15 September 2025
EDF Street Lights £16.28
EDF Street Lights £90.13
BT - Utilities £96.43
Amazon - Padlock £13.09
Service Charges £5.25
R Timms - Bins (May) £105.00
R Timms - Bins (June) £150.00
R Damerell - Clerk Salary £1,131.19
HMRC - PAYE £54.84
Service Charges £8.50
The Pheasant - Ragwort Pulling refreshments £139.50
Bucks Council - Bins £38.25
Squarespace - Website Domain £8.40
HP Ink £13.49
Brill Pre-School - S137 Grant £500.00
Hannah Hunter - Website £200.00
Brill United Youth Football Club - S137 Grant £1,000.00
Oakley Informer - Ranger Advert £60.00
Sonite - Fire Alarm Testing £1,120.80
EDF Energy - Streetlights £17.23
EDF Energy - Streetlights £94.66
BT - Utilities £96.43
Service Charges £4.25
Laminator £18.74
Net World - Tennis net handle £37.69
R Damerell - Clerk Salary £1,109.13
HMRC - PAYE £118.58
Overdraft Interest £0.05
Service Charge £8.50
Hannah Hunter – Ranger Advert £40.00
Hannah Hunter – Ranger work £212.50
N Misselbrook – War Memorial plants £120.00
Aspire – Grass Cutting (June) £528.00
Aspire – Grass Cutting (July) £528.00
Countryside Jobs – Ranger Advert £90.00
ESPO – Refuse Bags £30.00
PKF Littlejohn – External Audit £378.00
Hannah Hunter – August Website £200.00
HP – Ink £13.49
Bucks Council – Election Costs £348.00
BT - Broadband £96.43