Annual Parish Meeting Review
Posted on 3rd April 2025 at 09:46
Great Linford Parish Annual Meeting: A Review
On Wednesday, 19th March, residents gathered at the Great Linford Parish Office for the Annual Parish Meeting, for an evening dedicated to community updates, discussion, and engagement. The meeting provided an opportunity for residents to hear about the Parish Council’s achievements, plans for 2025, and ongoing projects that aim to improve our local area.
With councillors, community partners, and local residents in attendance, the event fostered valuable conversations about key topics, including community services, council initiatives, and opportunities for involvement.
The evening started with a introduction from Cllr Janet Brindley...
"Welcome to the Great Linford Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting. It’s wonderful to see so many residents, community groups, and local partners here tonight.
Before we begin, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge our former Chair, Cllr Ed Nixon, who has stepped down due to work commitments taking him out of the area. We thank him for his dedication and leadership, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Now, for those of you who may not be familiar with it, what exactly is a parish council? A parish council is the first tier of local government, but don’t let that mislead you—being closest to the community means we are at the very heart of local life.
We work directly with residents to shape our area, address local concerns, and champion the needs of our communities. Here at Great Linford Parish Council, we take pride in being a people-focused, community-orientated council. Serving 12 estates and over 20,000 residents, we manage community centres, open spaces, and services that improve daily life. From tackling issues like fly-tipping to supporting local events and community initiatives, our goal is simple: to create a thriving, welcoming, and connected parish.
In recognition of our dedication to the community, we were honoured to be named Council of the Year in the National Star Council Awards. This prestigious award reflects the hard work of our councillors, staff, and volunteers who go above and beyond to support our residents. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together, and we are incredibly proud to represent such a vibrant and engaged community.
Tonight, you’ll hear about the work we’ve done over the past year and our plans for 2025. We encourage you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and, most importantly, get involved. This is your community, and your voice matters. Thank you for being here, and I look forward to an engaging and productive evening."
Following the introduction, Cllr Donna Nicholls, Chair of the Community Services and Environment Committee shared an update about the work of the committee.
"It’s a privilege to stand before you as Chair of the Community Services and Environment Committee.
At Great Linford Parish Council, the community is at the heart of everything we do. From tackling food poverty and social isolation to creating social spaces and supporting young people, our work is about making a real difference to the lives of our residents.
They say pictures speak louder than words, so rather than telling you, let me show you the impact."
Cllr Nicholls then introduced some of the community partners, that deliver valuable services to GLPC residents. The African Diaspora Foundation shared their work in empowering communities through education and cultural initiatives. Great Linford Community Hub highlighted their efforts in providing a welcoming space for local events, activities, and support services. Heego Community Welfare Action spoke about their commitment to helping families and individuals, fostering inclusion and well-being. Meanwhile, Pulse Youth showcased the impact of the Conniburrow Youth Café, which offers a safe and engaging space for young people to connect, learn, and grow. These partnerships are essential in building a stronger, more connected community, and we are grateful for their ongoing contributions.
Cllr Martin Burgess, Chair of the Finance, Governance & Asset Committee then shared an update from the committee.
"As Chair of the Finance, Governance, and Asset Committee, I want to take this opportunity to talk about the financial decisions we’ve made over the past year—why we’ve made them and what they mean for the future of our community.
Setting this year’s budget was not easy. We know that the cost of living is affecting everyone, and as a council, we are committed to providing essential services while keeping costs as low as possible. That’s why we worked hard to keep the precept increase at 5%—a decision that wasn’t taken lightly but was necessary to maintain vital services."
This increase equates to 45p per month per household, a small amount but one that makes a big difference in keeping our services running.
Even with a £21,000 increase in National Insurance costs, we have carefully reviewed our spending to ensure that every pound is spent wisely.
However, we must be realistic. We’ve had to dip into our rolling funds this year, and while this has helped balance the budget, it is not a long-term solution. Future increases will be necessary to ensure we can continue delivering the services our residents rely on.
To save money and work more efficiently, we have taken several key steps:
- Bringing work in-house – Our Environment and Facilities Team has undergone training to take on maintenance tasks rather than outsourcing, reducing long-term costs.
- Partnering with organisations – The Community Payback Team has provided over 2,800 hours of labour, delivering an estimated £250,000 in savings through tasks like cleaning, painting, weeding, and maintaining public spaces.
Supporting local groups—Rather than duplicating services, we support trusted partners in delivering services, providing financial assistance to local groups running social spaces, events, and food hubs.
Our budget priorities reflect the needs of our community:
- More funding for youth services, ensuring young people have safe spaces and activities.
- Extra support for social spaces, providing affordable food, drinks, and activities to reduce isolation.
- Better asset maintenance planning, allowing us to spend more efficiently and avoid costly emergency repairs.
- Lower maintenance costs, with earmarked reserves funding key projects.
- Deep cleaning brought in-house, reducing our reliance on external contractors.
- Increased facility hire income, thanks to better promotion and utilisation of our venues.
- Staff contingency budget removed, saving £9,000 and part offsetting rising National Insurance costs.
By prioritising what matters most to residents and making smart financial decisions, we are ensuring that Great Linford Parish Council continues to deliver high-quality services in a financially responsible way."
Cllr Derek Harvey OBE the Chair of the Personnel Committee then provided the meeting with an update
I’m pleased to provide an update on the work of the Personnel Committee, which plays a vital role in ensuring that our Parish Council has the right people in the right roles and on the right pay.
Getting the Right People in the Right Roles
This year, we have focused on strengthening our team by reviewing our staff structure, recruitment processes, job descriptions, and grading systems. Ensuring that our staff are compensated and properly supported is essential for an effective council.
Staying Compliant and Up to Date
Employment law and best practices are constantly evolving, and we take our legal responsibilities seriously. From health and safety policies to GDPR compliance, absence management, and staff handbooks, we have worked hard to keep everything up to date. This ensures we operate fairly, transparently, and in line with national standards.
Training and Development – Staff
Investing in our staff is a priority. This year, we have strengthened our appraisal system, set clear job goals, and supported staff in their professional development. Recognising and developing talent within our team means we can provide better services for residents while giving our staff opportunities to progress.
Training and Development – Councillors
It’s not just about staff—our councillors also need ongoing training. We’ve introduced mandatory training, strengthened our Code of Conduct, and reinforced Civility and Respect principles. A well-trained council is better equipped to make informed decisions and serve our community effectively.
A key focus has been fostering a strong and effective team—bringing together councillors, staff, partners, and volunteers to work respectfully and collaboratively for the benefit of our residents. By ensuring clear roles, good communication, and mutual respect, we create a more positive and productive working environment.
Recognition of Excellence
Finally, I want to take a moment to celebrate an outstanding achievement. Our Parish Manager, Eirwen Tagg, was a finalist for Clerk of the Year, placing in the top five out of over 10,000 local councils across the country. This is a testament to her dedication and expertise, and we are incredibly proud of her contribution to our council and community.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, we will continue to focus on attracting and retaining great people, developing our team, and ensuring we meet the highest standards of professionalism. We remain committed to making Great Linford Parish Council a strong and effective organisation that works for the benefit of all our residents.
Before opening the meeting up to members of the community to raise their questions, Cllr Janet Brindley shared the following remarks.
"I want to take a moment to reflect on what truly defines Great Linford Parish Council.
Throughout the year, we have been listening to you—our residents. Through surveys, conversations, and community forums, we’ve heard what matters most: safer streets, cleaner spaces, stronger connections, and better services.
We have taken your feedback and turned it into real action:
Keeping our community safe – Working with Thames Valley Police, expanding Neighbourhood Watch, and securing a Public Space Protection Order.
Investing in the environment: Planting a wildflower garden, introducing bees to allotments, supporting biodiversity, and removing 40 tonnes of green waste and rubbish through community litter picks and clearance work.
Supporting those in need– expanding food and advice services, helping residents navigate financial challenges, and ensuring our social spaces reduce isolation.
Empowering young people – Growing our youth programmes and activities, creating safe spaces, and providing opportunities for engagement.
These achievements are the result of a dedicated team of councillors and staff, all committed to improving the lives of the people we serve.
This commitment has been recognised nationally. Not only was Great Linford Parish Council named Council of the Year, but our Parish Clerk, Eirwen Tagg, was also a finalist for the prestigious Clerk of the Year award—a testament to the hard work and dedication behind everything we do.
But we are not stopping here. Our vision for the future continues to grow, shaped by you, the residents of this parish.
So let me leave you with this message:
We are here.
We are listening.
And we are always working for the benefit of this parish.
Thank you for being here tonight, for engaging with us, and for being part of this incredible community.
Together, we are building a thriving, connected, and empowered parish—and the best is yet to come.
Tommy Hayes, Community Liaison Officer for Great Linford Parish Council summed up the meeting, "We had a fantastic turnout, bringing together residents, charitable organisations, parish councillors, and officers to celebrate our vibrant community. The evening was filled with engaging conversations and thoughtful questions, ensuring every voice was heard—just as Cllr Janet Brindley affirmed, 'We are here, and we are listening.'
Thanks to the support of our incredible community partners, we now deliver around 100 hours of activities each week, alongside a calendar of events throughout the year, all working to strengthen the heart of our community."
Tagged as: Annual Parish Meetings
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