2025 Minutes

Denton Parish Council

 

 

All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting

This Meeting was recorded

 

PCM 2025

 

Item for Discussion/Resolution

1 Welcome Address from the Chair, Councillor Andrea Leadenham who thanked everyone for attending and reminded all that the meeting is recorded.

 

2 Attendees:

Those in attendance were: Councillors: Andrea Leadenham, Chair, Robert Leadenham, Amy Leadenham, Nigel Elias and Sue Bellamy (also as Acting Clerk) district Councillor Charlotte Vernon & one member of the public. 

 

3 Councillor Apologies:

Apology received & noted from Councillor Patricia Casement-Thomas. 

 

4 Parish Council Declarations of Pecuniary Interest. None recorded.

 

5 Items from District & County Councillors, 

Robert Leadenham & Charlotte Vernon.  

 

Councillor Vernon informed the meeting that currently there are surveys being carried out on the Refuge Sights in Lincolnshire & the pubic are being asked to share their experiences on using the sites: the form can be found on: www.letstalklincolnshire.gov.uk

There are now paint recycling facilities at most sites. Avian flu has been reported in the area namely Donington & Corby Glen. Acting Clerk has already notified the residents via the WhatsApp group as there are several residents who keep poultry. Registered poultry owners also receive official notification. Street lighting may be out of cinque due to the clocks being altered but this should resolve itself within a week or two. Belvoir Castle obviously not adequately prepared for the Firework Event due to the number of complaints on social media. 

 

Councillor R.  Leadenham confirmed that talks are still ongoing regarding the reorganisation of Lincolnshire. Rutland who were going to join with Lincolnshire have now decided they will not. Meetings & discussions are still being held on finding the best solution as it is still a complex issue. New dog fouling signs have been put up around the village & there are more 30mph signs available. Councillor Leadenham to speak with someone at LCC or SKDC re the lighting on the walkway between Park Lane & Hungate primarily re safety issues. 

 

6 Minutes of previous Meeting - Resolution to approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, September 29, 2025. This was agreed. 

 

7 Public Forum - Councillor Elias did note that there was only one member of the public attending and asked how we notified the residents of the meetings. The Acting Clerk stated that the Agenda was made available 3 ways: via the notice board, website & WhatsApp group. Councillor Elias asked if residents could live stream via Teams etc. but this is not an option. Councillor Vernon asked if we offered to give a lift to residents as the meeting is held out of the village due to Denton Village Hall being unavailable. All councillors agreed that they would be willing to do this. 

 

8 Report from the Parish Clerk including:

a. Finances - including balance sheet & available funding: Finances had been made available & the current balance is £41,626.38. The Precept was mentioned for 2026/27 - it is envisaged that the information will be available for our next meeting.

b) Community Cleaner Report:

Monthly report from the Community Cleaner  have been received and information regarding litter locations & areas cleared. Acting Clerk has also asked if any equipment is required by the cleaner & the response was not at the present time. It was suggested that a checklist should be carried out on the Community Cleaners duties & safety. Councillor Elias with his experience in Health & Safety would be the most qualified person to carry out this & he agreed. Acting Clerk to forward the relevant information to him & inform the Community Cleaner of the same. 

c. Any other reported business - none to report.

 

9 Parish Council General (Update & Discussion)

a. Play Area Update: Thursday November 13, 2025 is the Assessment of the play area site, to find out if there are any issues & to confirm date for commencement of the installation of the play equipment. On the legal side the transfer from SKDC has still not happened. The Acting Clerk stated she was concerned if the transfer did not happen in time the insurance could be a problem. SKDC may still have to issue a Work Permit but have stressed that the work can still proceed. Installation date is based on the site assessment, and has been scheduled by Creative Play for December 8, 2025. This is weather dependant but the date for the project to be completed is February 26. 2026 which was agreed was achievable. 

The Chair would like to do a blog about the progress to update the residents. This was agreed to be a good idea. It would also help with the documentation required by SKDC Prosperity Fund.

b. Village Hall - The Councillors had all read the Structural Report Survey of the Village Hall & were all of the same conclusion. The report contained photographs of the damage & the poor condition of the Village Hall. The Report seemed quite endless with problems & after much discussion and deliberation it was decided unanimously that the Parish Council could not take on the responsibility of both managing & the maintenance of the Village Hall. It was requested  that the Acting Clerk write to Welby Estate informing them of the Parish Councils regrettable decision. Councillor Elias, also in his capacity as a Health & Safety Advisor pointed out the fragility of the building and that it should be secured & which should also encompass the site. Signs should be erected warning the public to keep out. This was agreed & the Acting Clerk to write to Welby Estate & also attach a copy of the Structural Report.

c) SID & Road Safety: 30 mph Speed Limit has been moved on Belvoir Road & Harston Lane & new signs have been erected. Casthorpe Road Speed Limit has been moved but only slightly as it did not meet the criteria stated by the LCC Highways Department. The general consensus was that it should be moved further out & if not 30 mph then 40 mph with a countdown zone to the 30 mph. Councillor Vernon to check to see if a new request should be sent, bearing in mind the parking, Public footpath access, and use when the A1 or A52 is closed due to an accident. Acting Clerk to check if the broken SID should be removed from Belvoir Road & Councillor Robert Leadenham to check on prices of purchasing a new one & to see if any discounts are available for the purchase of two. There is always the option of white gates to be installed on Casthorpe Road. 

d. CSW Update: Councillor Elias as co-ordination of CSW reported that he was hoping to issue a new schedule every two weeks. However; the weather & dark evenings are not conducive to CSW but it is good to keep a visible presence. New volunteers are required as are other sites. Councillor Robert Leadenham to survey potential new sites as the speed limits have been moved. 

e) Parking Issues: No comments received.

Councillor Vernon asked to be excused & left the meeting. 

f) Belvoir Castle events & General Update: 

Belvoir’s Firework evening was considered a disaster, which was reported throughout on Social Media. It appears there were many issues, which seemed to be compounded by the weather. Forbidden Forest have advertised a new layout for the camping. The Arcadia Spider Stage had also been advertised. This is a huge structure & it was discussed if a new permit was required. 

g. Vale Parish Update: The October 8, 2025 meeting was cancelled and a new date to be confirmed. Vale Parish Group to write to MBC (Melton Borough Council) about the Firework evening. 

h. Dog Fouling: no new reports & more signs re dog fouling have been put up around the village.

i. Lighting - Footpath between Hungate & Park Lane: already discussed & Councillor Leadenham to check.

j. Denton Christmas Tree - has been kindly donated by Councillor Robert Leadenham & will be installed on Main Street by permission of Denton Farming Company. The tree will be lit & residents are going to be invited to attend on Sunday December 14. Risk Assessment to be carried out by Councillor Elias & a walk through of the area with the Chair, Councillor Andrea Leadenham. Acting Clerk to notify the Parish Councils insurers & check on the insurance policy. 

 

10 Planning Applications:

 

Renovation of house including but not limited to: reroofing, repointing of brickwork, replacement of windows, removal of internal walls, fireplace and staircase, relocation of bathroom, internally insulate upstairs bedrooms, restore outbuildings

Rose Cottage 125 Casthorpe Road Denton

Lincolnshire NG32 1JS

Ref. No: S25/1223 | Received: Mon 30 Jun 2025 |

Validated: Thu 31 Jul 2025 | Status: Granted

 

Outstanding decisions:

Keepers Lodge - Caravan & Camping Site at Denton Lane, Harston. Still pending with Melton Borough Council. 

 

12 Any other business that has arisen. 

Councillor Amy Leadenham asked if the Defibrillator located in the phone box on Hungate could be used in an emergency on children. The Acting Clerk would check but was aware there are not any paediatric pads located with the Defibrillator & understood that the adult pads could be used on a child within a certain age range ie over 8 years. There is a defibrillator suitable for children located at Denton school. 

The Acting Clerk also advised that the salt bins located around the village are full.

 

13 New business for the next meeting: None given

14 Meeting close and date of next meeting: Date of next scheduled meeting is December 8, 2026

 

15 Closed session if required.