2025 Minutes

Denton Parish Council

Minutes 

All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting

Monday December 15, 2025 at 

Knipton Village Hall at 7:30 pm

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, and Sue Bellamy (also as Acting Clerk) and one member of the public. 

3 Councillor Apologies:

Apology received & noted from Councillor Nigel Elias & District Councillor Charlotte Vernon. It was also noted to accept the resignation of Councillor Patricia Casement-Thomas. The Chair also voiced her thanks to Councillor Casement-Thomas for her time serving on the Parish Council. It was also noted that there are now two vacancies. Acting Clerk to update the website & inform SKDC Democracy. 

4 Parish Council Declarations of Pecuniary Interest. None recorded.

5 Items from District & County Councillors, 

Charlotte Vernon had sent her apologies. Councillor Robert Leadenham informed the meeting that the Christmas & New Year Bin Collection Schedule had been set. By elections have taken place within the area. Otherwise there was little to report at this point in time due to the upcoming Christmas break.

6 Minutes of previous Meeting - Resolution to approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, November 10, 2025. This was agreed and duly signed. 

7 Public Forum - 

Member of the public in attendance thanked the Parish Council for the Christmas card & Denton Digest Newsletter which had been delivered to all residents.

8 Report from the Parish Clerk including:

a) Precept for FY 2026/27

The Precept which currently stands at £6,500 pa was discussed in full. The Acting Clerk confirmed the following options available: all information is set via SKDC on a Band D Council Tax rating:

After due deliberations it was decided that with the added expenditure of the new play area, grass cutting, general maintenance, signs, bins, RoSPA safety inspections, insurance. New SID’s (Speed Indicator Devices) for both Belvoir & Casthorpe Roads, painting of the phone box. Also discussed was the fact that Denton’s precept was the smallest in the Belvoir Ward area. Therefore; after voting it was decided to raise the precept to £8,500 for the Financial Year 2026/27. Acting Clerk to inform SKDC. 

b) Finances - including balance sheet, payments & available funds: The current balance stands at £ of which £18,000.00 is payment from SKDC Prosperity Fund for the initial payment for the play area funding: Payments due are the following: 

Creative Play -  £35,099.98 - which includes VAT of £5,849.98. 

Riverside Consultants £600 (no VAT) 

£87.39 - Zurich re insurance of the play equipment up to the policy renewal in May 2026.

c) Community Cleaner Report: 

Monthly report from the Community Cleaner  has been received and information regarding litter locations & areas cleared. Councillor Elias at the meeting held on November 10, 2025 agreed to conduct a safety review with the Community Cleaner Date & time to be determined between both parties. This will also be required for due diligence for insurance purposes. 

c. Any other reported business: Several residents had complained about the dangerous state of the pavement especially if using a pram or pushchair, on Main Street from the Agents House opposite Cawthra Court until the pavement ends. The pavement has granite edging sets which should be retained. The opposite side also requires work - erosion of the surface & drivers parking on them. 

Acting Clerk to report in the first instance to Fix my Street & also inform County Councillor Charlotte Vernon. The state of the pavement on Harston Road had also been reported by a resident of being unsafe to walk on due to debris which has accumulated. Acting Clerk to report in the first instance to Fix my Street. The junction at Harston Road is still suffering from flooding after it rains. The culvert is unable to cope with heavy rainfall, Flood signs to warn motorists have been placed but the problem remains. Acting Clerk to report again on Fix my Street & also to Councillor Vernon to see if something can be resolved. 

9 Parish Council General (Update & Discussion)

a. Play Area Update: The play area equipment has been installed by Creative Play & the transfer from SKDC has been completed & all relevant documentation sent to the Land Registry - which may take a while to process. All pertinent information has been sent to Zurich Insurers - namely plan of the play area, plan of the equipment & costing for re-insurance purposes. Inspection to take place via an independent assessor - if approved the safety fence will be removed. Concern was raised that children had already used the equipment prior to it being inspected. Age range of the equipment is up to 12 years of age. After the play area is deemed safe to use / safety checks will be carried out weekly. Signage will be installed with all the relevant information concerning safety precautions. 

Acting Clerk to complete the final documentation required by SKDC Prosperity Fund. 

b. Village Hall - official letter sent to Welby Estate informing them of the Parish Councils decision not to take on the responsibility of the Village Hall. The Hall must now be cleared of all items belonging to the Street Market etc. Mrs Hiley kindly informed the Meeting that Rev Sarah Tierney had given permission for items to be stored temporarily in St. Andrew’s Church. Acting Clerk to ask permission from Welby Estate  for the clearance to take place after the Christmas period. 

c) SID & Road Safety: SID on Belvoir Road to be removed & Councillor Robert Leadenham to check on prices for new signs. 

d. CSW Update: A meeting had been held at St. Andrew’s Church on Saturday December 8, 2025 with 8 volunteers present. Several matters were discussed such as the need for new volunteers, training & new sites in Denton due to the speed signs being moved. CSW to commence in the New Year. 

e) Parking Issues: several issues regarding Main Street where vans have been parked due to construction work which in turn makes it difficult for residents to exit their driveways. 

f) Belvoir Castle events & General Update: 

Councillor Robert Leadenham to meet with the new Events Manager. 

g. Vale Parish Update: meeting held at Barkestone-Le-Vale - items discussed, Children’s Homes, Flooding & village defibrillator’s. 

h. Dog Fouling: no new reports but will keep monitoring the situation. 

i. Lighting - Footpath between Hungate & Park Lane: no power supply for any lighting would have to be solar lighting option & approval from SKDC would have to be sought. 

j. Denton Christmas Tree: Carol: The Chair thanked residents for attending on a very chilly evening and also Denton Farming Company for their kind assistance. 

10 Planning Applications:

Ferneley, Church Street, Denton, Lincolnshire, NG32 1LG 

Change of use and extension to existing out building to form single dwelling

Ref No: S25/3122 

Outstanding decisions:

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

Planning Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday December 18, 2025 at Melton Borough Council Offices at 6 pm. The planning officers are minded to approve. However; there are conditions stipulated which echo the concerns of both Denton & Belvoir Parish Councils. Acting Clerk to write to Melton Borough Council to outline Lincolnshire County Council’s objection to use by the applicant of the access from the Drift to ensure public safety. 

12 Any other business - none given.

13 New business for the next meeting: None given

14 Meeting close and date of next meeting: Date of next scheduled meeting is January 12, 2026 at Knipton Village Hall.

15 Closed session if required.