February 2026 Minutes
Denton Parish Council
Minutes
All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting
Monday February 9, 2026 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, Amy Leadenham, Nigel Elias and Sue Bellamy (also as Acting Clerk) and several members of the public.
3 Councillor Apologies:
Apology received & noted from District Councillor Robert Leadenham and County Councillor Charlotte Vernon.
4 Parish Council Declarations of Pecuniary Interest. None recorded.
5 Items from District & County Councillors,
County Councillor Charlotte Vernon had sent her apologies. District Councillor Robert Leadenham had forwarded the following information:
Play area: SKDC have installed a waste bin at the play area.
Speed Indicator Device (SID): Information has been distributed regarding the prices of new SID for Belvoir, Harston & Casthorpe Roads. Councillors to decide on which SID is the must suitable and cost effective for all three locations. Road Safety Partnership were also happy to offer assistance on this.
Dog Fouling Signs: Dog Fouling signs have now been installed at St. Andrew’s Churchyard.
Service Road Hungate Road: I received a request from residents of the Bungalows on Hungate about street lighting on the service road that leads up to the play area, this is being investigated for options by Eon on behalf of SK.
Forbidden Forest: An Archer Survey has also been requested for this year’s festival. Site to be on Belvoir Road.
30mph Signs: There are some spare 30mph signs which will be distributed around village sites.
SKDC Community Award: This award for community volunteers is now open.
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6 Minutes of previous Meeting - Resolution to approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, January 12, 2026 This was agreed by all and duly signed.
7 Public Forum: Dog fouling was raised & after general discussion it was agreed to inform the residents via a flyer, of the health concerns regarding not picking up after your dog.
8 Report from the Parish Clerk including:
a) update on the Parish Precept - no further information received from SKDC.
b) Finances - including balance sheet, payments & available funds: The current balance stands at £5,329.06. VAT return has been sent. Councillor Elias confirmed that the Street Market Committee’s generous offer of a £1,000.00 donation to the play area has been confirmed & funds should be received soon. The Chair confirmed that the funds would not be spent on maintenance but be spent on a children’s picnic bench or planters to enhance the area. A Walking Festival which is being promoted by SKDC for April 2026. Details to be sent out.
c) Community Cleaner Report:
Monthly report from the Community Cleaner has been received and information regarding litter locations & areas cleared. Councillor Elias has 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.
9 Parish Council General (Update & Discussion)
a. Play Area - Any outstanding items: Councillor Andrea Leadenham (Chair) is currently checking on the status of the play area & equipment on a weekly basis.
b. Village Hall - The hall has been cleared & the keys returned as per instructions from Welby Estate. £328 was raised from the sale of all the items in the hall. The money was deposited into the Village Hall Account for the signatories of that account to decide what happens to the money. Acting Clerk has the plaque from the entrance lobby & also the Denton Cup, again these items need to be displayed within the village.
Please note: the Minutes have been summarised after a protracted discussion between Councillor Nigel Elias & Councillor & Acting Clerk Sue Bellamy regarding the status of the Village Hall.
The discussion continued with Councillor Elias asking if the Parish Council could go back to Welby Estate & ask again about the Hall & the Land being given to the Village. The Acting Clerk confirmed that the Welby Estate had been asked. After much protracted discussion, the Acting Clerk said she wasn’t prepared to revisit the issue again, but Councillor Elias was quite welcome to reopen a discussion with the Estate to outline his views.
Councillor Elias at this point tendered his resignation & joined the audience. The Acting Clerk offered her apologies & requested that Councillor Elias should not resign.
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c) SID & Road Safety: This item was discussed under Councillor Robert Leadenham’s comments. (Item 5)
d. CSW Update: CSW is scheduled to start again in March.
e) Parking Issues: ongoing issues with parking & residents unable to enter or exit there driveways on Main Street with the ongoing construction.
f) Belvoir Castle events including Forbidden Forest - scheduled meeting at Belvoir Castle on February 23 2026 with representatives from Forbidden Forest, Leics. Police.
g. Vale Parish Update: Meeting to be held at a venue to be confirmed after the meeting at Belvoir Castle.
h. Dog Fouling: as discussed within the Public Forum.
i. Lighting - Footpath between Hungate & Park Lane: options are being sought. Again this was discussed with Councillor Robert Leadenham’s comments.
j. Pavements - Update on status of pavements particularly on Main Street.
The pavement has granite edging sets which should be retained. The opposite side also requires work - erosion of the surface is probably due to cars, trucks being parked them. A response from Lincs CC (Highways is as follows):
“We’re sending you this message to let you know that we’ve assessed the footways condition and – whilst it has deteriorated it does not yet require further action. If the fault deteriorates significantly then please report this again to us and we will investigate further. Thank you for reporting this matter.
State changed to: Closed
Posted by Lincolnshire County Council”
Acting Clerk to monitor the situation. Mr. Elias who had earlier in the meeting tendered his resignation said he would look into this from a Health & Safety point of view.
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.
The Planning Committee Meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday February 18, 2026 at Melton Borough Council offices.
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12 Any other business - None given.
13 New business for the next meeting: The Chair asked if Ms. Abi Tame could be added to the Agenda as she intended to stand as a Co-Opted Councillor.
14 Meeting close and date of next meeting: Date of next scheduled meeting is March 9, 2026 at Knipton Village Hall.
15 Closed session if required.
Signed by:
Councillor Andrea Leadenham, Chair
Date: March 9, 2026