2026 Minutes

Denton Parish Council
Minutes 
All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting
Monday Monday March 30, 2026 at 
Knipton Village Hall at 7:30 pm
This Meeting was recorded

PCM 2026
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:
a. To receive an application for one of the vacancies for the office of Parish Councillor and to co-opt a candidate to fill the seat. Cath Elias had put forward an application & had been nominated by the Chair, Andrea Leadenham & seconded by Sue Bellamy. Applicant to complete the forms namely: Declaration of Acceptance of Office & Declaration of Pecuniary Interest.  There is still one vacancy. 
Those in attendance were: Councillors: Andrea Leadenham, Chair, Amy Leadenham, Robert Leadenham and Sue Bellamy (also as Acting Clerk) and two  members of the public. 

3 Councillor Apologies:
Apology received & noted from District County Councillor Charlotte Vernon and Councillor Abbie Tame. 

4 Parish Council Declarations of Pecuniary Interest. None recorded.

5 Minutes of previous Meeting. Resolution to approve the Minutes of the Parish council Meeting held on Monday March 9, 2026. Approved & duly signed. 

6 Items from District & County Councillors.
County Councillor Charlotte Vernon had sent her apologies & requested she in informed earlier if possible of meetings so they can be attended. District Councillor Robert Leadenham discussed the following: 
Local Government Reorganisation: BEST4GreaterLincolnshire, has been drawn up based on sound evidence and extensive public input. The aim is to keep local government as local as we can.
Once the consultation has concluded, the Government will assess the feedback and decide which proposal will be implemented. An announcement on the way forward for Greater Lincolnshire is expected in July.

LGR will see Greater Lincolnshire’s two-tier system of county and district councils replaced by fewer unitary authorities.
Food Caddies: Food Caddies have been delivered & the rollout starts on April 13, 2026. Weekly collections will take place
Households have 2 bins one for inside & one for outside. 
SKDC - Prosperity Fund - this means of community funding is now permanently closed - this is district wide. There is still funding available through SK Community Fund for up to £10,000. 
Community Speed Watch - 30mph signs are available if required. 
(SKDC) Community Awards 2026 - are for nominations to celebrate local volunteers, charities, and community groups. 
Fallen Trees on A607 - report has been sent to Lincs CC Highways  to check on the safety of trees along the A607 between Denton & Harlaxton. 
Planning - Councillor Leadenham informed of several planning projects in the area namely at The Drift at Harlaxton & Rectory Lane, Barrowby for new housing. 

7 Public Forum: No comments from members of the public in attendance. 

8 Report from the Parish Clerk including:
a) update on the Parish Precept - The precepts have been approved & should be confirmed the first week of April. 
b) Finances - including balance sheet, payments & available funds: As this is the final meeting of the 25/26 FY. The current balance stands at £10,908.15 minus a payment (tomorrow - March 31, 2026 ) of £104.62. The balance is £10,803.53. The also concurs with the bank statement & final accounts for the year including the balance sheet. Acting Clerk had contacted Dendy Choma of D E Accounting to conduct an audit of the accounts. Once the audit has been completed the relevant forms namely Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGARs) will be sent to PKF Littlejohn as the external auditor of smaller authorities. Once this process is completed the accounts will be available for the public to view. The VAT return is underway. It was noted from a member of Denton Street Market, who was present at the meeting, that the promised donation of £1,000.00 for the play area would be made in the next few days. Acting Clerk noted to check the funds had been received and advise accordingly. 
c) Community Cleaner Report: The Acting Clerk had spoken with the Community Cleaner & no PPE was required & a monthly report had been submitted. 
d) Any other reported business: The Acting Clerk had reported on Fix my Street the deteriorating road markings at various locations in the village. Councillor Elias had also noted that the 30mph sign outside the Village Hall had been damaged. The Acting Clerk noted to remove it & replace it. 
Invoice for £111.28 from LALC for the yearly subscription 26/27 was noted & approved. 
Records Retention Policy was noted & approved & be sent for inclusion on the website. 
It was noted that the current Webmaster who maintains all of Lincolnshire Parish Councils and their relevant websites is leaving. 

LALC have requested that in the interim, any items to be placed on the Parish Council website should be sent as soon as possible.

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. Quotes have been received for a picnic bench for the play area, made from reclaimed timber, adult & child size. £145.00 for two. It was discussed that planters would be of possible beneficial interest for the community if vegetables could be grown as well as flowers. Councillor R. Leadenham confirmed that SKDC have agreed to continue to cut the grass at the play areas. The advisory sign for the play area has been agreed by the Councillors & still waiting for the final approval from SKDC regarding the wording & logo’s. Once this is confirmed the printing will go ahead. Acting Clerk will collect when completed. 
b. SID & Road Safety - Road Safety Partnership to provide information regarding the purchase of 3 new SID machines for Casthorpe Road, Belvoir Road & Harston Road. There is the opportunity to check if any deals are available for the multi purchase. 
c. CSW to commence again as soon as possible. Training courses for new applicants are available but currently only in Spalding which was deemed too far to travel. 
d. Parking Issues in Denton. No issues reported. 
e. Belvoir Castle Events - contact the Castle for a current event list. 
f. Vale Parish Group (VPG) no updates received from VPG & no further information from Forbidden Forest. 
g. Dog Fouling - apologies were given that the approved flyer was not printed & delivered to residents. Further discussion about the dog fouling problem within the village was held. Councillor Elias asked if more bins & dog poop bags could be made available. Councillor R Leadenham said he had been offered some dog poop bins but was not sure of the condition & that if they were in an acceptable condition the Parish Council would have to empty them & they would have to be installed, but not on private land. The bin at the Reservoir was deemed too small & Councillor R Leadenham to check if a larger one could be installed. 
h. Update on request to SKDC for lighting on the Service Road on Hungate, this is currently being surveyed. The footpath between Park Lane & Hungate. Solar lights seemed the most likely solution & permission will need to be sought from SKDC regarding placement. 

10 Planning Applications:
Ferneley, Church Street, Denton, Lincolnshire, NG32 1LG. - Approved
Keepers Lodge, Denton Lane, Harston - Approved. 

12 Any other business - None given.

13 New business for the next meeting:

14 Meeting closed - Date of next scheduled meeting is Monday May 18, 2026 venue to be confirmed - possibility of Harlaxton Village Hall. - Annual Meeting & AGM. 

15 Closed session if required.

Signed by:
Councillor Andrea Leadenham, Chair