2026 Minutes

Denton Parish Council

Minutes 

All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting

Monday Monday June 22, 2026 at 

Harlaxton Village Hall, Harlaxton at 7:15pm

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: 

Those in attendance were: Councillors: Andrea Leadenham, Chair, Cath Elias, Vice Chair, (Councillor Cath Elias was voted as Vice Chair at the AGM, Amy Leadenham, Issy McLellan who was also voted to join the Council at the AGM, Robert Leadenham and Sue Bellamy (also as Acting Clerk) and two members of the public. 

 

3 Councillor Apologies:

Apology received & noted from County Councillor Charlotte Vernon. 

 

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 2026. Approved & duly signed. 

 

6 Items from District & County Councillors:

County Councillor Charlotte Vernon had not forwarded any items for discussion. District Councillor Robert Leadenham discussed the following: 

Local Government Reorganisation: after further discussion an announcement regarding the final decision should be announced in July. SKDC local elections are still being debated as to when & if they will go ahead. 

Forbidden Forest CSW: Thanks were extended to all who took part in the CSW over the Forbidden Forest weekend. Especially CSW members from Harlaxton. The wet weather hampered the sessions but in total 35 vehicles were registered speeding. 

Ward Briefing: Reminder for the Ward Briefing being held on July 6, 2026 at Harlaxton Social Club. Speakers from SKDC.  

Food Waste Bin Issues: due to the hot weather, issues have been reported about the bins particularly ants & flies. Weekly pickups have been moved to early morning. 

Water Safety: Talks regarding Water Safety Issues have been discussed at Denton & Harlaxton Schools. 

“Ask for Angela” - as it is the 10 year Anniversary of the initial Ask for Angela initiative - to mark the anniversary- it is being rolled out across SKDC area. Training for businesses is available. 

Litter Bin at Denton Reservoir: Ongoing issues regarding the emptying of the litter bin by the C&RT seems to be very sporadic. C&RT have cited funding issues country wide & are removing bins from locations. Acting Clerk to check if this is a corporate responsibility & also to check with Welby Estate as this maybe a lease agreement. 

 

7 Public Forum: 

Overgrown hedges particularly on Main Street were mentioned. Acting Clerk to inform the residents of the properties in question. Phone box to be repainted in September. 

 

8 Report from the Parish Clerk including:

a) update re End of Year audit: 

Acting Clerk to liase with Dendy Choma of DE Accounting to collect the audited accounts.  Once the audit has been completed the Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGAR) will be sent to PKF Littlejohn as the external auditor of smaller authorities, the accounts will be available for the public to view. 

b) Finances - including balance sheet, payments & available funds: 

The current balance stands at £19,532.70. The bank mandate still needs updating as Virgin Bank has forwarded the incorrect forms. Acting Clerk to chase. 

c) Community Cleaner Report: 

The Acting Clerk had spoken with the Community Cleaner & no PPE was required a monthly report had been submitted. Forbidden Forest was mentioned & further comments are noted on item d.

d) Any other reported business: 

None received. 

 

9 Parish Council General (Update & Discussion):

a. Play Area - Any outstanding items: 

Weekly checks on the play area are being undertaken by Councillor Cath Elias & Nigel Elias. The tractor has been repaired by a maintenance worker from Creative Play. Still an ongoing problem with pigeon droppings & Acting Clerk has some reflective tape that may deter the pigeons. Councillor Elias suggested power washing the pigeon droppings off. 

Softer matting to be considered for use around the equipment, especially as the ground is so dry. Councillor Tame to check with a local tree expert about the removal of tree stumps. Basket swing chain needs tightening & to be made smaller. Councillor R. Leadenham confirmed that SKDC have agreed to continue to cut the grass at the play areas. 

The amendment advisory wording for the play area notice board has been agreed by the Councillors. Acting Clerk to contact Viking Signs to print a sticker. RoSPA inspection to take place in August. 

b. SID & Road Safety: 

There is the opportunity to check if any deals are available for multi purchase units. Acting Clerk to check if other Parish Councils would be interested. 

c. CSW: 

Permission has been kindly given, to use a residential driveway on Belvoir Road for CSW sessions. Some kind of anchor for the CSW signs are required in windy weather. sandbags were mentioned. 

d. Parking Issues in Denton:

No issues reported. 

e. Belvoir Castle Events - Forbidden Forest: 

A summary report re Forbidden Forest has been completed by the Acting Clerk & sent to all Councillor’s for review & approval. Councillors agreed that this was in order & should be forwarded to MBC (Melton Borough Council) as part of their Sub SAG review meeting which is being held on June 23, 2026. (A copy of which is attached to these minutes) Next year’s event is scheduled for May 28-30, 2027, over 3 days not 4. This has the potential to have an adverse effect on traffic. General consensus was that the traffic was not as heavy & probably helped by better signage on the A1 & more vehicles being directed to use the A52. The taxi issues reported last year are much improved  with the introduction of a new taxi holding area. A report will follow from Councillor Leadenham on the crackdown of bogus taxi drivers which has been a cross county initiative. The firework show was cancelled due up the windy weather. Noise complaints were reported & reaction times were improved. 

Next Castle Event is Tough Mudder - July 4 & 5. 

f. Vale Parish Group (VPG): 

A site meeting was held at Belvoir Castle specifically for VPG Members. Councillors Leadenham & the Acting Clerk were unable to attend. VPG members reported that the meeting was beneficial. 

g. Dog Fouling: 

The usual discussion about the dog fouling problem was made. General consensus is that more education is required & prosecuting owners who don’t pick up their dog’s poop. 

h. Update on request to SKDC for lighting on the Service Road on Hungate:

This matter  is still currently still being surveyed. 

i. Woodland Trust: 

Offer to communities in Lincolnshire, a minimum of 5 orchard trees. Although this was considered a very good idea - space to locate the trees would be limited. The play area was considered, but concerns of fruit trees in a play area attracting wasps and pigeons as falling, rotting fruit provides an easy food source. Wasps could sting playing children, and pigeon droppings create messy, unsanitary conditions, creating safety and hygiene risks for children. 

 

10 Planning Applications:

General Permitted Development Order for: 

70 Main Street, Denton, Lincolnshire, NG32 1JZ.

Applicant: Miss Catherine Taylor

Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development (Proposal) in respect of

my intention to convert an existing brick outhouse into an office/garden

room. 

 

11 Any other business:

none noted. 

 

12 New Business for the next Meeting and any action required:

None noted. 

 

13 Meeting close and date of next meeting: 

Monday August 24 at 7:15pm.

 

14 Closed session if required:

 

Signed by:

Councillor Andrea Leadenham, Chair