Donington-on-Bain Parish Council 

Notice is hereby given that the Donington on Bain Parish Council meeting took place on 

Tuesday 3rd March, 2026 - Village Hall 

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm when members of the public could ask questions or make statements from this time and the full Council meeting commenced at 7.45pm.

Public Forum

A question was raised about the Playing Fields and the progress of such.

The new Clerk responded by explaining that he had been in contact with the company supplying and fitting the ordered play equipment.

No deposit had been paid when the order had been processed, and this was unfortunate – but that a cheque for £7000 was on the table at this meeting to send to the Company and this constituted the deposit.

The Clerk said it was inadvisable to pay any more than this until the equipment is fitted, and the project had not even started yet due to inclement weather.

A new target date had been set for the end of March, but there is some flexibility in this deadline. On completion, the remaining monies will be paid.

One issue that surfaced was that the fencing quote and the equipment ordered totalled more than the amount of grant funding received and still due.

This turned out to be an error and the three options for fencing had been totalled onto one quotation form.

The quotation system was not adhered to, so a new tender will be issued for the job and then the new quotes can be considered.

When told that £10000 had been ringfenced to pay for any overspend, the Clerk replied that he could see no money set aside for such an eventuality, and if the full costs were applied to the PC account now, then there was every chance that the PC would incur an overdraft which is not allowed.

It was confirmed that the fencing would encompass the new play equipment.

A question was also asked about the impact this project would have on the Precept. The Clerk responded that all of the project was grant funded and that the Residents will not be paying anything towards this village facility.

He added that the PC had requested a ZERO % increase in the Precept for this year.

Minutes

• Apologies for absence

Cllrs Bellamy and Simpson both sent their acceptable apologies.  

• To receive any declaration of interests under the localism act 2011  

None

• To co-opt any new bodies onto the Council

The Chairman announced that there could be a new potential candidate for the PC and that he would get the person to fill out an application form and be present at the next meeting – if this is still their intention.

• To receive reports from outside bodies

No outside bodies were present, but the Clerk had been in a meeting with Anderby Parish Council and their District Councillor, Roger Dawson – the contents of which may be of some interest to Donington on Bains Parish Council.

It revolved around the new social media type platform called POL.IS

This is a site where the residents of a particular parish can voice their opinions/ideas etc anonymously. Answers to a post are not allowed so the person does not get targeted or abused.

If someone wanted to comment, they make another post.

The only interaction to a post is a thumbs up or down to show others opinion on what had been stated.

After a few posts have been made, an algorithm kicks in and flags up to the Administrators the real and emotive issues in that particular village/town etc.

This is then fed back to the Parish Council/ELDC/LCC etc and becomes a great tool for the Councillors to use – they are actually aware of the issues the Residents have – and not just the ones from the people with the loudest voice.

This is an international initiative and tailored for each individual area.

If the Council would be interested in exploring this, the Clerk said he would gather more information.

So agreed.

• Approval of Minutes from the meeting held in November 2025 and Feb 26.

So approved

• Update on traffic calming measures

Benilworth PC Minutes showed a discussion had taken place about buying speed cameras. A suggestion was made that we share the ones we already have. The question to be asked of their PC. The one big issue with speeding cars in DOB is at the ‘School Run’. The Chairman said that he would ask the school to raise the issue with parents.

• Official acceptance of DoB Standing Orders

So accepted unanimously.

• Review of - and update of - new play equipment on order

This was mainly covered in the Public Forum.

• Reports from Councillors re: external meetings

The forthcoming Litter Pick in the Village – update. The litter pickers had been ordered by the Clerk (12) and had been delivered and were being stored in the VH.

Cllr Richard Wright would supply bags, loops and 2 extra pickers. MXR would provide hi vis jackets.

A whatsapp group had been set up for this activity.

• Any Planning Applications recorded on the ELDC portal

The permission for 5 new homes had been approved by ELDC despite this approval being in direct contradiction to the NPPF and the ELDC Local Plan.

The reason given was that ELDC had to meet its housing target set by the Government but again, there is some inconsistency in this message – 9 homes were refused permission in Gunby which has a better infrastructure etc.

• To approve payments/issue any cheques required
  • Litter pickers -  £27.90                                      chq no 1346
  • Salary for Clerk - £752.88                                 chq no 1345
  • Parish Magazine Annual Subs - £75                chq no 1348
  • LALC subs - £168.68                                        chq no 1343
  • EKM deposit (play equipment) - £7000            chq no 1344

All cheques approved and the Chairman asked if the Clerks salary could have a review at the end of the probationary period – unanimously agreed

• Update on Cemetery/Allotment operation

A meeting to be arranged to sort out the details of the operation.

• Date of next meeting April 7th 2026
• AOB

2 drains on Old School Lane not draining the water away – Anglian Water already aware but as to date no action has been taken to resolve the issue. The gully has been cleared previously but is again causing an issue. The Clerk to raise the issue with LCC once a map of the area is located.

A query about allotment fees and who has paid was raise3d – details will be sought for the next meeting.

Suggested things on the next Agenda:

• A car park in the village? Accessible to all. Hemmingby have one and it works well. What happens if the Village Hall has a large function – the village becomes gridlocked.
• Grass cutting – this is normally tendered for a period of 2 or 3 years. The Clerk to investigate and report back next meeting
• The bus stop – refurbishment? Requires new varnishing, general tidy up. Any help available for such a thing?

Notice Board keys – duplicate set? The Chairman to investiga