Donington-on-Bain Parish Council   

The Donington on Bain Parish Council meeting was held on     

Tuesday 7th April, 2026 - Village Hall     

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm when members of the public were given the opportunity to ask questions or make statements.

The full meeting commenced at 7.45pm.  

MINUTES   

1. Apologies for absence  Cllr Wright   
2. Councillors absent from this meeting with no apologies sent  Cllrs Brookes, and Cllr Simpson
3. To receive any declaration of interests under the localism act 2011  Cllr Bellamy declared an interest in Items 12 and 16
4. To co-opt any new bodies onto the Council  Deferred until after arrival of Cllr Beaney
5. To receive reports from outside bodies  None    
6. Approval of Minutes from the meeting held in March 26 So approved  
7. Reports from Councillors re: external meetings  

Update of playing fields installation – The Chairman and Clerk had a site meeting with the Contractor, EKM, to discuss placement etc. of the new equipment. They also agreed to remove the fence, and quote for a replacement, and to move the bench closer to the new perimeter

Andrew Butt is now doing his regular H&S inspection of the playground etc.  and the Council extend their thanks to him for doing such a great job with his reporting.

His last report was read out to the PC and a discussion followed as to how we can improve the area and H&S. The following were identified as issues – •        The tennis nets need replacing

• The old basket ball stand/net needs removing as it is past it’s useful life – price of a new one?
• The football nets – one is missing and although the village football team was disbanded about 10 years ago, it is casually used but there is no motivation to use in their present condition.
• The 5 a-side nets – one is damaged

The Clerk to look at pricing these items with a view to the PC purchasing them. It has been agreed to remove the branch of the tree in the Cemetery that stretches over the bench. This will be done as soon as the bird nesting season is over.

Cllr Beaney joined the Meeting during this discussion.

8. ROSPA Inspection report from Sept 25 – action completed?

The report has been forwarded on to Mr Butt who will look at the findings in detail and report back.   

9. Update on Bus Stop improvement/refurbishment suggestion made last meeting The Clerk has found a grant that is available for this very thing, max £3000. He applied in the PC’s name for £2800
10. Co-option of a new Councillor

Mr Kevin Main made it known that he wanted to re-join the Parish Council because he wanted to help move the village on and be part of the Team that did that.

His departure last time led to some disagreement, but the Chairman pointed out that this was new regime, and the Councillors attended these meetings free of charge, and finding enthusiastic and committed people is problematic. Old mistakes will not be repeated and the Standing Orders written by the new Clerk has a section that deals with meetings and procedures.

A vote was taken, and Mr Main was voted onto the Parish Council.

11. Suggestion of car park to be created in the Village – discussion  

If there is a function at the Church or Village Hall, then parking in the village can be problematic. A fence could be built on either/both sides of the tennis courts and a car park established there.

Mention was made of a Travellers invasion of the area, but it was decided that this could be mitigated with height barriers.

New signage would be needed – ‘Parking This Way’ etc Insurance for this area?

The Clerk will look to see if any grants are available but the upkeep and maintenance has to be considered and this could be a long term issue. It was put that parking could be on the grassed surface, but the general feeling was that this would permanently damage the area and get very treacherous in wet weather etc.

Cllr Bellamy left the meeting as he had declared an interest in the next item

12. New Tenders to be sent out for Grass/Hedge cutting as 3 year contract has ended – Cllr Bellamy has volunteered to extend his contract until this is resolved

The Grass/Hedge cutting contract operated with Cllr Bellamy has actually expired but it was agreed that the cost was only part of this activity, and no-one had an issue with the charges applied for this service, considering the large areas of grass and hedges that need to be dealt with. As important as the price was the professional way that Cllr Bellamy dealt with his duties and always went over and above the basics. It was agreed unanimously to ask Cllr Bellamy to continue his work for the next 2 years and a review will be held then.

13. New Tenders required for fence around play area  

EKM are going to quote but 2 more needed  

14. The blocked culvert – update  

The flooding culverts have been jetted by Highways except the gully that leads onto Richard Wrights grounds. A report to be made.  

15. Traffic calming measures and update on the offer to share speed cameras with  Benniworth – purchase of metal speed limit signs for attachment to lamp posts? The offer to share our speed cameras with Benniworth was rejected. They cannot enforce a speed restriction in their village because there are no street lights so national speed limit applies.
16. Update/clarification of the arrangement/renewal dates of the 2 paddocks  This agreement lapsed in possibly 2020. No review can be found after that date, and this must be looked at again and a new contract issued.

It is envisaged that there would be no change ion the terms and conditions but that the price was rather low. The area has ragwort growing in places, and to reinforce the commitment Cllr Bellamy has for the area he sprays this annually and at a considerable cost but with no charge to the PC.

A price increase was suggested from £80 a paddock to £120. This may seem a big increase but the price has been static from 2018, so this is only equivalent to an increase of £5 a year each paddock.

17. Community Action Group – possible set-up for village projects?  

The Clerk then made a suggestion to the PC concerning the things that the PC would like to get done but has not the available cash to do this. He explained the workings of a Community Action Group – consisting of representatives from all sections of the village (the school, church, village hall, the PC) – that they would work completely independent of the PC but such an organisation can raise money in its own right.

All that is needed are like minded people, a Constitution (the Clerk has one already), and a bank account in the CAG name.

Grants can be then applied for various jobs around the village without relying on the Precept – things like new village signs, benches, raised flower beds at strategic points etc. The group could be called anything, for example – ‘Making

Donington Beautiful again’ etc

The PC were enthusiastic about this idea, and the Chairman was mindful that he was attending the Village Hall AGM and could broach the subject with them.

18. Any Planning Applications recorded on the ELDC portal  None
19. To approve payments/issue any cheques required   Clerk’s Salary – Chq No 1349 for £648.40

DoB Village Hall – Annual rental Chq No 1350 for £192.00

Asterby Parish Newsletter – Chq No 1351 for £10

DoB Village Hall – Chq No 1352 for £16.00

20. Date of next meeting May 5th, 2026 AGM.

Clerk to do posters advertising this

Refreshments authorised spend £80 but subject to increase/decrease as necessary     

21. AOB    

Need a list of allotments paid.

Reprinting of village map  

Printing of signs on rigid backing to tackle dog fouling in the area

Cost of village gates

Costs of replacement pieces for the playing fields

Cost of signage for parking etc

Stenigot lease? Clerk to research the old files looking for any info.