Donington-on-Bain Parish Council

Donington on Bain Parish Council AGM was held on

Tuesday 5th May 2026 - Village Hall

Some light refreshments were made available prior to the meeting start.

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm when members of the public could ask questions or make statements from this time with the full Council meeting commenced at 8pm.  Signed      Alan Vassar     – Clerk – tel: 07935 150634

Annual General Meeting  

The Chairman addressed the meeting originally and paid thanks to the members of the public that were in attendance.

No questions were raised formally by the attendees.

The meeting commenced at approx. 8pm with the following.

1. Election of Chairman

The Clerk chaired this part of the meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Chairman.  

Only one name was put forward – Karl Kay (existing Chairman) and this was voted upon by the assembled Councillors, and the motion was carried unanimously.

2. Election of Vice-Chairman

The Chairman resumed his role as Leader of the Council and nominations were asked for the position of Vice Chair.

A nomination was made but the Councillor was absent (with due apologies already having been received) and it was unanimously agreed to defer this matter until he was next in attendance.

3. Apologies for Absence

Cllrs Taylor, Wright

4. Declarations of Interest  

None

5. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 7th 2026.

So approved

It was also agreed to reduce the number of meetings for the PC and stop the August and December ones. This was unanimously agreed.

Governance & Annual Administration

6. Review of Governance Documents

To review and formally approve:

• Standing Orders
• Asset Register
• Insurance cover
• Meeting schedule for the coming year

Cllr Main requested a full copy of the standing orders but it was mentioned that this was in the Lever Arch file he was given on starting again as Councillor in May.

The Standing Orders were formally adopted for the forthcoming year.

Asset Register will be updated to include the new Kiddies rides.

Insurance cover – A search of new quotations to be done asap.

The full council meeting commenced after this session had ended.

Ordinary Council Business

1.          To receive reports from outside bodies

Cllr Simpsonannoiunced that the Council Grant system operated by ELDC has recommenced (from the end of April) and each Councillor has up to £4000 to spend on good causes etc.

He continued to inform the attendees that the Council reforms discussed ad nauseum for the past 2 years are making very slow progress.

Councils are consequently in a sort of limbo until the devolution debate is concluded. Planning – the Planning Committee listening to called in applications is now very rare. The decisions are now made mostly by Officers.

The distance consequently between the decision makers and the public is getting bigger.

The Local Plan needs a refresh and is supported in this goal by the Government, but with small villages, then the local council’s input will be minimal.

It will take a minimum of 36 months to formulate a Local Plan but failure to produce one by this date will result in a government plan being implemented.

The Environment Agency has had its funding for water courses downgraded after a new Risk Assessment and with the consequence that the low-risk water courses will not be funded.

The Bain is under observation by the EA however as they are looking at all Chalk Streams.

2. Finance - To approve payments, note receipts, and review the latest bank  reconciliation.

As presented but awaiting final bank statement to confirm the figures – will be represented next meeting.

3. To co-opt a new Councillor on to the PC if available

Tina Pearce introduced herself and made it be known that she would like to join Donington on Bain Parish Council.

She was nominated and this was seconded, and a vote was unanimous.

4. A list of ‘paid’ allotments to be sourced

Cllr Beaney was given a list of the allotments and the names of those that had paid last year. He wanted to study this and compare it to the actual so he will report back next month

5. Permission to reprint the Village map – electronic copy held by the Chairman

            The Chairman requested funding to reprint  

6. Permission to print signage (external) for ‘No Dog Fouling’ to be placed strategically around the village map he created a while ago, and distributed to visitors etc. This cost originally more than £1200 to produce, but he now has a quote for only £98. The motion was carried and this money could be spent on such.

            Also he placed a request to have printed some ‘No Dog Fouling’ posters for display around the village. These would cost £10 for 6 but proposed and voted for more of these (20).

            Various issues about dog fouling were discussed as this is an escalating issue. A suggestion was made to have arrows printed indicating where the nearest waste bin is, and this would help with the increasing litter issues.

7. Costings for new Village Gates

Village Gates cost around £500 each but siting these are a problem – the south side of the village is OK but the north side there appears to be a shortage of available land. Cllr Main and Kaye to walk the village looking for opportunities/space to implement this concept.

8. Costs involved in replacing the damaged items in the playing field area A discussion was had about the replacement of various nets in the playing area.

(Tennis and football nets).

It was approved in principle and a detailed costing to be provided next meeting.

9. The Community Action Group formation – feedback?

There seems to be overwhelming support for this initiative – and a Committee now needs to be formed. The Clerk has already written the Constitution etc. and pointed out that at least 2 officers must be named so that a CAG bank account could be set up – this needs to be done before a grant application can be made of course.

10. Purchase of a new printer and storage device for use by the PC?

             Agreed for a storage device and an A4 lazer printer  

11. Bus shelter grant

A £2800 grant looks possible but we need Quotes – Man’s Workshop to be approached.  A bench in this area was also suggested to be placed on the flags from the old bin store

12. Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 2nd June 2026.

13. AOB

Land surrounding the village and the connection of certain parts and their relationship to Stenigot. The rent charged to them was increased 15 years ago, but apparently not since. (Green Lane x 50m wide x 250m – Bluestone Heath by the radio mast. Grass cutting etc – new contract to be done and new agreement for the Paddocks to be issued. (3 years).