April 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 3rd April 2025 at The Ruby Hunt Centre.
Present Cllrs Rollinson, N. Campbell, S. Harris, D. Hawkins, K. Geaney, J. King, P. Lovell, G. Lunn, J. Stanley, S, Walsh and C. Wray. Clerk Diane Fairweather.
PUBLIC FORUM
Resident advising the toilets were in an unclean condition and dog bins are full. Clerk advised the toilets were blocked and unfortunately had not been locked initially. Both problems have been dealt with.
Can Council give a breakdown as to the increase of 7% in the precept? Chairman confirmed was due to increase costs of maintenance and proposed tree works.
Donington Angling Club are putting on an event for the Vince Crunkhorn memorial cup on May 11th at the brick pit, requesting donations for raffle prizes.
Mr Fleming requesting any updates of the removal of the bollard on Towndam Lane. Chairman to investigate.
TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Various works from walk abouts have been carried out or in pipeline. Refuse on A52 for crossing. No details from engineering team yet but could be the possibility of having works done, only caveat is whether alignment of footway would require amending.
Speed Survey to be carried out on Church Street, where equipment will be monitoring for 24 hours for seven days.
TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Holyrood Close retrospective fencing application which was refused has gone to appeal.
Also, Maple Way, amendment for making refuse collection point to be removed.
Chairman read out a letter of resignation from the Clerk. He is sorry to receive the resignation but thanked Diane for her 25 years’ service.
Unfortunately, Chairman had inadvertently forgotten to mention, at the previous meeting, the funeral of Liz Walker, a stalwart of the Donington In Bloom in the village. Chairman to send a letter to family.
25/25 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received and accepted from District Cllr Geaney.
26/25 TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST UNDER THE COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT, RELATING TO IBUSINESS ON THE AGENDA
None
27/25 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE NOTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 6TH MARCH 2025– Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr King seconded Cllr Stanley.
28/25 TO RECEIVE CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS – missing bolt has been replaced in the iron bench. Notice board revarnished.
Grant application submitted for three speed reactive signs from Triton Knoll.
Bollard order for Market Place. Due for delivery 6th May.
Complaints from residents of Church View Close regarding cuttings from overgrown plants. Volunteers are clearing away into our bin but cannot do it in one go as filling bins. Clippings on Parish Council land.
Reported previously damp on gent’s toilet ceiling. Derek Smith is to look.
Chairman reported Cllr Lunn had collected, on loan, a Community Speed Watch kit from Pinchbeck Parish Council for six months but obviously require volunteers to come forward to operate it. Agreed the equipment purchased to be returned for refund. Clerk to advertise again and preferably ask the 14 residents that had done the training to come forward.
29/25 TO REVISIT AND APPROVE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION POLICY
Following request from Cllr Geaney, and confirmation from Clerk this is an updated version from LALC, with nothing changing since previously approved. Proposed Cllr King seconded Cllr Hawkins.
30/25 TO RECEIVE TWINNING UPDATES
No further updates as elections in Mauritius.
31/25 TO RECEIVE UPDATES OF COMMITTEES
a) Allotments - dry
b) Cemetery – Churchyard and New Cemetery looking tidy. Contractor working well with ivy on trees in old part of churchyard which is now dying off. Comments made to Chairman the trees on the left-hand boundary of old cemetery require attention as they are overhanging graves.
c) Finance – To Approve Payments – as per schedule. Proposed Cllr Harris, seconded Cllr Geaney.
i) To Approve Governance & Accountability Report proposed Cllr King seconded Cllr Lunn
ii) To Approve Accounting Statement. Proposed Cllr Lunn, seconded Cllr Harris.
d) Human Resources will be responsible for initial interviews for replacement Clerk. To be advertised, via LALC, online, notice board, library etc.
e) IDEA – new group of teenagers drinking in park leaving bottles/cans etc in play area. Litter picker reported how excessive it was at this time. Has been reported to PCSO. Flooring under one of the new rides is worn. Details sent to Wickstead. Grant application into Windfarm for new mower.
f) Library – all remedial works now completed. Clerk had received confirmation the £5167 annual grant is to continue for at least 4 more years. Cllr King asked if Diane, after leaving post, could continue with the asset transfer.
g) Planning – amendment of Maple Way bin area.
h) Red Cow Paddock – Ecology survey now carried out. Should be able to progress further now
32/25 TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS
MR – for information, due to a current situation with the Cowley field, all future renting of the field will have to be booked, and users will have to prove insurance liability details. Flinders Skate Park is currently closed due to poor condition of one of the rides. Unfortunately closure signs are being removed. Clerk had received emails for advice on this but was awaiting a ‘phone call from one of the leaders. Imperative it is dealt with correctly for insurance purposes. Clerk to forward to Cllr King
SH – yellow lines on disabled parking needs renewing. Clerk to request if Belvoir Beatty, LCC contractors will give quote for work. Browntoft Lane, steel fence erected, static van and vehicles appeared. Planning enforcement visited. It is being used as storage but have been advised planning application is required.
DH – plaque for ex parachute regiment ready for installation. £399 + VAT. Cllr King has asked owner for permission to erect on The Red Cow. Must be on wall nearest to shop as that is the portion still owned by builder. Apt placing as this is where regiment used to meet.
Plan is to erect and have an official unveiling. Council all in agreement to authorise payment. Proposed Cllr Harris seconded Cllr Hawkins. Retired Colonel of regiment has approved wording on plaque.
JK – Request from a business owner to hold a scarecrow competition again. Council do not have any problem with that.
PL - Bloom containers ready for planting at end of month.
JS – Money from Monthly markets. Antoinette understood now there is a separate Christmas Market Group, rent on Markets should go into that fund. Council had previously agreed that any money from markets should go into the funds for any remedial works in the marketplace.
Chairman to speak with her.
33/25 TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE
Red Cow Paddock finally signed and runs to 30th January.
Election notices now displayed.
Bicker Lancaster Service on 12th April 11 a.m. at the Lancaster Memorial. Invitation to attend
TRC – Culvert clearing from A151 to Mill Lane along Towndam Lane.
Skate Park, with communication at present it had come to light no RoSPA inspections had taken place since COVID. Needs addressing.
Revised Standing Orders shortly to be released, clerk to annotate for Councillors changes for adoption at the next meeting.
Owners of property adjacent to cemetery regarding locked padlock. Situation at weekend where gates had been locked after someone went in. Resident present at meeting asking if access is available. Chairman confirmed that residents do not have access, it is Parish Council access to their cemetery. Discussion with Chairman and resident to be taken after the meeting.
Proposed Cllr King to go into closed session, seconded Cllr Lunn. Request for usage of Bowls which was declined.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 1st May 2025.