Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5 February 2026 at The Ruby Hunt Centre.

Present Cllrs Mark. Rollinson, Stuart. Harris, David. Hawkins, Kevin. Geaney, Jane. King, Phil. Lovell, Gill. Lunn, Jane. Stanley, Eleanor. Stevenson. District Cllr Henry. Bingham and District Cllr Margaret. Geaney. 3 members of the public. Clerk Clare Proudfoot

PUBLIC FORUM

Mr Slater raised an idea that they had been looking into for some time. The idea would be to create a small country park within Donington village. It would need to acquire quite a considerable amount of land 15 -20 acres, to convert it into a watercourse, walkway and woodland area for people to admire nature. Also, to include nature walks, bird watching, pond dipping etc. It was suggested that the member of the public could look into funding opportunities and come back to a future meeting with a business plan to take the idea forward.

TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Cllr Jane King is organising another ward walk soon and will confirm dates.

TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Cllr Jane King would raise the parking on the verges near the old cemetery with Highways but felt there would be limitations to what could be done.

Cllr Margaret Geaney advised that there was not a lot to report specifically for Donington but mentioned the new waste collections changes that South Holland District Council (SHDC) is bringing in.

Cllr Henry Bingham gave an update on the skatepark community asset transfer. The process has started. The matter will go to full Council at SHDC at the end of the February. After a period of 28 days the District Council will start the process of transferring it to the Parish Council. The government is requiring District Councils to develop a new local plan. This will lead to a round of consultations and will be developed over three years. There will be a call for land for development. 

13/26 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES were received and accepted from Cllr Chris Wray. Cllr Mark Rollinson confirmed that he had received Cllr Simon Walsh’s resignation from his position on the Parish Council with immediate effect. The Clerk will notify SHDC of the resignation and vacancy. SHDC will provide a notice of the vacancy to be published. If after the expiry of the notice period there is not a call for an election, the Parish Council can follow the co-option process to fill the vacancy.

14/26 TO RECEIVE declaration of interest in accordance with the localism act 2011 were received from Cllr Gill Lunn, Cllr David Hawkins and Cllr Jane King in relation to the insurance renewal quote for IDEA.

15/26 TO RECEIVE DRAFT NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 8 January 2026– Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes.  Proposed Cllr Jane King seconded Cllr Stuart Harris.

16/26 TO RECEIVE CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS  

17/26 TO RECEIVE CHAIR’S UPDATES

Cllr Mark Rollinson confirmed that a temporary Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) was appointment after the last meeting and had made very good progress on the work that was needed but sadly died suddenly and therefore do not have access to the work undertaken.

18/26 VOLUNTARY FIRST REGISTRATION OF LAND AT MILL LANE DONINGTON

Cllr Mark Rollinson confirmed that a file with Chattertons had been open on this for a while. The land is not registered with the land registry and needs voluntary first registration. RESOLVED: to proceed with the first registration with Chattertons.

19/26 TO DISCUSS THE INSURANCE RENEWAL FOR IDEA AND PARISH COUNCIL – REVALUATION QUOTE

The Clerk met with the Insurance representative along with Cllr Jane King and Cllr Stuart Harris to ensure that all relevant Council assets were included for renewal purposes. The toilets needed to be included on the schedule and will need a valuation. The renewal insurance quote was £4,882.95. RESOLVED: To proceed with the insurance renewal with Gallagher and obtain a valuation for the toilets. Proposed Cllr Jane King, seconded Cllr Kevin Geaney.

20/26 TO DISCUSS AUTHORISATION TO SIGN LEASE RENEWAL FOR THE RED COW PADDOCK

Cllr Mark Rollinson suggested that vice Chair, Cllr Stuart Harris should be given authority to sign the lease on behalf of the Council. Proposed Cllr Jane Stanley, seconded Cllr Jane King.

21/26 TO DISCUSS APPOINTMENT OF AN AUDITOR FOR THE GOVERNANCE AUDIT

Cllr Mark Rollinson suggested that the Lincolnshire Association of Local Authorities (LALC) were able to provide a governance audit that would cover an in-depth audit of the Parish Council and the Council can add additional items such as burials, allotments, Library and other community groups. RESOLVED: To proceed and request audit from LALC. Clerk to progress. Proposed Cllr Phil Lovell, seconded Cllr Kevin Geaney.

22/26 TO RECEIVE updates of committees

1. Cemetery – the cemeteries are in good order and the snow drops are all out. Request from the cemetery committee to have the new trees in the new cemetery pruned to keep them at a suitable height. Clerk to obtain a quote.
2. Finance – to approve payments, proposed Cllr Kevin Geaney, seconded Cllr Phill Lovell. Cllr Phil Lovell proposed that Cllr Eleanor Stevenson joins the Finance Committee, seconded Cllr Mark Rollinson.
3. Human Resources - Cllr Mark Rollinson confirmed that he had received Clare Proudfoot’s resignation as Clerk due to personal reasons. It was confirmed that a temporary Clerk would be sourced and this would be discussed in closed session. Cllr Mark Rollinson thanked Clare on behalf of the Council for all her hard work whilst being in post.
4. IDEA – safety surface damage has been repaired at the same time as the equipment repairs. Metal seat has been purchased from the recent grant funding and IDEA will apply for further funding for another seat from Bicker Wind Farm funding, along with items for the summer fair. The application will need to be completed before April 2026. The firework incident is still being reviewed by the Council’s insurance company. The incident has also led to the Fire Service reviewing its position for next year’s event.
5. Library – Community Asset transfer of the library is still progressing with the County Council. Cllr Jane King will be applying for some capital grant funding for works.
6. Planning - H04-1131-25 - classroom block extension, location: Cowley Academy, school lane, Donington - permission granted
7. Red Cow Paddock - The architect contacted Cllr Mark Rollinson to advise that a builder was interested to take the project forward as a potential joint venture. A meeting is being arranged to discuss.

23/26 TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS  

SH – confirmed a repair had taken place to a toilet roll holder due to vandalism in the female toilets. Confirmed attendance at Flinders Founders Annual General Meeting along with Cllr Jane King. Would like to raise a few matters in closed session.  

JK – confirmed has received a letter from the Environment Officer at SHDC regarding sitings of rats near the pond. Recommended that the Officer write to residents that had reported and ask them to contact the Parish directly in the future and then a decision to call out a Pest Control Officer could be made. Confirmed that the key safe is now in place. Looking into holding one of the information sessions with SHDC for the new food waste scheme at the library.

PL – updated that a further meeting with the contractor that is looking at the access through the kissing gate at the old cemetery is being arranged.

GL – reported an issue with the tree and the roots pushing up through the surface near Peaches Passage. Suggested to report via Fixmystreet.

24/26 TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE

25/26 CLOSED SESSION

Cllr Mark Rollinson requested to go into closed session to discuss a number of confidential matters. RESOLVED that Cllr Mark Rollinson would contact the candidate for the temporary Clerk position. Cllr Mark Rollinson requested that a motion be put to Lloyd’s bank to remove any persons no longer required to have access to the bank administration. Proposed Cllr Jane Stanely, seconded Cllr David Hawkins.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 5 March 2026