2026 Minutes

Donington Parish Council

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

Present Cllrs: Mark Rollinson, Stuart Harris, Jane King, Phil Lovell, Gill Lunn, Jane Stanley, Eleanor Stevenson, Chris Wray, Kevin Geaney, David Hawkins.  

District Cllrs: Henry Bingham and Margaret Geaney.

Sarah Phillips (Clerk) and 4 members of the public.

Public Forum

There were no comments from the public.

To receive updates from District Councillors

• A resident has asked about grass cutting on Saxony Way, the issue will be resolved as grass cutting has not started yet.
• The only planning matter is a minor amendment to an application that has already gone through.
• Main concerns for residents are the state of the roads.
• Wheelie bins will be going ahead but the council should be publishing that there is a provision in place for the elderly and disabled who may struggle with a bin to get assisted collections.  There is no confirmed date as of yet.

To receive updates from County Councillor

• Work has been completed on the Market Place and motorcycle area.
• Bollard caps have arrived.

26/26. To receive apologies

None, all present.

27/26. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

None.

28/26. To receive draft notes of meeting held on Thursday 8th January 2026

Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes with amendments made to Paul Slater being named and rats amended to rates.  Proposed Cllr Jane King seconded Cllr Stuart Harris. 

29/26. To receive clerk’s report on matters arising and updates from previous meetings

30/26. To receive chair’s update

• Sarah Phillips was welcomed as new clerk, being on a 3 month probationary period.
• An election has not been called for the current vacancy, and the position can now be advertised for co-option.  Proposed by Cllr Jane King, seconded by Cllr Phil Lovell.
• There is no further news on fireworks.
• LALC will be completing the internal audit.
• The clerk is now on the bank account and once authentication equipment is received will administer the bank.  Payments will be authorised by either Cllr Mark Rollinson or Cllr Stuart Harris.
• All councillors need to move over to gov.uk emails.

31/26. To discuss the maintenance quote for Hunters Way and the Cemetery

K&M have completed the work on Hunters Way but did not quote for the additional work.

ACTION: Clerk to obtain quote for additional work required in the cemetery

32/26. To discuss maintenance contract for the cemetery

It was agreed for David England to continue with cemetery works.

K&M did complete a tree survey and mentioned 3 trees as a health and safety issue.

ACTION: Clerk to obtain tree survey.

It was noted that the pathway in the cemetery needs to be tidied.

There is an electric cable reel rotting in the old cemetery but noted it is not the parish council’s responsibility to remove.

33/26. To discuss grass cutting quote from LCC

Quote received for £4200; it was agreed to not go with LCC.

34/26. To receive updates of committees

1. Cemetery/Allotments - No further comments.
2. Finance - It was confirmed that the precept has been set and banking should be resolved by the next meeting.

Cllr Jane King proposed payments to be approved which was seconded by Cllr Stuart Harris.

3. Human Resources – No update.
4. IDEA – A bench causing concern due to being in a dark area and dark bench has been removed.  Dogs have been in the play area which is not allowed so signs have been put up on the gate.  Rewards for grants is next March 2027.  The summer fair will be held on 7th June but would like this to be a much bigger event with more stalls.  Quotes are being received for a mulching machine. 
5. Library – Asset transfer is still to be signed off.  Numbers are going up.  All invite to a get together on the 14th of March between 1pm and 3pm.
6. Planning – No planning.
7. Red Cow Paddock – meeting got cancelled and needs to be rearranged.

35/26. To receive members reports

• Motorcycles are causing an issue for Hawthorn residents.  It has been suggested to the resident to report the incident to the police.
• It has been reported that the lock on the toilet door has been broken.  Cllr Phil Lovell agreed to repair.
• All cameras are working for the CCTV but a new monitor is required.  It has been recommended to upgrade the CCTV so the parish council is able to gain access via a mobile phone.

ACTION: Clerk to obtain quote for upgrade of CCTV.

• It has been asked if the cameras which do not work on the post could be removed.

ACTION: Cllr Jane King will look into costs.

• It was noted that Orchard Close residents are complaining about cars parked on paths and blocking people in.
• Flowers have been sent to Clare Proudfoot who was very pleased.
• Gate has been looked at on the emporium and been adjusted.

36/26. To receive Scribe Quote for Accounts and Cemetery

It was resolved to accept the quote received for the initial set up cost of £966, and then £61 monthly.   Proposed by Cllr Kevin Geaney and Cllr David Hawkins.

37/26. To receive correspondence

Donington Summer Fest has requested a donation.  It was agreed to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

Closed Session

It was requested to go into closed session which was proposed by Cllr Phil Lovell and seconded by Cllr Jane King.  A meeting has taken place with Flinders Founders and confirmed that support will be given to Cllr Stuart Harris to look at the RoSPA report and obtain further quotes.

Date of next meeting

Thursday 2nd April 2026.

Signed:                                                                        Date: