Full Council
Council Meeting – 22nd July 2026
LITTLE EATON PARISH COUNCIL
clerk@littleeatonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Minutes of the Monthly Council Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd July 2026 at Little Eaton Village Hall.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors D Howard (Chair), R Brown, J Bush, S Caines, J Reid, P Rowlinson & K Shankland
IN ATTENDANCE: Parish Clerk
26/061 There were no apologies for absence received.
26/062 No Members declared an Interest in any of the agenda items.
26/063 Public Speaking – (15 Minutes)
A period of not more than fifteen minutes will be made available for members of the public and Members of the Council to comment on any matter.
If the Police Liaison Officer, a County Council or Borough Council Member is in attendance they will be given the opportunity to raise any relevant matter.
Two representatives from Mercian Cycles 80th Anniversary Event attended to outline the plans for the cycling festival on 16 August. There will be four staggered rides of various distances and activities from 12–5pm at Mercian’s new factory, on Duffield Road Industrial Estate, with food stalls and live music.
Councillors expressed their support for the event and Councillor Rowlinson will share their publicity via village channels.
PCSO Helen Brown was unable to attend but gave the following update; crime remains low and speeding is being monitored by CREST. Foot patrols continue, especially on the Greenway as there has been a report regarding motorbikes.
County Councillor Hart gave the following update:
- Four new support members with special responsibility allowances have been appointed, Children’s Centre, Potholes, Council Liaison and Crime and Disorder.
- Ongoing issues with dog/litter bins on the Greenway with no new bins being provided.
- DCC budget pressures continue particularly in Adult Care and Children’s Services.
- There is a Traffic Regulation Order proposal for Alfreton Road/Town Street, including double yellow lines and bus stop clearways. Councillor Hart will respond, giving her support to the proposal.
Borough Councillor Eddy stated that Erewash Borough Council’s finances are currently better than expected and they are considering putting an extra £1.5m into the Local Government Reorganisation.
26/064 There were no variations of the Order of Business required.
26/065 To consider a resolution to close the meeting for public participation under the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 – Not applicable.
26/066 To confirm the minutes of the monthly meeting held on 24th June 2026. All agreed that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the monthly council meeting held on 24th June 2026 as being a true and correct record.
26/067 Chair’s Report – The Chair thanked outgoing Councillor Andy Done-Johnson for his contribution to the Council over the last couple of years. This now means there are 3 Parish Councillor vacancies to be filled, which the Council will advertise on various social media sites as well as asking the school to publicise them in their newsletter.
The new planters on Croft Corner have been well received by residents, and the Chair thanked the school for planting them and Barry Fitch and staff for watering them.
To receive updates on actions from the Minutes
25/176 The refurbishment of the Sports Pavilion – No update.
26/042 Consider the feasibility of adding the old Village Green at the junction of Station Road and Duffield Road to the Parish Council’s maintenance schedule – Ownership of the land is still unknown. As it is not registered with HM Land Registry the Clerk has written to DCC to ask whether they own the land. A response has not yet been received.
26/058 To consider projects that could be eligible for Y Not Trust funding of up to £500 – It was proposed to apply to the Trust for funding towards the basket swing shortfall. All agreed.
26/68 Report of the Parish Clerk – nothing additional to report.
26/069 To receive Working Group Feedback (except if the issue is elsewhere on agenda):
• Village Hall
- Electricity consumption significantly reduced since the installation of the solar panels.
- Lower hall redecoration is planned for summer.
- An increase in hirer rates by approx. 3.8% has been agreed.
• Park Group
- Slide fencing has been replaced with the recommended type, whilst we wait for the blacksmith’s availability.
- Slight delay in the basket swing due to supplier communication, installation now likely to be September.
- The new litter bins have been delivered and are awaiting installation.
• Churchyard Sub-Group
- Required PCC permissions are continuing to slow progress in the churchyard.
- Insurance has been confirmed but a risk assessment is required (see Minute 26/073 below).
• Finance
- A review of the first quarters figures against the budget shows that the budget is predominantly on track.
- A rebate was given by Water Plus in respect of the leakage allowance claim submitted following January’s water leak.
• Environmental Action Group
- Biodiversity in the area seems to be working with an Orchid spotted on Millenium Way.
- Monthly litter picks continue.
• Footpaths
- Councillor Bush stated that he had cut the car park hedge to prevent it overhanging.
- No progress on Footpath 54. Councillors Howard and Bush will liaise about starting to clear the footpath when back from their holidays.
26/070 Finance –
Payments for April totalling £10,343.35 were circulated to members for approval. All agreed that the payments be approved and the accounts to which they relate paid.
| Name | Description | Net | VAT | Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | July Salary (Net of tax) | £605.75 | £0.00 | £605.75 |
| HMRC | Employee’s Tax & NI – July | £151.40 | £0.00 | £151.40 |
| HMRC | Employer’s NIC – July | £51.02 | £0.00 | £51.02 |
| J W Cleaning | Toilet Cleaning – June | £200.00 | £40.00 | £240.00 |
| Water Plus | Water – May | £246.95 | £30.31 | £277.26 |
| Water Plus | Water – refund | -£86.95 | -£17.39 | -£104.34 |
| Water Plus | Water – refund | -£51.96 | £0.00 | -£51.96 |
| Water Plus | Water – June | £246.74 | £30.29 | £277.03 |
| Mark Toms Ltd | Garden Maintenance June | £120.00 | £0.00 | £120.00 |
| Mark Toms Ltd | Garden Maintenance June | £145.83 | £0.00 | £145.83 |
| LEVH | Parish Council Monthly meeting | £51.75 | £0.00 | £51.75 |
| LEVH | Youth Café – June | £129.38 | £0.00 | £129.38 |
| Cllr J Reid | Refund | -£2.00 | £0.00 | -£2.00 |
| HM Land Registry | Land Registry fee – land behind Croft Corner | £14.00 | £0.00 | £14.00 |
| HM Land Registry | Land Registry fee – Old Village Green | £7.00 | £0.00 | £7.00 |
| Playbuild Projects Ltd | Materials for Basket Swing | £5,170.00 | £1,034.00 | £6,204.00 |
| Mark Toms Ltd | Garden Maintenance July | £120.00 | £0.00 | £120.00 |
| Mark Toms Ltd | Garden Maintenance July | £145.83 | £0.00 | £145.83 |
| East Midlands Lawn Care Co | Maintenance St Paul’s Churchyard | £123.00 | £24.60 | £147.60 |
| East Midlands Lawn Care Co | Mowing Millenium Way x 2 | £258.00 | £51.60 | £309.60 |
| East Midlands Lawn Care Co | Maintenance – VH Car Park | £61.50 | £12.30 | £73.80 |
| East Midlands Lawn Care Co | Church full cuts plus rake up waste | £590.00 | £118.00 | £708.00 |
| East Midlands Lawn Care Co | Park & Verge | £328.00 | £65.60 | £393.60 |
| J W Cleaning | Pavilion toilet cleaning July + extra clean | £274.00 | £54.80 | £328.80 |
| £8,899.24 | £1,444.11 | £10,343.35 |
- Forecast -v- Actual income and expenditure monitoring for the first quarter was circulated to members for review and noted.
26/071 Planning Applications
PA/2026/0345 – Wits End, Vicarage Lane – Single‑storey granny annex.
It was resolved that the Parish Council has no objection to this application as there will be no visual impact on the neighbouring area. The Council noted, however, that mitigation to prevent increased water run‑off resulting from the additional non‑permeable surface should be considered.
PA/2026/0400 – Eaton House, Duffield Road Industrial Estate – Proposal Extension to the existing leisure/gym facility of Eaton House -Land to the West side of Duffield Road, Duffield Ind Estate
It was resolved to object to the proposal for three courts due to the impact on parking and highway safety. There are already parking issues on Duffield Road Industrial Estate affecting business access.
The current car park provision for the leisure/gym facility is unlined which reduces the effective capacity and results in over-spill parking on surrounding roads. If all 3 proposed courts were in use simultaneously, this could generate up to 24 vehicles at peak changeover times (based on four players per court). Councillors consider this level of demand to be unsuitable for the site and potentially detrimental to nearby residents.
The Parish Council would however be more disposed to supporting a reduced scheme of two courts, if additional parking provision is secured to accommodate the expected number of users safely and without causing congestion. Any revised proposal should demonstrate how parking capacity will be increased proportionately and how peak‑time demand will be managed to avoid adverse impacts on the local area.
26/072 To consider appointing the Play Inspection Company to undertake the 2027 playground annual inspection – It was agreed to re-appoint The Play Inspection Company.
26/073 To consider adopting the Churchyard Risk Assessment – A draft Churchyard Risk Assessment was circulated to members. It was agreed to adopt the Risk Assessment subject to Councillor Bush’s review of the document in conjunction with a site visit to the Churchyard.
26/074 To review the Fixed Asset Register – The Fixed Asset Register was circulated to members. It was noted that the park bins and litter-picking equipment purchased during the year had been added to the register. Councillors agreed that the Council’s Fixed Asset Register is up to date.
26/075 To consider the arrangement for reviewing Planning Applications received during the summer break – It was agreed that Councillors Brown and Caines will review any planning applications received during August and respond within the statutory deadlines.
26/076 Correspondence for Action
- A request to hire St Peter’s Park for outdoor sound baths has been received. It was agreed that The Land or Eyes Meadow would be more appropriate for this type of activity.
- It was noted that the DCC have no plans to place additional bins along the Greenway, as it is expected that users will take their rubbish home. Borough Councillor Eddy will check with EBC whether they would be willing to provide and/or empty additional bins placed at the entrances to the Greenway.
- The Greenway Volunteer Group has requested information on the ownership of an area of land between Croft Corner and the Greenway, between Bottle Brook and the Greenway. The reason is that DCC will not allow the public access to the brook unless the landowner agrees. The Greenway Volunteer Group would like to make this area into a community space. It was noted that the Clerk has pinpointed the area on HM Land Registry and will now order a copy of the title deed to establish ownership.
26/077 Correspondence for Information
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – Government has announced the new structure of Derbyshire under LGR. The South will be made up of Derby City Council, Erewash BC, South Derbyshire DC, and parts of Amber Valley BC – noted.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm.