Denton Parish Council
Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 8th September 2026 at 7.30 pm in Denton Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Bunn (Chair), Cllr Kerr, Cllr Sida-Page, Cllr Fearnley, Cllr Hanner, Cllr Ashton.
Also present: Chris Brown (District Cllr) and George Boyd (County Cllr),
3 members of the public.
1. Cllr Bunn welcomed all to the meeting and welcomed Caroline Guthrie as the new parish clerk.
2. To receive apologies from members unable to attend:
Cllr Edwards.
3. To receive Declarations of Interest from members on matters on the agenda:
None.
4. To approve and sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting
to approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 14-06-26 – approved and signed by Cllr Bunn, Chair, as a correct record.
5. Open Forum for Public Participation (maximum 10 minutes):
Two members of the public expressed concern over the ongoing coppicing of Rogerson’s Wood and asked if there was a management plan from The Woodland Trust.
It was thought that the plan was from 2019-2024 but they could not find any more recent plans. It was also noted that the bramble near the footbridge at the far right hand corner was extremely overgrown.
One member of the public has asked to be given volunteer work in the village as part of his Duke of Edinburgh assessment.
6. To discuss Matters Arising from the Minutes of the last meeting which are not on the agenda:
Cllr Hanner had met with Gary Overland from Highways. Cllr Hanner pointed out all areas of concern – flooding from the Beck, unfinished white lines, pot holes, missing road signage in the village.
Cllr George Boyd asked to be told if it was felt that Highways were taking too long to address these problems.
7. To receive Reports from County Councillor and District Councillor:
Cllr George Boyd –
PPS 50/50 funding scheme for highways,
Hosepipe ban remains in force,
New Chief Executive, Sir Denis Bacon, was confirmed on 14th August 2026,
Look Twice Save A Life scheme to raise awareness of motorcycles on the road,
>
Hugger scheme is being offered until the end October (1-1 training),
Norfolk Crisis and Resilience has funding for children on Free School Meals eg. school uniforms purchase help.
Cllr. Chris Brown –
LGR plan withdrawn while the Government revies the legalities of the plan so District Council Elections will take place next year. This raises questions over whether there will be Mayoral Elections in 2028.
Greater Norwich Area Plan (2045) plan/map has been published – no sites in Denton or Alburgh but some villages eg. Earsham, Ditchingham have sites included in the map.
Food waste collection has been delayed to November.
Bungay Football Club will have an all weathers 3G Football Pitch after being awarded £1.1m.
4 applications have been made to the Community Action Fund.
8 To receive Updates on Items from the Minutes of the Last Meeting:
Opening of new shop – all agreed that the shop has proved to be a real asset to the village.
Anglian Water sewage problem – Bridgett Marr from the Environment Agency visited Skinners Meadow and came to the conclusion that the sewage problem was due to lack of water over the summer, resulting in sewage not being washed away correctly. However, Cllr Sida-Page first reported the problem in 2015.
Cllr George Boyd will send through an email contact address for Bridgett Marr for when problem arises again.
It was agreed to monitor the smell once there has been some rain.
9. To receive Playingfield Report and Updates on Repairs carried out = Fort Renewal application:
The cadets who camped on the playing field cleared up any detritus well.
Safety tape on fort has come off so needs to be retaped with laminated signage – Cllr Kerr to organise.
Felt on shelter has deteriorated more – on Cllr Hanner’s list.
A date proffered – Saturday 26th September at 1300hrs – for deconstruction of fort.
Quotes for new fort and zip wire have been received – the zip wire should be tightened every year so may just need maintenance.
Award granted of £3000 form Geoffrey Watling Foundation.
A grant for £14,000 has been submitted to CAF – decision will be made on 2nd October 2026.
Cllr Bunn has applied to The National Lottery for £19000.
Cllr Fearnley may cut back some hedges end Sept/begining Oct.
10. To discuss and comment on Planning Applications received and related matters:
None.
11. Finance: To approve payments to be made:
Payments:
- Clerk Salary - APPROVED
12. Any Other Business.
New Parish Clerk contract signed.
Concern expressed by Cllr Hanner that one of the houses in Skinners Meadow has been sold. These houses should only be rented as affordable housing; there should be no right to buy.
Cllr Kerr will assess land registry listings for covenants on the land which may prevent other houses being sold.
Cllr Bunn and Cllr Fearnley will deal with any banking at present.
13. To agree items for the next meeting be held on Tuesday, 10th November 2026 at 7.30pm.
Cllr Kerr to investigate Broadband coverage for the village.
14. Cllr Bunn thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 20.36 hrs.