December 2021 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 20 December 2021 at 6.30 pm.
15 minute public forum – no members of the public in attendance
In Attendance - Cllr Parry (Chair), Cllr Allison (Vice-Chair), Cllr Panter, Cllr Butroid, Cllr Gott, Cllr Bull, C. Graves, C. Allison
1. Apologies For Absence – Cllr Youngman
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 November 2021 - Approved by all Parish Councillors. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Allison. Seconded by Cllr Panter.
3. Declarations of Interest – No declarations of interest noted.
4. Matters Arising and Review of Outstanding Items
a) Crime Vandalism and Antisocial Behaviour – No police in attendance and no report received.
b) Councillors Update – Cllr Gott gave an update on an email enquiry received regarding some land adjacent to 11 South Street. This was an allotment plot and Cllr Gott had informed the resident of this.
c) SID Signage – Cllr Allison explained that data analysis for November/December would be distributed in due course and arrangements for the solar sign to be erected in the new year, when the weather was better and light conditions more favourable.
d) Bus Shelter Walkerith Road – Clerk advised that she had received confirmation that the grant application was being considered and was now awaiting instructions regarding the next step. Cllr Gott asked why the process was taking such a long time, as the bus shelter had been a recurring item on the agenda for quite some time. Clerk advised that this was due to several factors, including numerous changes in the point of contact at LCC, additional information needed, highways input, choice of shelter to meet criteria and advice on permits and temporary traffic lights when the shelter is installed.
e) Additional Dog Waste Bins – Clerk advised that she had spoken at length to Simon Smoothey at WLDC regarding the locations for additional bins requested (Pump Alley/Front Steet and Mill Lane), however, he felt that as there were already bins located close by additional bins in these locations were not needed and he felt that Morton currently had an adequate number of bins. He advised that more permanent signage could be purchased through sites such as Keep Britain Tidy and had advised that enforcement/environmental protection at WLDC may be able to advise on correct signage for the playing field. He would, however, take a further look at the locations for the bins and report back and supply some more stickers. Cllr Allison suggested that the Council may consider a QR code that could be stuck to posts that would allow dog walkers to scan with their smart phones, which would then link to the website and the map of the location of the current bins around the village.
f) Identity Lanyards - Cllr Parry requested that the council consider whether to pursue the purchase of identity badges. All in agreement that it was important that councillors are ab le to confirm identity should they be on official business/engagements. Cllr Parry therefore requested that all councillors provide a digital photo to the clerk as soon as possible so an order could be placed.
5. Accounts - Financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Proposed Cllr Butroid. Seconded Cllr Gott. Councillor Gott raised concern that the fees for the grass cutting at the burial ground seemed excessive. Clerk advised that there would be no further fees until Spring. However, it was agreed that consideration of an alternative supplier should be explored. Item for next agenda.
a) Setting of Precept 2022/23 – Clerk advised that the closing date for the final precept submission was 28 January 2022. Estimate discussed and agreed at previous meeting. No further amendments. Clerk would therefore submit a precept request of £14, 963.00.
6. Burial Ground – Cllr Parry requested that the Council consider amendments to the Fees and Conditions of the Burial Ground following several enquiries regarding cremation plot size and interment fees. These were due to be reviewed in February 2022, therefore, discussion would take place at the next meeting in addition to the grass cutting contract.
7. Planning Matters
a) 144052 – replace conservatory and rear porch with single storey garden room, 4 Walkerith Road, Morton, DN21 3AL – no objections, however, as this property is recognised as a local heritage asset as per the Morton Neighbourhood Plan any proposed work should be sympathetic to the early C20th character of the building. Clerk to submit comments to WLDC.
8. Playing Field and School Facilities - Cllr Parry gave an update on the recent meeting that the Clerk and himself had attended at the school on 29 November to discuss the Community Room facilities. Mrs Riddle advised that due to rising numbers of Covid the community room was being utilised at present by the school as a breakout room. The Parish Council were keen to replace the water heater, which had now been removed, and re-open the changing facilities for the sports teams that utilise the playing field. Cllr Parry explained that he was disappointed to find that the changing facilities/shower rooms were still being used as a storage area for school equipment. Steve Howse, Chair of Governors who attended the meeting via Zoom expressed concern that school hours were being wasted by staff members having to ask members of the public to leave the field during school hours. Under the Chance to Share Agreement members of the public are only permitted to use the field between the hours of 6pm-9pm Monday to Friday (term time) and 10am to 9pm weekends. Discussion took place regarding accountability for cleaning and managing the facilities. It was noted that there would be a 12-month notice period should the Chance to Share Agreement cease and notification of this would have to come direct from LCC. Cllr Parry asked how this would affect the Community Room if notice were to be given on the agreement and Cathryn Thacker explained that there was the possibility of a lease agreement for this, however, this would have to be negotiated separately. Cllr Parry raised concern that should the agreement cease, and the school erect a fence along their boundary this would result in cricket not being able to continue at Morton and vehicular access may be an issue, for grass cutting etc. Cllr Parry and Cllr Allison requested that the Council consider a Freedom of Information Request to LCC regarding clarification of these safeguarding breaches. All in agreement, Clerk to action. Clerk had made notes of the meeting.
9. Future Meetings – Dates for 2022 circulated prior to meeting. Cllr Parry advised that until an update from LALC had been received regarding face-to-face meetings the next meeting would take place on 28 February at St Paul’s Church. Cllr Parry asked the council to also consider attendance by members of the public and the expectation that evidence of either COVID vaccinations or a negative lateral flow test would be required before entry would be permitted. All in agreement. Clerk would notify Council of any updates or notifications received prior to the next meeting.
10. Items for inclusion on the next Agenda
a) Burial Ground Fees, Conditions and Grass Cutting
b) Community Speed Watch
c) Dog Waste Bins and Signage
d) Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 28 February 2022 at 6.30pm St Paul’s Church
The meeting closed at 7.44 pm.