February 2022 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 28 February 2022 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 Youngman, Cllr Butroid, Cllr Gott, Cllr Bull, I. Hammerton, PCSO Thomas, C. Graves,
Chairman, Cllr Parry, extended a warm welcome to Mr Ian Hammerton and proposed that item 9 of the agenda was brought forward. All in agreement.
Co-option of Parish Councillor – Councillors considered the application from Mr Ian Hammerton. Proposed by Cllr Youngman. Seconded Cllr Gott. It was resolved that Mr Hammerton be co-opted to the Council. Clerk to inform WLDC.
1. Apologies For Absence – Cllr Snee
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 December 2021 - Approved by all Parish Councillors. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Gott. Seconded by Cllr Allison.
3. Declarations of Interest – No declarations of interest noted.
4. Matters Arising and Review of Outstanding Items
a) Crime Vandalism and Antisocial Behaviour – Cllr Parry welcomed PCSO Thomas to the meeting. PCSO Thomas advised that there was little to report. Cllr Gott expressed concern that there were still ongoing issues with a motorcyclist. PCSO Thomas replied that officers had been out, however, if the incidents occur on unadopted roads there is nothing can be done. Cllr Allison reported that there had been an incident of youths causing damage to a fence on Chapel Lane. PCSO Thomas informed the Council that he was retiring and that PCSO Burnett had moved on. Concern was raised by Councillors regarding future police input as PCSO Thomas informed that there were no plans for any new intake of PCSOs. PCSO Thomas left the meeting.
b) Councillors Update – Cllr Allison requested that enquiries be made with WLDC regarding more information being available as to the location of dog waste bins. Cllr Allison had devised a map which showed the location of each bin around the village. Clerk had extended an invitation to Simon Smoothey, Street Cleansing Manager at WLDC to attend a meeting of the Parish Council, however, had not had a response. Clerk to request that District Councillors assist further.
c) SID Signage – Cllr Allison distributed February’s speed data and explained that the percentage of vehicles violating the speed limit remains constant at 15%, despite the number of daily journeys rising and falling. The highest speeds are almost double the speed limit. Identifying when the highest speeds are likely to occur could help when the Community Speed Watch is active. It is planned to relocate the sign in due course along Crooked Billet Street/Walkerith Road. Plans to also erect the solar sign would also be made when the weather was better. Discussion took place regarding the aspiration for a safe crossing point outside the Co-op and additional signage. Clerk to pursue Archer Speed Test with Lincolnshire Police.
d) Bus Shelter Walkerith Road – Clerk advised that she had contacted LCC for an update on whether the application for a grant towards to the bus shelter was successful. Clerk hoped to have further news prior to the next meeting.
e) Identity Lanyards – Clerk to distribute identity badges when order received.
5. Accounts - Financial statement for December and January distributed prior to meeting. Proposed Cllr Butroid. Seconded Cllr Youngman.
6. Burial Ground
a) Fees and Conditions – Draft amendments distributed prior to meeting to section 2(b) and 3(d). No increase in fees. Proposed Cllr Allison. Seconded Cllr Gott. Cllr Allison requested that the fees be looked at next year due to the increasing costs of grass cutting, pest control, skip hire and general maintenance. All in agreement.
b) Pest Control Contract – Discussion took place regarding the contract provided by Axholme Pest Control which was due for renewal. It was agreed that additional quotes be sought prior to renewing the annual contract. Cllr Gott and Cllr Hammerton to provide Clerk with contact details of other pest control companies.
7. Planning Matters – the following planning applications had been received and comments submitted during the period 30 December 2021 – 19 January 2022
a) 144151, store rear of Morton Stores, 1 Crooked Billet Street – part change of storeroom to studio flat – no objections
b) 144223, Vine Cottage, 27 Walkerith Road – remove single storey extension and replace with two storey and single storey extensions including balcony – no objections
c) 144239, 22 Walkerith Road - proposed replacement boundary fence – no objections
d) 144199, 8 Field Lane – change of use of garage to dog boarding kennels – comments submitted
8. Playing Field and School Facilities
a) Letter to Governors – Draft letter distributed prior to meeting requesting dates of potential safeguarding breaches when staff have had to take time out to ask members of the public to leave the playing field during school hours. A request was also made that the community facilities are cleared of school equipment and made available again to the community. All in agreement. Cllr Butroid provided a copy of an extract from the land register. Clerk to share copies with Councillors.
b) Grass cutting and line marking contract – Clerk was extremely sad to report that Denzil Gelder had passed away. Therefore, the contract had ceased with immediate effect and enquiries made for alternative contractors for both the grass cutting and line marking to start immediately. Lee Slingsby had provided a competitive quote for the grass cutting for the playing field and Field Lane. Although the playing field grass cutting would be more than previously paid, Lee was local and came highly recommended. Jon Wood who provides line marking for other sport fields and teams locally could provide the service to us at the same cost of DWG Groundcare. Clerk advised that as an immediate start was required it had been difficult to get additional quotes and requested that Councillor’s consider the quotes received. Cllr Parry also asked for consideration to be given for a donation in Denzil’s memory. Gllr Gott proposed that these quotes be accepted and a donation of £100 to the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team. Seconded Cllr Youngman. It was resolved that contracts be offered to Lee Slingsby and Jon Wood and a donation made. Clerk to action and inform the school.
9. Co-option of Parish Councillor – discussed and actioned at beginning of meeting
10. Queens Platinum Jubilee – Cllr Youngman advised that following a recent Feast Committee Meeting it had been decided that they were sadly unable to provide an event this year for the Morton Feast due to lack of support. However, plans for something different next year were being considered. The Village Hall Committee do intend to hold an event to mark the jubilee at the Village Hall on Friday June 3rd 2pm-5pm with tea, coffee, and cake. Cllr Allison suggested that the following links may be useful for anyone wanting to organise their own celebrations The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 and Your guide to organising a street party - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Clerk to arrange for something to be uploaded to the website.
11. Community Speed Watch – Guidance Booklet distributed prior to meeting. Cllr Parry requested that Councillors familiarise themselves with contents and costs involved and requested that this be discussed at the next meeting.
12. Litter Pick 2022 – The spring litter pick would be held on Saturday 9th April 10am-12noon. Cllr Allison to provide poster promoting event.
13. Items for inclusion on the next Agenda
a) Councillor Vacancy
b) Litter Pick - confirm areas
c) Community Speed Watch
d) Jubilee Afternoon Tea Village Hall
Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 4 April 2022 at 6.30pm, venue to be confirmed.
The meeting closed at 7.50 pm.