September 2022 Minutes

Morton crest

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 26th September 2022, St Paul’s Church

15 minute public forum – no members of the public in attendance.  

In Attendance - Cllr Parry (Chair), Cllr B Allison (Vice-Chair), Cllr Youngman, Cllr Gott, Cllr Bull, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Panter, Cllr Hammerton, Cllr M Snee, C Graves (Clerk)

A one-minute silence was observed for Her Majesty the Queen. Clerk advised the official book of condolence had been signed on behalf of the Parish Council.

1.   Apologies For Absence – Cllr Rollings, Cllr Clews – apologies noted and accepted.

2.   Minutes of the Meeting held on 22nd August 2022 - Approved by all Parish Councillors. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr C Allison. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.

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. Cllr B Allison expressed concern that the previous issues with motorbikes and mopeds had increased again and Cllr Snee reported that this is the case in town also. 

b)   Councillors Update – Cllr Butroid reported that maintenance work on the warping drain had been carried out, however, the drain itself was still blocked so flooding on the fields would be inevitable. Clerk spoke with Cllr Rollings prior to the meeting, and she would enquire why the Parish Council receive no correspondence regarding the warping drain and check they have most up to date contact details.

Service of holy communion to celebrate 130th anniversary of St Pauls Church on Sunday 2 October, all welcome.  

c)   SID Signage – Cllr B Allison shared data for August from SID1 and SID2 which identified that averages had remained static and volume of traffic through the village remains substantial. The highest recorded speed being 60 mph on Crooked Billet Street and 87 mph on Walkerith Road. Cllr B Allison shared concerns that due to the new housing developments near the golf club traffic would only increase and the Parish Council need to be pro-active in highlighting issues and concerns with the relevant organisations and request that a speed check is carried out by the police.  Cllr Hammerton agreed, and any requests should be backed up by evidence-based data. Cllr Parry requested that Council consider writing to Lincolnshire Police highlighting concerns, all in agreement.  Cllr B Allison to liaise with Clerk.

d)   Bus Shelter Walkerith Road – Clerk advised that a new date for installation of 18 October had been provisionally agreed pending permit from LCC.

e)   Parking – There had been no further issues with buses parking on Front Street since the school term had started. Cllr Parry still had concerns with cars parked on the bend from Morton Terrace into Front Street and Cllr Hammerton said this could be resolved by extending the yellow lines up to Vanessa Drive although concern was raised that this would push the problem further into the village.  It was agreed that a letter be drafted to LCC Highways highlighting concerns.

f)   Lagoon – Clerk advised that WLDC enforcement confirmed they would investigate concerns raised by Parish Council.  Cllr Youngman advised that lagoon was practically empty, and Cllr Rollings would follow-up.

5.   Accounts – No questions. Proposed Cllr B Allison. Seconded Cllr Butroid.

6.   Burial Ground – Clerk advised that P Cheney would secure the new bench in place and a plaque would be ordered to state donated by Parish Council.  

7.   Planning Matters – no current planning applications received. 

8.   Playing Field and School Facilities – Email had been received from school advising that locks had gone missing and the field was littered.  Cllr Parry had provided a replacement for the barrier lock, which was missing, however, Clerk was unaware of any other locks missing.  The purchase of bins for the field had been discussed previously when Simon Smoothey was in attendance and unfortunately these could not be included on the schedule for WLDC. Clerk to liaise with school.  Cllr Butroid would follow-up the rabbit issue and Cllr B Allison provided Clerk with contact details of someone who was experienced with rabbit control.

a)   Playing Field Association Update – Clerk reported that she had received two enquiries from residents interested in joining the committee and Clerk would liaise with sports teams, village hall and school regarding representation.

9.   Community Speed Watch – Following previous discussion (agenda item 4c) it was agreed that a decision on whether to pursue Community Speed Watch would be considered following correspondence with Lincolnshire Police.  Cllr Snee reported that a new cohort of PCSO’s were due to commence in November. 

10.   Dog Fouling – Cllr B Allison and Cllr C Allison confirmed that the dispensers would be placed in the locations identified in due course.  Cllr C Allison stated that a trial of a few bags at a time would be placed in the dispensers, following concerns that these would cause a litter issue if used inappropriately.

11.   Civility and Respect Pledge – Correspondence distributed prior to meeting.  Clerk advised that although the members Code of Conduct adopted by the Parish Council earlier this year covered certain elements of the pledge it was good practice to sign up. Cllr Parry therefore requested a vote.  Proposed Cllr B Allison. Seconded Cllr Hammerton.  It was resolved that the Parish Council sign up to the Civility and Respect Pledge.

12.   Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

a)   Clerk’s salary

b)   Lagoon

13.   Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 31st October 2022 at 6.30pm, St Pauls Church.

The meeting closed at 7.33pm.