October 2022 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 31st October 2022, St Paul’s Church
15 minute public forum – no members of the public in attendance.
In Attendance - Cllr Parry (Chair), Cllr Youngman, Cllr Gott, Cllr Bull, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Hammerton, Cllr M Snee, C Graves (Clerk)
1. Apologies For Absence – Cllr B Allison, Cllr Rollings, Cllr Clews – apologies noted and accepted.
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th September 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 Butroid reported that there had been some antisocial behaviour on Field Lane, police were aware. Clerk to invite Inspector Bennett from the Neighbourhood Policing Team to a forthcoming meeting of the Parish Council.
b) Councillors Update – It was noted that an application to remove the agricultural tie pertaining to 54 Field Lane had been denied.
c) SID Signage – A draft letter to Chief Constable Haward highlighting the Parish Council’s concerns with speeding including data from SID1 and SID2 was distributed prior to meeting for approval. It was resolved Clerk would forward letter to Lincolnshire Police including Inspector Bennett of the Neighbourhood Policing Team. A copy would be shared with district councillors.
d) Bus Shelter Walkerith Road – Clerk was delighted to advise that the bus shelter was now installed and had received some positive feedback. Clerk to arrange photo to promote the purchase by the Parish Council with a contribution from LCC.
e) Parking – It had been noted that inconsiderate parking on the junction of Cross Street was causing visibility issues for motorists and cars parked on Front Street just after the bend from Morton Road had increased.
f) Lagoon – Clerk reported that a reply had been received from WLDC enforcement advising that the case had been closed as the owner was in the process of re-fencing the area to comply with health and safety regulations and the Hexa cover was in situ. Clerk to contact WLDC and request that the case remains open until evidence of the fencing has been completed.
5. Accounts – Financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed Cllr Gott. Seconded Cllr Youngman.
6. Burial Ground – Clerk requested that consideration be given to an assessment of the carriageway through the cemetery with a view to making improvements to the surface as it was in need of repair. Council agreed that Clerk should explore quotes and feedback as funding for any improvements would need to be met by the Parish Council.
7. Planning Matters – 145688 application for approval of reserved matters to erect 49 dwellings considering appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following outline planning permission 136577 granted October 2019. As this development is in Gainsborough it is not covered by the Morton Neighbourhood Plan, however, concerns were expressed regarding increased traffic in Morton and the potential proposal of using Floss Mill Lane for site access. Clerk to amend and resubmit the previous response to application 136577.
8. Playing Field and School Facilities – Nothing to report. Cllr C Allison suggested that a lead Councillor be identified to push the Playing Field Committee forward. Councillors to consider this role. Clerk had received enquiries from a couple of residents keen to be on the Committee.
a) Morton Festival 15 July 2023 – Cllr Youngman informed the Council that in place of the Feast it was proposed that a Festival take place on the playing field to include live music, stalls, and food. Planning and funding for this event was in the very early stages. Discussion took place and concerns raised regarding access, damage to the cricket outfield, school fencing and who would be responsible for clearing up. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Mrs Middleton highlighting concerns.
9. Meeting Dates 2023 – Potential meeting dates for 2023 were distributed prior to meeting and discussed. However, consideration would need to be given to the bank holidays, council elections in May and Annual Parish Meeting. Clerk to liaise with Chair.
Cllr Snee left the meeting at 7.30pm.
10. Closed Session – Council resolved to exclude the public and press and go into closed session, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to allow consideration to be given to the Clerk’s salary. It was resolved to award the Clerk with a salary increase of £300 per annum with effect from 1 December 2022 and an ex-gratia payment of £150.00. Proposed Cllr Gott. Seconded Cllr C Allison.
11. Items for inclusion on the next Agenda
a) Precept Estimate
b) Lagoon
c) Playing Field Committee
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 5th December 2022 at 6.30pm, Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 7.40pm.