January 2023 Minutes

Morton crest

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 9th January 2023 6.30 pm Morton Village Hall

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

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

Cllr Parry welcomed Councillors to the first meeting of 2023.

1.   Apologies For Absence – Cllr Youngman, Cllr Snee – apologies noted and accepted.

2.   Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th December 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 Gott advised that a vehicle had been stolen on South Street and police were aware. Cllr Parry and Cllr B Allison shared potential dates for meeting and Clerk would confirm date and time with Inspector Head.  Cllr B Allison suggested that items for discussion should be agreed, and Cllr Parry requested that these are shared with the Clerk.  Cllr Parry enquired with Cllr Rollings regarding level of police input and feedback at meetings of WLDC and Town Council, Cllr Rollings replied that reports are not usually received, however, she understood the pressures on the police and being able to send representatives to meetings.

b)   Councillors Update – Cllr Butroid shared with the Council a planning application query result (145925), for 54 Field Lane, Morton. However, Cllr Parry noted that on the application it stated location was 54 Field Lane, Gainsborough, not Morton, Gainsborough.  Clerk was requested to enquire with Richard Green, Planning Officer regarding the background for this query and request that the location is corrected. Cllr C Allison reported that she had received some positive feedback following the dog waste bag dispensers and location of bins in the village, however, the notices would need replacing with something more robust and water resistant. Cllr B Allison to approach Mr Tulley regarding partly sponsoring the signs and Cllr Rollings offered to look into Councillor Initiative Funds to help with costs.

c)   SID Signage – Cllr B Allison explained that no data had been able to be extracted from SID1. SID 2 confirmed an increase in traffic volume with a top speed violation of 75 mph.  Clerk to follow-up regarding possible additional solar panels for SID1 (fixed).  Speed check by LRSP still to take place. 

d)   Parking – Student parking on Front Street continued to be problematic. Cllr Rollings suggested that the Council share their concerns with Cllr Perraton-Williams to see if she can help in anyway. Cllr Rollings highlighted the benefits of the 20’s plenty campaign and how the roads should be made safer to encourage cyclists and cut down omissions. Cllr B Allison responded that included in the Neighbourhood Plan was an aspiration that traffic volume is monitored, and adequate parking considered on any new developments. The data that was being recorded from the SID signs would help build a picture of how traffic flow/volume was increasing, and this would further support the need for traffic calming measures in the village.

e)   Lagoon – No update on fence. Clerk would chase with enforcement at WLDC. Cllr Rollings would also make enquires.

5.   Accounts – Financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed Cllr Gott. Seconded Cllr Hammerton.

a)   Setting of Precept 2023/24 – As discussed and agreed at the previous meeting £500 election expenses would be included in the final precept submission. Clerk to submit a precept request of £15,463.00 which included the election cost element. Proposed Cllr Gott. Seconded Cllr Hammerton.

6.   Burial Ground – Repairs to the carriage way were discussed. Cllr Gott recommended Hemswell Surfacing Ltd and Cllr B Allison confirmed that they had carried out work in the church grounds. Clerk would approach them for advice and quote and feedback. 

7.   Planning Matters – No applications received. Following earlier discussion regarding 54 Field Lane, concern was expressed that the Parish Council were not necessarily notified of planning queries and applications. An example of this was the Horsley Road development, as this was in Gainsborough, however site access and traffic volume would have an impact on the village. Cllr Butroid offered to regularly check the planning database and report anything of interest. Cllr Parry requested that 54 Field Lane, Horsley Road Development and Crooked Billet be placed on the agenda as regular items so any updates could be discussed and shared. 

8.   Playing Field and School Facilities – Nothing to report. Clerk would move forward with Playing Field Committee and extend an invitation to a meeting for those who had expressed an interest. 

9.   Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

a)   Dog Waste Bag Dispensers and signage

b)   54 Field Lane, Horsley Road Development and Crooked Billet

c)   Warping drain

10.   Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 13th February 2023 at 6.30pm, Village Hall. Clerk gave apologies in advance due to holiday commitments and would arrange a minute taker.

The meeting closed at 7.45pm.