December 2023 DRAFT Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 11th December 2023, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School
15-minute public forum – Mr Anthony King in attendance.
Chairman Cllr B Allison welcomed all to the meeting.
In Attendance - Cllr B Allison, Cllr J Butoid, Cllr Parry, Cllr Youngman, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Gott, Cllr Lightfoot, Cllr Clews, C.Graves (clerk)
1. Apologies For Absence – no apologies received.
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 13th November 2023 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Butroid. Seconded by Cllr Gott.
3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Butroid, 54 Field Lane (9b).
4. Councillor Vacancy – Introductions were made, and councillors considered the application from Mr Anthony King. Proposed Cllr Parry. Seconded Cllr Lightfoot. All in agreement, it was therefore resolved that Mr Anthony King be co-opted to the Council. Acceptance of office was signed and Clerk to inform WLDC.
5. Accounts – Distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed Cllr Gott. Seconded Cllr Allison.
6. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a) SID data – Cllr King was interested to hear more about the signs and the data collected. Cllr B Allison gave a summary of the speeding issues in the village and data recorded to date. There was an article in the recent County News featuring Marc Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner about tackling speeding on the county’s roads and Cllr B Allison would be raising the issue of speeding at the upcoming police engagement session which was due to take place later this week.
b) New crime reports – Cllr Gott reported further issues with motorcyclists driving erratically, wearing balaclavas and no helmets. Cllr Butroid also reported quad bikes around Field Lane. Cllr Parry raised some concerns regarding the information supplied in the recent email from Inspector Michael Head regarding priorities set for each beat area in West Lindsey and how the area covered by each code differed in size. However, it was noted that the problems of speeding and antisocial behaviour were similar for all areas.
7. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities
a) Playing Field Committee – The next meeting would take place on Monday 15th January and Cllr C Allison advised that the remit for this meeting would be to discuss a survey seeking feedback on how residents would like to see the playing field utilised and improved. Cllr Butroid would make enquiries with the cricket club to ascertain how much topsoil they needed each season before the Parish Council decided on how best to store this. Cllr B Allison would get a quote regarding culling of rabbits which continued to be a problem. Clerk advised that the school had agreed that the light outside the community room could be adjusted to ensure that this remained lit during any meetings, as it was on a timer. Clerk to follow-up.
b) Field Hire and Fees – Clerk had distributed fees charged for the hire of Marshalls and Levellings prior to meeting. Discussion took place regarding our current fees, which were £25 per session which included the use of the changing/toilet facilities. The cricket club were charged £50 for the season, and it was noted that they carried out most of the maintenance themselves. As the fees had not been increased in a several years, and the cost of grass cutting, and line marking had risen significantly it was proposed by Cllr Parry that the fees were increased by £40 for seniors per hire and £30 for juniors. The cricket would be increased to £60 per season. Seconded by Cllr Lightfoot. All in agreement, it was therefore resolved to increase the field hire fees with effect from the 2024/25 season. Clerk to action and bring to next meeting prior to advertising.
8. Burial Ground
a) Burial Ground Repairs – Draft letter distributed prior to meeting for consideration to local businesses involved in the burial ground regarding donations in return for advertising. Proposed Cllr C Allison. Seconded by Cllr Butroid. Clerk to action. Clerk advised that letters to cremation plot owners would be distributed after Christmas.
9. Planning
a) No new planning applications received.
b) 54 Field Lane (Kitty’s Field) - No planning applications submitted. The caravans and portacabins were still in situ and residents of Field Lane had contacted WLDC regarding this.
10. Village Environment
a) Re-wilding Field Lane – Cllr Butroid advised that she had a approached a local resident who would be willing to assist in the cultivating of the area in preparation for the rewilding. Initial outlay could be up to £600, however, Cllr Butroid advised that this may be able to be simplified to reduce costs. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Butroid and apply to the councillor initiative fund.
b) Fix My Street – Report circulated by Cllr B Allison for December for information.
c) Morton Tape2Tape 10k Sunday 19 November – Cllr B Allison informed the council that following a walk round during the 10k the overall feeling from residents was that they enjoyed the event and were happy for it to take place, and the road closures, although an inconvenience, the restrictions were only for a few hours. Correspondence had been received from Tape2Tape regarding the event planned for 2024 and the use of the grassed area on Field Lane. As this area had been identified as a rewilding project, discussion took place on alternative locations for the finish line, and it was suggested that the playing field could be utilised for this and some of the car park used for Portaloo’s only and no vehicles, with a fee for hire. Cllr B Allison to draft a reply to Tape2Tape.
d) Flood Contingency – Following the recent heavy rain and flood alerts, Cllr B Allison advised that it was good practice for the Parish Council to have a flood contingency in place. At present the council do not have any such plans and it was agreed that the parish council should look at what local authority plans are available for the area and how we can link and share information. Agenda item for new year.
11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid would give an update following the next meeting of the Tyler Trust in January.
12. Village Hall Representative – Cllr Youngman provided a brief update on events taking place over the Christmas period. The Christmas tree was in place and further refurbishment of the hall floor would be scheduled in the springtime.
13. Community Assets – no update.
14. Work Experience – Clerk informed the Council that she had been approached by a Lincoln College student who was seeking 30 hours a year work experience to run alongside her college course. Clerk would ensure that the appropriate confidentiality statement and paperwork was in place if the Council agreed. No objections. Clerk to action.
15. Councillor Updates – Cllr Clews reported that it was encouraging that the recent Crib Service at the Village Hall was well attended by both adults and children. No other news to report. Cllr B Allison thanked Cllr Clews for her attendance.
16. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda
a) Litter Pick 2024
b) Morton Feastival
c) School Introduction Meeting
d) Website
17. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 8th January 2024 at 6:30 to be held at Community Room, Morton Trentside School. Cllr Youngman gave her apologies in advance.
Meeting closed at 7.49 pm. Cllr B Allison wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.