November 2023 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 13th November at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School
15-minute public forum – No members of the public 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 Ward, Cllr Clews, C.Graves (clerk)
1. Apologies For Absence – Cllr Lightfoot – apologies noted and accepted.
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 9th October 2023 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Butroid. Seconded by Cllr Gott.
3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Butroid, 54 Field Lane (8b).
4. Accounts – Distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed Cllr C Allison. Seconded Cllr Ward.
a) Precept Estimate 2024/25 – Councillors discussed the precept requirements for the forthcoming year. Clerk advised that this year had seen an increase in costs across the board as evidenced in the monthly financial statements. Cllr B Allison reported that although we had reserves, if the council were unsuccessful in receiving any financial help towards the cost of the burial ground repairs, it may be necessary that the council meet the full costs. Cllr Parry requested that agenda item 13 should also be considered when setting the estimate. After careful deliberation a 4% increase on the precept for 2024/25 was proposed by Cllr Parry. Seconded Cllr Youngman. All in agreement. Clerk to action and submit to WLDC as an estimate.
5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a) SID data – Cllr B Allison explained that as the Parish Council Police Engagement Session drew closer (14 December) he would be seeking clarification from Lincolnshire Police why speeding was not covered by the measurement of harm index. Cllr Parry expressed disappointment that more support was not provided by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership on the purchase of speed indicator signs. Cllr B Allison would feed back on the meeting in the new year. Clerk to make enquiries with Unipart Dorman regarding possible solar options for SID1.
Cllr Parry reported that he had heard residents were unhappy about the speed in which tractors were travelling through the village. Cllr Youngman confirmed that it was the time of year were an increase in the volume of agricultural vehicles saw an impact on the roads.
b) New crime reports – Cllr Butroid reported that a vehicle that had left a petrol station on Lea Road without paying was speeding and driving recklessly along Field Lane. Cllr Butroid was forced into a hedge by the vehicle as it swerved, and the police were informed. Cllr Butroid, however, was disappointed at the response from the police and had received no follow-up.
6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities
a) Playing Field Committee – Notes from the meeting held on 6th November distributed prior to meeting. These confirmed that Colin Emery would be Chairman and Lucille Middleton Secretary of the Playing Field Committee. A request had been made for adequate lighting outside the community room and the provision of topsoil for using to fill in rabbit holes which continued to an issue. It was noted that the Chance to Share Agreement was drawn up prior to the fencing being erected around the school and a request for clarification on when the barrier should be closed/opened and who was responsible for this. It was felt a good way forward would be to conduct a village survey to find out what improvements the community would like to see on the field.
The Council agreed that arrangements for a light to be fitted outside the community room entrance would be made and the storage of topsoil. Clerk to liaise with the school. Next meeting to be held on 15th January.
b) Hot water supply – Confirmation of a meeting with the new headteacher is awaited to discuss the use of the community room and improved communications.
c) Gainsborough and Morton Striders - Clerk reported that she had received a request from Striders who were looking at utilising the playing field on a Tuesday/Thursday evening in the spring and summer months next year and the availability of the toilets. The Council were happy to facilitate this request, however, Clerk to advise that revised hire fees would be considered in the new year.
7. Burial Ground
a) Refurbishment of Carriageway – Following the unsuccessful grant application councillors agreed that the council should write to those local businesses involved in the burial ground regarding donations in return for advertising. Clerk to draft letter.
Clerk confirmed that the two bushes either side of the carriageway had now been trimmed back.
b) Extension of Cremation Plots – Draft letter distributed prior to meeting. Cllr C Allison felt that the timeframe of 3 months was reasonable, no further comments or amendments. Clerk to action.
8. Planning
a) No new planning applications received.
b) 54 Field Lane (Kitty’s Field) – No update, although it was felt that any activity and future planning requests should be closely monitored.
9. Village Environment
a) Re-wilding Field Lane – The Council’s plans for rewilding had been advertised on social media with positive feedback. Cllr B Allison suggested that it may be useful to have a timeline and Cllr Butroid would liaise with the clerk to apply to the councillor initiative fund for a small donation. Cllr Clews would be happy to support this application.
b) Fix My Street – Report circulated by Cllr B Allison for November, which included 8 active reports in and around the village. It was not known if the fly tipping on Ings Lane had been removed, however, the overgrown hedges and branches on Little Belt Road that were obscuring the signage had been rectified. Cllr C Allison encouraged councillors to report any local issues to Fix My Street themselves, rather than requesting the Clerk to submit a request.
c) Morton Tape2Tape 10k Sunday 19 November – Clerk advised that she had received a request direct from Tape2Tape asking that the grass on Field Lane be cut in preparation for the finishing line. As this area had been identified for the rewilding project and the grass cutting season had come to an end, the Clerk had advised that this would not be possible. It was noted that there had been negative comments regarding the road closures on social media, however, Cllr B Allison, reiterated that residents should be encouraged to direct their complaints through the correct channels. An update would be given at the next meeting following the event.
10. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that there was nothing new to update.
11. Village Hall Representative – Cllr Youngman provided a brief update. The Feastival Committee were doing well with fundraising and the hall floor had recently been repaired and resealed. A request for new stacking chairs with armrests had been submitted and there had been issues where hirers of the hall had adjusted the heating, and this was being looking into. Any raffle or tombola prizes are always greatly received and monies from a recent quiz night were donated to the Bearded Fisherman Charity. The next meeting would be held on 6 December and a Crib Service would be held on 10 December. Chairman thanked Cllr Youngman for her report and asked that Cllr Youngman feedback at the next Village Hall meeting regarding the liability insurance for the Feastival and hiring of the playing field.
12. Community Assets
a) Refurbishment of noticeboard – Clerk advised that a quote of £175 had been received, which included all materials and labour. Proposed Cllr Butroid. Seconded Cllr Ward. All in agreement. Clerk to action.
13. Clerk’s Salary – 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 £1.08/hour based on 25 hours per month with effect from the next pay date and an ex-gratia payment of £160.00. Chairman thanked the clerk for her service and would provide written confirmation of pay award.
14. Councillor Updates – covered in previous agenda items.
15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda
a) Councillor Vacancy
b) Playing Field Fees
c) Morton 10k Tape2Tape Update
d) Flood Contingency
e) Work Experience
16. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 11th December at 6:30 to be held at Community Room, Morton Trentside School.
Meeting closed at 8.09 pm.