March 2024 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 11th March 2024, 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 Parry, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Youngman, C.Graves (clerk).
1. Apologies For Absence – Cllr Butroid, Cllr Lightfoot, Cllr Gott, Cllr King, Cllr Ward, Cllrs Rollings, Clews and Carless – apologies noted and accepted.
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 12th February 2023 – Cllr Parry highlighted an error (agenda item 13). The email addresses should read clerk@morton-pc.gov.uk and chairman@morton-pc.gov.uk. Clerk to amend and the minutes were proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Parry. Seconded Cllr C Allison.
3. Declarations of Interest – no declarations of interest noted.
4. Accounts – Distributed prior to meeting. Cllr B Allison noted that the burial ground maintenance invoice was significant. Clerk advised that currently work on cutting back hedges, brambles and general maintenance was ongoing. No further questions. Proposed Cllr Young. Seconded Cllr C Allison.
5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a) Parish Council Engagement Session on Road Safety 20th February – Cllr B Allison represented the council on the Teams session held on February 20th in conjunction with Lincolnshire Police. The session was well attended. Only four questions were taken, however, there was an opportunity to submit questions following the meeting. He noted that both Road Policing Bases are situated south of the county. Due to funding constraints on the police Cllr B Allison suggested that the council approach Lincolnshire County Council to enquire what funding may be available for traffic calming solutions. The road outside the Co-op supermarket was particularly difficult to cross and would benefit from a pedestrian crossing. Cllr Youngman shared her concerns that a fatality had to occur before any action was taken on making the road safer. Cllr Parry highlighted the current issue of increased volume of traffic through the village following the closure of Blyton Road due to bridge maintenance. He enquired whether data from the SID signs would collaborate this. Cllr B Allison confirmed that the data would reflect all traffic passing through and this would be included in his next SID report. Cllr Youngman reported that the road surface conditions had deteriorated further since the traffic had been diverted, especially through Laughton and an increase in heavy duty vehicles.
b) New Crime Reports – Cllr B Allison advised that he had met the new beat manager PC Brandwood and discussion took place regarding building relationships with the local police and encouraging residents to report antisocial behaviour and other incidents.
6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities
a) Playing Field Committee – Cllr C Allison gave a summary of the meeting held on March 6th. Head teacher of Morton Trentside was in attendance and pupil survey results were shared. The issues of litter were discussed and additional bins, however, it was noted that any bins situated on the field could not be included in the WLDC waste collection schedule. Clerk would contact Simon Smoothey and enquire whether a new larger bin could be provided to replace the one allocated at the entrance to the field. Clerk would also contact the teams that hired the field and reiterate that any rubbish left by spectators should be cleared away before vacating the field. General feedback received regarding the hard court multi games area was that as this was not visible from the entrance it was not used and therefore prone to vandalism and damage. The committee were looking into what funding is available.
b) Morton Feastival 13th July 2024 – Cllr B Allison attended the wider planning team meeting on February 22nd. Following advice from the council’s insurance company he had informed the committee that they would be required to obtain their own liability insurance for the event. The council discussed a donation towards the Feastival whether this be monetary or a raffle prize. However, it was felt that as some councillors were not in attendance a decision could not be made without further consultation. Cllr B Allison requested that councillors consider options and send any ideas to the clerk. He also confirmed that the council would have a stand at the Feastival.
c) Morton Trentside School meeting February 29th – Cllr B Allison informed the council of a meeting that had taken place. In attendance was Cllr Butroid, clerk, Head teacher and Chair of Governors. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the parish council following the appointment of the new head teacher and discuss moving forward, building on relationships and lines of communication. Cllr B Allison outlined the vision for the playing field to be upgraded through potential funding. Head teacher shared her concerns including safeguarding, possible unknown key holders of the community shared facilities and the outdated showers that were no longer in use. Cllr B Allison asked that the head inform the clerk as soon as possible of any issues that arise. Clerk to make enquiries about changing the lock.
7. Burial Ground
a) Grass Cutting Contract – Quotes received from current provider Continental Landscapes and Glendale Services prior to meeting for consideration. It was proposed by Cllr C Allison that the contract be awarded to Glendale Services. Seconded by Cllr Youngman. It was resolved that the grass cutting contract for the burial ground be offered to Glendale Services at the end of the current contract on 31st March. Clerk to action.
b) Carriageway Refurbishment Update – Clerk to follow-up enquiries and feedback. Cllr C Allison requested that the clerk move forward with the correspondence to grave owners of the cremation plots that had been extended.
8. Planning
a) No new planning applications received.
b) 54 Field Lane (Kitty’s Field) - No update.
c) Important Open Space, Field Lane – Clerk advised that the application to register the land as common land/village green had been witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths today and the application could now be submitted to LCC. Clerk to action and update on progress.
9. Village Environment
a) Re-wilding Field Lane – no update.
b) Fix My Street – March report circulated by Cllr B Allison and noted.
10. Tyler Trust – no update.
11. Village Hall Representative – Cllr Youngman gave a verbal update on the previous meeting. It had been agreed that the committee would allow the car park to be hired out by one trader at a time during which time the car park would be closed to vehicles. A TPA concert was scheduled with complimentary refreshments, tickets available on Eventbrite. Proceeds from tabletop sales continue to go towards the Feastival. During the month of November, several events had been planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Village Hall, including a coffee morning, raffle, dance, and children’s tea party. Plans for another panto were being considered and the work on the hall floor had now been finished. Cllr B Allison thanked Cllr Youngman for her report.
12. Community Assets – no update.
13. Councillor Updates – Cllr B Allison reminded councillors of the Spring Litter Pick to be held on Saturday 6th April at 10am. Clerk to organise refreshments.
14. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda
a) Audit of Accounts 2023/24.
b) Feastival – to consider programme of events and hire of playing field.
c) Archive/storage.
15. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 8th April 2024 at 6:30 to be held at Community Room, Morton Trentside School.
Meeting closed at 7.50 pm.