2025 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 10th November 2025, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School

15-minute public forum – No members of the public in attendance.

In Attendance - Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Field, Cllr Purdy, Cllr C Reeve, C. Graves (clerk).

1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr Tinker and Cllr Tompkins.

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 13th October 2025 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr King and seconded by Cllr B Allison.

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Field (10c).

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Cllr B Allison asked the clerk to clarify the rates for the burial ground and playing field as these differed from the previous months statement. Clerk would confirm by email, however, this did not impact on the monthly statement total.  It was also requested that the clerk confirm the breakdown of pest control for the burial ground and playing field. Cllr King asked if the invoice had been received from EC Surfacing and whether this was on budget, taking into account the additional fee for the extra work carried out. Clerk confirmed this had now been paid and final invoice was as expected.  Account proposed by Cllr Purdy and seconded by Cllr  Butroid.

a. Budget Forecast - Cllr B Allison distributed the budget summary to date.  This reflected savings made in areas such as waste disposal and pitch marking and increases in storage facility and rates.  On average expenditure was £2,000/month, however, the precept does not cover costs alone and an increase in burial costs and field hire will need to be considered.  Cllr Field suggested that a “wish list” of projects/purchases would be a starting point for future budgeting.  Cllr B Allison explained that planned projects such as the multi games area and hedge maintenance need to be dealt with first.

b. Clerks Salary - Closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings)  Act 1960, to allow consideration of the Clerks salary.  Cllr B Allison requested that Clerk left the meeting. It was resolved to reward the Clerk with a salary increase of 4.9% with effect from the next pay date. Proposed by Cllr C Allison.  Seconded by Cllr Butroid.  Clerk was requested to join the meeting and was thanked for her service by the council.  Cllr B Allison would provide written confirmation of pay award with explanation of increase.

c. Precept 2026/27 - An increase of 4.3% was suggested taking into account earlier discussions on the budget forecast summary.  It was therefore agreed that the precept estimate for 2026/27 would be submitted as £17,115.63.  Proposed by Cllr C Allison.  Seconded by Cllr Purdy.

d. Website Hours - Clerk advised that a further 3 hours (£18/hour) had been purchased through LALC for maintaining the website.

e. New Budget Process -  Cllr B Allison explained that Cllr Purdy had kindly agreed to work with the clerk to oversee the budget, exploring areas for funding and update the spreadsheet currently used if necessary.  Clerk expressed that Cllr Purdy’s experience would be most welcome and she would share with him the necessary information. 

5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)

a. New Crime Reports – Cllr B Allison reported that he had been made aware via social media that the police were called out to fireworks being set off on the playing field recently.  A resident of St Oggs had been seen outside the care home at 4.30 am and the police were called. No other reports.

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a. Barrier Lock and Access - Clerk reported that she had received notification from the school that the barrier lock was missing again and the post had been damaged resulting in the arm of the barrier having to be secured to the post for safety. Cllr B Allison suggested that the main gates to the field be locked on a temporary basis to ensure that no vehicles had access whilst the barrier was out of order. A brief discussion took placed regarding a further pedestrian gate. Proposed by Cllr King.  Seconded by Cllr Butroid. All in agreement.  Clerk to liaise with school and Cllr Tinker.

b. Rabbit Maintenance - It was noted that 34 rabbits had been caught during the initial maintenance.   This would now be carried out on a quarterly basis.  This would be reviewed at each quarter.

c. Hard Court Repairs - Ongoing.

d. Removal of Showers and Installation of Hot Water Tank - Clerk advised that two quotes had now been received. A further quote would be obtained.   Cllr Field asked what the plans were moving forward for the rooms once the showers were removed.  Cllr B Allison suggested that once the rooms were more usable an option could be small group use for evening/weekend activities.  Ongoing.

e. Online Booking App/Web Diary for Field Hire - Clerk to liaise with Webmaster and ask if it possible to monitor how many hits the calendar had to see if this was viable.

f. Review of Signage and Bylaws - ongoing.

7. Burial Ground

a. Research 99 year plots - Clerk to liaise with Cllr Tompkins.

b. Research Cemetery Mapping - Clerk to contact Pear Technology ask for a quote.

c. Research Documents relating to purchase of land - Cllr Butroid updated the council on what she had found researching documents from the archive.   Unfortunately she did not unearth anything to confirm that an agreement had been made on additional land from Thonock Estate.  However, it was interesting to note that maps suggested that the cemetery land went further than initially thought.  This would be explored further.

d. Review Burial Agreement Forms - Clerk and Cllr Butroid would arrange a visit to a neighbouring village cemetery.

e. Review Burial Policy - Clerk advised that a fee review was due in February 2026 and this would coincide with this.

f. Research Friends of Morton Cemetery -  ongoing.

8. Planning Matters

a. WL/2025/00957 - installation of access ramps, internal alterations, increase in parking provision, and extension to existing dwelling. 70 Walkerith Road, Morton, DN21 3BZ.

b. WL/2025/00931 - Lawful Development Proposal, 80 Walkerith Road, Morton, DN21 3BZ. 

A response by the Parish Council had now been submitted for the above two planning applications on the WLDC portal.Cllr Butroid explained in more detail the Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) in relation to 80 Walkerith Road.Concerns were raised that work on both properties continued.

Cllr B Allison would contact Nev Brown, the consultant who assisted with the Neighbourhood Plan for advice regarding whether he would recommend amendment of the plan.

Cllr B Allison and Cllr Butroid would attend the open day of the Illuminate You, Learning for Life Lodge situated at the George Henderson Lodge on Front Street on Friday 5 December.

9. Village Environment

a. Fix My Street – No report in Cllr Tompkins absence.

b. Field Lane Re-wilding - Cllr Butroid reported that RunThrough Events had informed her that a vehicle had driven through the re-wilding area following the race.  The vehicle and registration had been noted.  She expressed disappointment that following assurances from the organisers that the re-wilding area would be cordoned off sufficiently, this was not adequate enough to deter spectators and runners on the day.

10. Village Events

a. Gainsborough and Morton 10k and Half Marathon 2026 - A discussion was held on the impact and disruption that the race caused the village. What had started as a small event run by the local Stridors had now become a national event attracting a large number of participants and spectators.  It was disappointing that the race coincided with Remembrance Sunday. RunThrough Events, were keen to hold a further race in 2026 and had suggested a date of 1st November.   Cllr Reeve expressed concern for future events following feedback he had received from residents.   It was agreed that Cllr B Allison write to the event organisers sharing the frustrations and concerns from residents received via email and social media.

b. Remembrance Sunday - The remembrance service held at St Pauls was well attended Cllr C Allison informed the council with the Scouts and Guides in attendance. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Parish Council in addition to a wreath in recognition of the animals who supported the war efforts.

c. Feastival 2026 Update - Cllr Field gave a brief report on the success of this year’s feastival and what they could improve on for the following year, 11th July 2026.

11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that the next meeting would take place in March.

12. Village Hall Representative – Cllr C Allison advised the council that she wished to resign from the role as village hall representative. Following discussion moving forward it was agreed that clerk would notify the village hall committee and request a copy of the minutes for reference and an invitation would be extended for a committee member to attend the annual meeting of the parish council or send in a report.

13. Community Assets - No update.

14. Councillor Updates - Clerk to contact Torksey Parish Council to enquire where they had purchased the road side poppies from, following a request from Cllr C Allison, who also asked councillors to consider that the revenue from field hire for the 10k was used to purchase another bench for the cemetery. Clerk to ask for an update on the statue planned for the entrance of Morton Close.  Cllr Reeve kindly offered to liaise with LCC Assets Department regarding an update on the Chance to Share and who was now lead for this.

15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda - Councillors were requested to submit agenda items to the clerk prior to the next meeting.

16. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 8th December 2025 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School.

Meeting closed at 8.21 pm.