2025 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 10th February 2025, 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 Butroid, Cllr Parry, Cllr C Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Tompkins, Cllr Tinker, Cllr Field (late arrival), C Graves (clerk).

 

1. Apologies for Absence – no apologies received.

 

2. Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 13th January 2025 – Cllr Tompkins highlighted an error in the spelling of his surname on the previous minutes.  Clerk to amend and minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record. Proposed by Cllr Tompkins. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.

 

3. Declarations of Interest – none.

 

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Expenditure included the work carried out on the unsafe tree and grass cutting for the field and Field Lane.  Cllr Parry inquired on the VAT element of these, Clerk explained that the VAT could be reclaimed for the tree work but not the grass cutting.  An application for 40% rate relief for the year 2025/26 had been submitted. No further questions. Proposed Cllr C Allison.  Seconded Cllr Tompkins.  Clerk to share an up to date budget forecast with the Chair.

 

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

a) New Crime Reports – It was noted that there had been a couple of road traffic accidents on Morton Corner recently. Cllr C Allison informed the council that a resident who walks his dog along Manor Road had shared concerns of litter including empty alcohol bottles which he had cleared up. Following submission of the previous SID data to Lincolnshire Police,  Cllr B Allison informed the council that a request had been made for speed checks to take place in the village.  

 

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a) Morton Community Field Proposals - Cllr B Allison updated the council on the meeting with Cllr Field and a representative from ACIS who had cast his eye over the shared agreement and proposal by LCC. This was a useful meeting and confirmed that our counter proposal was reasonable and the proposal by LCC goes against the spirit of the chance to share agreement.  Clerk to request a follow-up meeting with LCC to move forward.  Discussion took place regarding funding opportunities for the field and improvements to the football pitch and facilities.  Cllr Tinker raised concerns about the rabbits.  Clerk would inform him of any ad-hoc bookings for the football pitch.  

b) Fallen/dangerous tree - Clerk advised that the proposed work had now been completed, and she was awaiting receipts for the damaged fence panels and children’s play equipment.

c) To consider increase in hire fees - Fees for other local sporting amenities had been circulated prior to meeting for comparison.  Cllr Tinker asked why our fee for Morton Cricket Club was less than the fees for other teams.  The cricket club historically maintained the wicket and carried out their own maintenance, which including marking out.  Cllr Tinker suggested that the same consideration be given to the local football team.  It was generally felt that the fees were good value, however, with the increasing costs of grass cutting, line marking and general maintenance it was suggested by Cllr B Allison that the fees be increased by 10%.  Cllr Parry suggested that the fee increase take effect from the beginning of the next football and cricket season, however, to coincide with the financial year Cllr C Allison proposed that the increase should take affect from 1st April 2025.  Seconded by Cllr King.  Fees would be as follows; Morton Cricket Club and Morton Football Club £30/game. All other adult cricket and football £44/game. Junior football and cricket £33/game.  It was also agreed that a fee for practice sessions be included at £20/session and all bookings must be via the Clerk.  Proposed Cllr C Allison. Seconded by Cllr King.

d) Grass cutting - Cllr Tinker suggested that the council consider purchasing their own ride on mower to enable the grass cutting to be done in house by volunteers. Discussion took place regarding storage and insurance and how this would affect Field Lane grass cutting. Cllr B Allison asked that Cllr Tinker prepare a report for discussion at a later date.

 

7. Burial Ground

a) To consider increase in fees and revised regulations - Following comparison of fees for other parishes of similar size and Gainsborough Town Council which were circulated prior to meeting it was suggested that a 10% increase be considered by Cllr B Allison. Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Tompkins and seconded by Cllr C Allison that the fees from 1st April 2025 would be as follows; burial £250, cremated remains £140, exclusive rights of burial £275, exclusive rights cremated remains £220, headstone permit £110, vase permit £55, additional inscription to memorial £35 and admin charges for searches etc £25/hour.  These fees are doubled for non-Morton residents.

b) Culvert clearance - Cllr Butroid advised that she had received a quote for £3,750.00 for 3 days work including 3 men, a tractor, trailer and teleporter. Clerk would chase up a site meeting with highways to discuss their plan, as the work would need to be carried out before nesting season. Clerk advised that the saplings acquired from the Woodland Trust would be delivered within the next few weeks.

c) Burial Records - Cllr Tompkins updated the council on the progress and improvements he had made to the database. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Tompkins.

 

8. Planning Matters

a) WL/2025/00105 - advertisement consent to display 2no. sets of individual house name letters and logo, 1no. set of individual house name, letters with trough light, 2no. amenity signs and 1no. amenity sign with A1 poster case, The Ship Inn Morton.   No comments. Clerk to action.

b) Important Open Space, Field Lane - Clerk had been informed that as Lincolnshire County Council were not a pioneering authority it is not possible to register new common land and advised to seek further guidance from the open space society, however, they had already been approached previously with no progress made.  Cllr Butroid to make initial inquiries with HSR Law to see if they have someone who could advise on next steps.  Cllr King shared concerns he had with other re-wilding projects that looked unkempt.  Cllr Butroid explained that for a short period of time the area would look untidy, however, the seeds we planned to use were self-seeding and this was part of the process.

 

9. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – February report circulated by Cllr B Allison who was pleased to inform the council that all jobs highlighted last month had been resolved but one.

b) End of World War 2 Remembrance (8 May/15 August) - Cllr C Allison reported that feedback was very positive, and a number of knitting volunteers had come forward. She would arrange a coffee morning so volunteers could meet, and a timetable be agreed.

 

10. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that the next meeting was due to take place on 4th March 2025.

 

11. Village Hall Representative – Cllr C Allison advised that the next meeting was due to take place on Wednesday.  She would make inquiries whether the village hall intended to hold any event for the VE and VJ remembrance.

 

12. Community Assets – Cllr King suggested consideration be giving to a second bus shelter on the opposite side of Walkerith Road.  Clerk would look into whether funding was still available, and Cllr. Butroid suggested a bench would be a good suitable alternative.  Cllr Tinker would explore the possible noticeboard for the bus shelter. 

 

13. Policy Review - Cllr B Allison and clerk to arrange site visits to local storage companies.

 

14. Fundraising - Cllr B & C Allison would host an egg hunt in their garden on 19th April and a plant stall was planned for the Morton Feastival.  It was suggested that local supermarkets be approached for donations of chocolate eggs for the hunt.

 

15. Councillor Updates - A meet up on the field on Saturday 15th February at 9.30am was arranged to assess the amount of rubbish for a skip and a further assessment of the multi-use games area.  All welcome.  Clerk advised that an additional 10 hours had been purchased for the website maintenance service through LALC, and Cllr B Allison asked that the clerk keep an eye on the hours used.

 

16. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda 

a) Budget review

b) Grass Cutting

 

17. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 10th March 2025 at 6:30 to be held at Community Room, Morton Trentside School.  

 

Meeting closed at 8.06 pm.