May 2025 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 12th May 2025, Community Room, Morton Trentside School.
15 minutes public forum – Michael Todd, resident of Morton Close in attendance. Cllr B Allison welcomed Michael to the meeting and invited him to address the council. Michael explained that he was attending the meeting to share concerns of residents and himself regarding the erection of a telegraph pole and cables to be situated at the entrance to Morton Close, by Giggle Fibre, to provide high speed broadband. He distributed documentation on the background, petition and mock-up of an idea he had for a permanent piece of art/sculpture to be placed on the green area at the entrance to the close. He inquired as to ownership of the land, however, the Parish Council did not own this land, to the best of their knowledge, and Cllr B Allison suggested that he make inquiries with Land Registry and LCC, who cut the grass as part of the the grass cutting schedule. Michael explained that he believed the need for further high speed broadband was not necessary as the current speeds offered were more than adequate. Cllr Tompkins explained that he had read that other areas had similar concerns and suggested contacting these groups via social media might be useful. The mock-up shared with the council was a bronze sculpture depicting a farmer as a permanent reminder of the farming heritage of the village. Cllr B Allison explained that the Parish Council did not have the planning authority to grant permission for this, however, would be happy to help provide details of who to contact for further help with regards to appropriate planning for a permanent structure, if needed. Cllr B Allison asked how this would be funded and Michael explained this had already been factored in to the project.
Michael thanked the council for listening to his concerns and would keep in touch with the clerk with any further updates. Michael left the meeting at 7.14pm.
In Attendance - Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Tomkins, Cllr Field, C Graves (Clerk)
1. Election of Chairman for the Ensuing Year – Clerk informed Council that she had received two written nominations prior to the meeting for Cllr B Allison. It was proposed by Cllr Butroid that Cllr B Allison be nominated. Seconded by Cllr Tompkins. It was resolved that Cllr B Allison be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.
2. Apologies For Absence – Cllr King and Cllr Tinker, apologies noted and accepted.
3. Election of Vice-Chair for the Ensuing Year – Cllr B Allison proposed that Cllr Butroid be nominated. Seconded by Cllr Field. It was resolved that Cllr Butroid be elected Vice-Chair for the ensuing year.
4. Election of Village Hall Representative – Cllr Butroid proposed that Cllr C Allison be nominated. Seconded by Cllr Field. It was resolved that Cllr C Allison be elected Village Hall representative for the ensuing year.
5. Election of Tyler Trust Charity Trustee – Cllr C Allison proposed that Cllr Butroid continue as representative. Seconded by Cllr Field. It was resolved that Cllr Butroid be elected as Tyler Trust representative for the ensuing year.
6. Community Assets Representative - Cllr Butroid proposed that Cllr King be nominated. Seconded by Cllr Tompkins. It was resolved that Cllr King be elected as Community Assets representative for the ensuing year.
7. Playing Field Representative – Cllr B Allison proposed that Cllr Tinker be nominated. Seconded by Cllr Tompkins. It was resolved that Cllr Tinker be nominated as Playing Field representative for the ensuing year. In his absence Cllr B Allison confirmed that Cllr Tinker was happy to be nominated for this role.
8. Environment Representative - Cllr B Allison proposed that Cllr Tompkins be nominated. Seconded by Cllr C Allison. It was resolved that Cllr Tompkins be elected as Environment Representative for the ensuing year.
9. Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th April 2025 - Approved by all Parish Councillors. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Field. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.
10. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Field (Feastival).
11. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed Cllr Butroid. Seconded Cllr C Allison. Cllr B Allison informed the council that a quarterly budget summary would be distributed for the September meeting.
12. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Antisocial Behaviour and Speeding) – NCP01 report for March/April circulated prior to meeting. Cllr Butroid noted that an incident relating to a mechanically propelled vehicle on the A15 did not relate to Morton, near Gainsborough. Nothing else to report.
13. Playing Field and Shared Community Facilities.
a) Chance to Share - Cllr B Allison confirmed that our response to LCC proposals had now been shared with all parties involved and he would communicate with the Playing Field Committee that there were no plans in the immediate future to reinstate the committee. This was included in the Chairman’s report which would be shared on our Facebook page. Cllr Butroid informed the council that unfortunately there had been a recent issue relating to the sprinkler that had been connected for the cricket wicket and subsequent communications with the head teacher. The sprinkler had been broken and a representative from the cricket club had spoken to the head teacher following this. The head teacher had emailed the clerk and Chairman and Cllr B Allison was awaiting a telephone call back. Should any councillor wishing to have access to the field during school hours they should report to school reception in the first instance and gain the appropriate visitor pass and authorisation to enter the field. Clerk to contact the school and request a meeting.
b) Picnic tables/seating - deferred.
c) Improvements to hard court/multi use games area - Cllr B Allison reiterated that improvements to the hard court should be a priority this year and all were in agreement. Discussion took place regarding potential grants from Lincolnshire Co-op and other local businesses and it was felt that a volunteer working party to clear the hard court of debris, moss and weeds could be arranged and the community involved. Cllr Tinker would provide the clerk with a quote he had received for improvements and she would compare this to the previous quotes received. Cllr Tinker shared a quote he had received regarding pest control (rabbits). There would be a charge of initially £1,200 which was for four separate sessions, then £250 quarterly thereafter to maintain and manage the problem. Cllr B Allison requested that Cllr Tinker forward the quote to the clerk along with the appropriate insurances for a decision to be made at the next meeting.
14. Burial Ground – update and resolve any action to be taken.
a) Waste disposal - Clerk shared quotes and information she had gathered to date about potential new waste disposal for the cemetery, which included WLDC, Biffa and Ellgia. Cllr Field suggested that a quote be obtained from Lindum. Clerk to update via email.
b) Culvert clearance - Clerk reported that she had received complaints, including on social media, of the lack of privacy at the cemetery since planned work on clearing the culvert had commenced by LCC. Discussion took place on options to create a more natural barrier between the cemetery and the path/road and it was hoped that in time the hedging would grow and thicken out. However, the option of new fencing could be considered once the scheme of maintenance for the carriageway had been completed which was a priority.
c) Grass cutting - The grass continues to be cut in line with Glendale’s schedule and will be monitored closely.
15. Planning Matters – to consider any planning applications received.
a) WL/2025/00391 application for 1 detached dwelling, land 10 Trentside, Morton, DN21 3AQ. Discussion took place and it was proposed by Cllr D Tompkins that a comment be submitted to WLDC stating that Morton Parish Council have no objections to the proposal but would kindly remind the applicant to remain within the curtilage of the proposed development. Seconded by Cllr Butroid. Clerk to action.
b) WL/2025/00436 application for change of use of dwelling to children’s residential care home, 7 Chapel Lane, Morton, DN21 3AY. Cllr B Allison briefed the council on the planning submission for change of use. Following discussion and concerns raised it was agreed that further information was required prior to submitting a response. As the closing date was 9th June, which is the date of our next meeting, it was agreed that correspondence on this application would be shared with councillors via email and an appropriate response agreed. Cllr B Allison and clerk to action.
16. Village Environment
a) Common Land Field Lane – Cllr Butroid to update at next meeting as she was awaiting responses to emails.
b) Fix My Street – Report for April 2025 distributed by Cllr B Allison and noted.
17. Tyler Trust – Covered in APM.
18. Village Hall – Covered in APM.
19. Community Assets – Covered in APM.
20. Meeting Dates 2025/26 – Cllr B Allison proposed that the meetings continue to be the second Monday of each month with no meeting scheduled for August. Seconded Cllr Butroid. Clerk to distribute and advertise dates accordingly.
21. Councillors Updates - Cllr Field to liaise with the clerk to arrange for the grant from Gainsborough Town Council to be paid into the council’s account, this is to be used towards marquee hire for the feastival.
22. Item for Inclusion on the next Agenda
a) Clerk’s hours/job description
b) Rabbits
c) Feastival layout
23. Date and Time of Next Meeting – Monday 9th June 2025 at 6.30pm, Community Room.
The meeting closed at 8.23 pm.