2025 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 9th June 2025, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School

 

15-minute public forum – Lucille Middleton and James Purdy in attendance.  Chairman welcomed Lucille and James to the meeting. Lucille thanked the council for the effort that was being made to cut back the undergrowth and nettles around the perimeter of the field and the gate that led onto the bank, as she had seen Cllr Tinker carrying out some maintenance. She was keen for the gate to be made more obvious as had spoken to some residents who had not realised it was there.  Lucille was encouraged to see an increase in the use of the field by various sporting teams and Cllr B Allison explained that it was hoped that a online booking system could be adopted to make it easier for teams to know when the field was available. A brief discussion took place regarding the council’s recent response to reject LCC’s proposal to fence off their proportion of the field and for the council to surrender the community room.  The lack of provision of a play area for children in the village was once again discussed and Cllr B Allison and Cllr N Tinker had recently had a productive meeting on the field with a representative from WLDC regarding funding opportunities, however, any funding would be made more difficult to secure due to access issues to the field during school hours as per the Chance to Share agreement. Cllr Tinker said that is may be possible for Morton FC to be successful with some grant funding and in turn this may open some avenues for the parish council.  Lucille said it would be good to see the multi-use games area/hardcourt be used again.   Cllr B Allison confirmed this was on the agenda.  Lucille was thanked for her input along with Colin Emery by the Chairman and she left the meeting at 6.38pm.

 

In Attendance - Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Tompkins, Cllr Tinker, Cllr Field, James Purdy, Lucille Middleton, C Graves (clerk).

 

1. Apologies for Absence – no apologies.

 

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 12th May 2025 - Clerk advised that the annual cricket report had been omitted from the annual parish meeting.  It was proposed by Cllr C Allison that taking this into consideration the minutes of the annual parish meeting were an accurate record.  Seconded by Cllr Butroid.  The minutes of the Parish Council were proposed a a true and accurate record by Cllr Field.  Seconded by Cllr Tompkins.  Both sets of minutes were signed by the Chairman, Cllr B Allison.

 

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Tinker (7b).  Cllr Field (7e).

 

4. Councillor Vacancies - Cllr B Allison informed the council that following the resignation of John Parry there were now two vacancies. James Purdy was given a warm welcome to the meeting and expressed an interest to join the parish council.  It was proposed by Cllr Tinker that James be co-opted to the council.  Seconded by Cllr Field.   All in agreement and it was therefore resolved that James Purdy be co-opted.  Acceptance of office and receipt of Code on Conduct were signed.  Clerk to inform WLDC.

 

5. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions.  Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Butroid.  Seconded by Cllr C Allison.  Chairman and Cllr Butroid signed the accounts. 

a) Annual Governance Accountability Return 2024/25 -  The accounts had been reviewed by the internal auditor Shucksmith Accountants prior to being submitted to the external auditor PKF Littlejohn.  Clerk advised that the council were exempt from an intermediate review as either the income or expenditure for the year was below £25,000.00.    Chairman and Clerk signed off the Certificate of Exemption, Section 1 and Section 2 of the AGAR and Clerk would submit to PKF LIttlejohn before the deadline of 30 June and ensure that the exercise of public rights was advertised in accordance with the guidelines set by the external auditor, along with reason for variances, bank reconciliation and declaration of exemption.

b) Clerk’s hours - Following the clerk’s performance review and concerns raised regarding the clerk’s hours, Cllr B Allison had requested that the clerk review her job description and submit this for consideration to the council prior to any decision being made to increase the hours from 25/month. Cllr Tompkins requested that consideration also be made to support any training that the clerk may require or be interested in perusing and Cllr B Allison suggested that the clerk could look at what LALC offered.

 

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

a) New Crime Reports –  Cllr B Allison reported that the repaired fencing behind the hard court had been vandalised once again and he had reported this to the police. He was keen for Morton Parish Council to be a positive reporting council and further encourage residents to report any concerns whether this be vandalism, anti-social behaviour, theft or other concerns to the police to ensure incidents are logged appropriately. Discussion took place regarding A-frames used as a deterrent for motor bikes in ares such as Chapel Lane, Pump Alley and Manor Road.  No other crime reports to discuss.

b) SID Data -  Cllr B Allison distributed data report for the period 1st January to 31st March.   This report would be shared with Lincolnshire Police and Cllr B Allison would enquire whether any speed checks had been carried out, or planned for the near future.

 

7. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a) Chance To Share - Ongoing. Cllr B Allison was working on putting something out on our Facebook page to clarify the Chance to Share Agreement and the different boundaries of the field.  A meeting with the school to discuss potential improvements to the community room and signage had been pushed back due to the headteacher not being available at present.  Clerk to contact school again and request any health and safety reports relating to the community room.  Cllr Tinker had kindly offered to mark out for school sports day and was keen to involve the school with the newly created Morton FC and Morton Juniors and would liaise with the school in his capacity as  Morton FC representative.  Cllr Purdy suggested that the cricket wicket would benefit from being roped off to minimise any damage.   Chairman and Clerk to look at gathering quotes to remove the showers in the changing rooms that are no longer used and improvements to the kitchenette.

b) Field Hire and Bookings - Cllr B Allison reiterate that all inquiries for field bookings are directed to the clerk, and in her absence himself.   As the clerk is the proper responsible finance officer of the council she is responsible to ensure that all bookings are invoiced accordingly and paid promptly.  Cllr Tinker had received various inquiries about field hire and was keen to see an online booking system developed.  Clerk would liaise with the webmaster to see if this could be incorporated into the website.  Cllr Tinker asked that a reduced fee for training/practice sessions be considered for juniors.   After careful consideration and discussion it was proposed by Cllr Field that a fee of £10 be charged for Morton FC juniors for any training/practice sessions.  Seconded by Cllr King.   Clerk to update the current fee table.

c) Pest and Weed Control - Clerk confirmed that she had received the relevant paperwork from Kruger Wildlife Management. It was proposed by Cllr C Allison that they proceed with rabbit maintenance, as the previous maintenance had not been as successful as we had hoped.  Seconded by Cllr Field.   Cllr Tinker to action.    Cllr Tinker proposed that a schedule of weed killer was agreed for the playing field boundary and was happy to arrange.  Cllr King suggested that notices were displayed that advertised that weed killer was being used to inform the public.   All in agreement.  Cllr Tinker to action.  Clerk would approach J. Wood and ask for a quote regarding field maintenance.  Cllr B Allison would liaise with Cllr Tompkins and Clerk on a schedule of tree maintenance.

d) Hard Court Repair - Rabbits - Cllr Tinker informed the council that he had received a quote for management of the rabbits.   He was advised that any quotes be sent to the clerk in the first instance with the appropriate evidence of insurance and licenses, prior to a formal agreement by the council.   Cllr Tinker also shared possible plans for a container that could be used as  changing rooms and include outside seating for football, which would be purchased through funding from WLDC.   Cllr B Allison asked for a show of hands following this proposal, however, the council would need to be kept fully informed and updated on such plans as and when they happen.  Cllr Tinker shared his concerns on entry to the bank from Trentside, as there was no bollard or gate which left it susceptible to vehicles entering the bank which could cause damage in the long term.  He was advised to look into this with the Environment Agency.

e) Feastival Update - 

f) Bylaws - 

 

8. Burial Ground - Clerk advised that she had received notification from LCC that work on the culvert would commence on 22nd April.  Cllr C Allison reported that the saplings had been planted with help from Cllr Butroid.  Clerk wished it to be noted that Mr F Cave who gave up his own time, free of charge to clear the path up to the cemetery gates and keep the edges neat and tidy.   He asked the clerk whether the council would have objections if he gave the gates a coat of paint.   No objections.

 

9. Planning Matters

a) Important Open Space, Field Lane - Deferred.

 

10. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – report for April circulated by Cllr B Allison and noted by all.

 

11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid reported nothing to update.

 

12. Village Hall Representative – Cllr C Allison would attend the next meeting of the Village Hall the following  week.

 

13. Community Assets – Cllr King requested that seating for the playing field and bus stop be put on the next agenda.  Clerk to action.

 

14. Policy Review - Final draft of Record Retention Policy circulated prior to meeting.  Proposed Cllr Butroid.  Seconded Cllr King.   Clerk to arrange uploading to website. 

 

15. Councillor Updates - Cllr C Allison advised that she was grateful for the support received by volunteers to knit poppies.  These would be displayed around the village, church and lamp posts between early May until November.   Funds raised from the Egg Hunt this year would be for the Royal British Legion. 

 

16. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda 

a) Playing field seating

b) Multi-use games area

 

17. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 12th May 2025 at 6:30 to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School following the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting.  Apologies were given in advance by Cllr King and Cllr Tinker.

 

Meeting closed at 8.33 pm.