September 2025 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 14th July 2025, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School
15-minute public forum – Cllr C Reeve, Michael, Anna and Emma Todd in attendance. Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. Mr Todd wished to update the council on progress to date of the proposed Morton Farmer Statue. Planning permission had been submitted to WLDC and public liability insurance confirmation was awaited. Interested parties had until 8th August to make comment. Mr Todd explained that the majority of feedback had been positive and ownership and responsibility for the statue would come under the remit of the Morton Public Arts Society. Cllr B Allison inquired if there were any other projects proposed by the Art Society and Mr Todd hoped that this was the start of further projects in the community. Cllr King asked how the original idea for the statue came about, and whilst Mr Todd agreed that part of the reason was to utilise the green space to ensure that this was not abused and utilised by another party, there was nothing at present in Morton to represent the farming history of the village. A brief discussion took place regarding the current legislation surrounding the installation of broadband and the companies that carry out this work. Mr and Mrs Todd and Emma left the meeting at 6.45 pm.
Cllr Reeve was given a warm welcome by the council. Cllr Reeve explained that the large rural area that now falls within his remit consists of 12 parish councils. He is keen to offer assistance in any pressing issues that are on the agenda of the parish council, whether this is directly or signposting to the appropriate individuals or departments within Lincolnshire County Council. Cllr Reeve currently sits on committees including highways, health, transport and scrutiny. He explained that he had a productive meeting recently with Cllr Boles and they were working towards a 40mph speed limit on the Belt Road and issues surrounding visibility at the junction of The Avenue and the Golf Club due to overgrown vegetation. Cllr B Allison summarised the frustrations that the parish council had experienced with the LRSP and police around the lack of support for monitoring speeding traffic. Cllr B Allison would also bring Cllr Reeve up to speed with the Chance to Share Agreement and previous proposals for the playing field.
Cllr Reeve was in attendance for the remainder of the meeting.
In Attendance - Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Tompkins, Cllr Purdy, C Graves (clerk).
1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr Tinker and Cllr Field.
2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 9th June 2025 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr C Allison and seconded by Cllr Tompkins. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
3. Declarations of Interest – none.
4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Cllr B Allison agreed with Cllr Tompkins suggestion that as Cllr Field was not in attendance the fee/donation for hire of the playing field for the Feastival would be deferred until the next meeting. Clerk advised that the invoice for marquee hire, tables and chairs had been paid and the grant from Town Council and contribution from Feastival committee received as evidenced on the current financial statement. Cllr C Allison requested that the clerk separate income from fund-raising on the monthly financial statement. Clerk to action. No further questions. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr C Allison. Seconded by Cllr Purdy. Chairman and Vice-Chair signed the accounts.
a) Clerks Salary and Job Description - Clerk advised that she was working with the Chairman to update the job description of clerk and responsible financial officer - ongoing.
5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a) New Crime Reports – NPC01 report from Lincolnshire Police circulated prior to meeting. No concerns. Cllr B Allison advised that an incident number had been logged following reports by the school of youths congregating on the field in school hours. Police had attended and no further action taken. He also reported that there had been further issues with motorbikes driving recklessly down Pump Alley. Police aware.
b) SID Data - Cllr B Allison distributed data report for the period 1st April to 31st June. Due to technical issues it had not been possible to extract the data from SID2 (fixed sign Walkerith Road). SID1 (Front Street) data for April was limited to 8 days, however, comparing data from the same period last year confirmed that volumes, averages and speeds remain approximately the same year on year.
6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities
a) Chance To Share - Cllr B Allison reported that there had been no update from the school on any health and safety reports carried out on the community room and currently he was working his way through the lengthy School Land Transaction Guide. He offered to meet with Cllr Reeve on another occasion to bring him up to speed on the Chance to Share and negotiations that had taken place previously with LCC.
b) Field Maintenance - Cllr C Allison requested that the clerk request an update of costs to date for grass cutting from L. Slingsby. Clerk advised that evidence of licences and indemnity insurance had now been received from Kruger Wildlife Management. Council requested that Clerk advise Cllr Tinker to liaise with Kruger to commence rabbit control.
c) Hard Court Repairs - Discussion took place regarding the quotes received to date. Cllr Tompkins expressed concern that the quotes varied quite considerably in price and suggested that more detailed information was requested from the tenders before making a decision. Cllr N Tinker had reservations regarding one of the quotes that the work quoted did not fulfil the criteria needed. Cllr B Allison to arrange a site visit and Cllr Tompkins and Cllr King happy to be in attendance. Cllr B Allison informed the council that during the last litter pick he had strimmed around the hard court, however, the moss would need further attention.
d) Feastival Update - Cllr C Allison was pleased to report that £120 had been made from the plant sales which would be allocated to the fund-raising pot. To date £45 was taken from the sale of knitted poppies and once all monies received this would be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund. Cllr Butroid was disappointed that the cricket wicket was not roped off on the day. A more detailed update would follow at the next meeting when Cllr Field was in attendance.
e) Removal of Showers and Installation of Hot Water Tank - Council requested that the clerk move forward with obtaining quotes for the condemned showers to be removed and a hot water tank installed in the kitchen.
f) Online Booking App/Web Diary for Field Hire - Clerk advised that she had sought clarification from Webmaster regarding an online calendar. He recommended that a link to a Google Calendar could be uploaded to the website so people could see at a glance whether the field was available. Discussion took place on block bookings and subsequent cancellations. Cllr B Allison and Clerk to action. In the meantime clerk advised that all booking inquiries should be made through her in the first instance.
g) Review of Signage and Bylaws - It was agreed that the sign be removed for the time being and a temporary sign be displayed with an up to date contact number for the clerk. Cllr B Allison explained that the bylaws gave the council some protection so it was important that these were not removed. Cllr Tinker and Cllr Purdy to action.
7. Burial Ground
a) Cllr King gave an update on the site visit with EC Surfacing and the revised quote. Following discussion it was agreed that all sections be included in the repairs highlighted on the quote and it was agreed in principle. Proposed by Cllr Tompkins. Seconded by Cllr C Allison. Cllr King would further liaise with the rep and seek a further discount if possible. He would inform the council by email and clerk would action as appropriate.
8. Planning Matters
a) Important Open Space, Field Lane - Cllr Butroid passed the land registration forms to Cllr B Allison for his perusal. Ongoing.
b) Chapel Lane Childrens Home - No update.
9. Village Environment
a) Fix My Street – report for July circulated by Cllr B Allison and noted by all. Cllr Tompkins reported that work was scheduled in South Street and Cross Street and the road would be closed adjacent to The Ship. He also reported that issues remain ongoing with Giggle Fibre and the positioning of poles.
10. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised the next meeting was scheduled for the following week.
11. Village Hall Representative – Cllr C Allison advised that there was nothing new to report.
12. Community Assets
a) Bus Shelter Repairs - Clerk advised that she would follow-up as a matter of urgency and inform Cllr King of any issues.
13. Councillor Updates - Cllr B Allison advised that last litter pick was poorly attended which was a disappointment as this was scheduled for prior to the Feastival. Cllr King reported a caravan parked inappropriately making visibility difficult.
14. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda
a) Hard Court Repair
b) Rabbit maintenance
c) Budget Forecast
15. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 8th September 2025 at 6:30 to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School.
Meeting closed at 8.07 pm.