2025 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 8th September 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 Field, Cllr Tinker, Cllr Purdy, Cllr C Reeve, C Graves (clerk).

 

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

 

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 14th July 2025 - Cllr C Allison informed the council that the £55 raised from the sale of knitted poppies had been made up to £100 and donated to the Royal Legion Benevolent Fund. Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Butroid and seconded by Cllr C Allison. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

 

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Tinker, football (6b, 6f).  Cllr Field, feasitval (6d)

 

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting.  Cllr Reeve inquired on the variation of fees for interments. Clerk clarified that for non-Morton residents fees were doubled and cremation and burial interment fees were different.   Cllr Tinker explained that grass cutting costs would be reduced as we approached the autumn/winter months.

a) Budget Forecast - Cllr B Allison circulated budget forecast to date. This showed a 20% increase in income compared to the same time last year.  However, it was important that the council make provision for an emergency fund to allow for any unforeseen expenditure.  A brief discussion took place regarding rates paid on the cemetery and playing field to WLDC.   

b) Clerk’s Job Description - Cllr B Allison and Clerk were working on the revised job description and exploring the potential of splitting the role or clerk and responsible financial officer, enabling cover to be provided in the absence of the clerk.

 

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

a) New Crime Reports –  Since the last meeting in July, Cllr B Allison had reported two incidents of antisocial behaviour on the playing field and one incident relating to motorbikes. As access to Roses and Marshalls was now very much restricted, Morton Playing Field had seen an increase in recreational use by youths.  Cllr Reeve explained that as resources on policing were extremely tight it was important that crimes were reported promptly and through the correct channels.  Although this may show an increase in statistics for the area this could help any future funding for policing. Cllr B Allison expressed concerns that the online reporting system was difficult to navigate and Cllr Butroid had experienced problems logging incidents with no follow-up from the police. 

 

 

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a) Chance To Share - ongoing.

b) Field Maintenance - Cllr N Tinker reported that two rabbit maintenance sessions had taken place with two more planned before moving to quarterly maintenance. To evaluate outcome at the end of the sessions. Cllr Tinker advised that following discussion with the grass cutting contractor there were potentially two more cuts for the season, however, he may not continue next season.   Clerk to contact contractor direct.  Cllr B Allison reported that he had received an enquiry asking why the goals were cordoned off.  Whilst the council were under no obligation to provide goals and other equipment for the general public the field was a community field and anyone wishing to use for purposeful recreation should be made to feel welcome.  Cllr Tinker hoped that funding could be secured by MFC for removable goals on wheels which could be locked away when not in use.

c) Hard Court Repairs - Cllr B Allison was awaiting a quote from Lockwoods following their assessment. However, now the summer break had passed any improvements would have to coincide with the remaining school holidays.

d) Feastival Update - Cllr Field was pleased to report that the 2025 feastival had been an extremely successful event.  Due to the hot weather unfortunately the dog show had to be cancelled, however, the stalls, refreshments and evening entertainment were popular and some great feedback received.   Clerk outlined details of the invoice paid for marquee, table and chair hire. As discussed and agreed at a previous meeting an invoice for field hire would be raised. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Field.

e) Removal of Showers and Installation of Hot Water Tank - Clerk to action two further quotes.

f) Online Booking App/Web Diary for Field Hire - Cllr B Allison had devised a Google Calendar and had shared with the clerk for updating prior to putting a link on the website.  Cllr Tinker expressed concern that other clubs that may wish to book the field could potentially ruin any improvements made to the pitch and goal mouths.  A brief discussion took place regarding possible exclusive rights for MFC.

g) Review of Signage and Bylaws - Cllr Tinker and Cllr Purdy to action removal of the signage on the garage and arrange for the clerks contact details to made available for any inquiries pertaining to the field.

h) Asbestos/Legionella report - ongoing.  No work could be carried out on the changing rooms until clarification received from the school.

 

7. Burial Ground

a) Cllr B Allison was pleased to report that the carriageway resurfacing was now complete.  Unfortunately the underlying structure was in a bad state, delaying the work and adding some extra costs. Cllr B Allison wished to thank Cllr King for his input in driving forward with the project.  ECS would reassess the tarmac carriageway in due course before signing of the project.

b) Water Tap - The original site of the tap had been located which would be assessed to see what needed to be done to enable this to be re-established.

 

8. Planning Matters

a) Important Open Space, Field Lane - Cllr Butroid requested that to move forward with the re-wilding the grass be cut shorter. Clerk to action. Seeds and signage had been purchased.  Cllr B Allison would liaise with Cllr Reeve to discuss land registry of Field Lane open space to see if he could offer any assistance.

 

9. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – Deferred in Cllr Tompkins absence.  Cllr Reeve advised that work  would commence in November to repair the pavement on South Street.

 

10. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that the drainage problem had been resolved at the house on Front Street.  The next meeting would take place in March.

 

11. Village Hall Representative – Cllr C Allison advised that she planned to attend the AGM on Wednesday.

 

12. Community Assets - Clerk advised that the repairs were now complete and Cllr King had reported to the clerk that he was satisfied.

 

13. Councillor Updates - Cllr B Allison advised that the last litter pick of the season would take place on Saturday 13th September.

 

14. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda 

 

15. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 13th October 2025 at 6:30 to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School.

 

Meeting closed at 7.50 pm.