2025 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 13th October 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 (minute taker), Cllr Field, Cllr Tinker, Cllr King, Cllr Tompkins, Cllr Purdy, Cllr C Reeve.

1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr C Allison and C. Graves (clerk).

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 8th September 2025 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Field and seconded by Cllr B Allison.

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Tinker(football), Cllr Field (feastival), Cllr Purdy (cricket).

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting.  Cllr Tinker raised concerns of the outlay for grass cutting. This would be reviewed when contracts were considered for renewal. No further questions.  Proposed by Cllr Purdy.  Seconded by Cllr Tinker.

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

a) New Crime Reports – Cllr Tinker reported that a Stanley knife had been found on the field.  Cllr Reeve explained that the issue surrounding groups of youths/young adults using recreational spaces to hang out was causing concern in other areas around the county.  Cllr Tinker explained that as other venues were now closed off (Roses and Marshalls) Morton Community Field was attracting more groups due to being accessible.

b) SID Data - Cllr B Allison distributed data for the last 3 months from SID1 and SID2 and noted by all.

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a) Chance To Share - ongoing.

b) Rabbit Maintenance - Cllr N Tinker reported that a further session was planned later in the week and advised that further sessions would then be once a quarter.

c) Hard Court Repairs - Cllr B Allison awaiting confirmation from Lockwood’s to arrange a start date.

d) Removal of Showers and Installation of Hot Water Tank - ongoing awaiting further quotes.

e) Online Booking App/Web Diary for Field Hire - ongoing.

f) Review of Signage and Bylaws - ongoing.

g) Asbestos/Legionella report - Cllr B Allison read the summary provided by the school in relation to the community room, which did not raise any immediate concerns.  The date of the report was also duly noted.

h) Field Hire Fees - deferred in clerk’s absence.

7. Burial Ground

a) Water Tap - It was agreed that this be deferred until the New Year.

b) Update on meeting with Cliff Bradley & Sons - Cllr B Allison summarised an informal meeting held with Carlton, Cllr Butroid, the Clerk and himself on 3rd September. This was found to be very useful and provided some thoughts moving forward.

8. Planning Matters

a) WL/2025/00957 - installation of access ramps, internal alterations, increase in parking provision, and extension to existing dwelling. 70 Walkerith Road, Morton, DN21 3BZ. 

b) WL/2025/00436 - 7 Chapel Lane, update. 

Cllr Butroid informed the council that a certificate of lawful development proposal had been uploaded to the WLDC planning portal that day relating to 80 Walkerith Road, Morton, DN21 3BZ.  It was noted that the owners also owned 70 Walkerith Road.

Discussion took place on these applications, the increase of HMO’s in the area and the recent Chapel Lane application outcome.  Cllr B Allison to draft a response and circulate via email to all for consideration prior to submitting.

c) Important Open Space Field Lane - remove from agenda.

9. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – Cllr Tompkins provided an update to the council and street lighting on Mill Lane discussed.

b) Field Lane Rewilding - Cllr Butroid informed the council that planting was now complete and signage had been erected. The edges to the sign would be rounded off and she reported that positive feedback had been received on the project.

10. Village Events - Gainsborough and Morton 10k and Half Marathon 9th November 2025. Cllr B Allison informed the council that a meet up had been arranged with representatives from Run Through Events, LCC Highways, Cllr Tinker and the clerk to discuss how to minimise disruption during the event.

11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that the next meeting would take place in March.

12. Village Hall Representative – No update. 

13. Community Assets - No update. 

14. Councillor Updates - Cllr B Allison advised that the funeral of Pearl Banyard, former mayor of Gainsborough would take place on 16th October at 1.30 pm at All Saints Church.  Cllr Tinker raised concerns of e-scooters on the field damaging the grass and cricket wicket.  3 quotes would also need to be sourced for hedge maintenance between September and March.  Cllr Reeve informed the council of a manpower project that might be of interest with Balfour Beatty through LCC.

15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda

a) Precept Estimate 2026/27.

b) Hedge Maintenance.

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