2026 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 9th February 2026, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School

15-minute public forum – Leanne Masterson and Danielle Dandilly representing Morton Junior Football Club in attendance. Wayne Randle.

 

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

 

1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr C Reeve.

 

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 12th January 2026 - Proposed as a true and accurate record by Cllr C Allison and seconded by Cllr King.

 

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

 

4. Councillor Vacancies - Chairman welcomed Wayne Randle to the meeting who had expressed an interest in joining the Council. Wayne provided a brief introduction and it was proposed by Cllr King that Wayne be co-opted to the council. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.   Clerk explained that following the resignation of Cllr Tompkins the electoral office at WLDC had received a request by 10 electors within the parish to hold an election for this vacancy.   Concern was raised regarding the cost to the parish and Cllr B Allison distributed information that had been provided by WLDC on the costs involved. Clerk advised that she had received no communication from any other interested individual to join the council, despite the vacancies being advertised on the website.   Clerk would liaise with the electoral office at WLDC for guidance on the election process.  A certificate and letter would be given to D Tompkins as a token of thanks.

 

5. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting.   Clerk reported that an over-payment had been made to Shucksmith Accountants for the quarterly payroll charge, however, this would be rectified at the next quarter. Agreed as a true and accurate record by Cllr N Tinker and seconded by Cllr C Allison.  

 

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

a) New Crime Reports – No concerns. Cllr C Allison mentioned that there was a recent post on social media of someone acting suspiciously hanging around which had been captured on doorbell cameras.  Cllr B Allison had been unable to gather the data from the SID signs recently.  He would speak with Cllr C Reeve regarding possible speed reducers for the village and the clerk would look into new signage.

 

7. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities - Following a previous discussion with Cllr Tinker, Cllr Purdy and the clerk, Cllr B Allison requested the council consider appointing Cllr Purdy as the playing field representative going forward.   Cllr Tinker was fully supportive of this.  It was acknowledged that Cllr Tinker dedicated many hours of his own time maintaining the field and it was due to this commitment that the playing field was in such good shape. Cllr Tinker would continue to support and represent Morton Seniors Football Club.  It was proposed by Cllr Tinker that Cllr Purdy be the playing field representative and seconded by Cllr C Allison.

a) Football Team Capacity -  Cllr B Allison distributed a map of the playing field with possible pitch capacity, taking into consideration the requested provision from Morton Senior and Morton Junior teams.  Leanne and Danielle were given a warm welcome to the meeting and gave some background on Morton Juniors proposals to expand for the 2026/27 season.  This included the provision of extra pitches being marked out for the junior teams and a possible storage unit for equipment. Clerk advised that she had already received bookings from KIXX, Morton Cricket Club, R Clarke coaching and the Feastival committee and had yet to receive any fixtures for football. Both Leanne and Cllr Tinker confirmed that these were not yet set by the league. Discussion took place on who would take responsibility for the maintenance of the pitches and Cllr Tinker expressed concerns that Morton Juniors proposals would not give the pitches time to recover from over use.   Leanne explained that all teams would not be playing home games every week so there would only be a maximum of  two teams each week which reduce the parking issues that Cllr Field expressed concerns  over including emergency vehicle access. Cllr B Allison was keen to learn what both clubs expectations were regarding funding opportunities.   Clerk asked Cllr Purdy how the proposals would impact the cricket, however, he did not think it would pose any problems for upcoming cricket season.  Cllr King was keen to see both teams working alongside and supporting each other and reaching a compromise regarding capacity. Cllr B Allison suggested that a site visit and meeting be arranged to include a representative from senior and junior teams, Cllr Purdy and the clerk.  

b) Removal of Showers and Installation of Hot Water Tank - ongoing. 

c) Online Calendar - Cllr B Allison advised that the online calendar was not compatible and information on bookings and fixtures would be uploaded on a monthly basis as an alternative. 

d) Review of Signage and Bylaws - Cllr Tinker provided the clerk with examples of possible signage.  Ongoing.

e) Hedge Trimming Maintenance - Awaiting further quotes. Clerk to action.

 

8. Burial Ground

a) Research 99 year plots - Ongoing. Clerk to action.

b) Cemetery Mapping - Cllr B Allison and clerk had looked into this further and at present advised that the council were not in a position financially to commit to the project.

c) Review Burial Agreement Form, Fees and regulations - Cllr Butroid and clerk shared with the council draft regulations and fees for consideration.   Council requested to look over these prior to the next meeting and feedback. 

d) Research Friends of Morton Cemetery -  Clerk to place a poster on the cemetery notice board.

e) Hedge Trimming Maintenance - see 7(e).

 

9. Planning Matters - WL/2025/01244, 80 Walkerith Road, change of use from C3 dwelling to C2 children’s home and rear extension - current status refused.   A brief discussion took place on the potential extension of the boundary of 10 Trentside, Morton, impinging on the playing field boundary.   Cllr Butroid and Cllr King to arrange to meet to view and feedback.

 

10. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – Cllr Butroid gave a brief overview which included cars parking in the no parking school zone and problematic pot holes.  Cllr B Allison to meet with Cllr Butroid to review Fix My Street.

 

11. Village Events - Cllr C Allison informed the council that a coffee morning at St Pauls was planned for Thursday at 10am in aid of the Air Ambulance.

 

12. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that confirmation of a meeting in March was awaited.

 

13. Community Assets - Cllr King requested additional dog fouling stickers and Cllr Tinker would have a look at providing these as he may have some spare. Cllr C Allison suggested that a note be placed on the waste bin at the cemetery requesting that visitors take home their rubbish if the bin us full.  Clerk to action.

 

14. Councillor Updates - Cllr Tinker provided the clerk with draft signage for the cemetery gate as requested at the previous meeting.  

 

15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda

a) Cemetery and playing field hire fees.

b) Election update.

c) Playing field grass cutting.

 

16. Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 9th February 2026 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School.

 

Meeting closed at 8.12 pm.