2026 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 8th June 2026, 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 Butroid, Cllr J Field, Cllr Tinker, Cllr Purdy, Cllr Randle, Cllr Reeve, C. Graves (clerk).

1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr B Allison, Cllr C Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Marsh – apologies accepted.

 

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 11th May 2026, were both proposed as true and accurate record by Cllr Randle. Seconded by Cllr Purdy.

 

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

 

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions and the accounts were proposed as a true record by Cllr Tinker and seconded by Cllr Field. 

 

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

a) New Crime Reports – No new reports. Cllr Tinker had found a small blade near the junior pitch.   Clerk enquired whether this has been reported to the police and Cllr Tinker advised that he had disposed of it safely.  The damaged goal had now been removed from the field.

 

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities

a) Pest Control – Clerk advised that Kruger wildlife management planned a further visit for rabbit maintenance.   Cllr Randle asked what methods were used and Cllr Tinker informed the council that the rabbits would be shot. Kruger would liaise with the police and all safety precautions would be adhered to. Clerk had provided a letter of authorisation and the appropriate paperwork had been provided by Kruger. The mole contract with Axholme Pest Control had not been renewed.

b) Hire Agreement – Clerk provided Cllr Purdy with a copy of the agreement which he would look over and suggest any necessary amendments regarding liability insurance.

c) Barrier Repairs – Cllr Butroid requested that the council consider no further repairs to the current barrier.  She explained that although the barrier was purchased by the parish council its main purpose to date was to stop cars parking in the school car park and since the large green gates were now locked only authorised vehicles could access the playing field out of school hours.   Proposed Cllr Tinker. Seconded Cllr Purdy.   It was resolved that the barrier latch would not be repaired.

d) Pedestrian Gate - Cllr Butroid provided examples and quotes obtained for a pedestrian gate to be installed at the main entrance to the field, to the side of the main gates. This did not include the groundwork that would need to be carried out.  Concerns were raised by Cllr Tinker and Cllr Purdy that although the gate would give disabled access there was the potential that motorbikes could access the field when the gate was unlocked out of school hours.   Cllr Reeve informed the council that there was a possibility that a social grant through LCC and Balfour Beatty could be applied for to carry out any groundwork needed.  It was agreed that further research on gates available was needed and the item was deferred to the next meeting.

e) Gate and Barrier Protocol – Circulated prior to meeting.  No questions. Clerk would provide copies to the school and all sporting teams utilising he field.

f) Removal of showers and installation of hot water tank – Deferred to next meeting. Clerk advised that a request had been received from the school regarding the installation of new hand dryers in the toilets and whether the council could contribute financially.   Discussion took place regarding the current financial pressures on the council for grass cutting, rates and pest control and it was proposed by Cllr Purdy and seconded by Cllr Field that at the present time the council were not able to contribute to new hand dryers.   All in agreement.   Clerk to advise school.

 

g) CCTV – Deferred to next meeting.   Cllr Reeve suggested that the clerk contact Hemswell PC as he believed they used CCTV.

h) Review of Signage and Bylaws - Quotes to be shared at next meeting.

 

7. Burial Ground

a) Unauthorised extension of cremation plots – Clerk shared a draft letter to grave owners.   Cllr Field proposed that although a copy of the regulations would be attached with the letter, the letter should specifically include the dimensions of a cremation plot (2x1.5ft).   Seconded by Cllr Randle.  All in agreement and clerk to make amendment.   Cllr Butroid explained that on a recent visit to a neighbouring village cemetery it was noted that they placed a small flagstone down to mark a plot that was reserved.  She asked that a similar idea be adopted for Morton and clerk would put this on the next agenda for consideration. 

b) Hazard labels for unsafe headstones – Clerk to make enquiries with the town council. Ongoing.

 

c) Water Tap – Cllr Butroid confirmed that this was now in use and a stop key had been purchased and would be stored in the lockup at the cemetery.

 

8. Planning Matters 

a) Neighbourhood Plan – deferred to next meeting.

b) WL/2026/00415 – Change of use from class C3 to C2, 34 Nursery Vale, Morton, DN21 3GE.  Cllr Butroid advised that the application would be included in the next Planning Committee to be held on 24th June at the Guildhall.   Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid and the clerk would attend.

 

9. Village Environment

a) Fix My Street – Cllr Randle reported that there were no new highway notifications for Morton.   The bin outside Crooked Fillet and shop was not adequate for the volume of rubbish.   Clerk would make further enquiries with WLDC.  Cllr Reeve advised that road improvements on Thonock Hill would commence at the end of July.

 

10. Village Events

a) Feastival 2026 11th July - Cllr Field gave a summary, she said the committee were considering a no-stopping zone on Crooked Billet Street outside the school following feedback from last year.  They were also looking at possibly blocking the entrance from the river to monitor visitor numbers through the one entrance.  Clerk would organise for the keys to the community room to be passed to Cllr Field the evening before. 

Cllr Field advised that there was a church fete at St Pauls on Saturday 20th June.   All welcome.

 

11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid advised that the Trust would contribute £500 to the school towards new library books.   Cllr Tinker asked how the charity had started and Cllr Butroid gave a summary of how it supported children and students in education who lived in Morton.

 

12. Community Assets – Deferred to next meeting.

 

13. Website – Clerk requested that councillors periodically review the website and its contents and report anything that needs removing or amending.

 

14. Councillor Updates - Cllr Tinker and Cllr Purdy expressed their disappointment with the playing field grass cutting, and the poor cut had caused problems for the cricket teams recently.  Clerk advised that the grass was cut the first and third Tuesday every month, weather permitting.   Item to be put on next agenda.

 

Cllr Reeve had now been in post one year and he thanked the council for their ideas, input and general support.   Councillor initiative funding of up to £250 could be applied for by local councils for projects to be considered.  The local government review was ongoing and he would be attending the Lincolnshire Show. 

 

15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda

a) Grass cutting, playing field and Field Lane.

b) Pedestrian gate. 

c) Risk register.

d) Reserved plots cemetery.

 

16. Date and time of Next Meeting, Monday 13th July 2026 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School. 

 

Meeting closed at 7.50 pm.