July 2026 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 13th July 2026, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School
15-minute public forum – no members of the public in attendance. Cllr Reeve addressed the council with an update. He had attended the Morton Feastival and was pleased to see it well attended. He advised that a speed reduction from 60 to 50 mph had recently been approved following numerous road traffic collisions at the Grayingham crossroads. He agreed that speeding was a countywide issue and Cllr C Allison expressed concern that Morton does not appear to get its share of police speed checks. A brief discussion took place regarding the recent planning committee meeting and the disappointing outcome of change of use from a C3 dwelling to a C2 children’s home on Nursery Vale and the apparent precedent now set, this being the fourth residential property in Morton to be approved as a children’s home without a sequential flood test which is a requirement under the NPPF. Cllr B Allison asked that Cllr Reeve enquire with LCC regarding their Looked After Children policy. It was noted by Cllr B Allison that a call for sites enquiry for Morton had recently been brought to his attention, as part of the process to determine what land could be included in the revised assessments for the LLP and NPPF. Cllr Reeve highlighted potential small funding opportunities through his councillor initiative funding and clerk would liaise directly with Cllr Reeve.
In Attendance – Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Randle, Cllr Purdy, Cllr Reeve and C. Graves (clerk).
1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr Field, Cllr Marsh, Cllr King and Cllr Tinker – apologies accepted.
2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 8th June 2026, were proposed as true and accurate record by Cllr Randle. Seconded by Cllr Purdy.
3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Purdy (cricket).
4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Clerk advised that she had been contacted by AEA Coaching following the increase of hire fees to £45/session. They had asked that the council consider a reduced rate as it was not viable for them to continue training sessions on the field. Clerk advised that it had been difficult to monitor recent use of the field by AEA Coaching as previously they had contacted her direct on a weekly basis so the sessions could be put in the diary and invoiced accordingly. It was proposed by Cllr Randle that before making any decision on a revised rate of hire AEA Coaching were approached to provide a copy of their fees and accounts for transparency. Seconded by Cllr C Allison. Further discussion on grass cutting, general provisions of toilet rolls and rateable value regarding the school’s proportion of the field continue. Clerk would contact the school again and request a meeting for September to include the governors. Cllr Reeve suggested that he pass on Cllr Rob Gibson’s contact details to Cllr B Allison. He is currently the Deputy Leader of the County Council and may be able to assist with a contact from the assets department.
The accounts were proposed as a true record by Cllr Butroid and seconded by Cllr Purdy. Cllr Reeve left the meeting at 7.07 pm.
5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a. New Crime Reports – Cllr Butroid reported ongoing problems with children on electric scooters, riding on the path. They appear not to be wearing helmets and without parent supervision. Cllr B Allison advised that there was a new Neighbourhood Policing Team and this could be highlighted to 101 who should pass this onto the team to pick up. Cllr B Allison to ask for an update from the police on the stolen locks from the gates.
b. SID Quarterly Data – Report circulated by email prior to meeting by Cllr B Allison which included data from SID 1 (Front Street) following past issues with charging. Report noted by all. No questions.
6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities
a. Grass Cutting – Cllr Purdy to approach Trinity Foundation and request further information on a possible grass cutting contract.
b. Pest Control – Clerk advised that Kruger wildlife management had been unable to plan a session to date due to the weather being too hot and bright and it was hoped that a session could be planned soon.
c. Hire Agreement – Clerk and Cllr B Allison to action.
d. Pedestrian Gate – Cllr Butroid to share further examples of potential gates and prices with the council. Cllr B Allison was keen to move forward with this project as a matter of urgency.
e. Removal of showers and installation of hot water tank – Discussed under item 4. Clerk to action.
f. CCTV – Following discussion and advice from the Crime Prevention Officer Cllr B Allison it was suggested that a camera could be mounted on the flood light that would record activity around the gate which could be monitored easily on a mobile phone. To be included in the meeting with the school.
g. Review of Signage and Bylaws – Cllr B Allison asked the council to consider including a QR code on new signage which would link to the website, this would enable the information to be amended when required without having to purchase new signage each time. The contact details for the clerk would be included on the signage which would remain the same. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Tinker on possible examples and quotes.
7. Burial Ground
a. Unauthorised extension of cremation plots – ongoing, Clerk to action.
b. Hazard labels for unsafe headstones – ongoing, Clerk to action and investigate tip and tilt testing to identify unsafe headstones.
c. New Bench – Cllr C Allison suggested that a backless bench be considered. Examples and quotes to be circulated by Clerk.
8. Planning Matters
a. Community Engagement Meeting Know Your Place 23rd June- Cllr C Allison and Cllr Butroid gave a summary of the recent engagement meeting at the village hall organised by Bassetlaw District Council. This was in conjunction with the STEP Programme on the former West Burton site. Residents are asked to consider their community in terms of opportunities and challenges and complete an online form. Paper copies were also available and distributed by Cllr C Allison to share. Further engagement session was planned locally.
b. Planning Committee Meeting 24th June, WL/2026/00415 – Change of use from class C3 to C2, 34 Nursery Vale, Morton, DN21 3GE. Cllr Butroid, Cllrs B & C Allison and the clerk had attended the committee meeting and was disappointed to report that a change of use had been granted despite opposition from the parish council, residents and district councillors Boles and Rollings.
9. Village Environment
a. Fix My Street – Cllr Randle gave a summary which included the bin outside the Premier Shop often overflowing and causing rubbish to spill out over the pavement. A pothole by the school on Crooked Billet Street and a temporary road closure on Mill Lane at the beginning of August for footway repairs.
10. Village Events – Cllr Randle to look at possible contacts to assist with a tree survey. This would identify trees that were either diseased or damaged and had the potential to cause issues if they were to fall. Ongoing.
11. Tyler Trust – No update.
12. Community Assets
a. Noticeboard – ongoing, clerk to action.
13. Website – Clerk to review website monthly and note any necessary amendments.
14. Policies – Risk Register and incident log, ongoing Cllr B Allison and Clerk.
15. Councillor Updates – Clerk advised that following a recent water bill it would appear there was a water leak following the reinstatement of the water tap at the cemetery. Cllr Butroid and Clerk to investigate.
16. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda
a. Water supply, cemetery
b. Rabbit maintenance
c. Tree survey
17. Date and time of Next Meeting, Monday 14th September 2026 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School. Cllr Randle gave apologies in advance.
Meeting closed at 8.03 pm.