2026 Minutes

MORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 14th September 2026, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School

15-minute public forum – no members of the public in attendance (Reece Clarke attended during Item 6.)

In Attendance – Cllr B Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Marsh, Cllr Tinker, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Butroid and C. Graves (clerk).

1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr Field, Cllr Randle, Cllr Purdy – apologies accepted.

2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 13th July 2026, were proposed as true and accurate record by Cllr Butroid. Seconded by Cllr C Allison.

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Tinker (football).

4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. Cllr C Allison asked why no playing field hire income had been received to date.   Clerk confirmed that invoices were due to be sent out shortly for summer season hire.   Cllr Butroid suggested that we consider whether rabbit maintenance is good value for money, and it was agreed that this would be reviewed following the success of the next visit in 3 months. Clerk to request an update from Anglian Water on the leak at the cemetery.  The accounts were proposed as a true record by Cllr Butroid and seconded by Cllr Marsh. 
a) AGAR 2025/26 outcome – Clerk reported that PKF Littlejohn had raised two ‘except for matters’ on AGAR Form 3. Box 11 should have been ticked yes as we are not sole managing trustees and the variation in the published amount by the precept authority and box 2 relates to £100 grant support from the precept authority.  Clerk will publish outcome on the website and noticeboard.
b) VAT rebate – Clerk confirmed that a VAT rebate of £5,818.57 had been submitted for the period August 2025 to August 2026.  The majority of this was from the carriageway repairs.

5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding
a) New Crime Reports – Cllr Butroid reported that the camper van that had been parked up on Field Lane had now moved on. Cllr Tinker informed the council that riders of e-bikes had been caught on the field and been asked to leave by a neighbour.  Last Sunday the gates had been left open overnight despite Cllr Tinker locking up later on Sunday afternoon. Discussion followed and Cllr C Allison and Cllr Butroid expressed concern that the code had been compromised as too many people were aware of it and being passed on.  The alternative was to revert to a key padlock with only authorised key holders.  Cllr B Allison updated the council on the theft of the padlocks earlier this year.  Due process had been followed by the police; however, no further action would be taken.  A robbery at the Co-op had taken place on 17th August but the perpetrators arrested soon after.  Cllr Marsh found that the Lincs Alert app was a good source of up-to-date information from Lincolnshire Police.

6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities.
Reece Clarke from AEA Coaching was welcomed and joined the meeting at 6.55pm – He addressed the council on his wish to continue utilising the field for football coaching sessions. He gave a brief background of his work and schedule.  He explained that this changed week to week depending on his availability and students wishing to book one to one session and asked that the council consider a hire fee that would reflect this. Reece agreed to email details to the Clerk for consideration.   Reece left the meeting at 7.01pm. 
a) Grass Cutting – Council discussed the problems encountered over the summer with grass cutting.  Both cricket and football had experienced issues with the length of the grass which had impacted on matches.  Cllr B Allison reiterated that the Council were only responsible for cutting the grass to a playing field standard, however, he did understand the frustrations experienced by the teams. Cllr King proposed that whilst alternative quotes were sought would Cllr Tinker be prepared to cut the field temporarily if the council were to provide the petrol for the mower.  Due to the work and time commitment involved Cllr Tinker asked if the council would consider waiving fees for Morton FC Seniors.  Taking all things into consideration, it was agreed that Glendale would be given notice and Cllr Tinker would cut the grass on a temporary basis.   Petrol would be reimbursed and two free hire fees for Morton FC Seniors.    Cllr King would liaise with the clerk and assist in finding alternative providers.   Clerk to contact Trinity Foundation and request a revised quote removing Field Lane. Glendale would be asked to continue cutting Field Lane and the cemetery only.
b) Pest Control – Covered in agenda item 4. 
c) Hire Agreement – The agreement had been updated to reflect that hirers must produce a copy of their own liability insurance prior to hiring the field. 
d) Pedestrian Gate – Cllr Butroid advised that the cost of a pedestrian gate ranged from £500-£600.  She was exploring local companies to install and carry out the groundwork which would be an additional cost. Agreement from the school would have to be sought prior to any work being carried out and it was hoped that this would be covered in the forthcoming meeting with the school. Cllr Tinker raised the question whether the pedestrian gate was necessary as the barrier and large gates protect the field from vehicles and the field can still be accessed from Southlands and the bank.  Cllr B Allison said that the pedestrian gate was a long-term plan to enable accessibility for residents of Morton to the Community Playing Field from Crooked Billet Street.  Cllr Marsh thought that with the addition of CCTV this would further ensure security of the field and she would explore possible funding available.
e) Chance to Share meeting with school representatives 24th September – Cllr B Allison, Cllr Butroid and the clerk would attend a meeting to discuss moving forward with re-establishing the Joint Management Committee.   Cllr B Allison was looking into other parish councils within Lincolnshire that had shared agreements in place.
f) Review of Signage – ongoing. Sign on river entrance to be reviewed. 

7. Burial Ground
a) Unauthorised extension of cremation plots – Clerk advised that the letters had been sent out. 
b) Hazard labels for unsafe headstones – Clerk to action. 
c) New Bench – Cllr C Allison informed the council that a backless bench was kindly being made by somebody local and it was hoped that some of the fundraising could be used to plant a border along the carriageway.

a) Planning Matters – Cllr Butroid reported number 70 and 80 Walkerith Road were not yet registered with Ofsted.   Cllr B Allison also reported the proposed children’s home on Morton Front was not being pursued. Funding for review of the Neighbourhood Plan was proving difficult as funding was not readily available as was support from residents. Morton did not fall into the catchment for Pride of Place funding.

8. Village Environment
a) Fix My Street – deferred.   Cllr C Allison asked whether the resident of the bungalow behind the bus shelter could be approached to cut the hedge as this was obscuring the view.  Clerk to action. 
b) Winter Salt Bag – Not required. 
c) Tree Survey – Clerk advised that the residents of 10 Trentside had reported a fallen tree into their garden, which they have removed. Cllr Tinker has checked the perimeter of the field.  Clerk to contact WLDC and ask for guidance.
d) Proposed Farmer Statue – Update received via email.   Statue would not be pursued, and the advertisement would be removed.

9. Village Events – Open church St Paul’s Tuesday mornings, running until end of October and Scunthorpe Male Voice Choir performing on 19th September. 

10. Tyler Trust – Next meeting 15th September.

11. Community Assets 
a) Noticeboard – ongoing, clerk to seek possible funding. Cllr Tinker enquired about the field booking app/calendar.  Clerk advised that at present bookings should continue through the current channels.

12. Website – Clerk monitoring monthly.

13. Policies – Cllr B Allison advised the council that consideration be giving to adopt a Risk Register which would work alongside our Incident Log.   Ongoing.   

14. Councillor Updates – Cllr Butroid advised that the wild-flower meadow had now been mowed and thanks given to R. Bull for his time.  She would be grateful for any volunteers to rake into piles.  Cllr C Allison happy to volunteer.

15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda.
b) Budget setting 2027/28
c) Update on school meeting
d) Grass cutting

16. Date and time of Next Meeting, Monday 12th October 2026 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School. Cllr Randle gave apologies in advance.

Meeting closed at 8.06 pm.