October 2026 Minutes
MORTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting for Morton Parish Council held on Monday 12th October 2026, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at Morton Trentside School
15-minute public forum – Michael, Anna and Emma Todd in attendance and welcomed to the meeting. Michael distributed photos of the statue mould made in clay. The cost of the statue in bronze would be £7,500 (inc. delivery). Anna asked that the council consider acting as named nominee only for the funding application as planning had already been sought and granted. Cllr Butroid asked whether it was planned to place the statue where the current advert was. Anna said they were exploring the possibility of moving it to the opposite side of the close, however, this would involve significant costs as a utilities box would need to be moved. Cllr King enquired about the security of the statue. Michael explained that the statue would be anchored to a cement base with an annual insurance quote of £300/year. Cllr Marsh suggested that Anna investigate incorporating the insurance into the grant application. Cllr B Allison explained that the matter would be discussed and considered and a decision would be shared in due course. Michael, Anna and Emma left the meeting at 6.42pm.
In Attendance – Cllr B Allison, Cllr King, Cllr Randle. Cllr Marsh, Cllr Field, Cllr Purdy, Cllr C Allison, Cllr Butroid and C. Graves (clerk).
1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr B Allison informed the council that Cllr Tinker had given his apologies and resigned. Clerk to action.
2. Minutes of the Meetings held on Monday 14th September 2026, were proposed as true and accurate record by Cllr Marsh. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.
3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Field (Feastival). Cllr Purdy (cricket).
4. Accounts – Monthly financial statement distributed prior to meeting. No questions. Proposed by Cllr Randle. Seconded by Cllr Butroid.
a) Budget Review – Cllr B Allison distributed the half year financial report. In summary comparing to the same period last year income had decreased by 12%. The recently submitted VAT reclaim was due to be credited. Although precept and burial fees had increased 4% and 1% respectively, playing field income receipts were 52% lower with £795 in invoices remaining outstanding. Expenditure decreased by 25% compared to the first six months of last year. Additional expenditure including a new laptop for the clerk, burial ground water rates due to a leak and an increase of 22% in annual insurance. However, we can now progress into the remaining 6 months with £9161.77 and £10,000 reserves. Further planned spends including the possible water leak at the burial ground, pedestrian gate at the playing field and any potential election costs would need to be taken into consideration.
b) Outstanding invoices – Clerk advised of individual outstanding invoices, covered in agenda item (a).
5. Community Safety (Crime, Vandalism, Anti-Social Behaviour & Speeding)
a) New Crime Reports – Reports of an individual trying car door handles along Front Street. Police had been informed of e-bikes on the playing field.
b) SID Data – Cllr B Allison distributed data for quarter July-September. Cllr C Allison noted that speeds for September had dropped slightly and hoped that the new speed signs that had been erected to replace those that had faded may have made an impact.
6. Playing Field & Shared Community Facilities.
a) Grass Cutting – Attempts to obtain further quotes for grass cutting had proved difficult. Cllr B Allison and Cllr Butroid had received a quote that was not viable due to costs. This left the quote from the Trinity Foundation and the previous contractor Glendale. Cllr C Allison proposed that Glendale were reinstated with the following conditions, more cuts at the height of season and later in the week ie. Thursday/Friday to ensure that the grass was short for any sporting activities at the weekend. Cllr Purdy had concerns following previous quality issues with Glendale. The quote received from Trinity Foundation was considerably more than Glendale and it was therefore seconded by Cllr Butroid that Glendale was approached to recommence the contract. All in agreement with the new conditions. Clerk to action.
b) Ad-hoc Fees – Discussion and consideration was given to the hire fees for AEA Coaching following correspondence received from R Clarke in respect of the increase in hire fees. Cllr B Allison asked the council to consider whether a percentage fee, yearly fee or session fee was appropriate. Clerk advised that she had received no booking enquiries from AEA Coaching since earlier in the year, however, it was understood that the field was still being utilised for these sessions although unauthorised. The Clerk explained that before the fee increase R Clarke had been in regular contact with his requirements for weekly field hire enabling invoices to be raised. Councillors felt that it would be difficult to charge a percentage as this would rely on knowing exact numbers of students for each session. A yearly fee was thought inappropriate due to the ad-hoc nature of bookings. Cllr King proposed that a fee of £25 per session be applied. This was less than football and cricket team fees. Cllr Randle seconded this proposal. All in agreement. Clerk to action and request that R Clarke recommence weekly updates for bookings.
c) Pedestrian Gate – Deferred following the meeting with school on 23rd October.
d) Chance to Share meeting – This was planned for Friday 23rd October and in attendance would be representatives from the school, Parish Council, Assets Department, Children’s Services and County Council. Cllr Field asked what the strategy was for the meeting. Cllr B Allison hoped that having open and honest discussions with all parties would enable the Joint Management Committee to be re-established.
e) Review of Signage – deferred.
f) CCTV – ongoing. Cllr Marsh to continue exploring.
7. Burial Ground
a) Unauthorised extension of cremation plots – Clerk gave a brief update and advised that she had received several enquiries following letters being sent out. Cllr C Allison noticed that a few plots had already been amended. Consideration to be given to small slabs being laid to mark plots that have been reserved which may deter plots from being extended in the future.
b) Hazard labels for unsafe headstones – To incorporate when bulbs planted/litter picking.
c) New Bench – Cllr C Allison reported that this was progressing and looking at possible installation in the new year.
d) Water tap – Clerk advised that since the tap had been turned off in August, Anglian Water had confirmed that no water usage had been recorded. However, a further revised bill continued to be incorrect. Ongoing.
8. Planning Matters – No recent applications.
9. Village Environment
a) Fix My Street – Cllr Randle gave an update. Camper van had now moved from Field Lane. Overhanging shrubbery near the school on Crooked Billet Street ongoing. The bin outside the Premier Shop and Chip Shop did not appear adequate for the volume of litter. Clerk to approach the shop to ask if a larger or additional bin could be provided.
b) Bus shelter shrubbery – Clerk to contact resident.
c) Tree Survey – ongoing. Clerk to action.
10. Village Events – A Remembrance Service will be held on 8th November at 9 am, St Paul’s Church. A wreath would be laid on behalf of the council and Cllr B Allison invited all to attend.
11. Tyler Trust – Cllr Butroid updated the council that no recent applications had been received.
12. Community Assets
a) New noticeboard Co-op and playing field - ongoing
13. Website – Clerk monitoring monthly. Councillors were asked to report any errors or missing information direct to herself.
14. Councillor Updates – Clerk advised that she had applied for £250 from Cllr Reeve’s Councillor Initiative Fund for further seeds for the rewilding project.
15. Items for Inclusion on next Agenda.
b) Precept Estimate 2027/28
c) Clerk’s salary
16. Date and time of Next Meeting, Monday 9th November 2026 at 6:30 pm to be held at the Community Room, Morton Trentside School. Cllr Randle gave apologies in advance.
Meeting closed at 8.15 pm.