February 2023 DRAFT Notes
Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
Telephone: 01778 571249 Email: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com
CLERK’S NOTES OF MORTON & HANTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: TUESDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2023
In Attendance: Cllrs.: R. Wells (Chairman), B. Hyde, W. Lawrance, M. Harris, A. Morris, S. Reynolds, A. Tilley, K. Morris, M. Tuohy.
Also in attendance: CC. Cllr. M. Hill, D & CC. Cllr. S. Woolley, N. Walker (Clerk & R.F.O.)
23 Members of the Public.
7.15pm PUBLIC FORUM
A presentation was made by Mr. Brian Lawrance in respect to the potential setting up of a social space around Hanthorpe Well. This included significant history of the well and its location. Mr. B Lawrance thanked Cllr. Hill, Cllr. Woolley, Cllr. Wells and the Clerk, for their time on the matter. There was additionally, a supporting statement by another member of the public.
A presentation pack on the above subject had been provided to all Councillors prior to the meeting to aid understanding.
Cllr. Wells thanked Mr. Lawrance for his input and that a statement of the Parish Councils position would be made at Agenda Item 7.
7.40pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
1. TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Cllr. M. Mumby
2. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
Cllr. W. Lawrance, Agenda Item 8, parts a) and b).
3. TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10th JANUARY 2023 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES.
Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Hyde, seconded by Cllr. A. Tilley, the Clerk’s Notes of the meeting held on 10th January 2023 were approved as Minutes and duly signed by the Chairman, Cllr. R. Wells.
4. CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
Report:
Barclay’s Bank has announced it will be closing Sleaford Branch (March) and Oakham (April).
Leaving only Spalding for Parish business – however they do not always have counter service. With agreement, the Clerk to investigate other banking options.
Finally got to the bottom of receiving incorrect banking forms/fee invoices etc. The PC account was originally set up as an ‘unincorporated business’ account (32 years ago!). Needs to be changed to ‘Local Authority’. Will be a new account so significant work to inform respective authorities of the change re: BAKS funds to the Parish account.
Clock not striking. Smith of Derby have visited– broken jammed part identified but blowing control board fuse. Parts removed for investigation and repair at Smiths. Clock therefore currently not working.
Broken manhole cover opposite 16 High St. reported and now replaced.
Confirmation of LCC Highways Amenity (Verge) Grass Cutting grant of £1510.15
Correspondence:
Letter received from Morton & Hanthorpe Events Committee. As discussed at the Parish Council meeting, September last year, the village fete is to be held on Saturday 8th July with duration extended slightly.
Request received (from more than 10 parishioners) for an agenda item. Re: Agenda Item: 7.
Notification of Election Briefing for Clerk on 27th February. Election 4th May.
Letter received from PCC regarding church clock and water ingress. No ingress identified.
5. TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDGET:
Payments:
X
Total payments in period= £ 1,195.37
Following a proposal by Cllr. A. Morris, seconded by Cllr. M. Tuohy, the Council approved the payments.
Receipts:
X
Total receipts in period = £ 23.10
6. TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:
Applications:
S23/0135 Ash Cottage, North Fen, Morton. Erection of two storey side and single storey rear extension.
No objections or comments were raised by the Council in respect to the above application.
S23/0041 Grove House, The Grove, Hanthorpe. Erection of garage / store.
S23/0042 4, Morton House Barns, 33 High St. Morton. Proposed playroom / studio.
Due to required response dates S23/0041 and S23/0042 were reviewed by available Councillors by consultation. No objections or comments raised.
Decisions:
S22/1404 Forty Foot Farm – 6 South Fen. Conversion of existing barn to single dwelling. Granted
S22/2191 57 High St. Morton. Change of use from E to C3 (Commercial to residential). Granted
7. TO CONSIDER SUBMISSION FOR WORKS TO HANTHORPE WELL & ENVIRON:
Cllr. Wells asked the clerk as to the findings of the ‘due diligence’ action from the 10th January PC meeting where there was an inference that the land adjacent to the Hanthorpe Well belonged to Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council. Clerk’s investigations: -
3 Land Registry searches, including a location co-ordinate search.
Enquiries with the registered holder: Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford.
Full review of deeds and associated documentation held by the Parish.
Historic Parish Minute searches.
National Grid – Wayleave for power pole.
Additional researches, including communication, photographs etc. to respective parties.
The findings enable Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council to formally state that it does NOT own or have any rights to the Hanthorpe Well or its surrounding plot of land.
Cllr. W. Lawrance left the meeting in accordance with Agenda Item. 2 declaration.
8. SELECTION OF WINNING TENDER FOR PARISH WORKS: 01/04/2023 to 31/03/026
Tender packs were supplied to whoever requested them. 18 packs were requested in all. Tenders submitted to the Clerk were tabulated for Council selection. The tabulation did not name submitters but identified them as Tender A, Tender B etc.
a) Cemetery Maintenance (4 tender packs requested):
b) Playing Field Litter Collection (2 tender packs requested):
Following a proposal by Cllr. B. Hyde, seconded by Cllr. S. Reynolds, the Council selected tenders from Tenderer D, Mr. M. Lawrance, Morton. for Cemetery Maintenance and Tenderer E, Mrs L. Lawrance, Morton, for Playing Field Litter Collection.
c) Amenity Verge Grass Cutting (6 tender packs requested):
d) Playing Field Grass Cutting and Boundary Maintenance (6 tender packs requested):
Following a proposal by Cllr. B. Hyde, seconded by Cllr. M. Harris, the Council selected tenders from Tenderer C, SMV Contract Services, Morton. for Amenity Verge Cutting & Playing Field Grass Cutting.
The Chairman, Cllr. Wells and the R.F.O. (Clerk) signed a respective master copy of the table and format of submissions for record purposes.
Clerk to inform all tenderers of the selection outcome and arrange formal contracts for the winning submissions.
Cllr. W. Lawrance returned to the meeting.
9. TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING – TUESDAY 28th MARCH 2023
10. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
The District & County Councils have set the tax levels for the coming year with a significant element in respect of Adult Care.
Traffic lights will be installed on the A15 adjacent the new Pastures development to undertake connections to the mains services. These may be in place for up to 3 weeks.
Lincolnshire Fire Fighters, Search & Rescue have been in Turkey assisting in the post-earthquake actions.
We take pride in their work, commitment and thank them accordingly.
There is a new format Prosperity Fund to assist with complying projects. Clerk to distribute details to the Parish Councillors.
The District & Parish elections take place on 4th May this year. Note that photo ID. is required. For those that do not have a photo ID there are ways to apply.
OTHER MATTERS:
It was noted that the northern boundary of the playing field off Station Rd. is considerably overgrown and requires cutting back. Under the Countryside Act this work cannot be carried out between 1st March and 1st September. Councils may cut back outside of this controlled period if the overgrowth is a safety issue or obstruction. Although this area is a Public Right of Way sufficient alternative pathway is available therefore this exemption would not apply in this case. Clerk to arrange for the overgrowth to be cutback appropriately after the 1st September.
A number of Facebook posts have commented on the perceived failure of drivers not adhering to the recent 30mph speed limit on the A15. There has been a very recent Police check, formal results awaited. Cllr. A. Morris will research if volunteers can be found to carry out a speed check dependent on support from the Lincolnshire Roads Partnership.
Street light out at northern end of East Lane. Clerk investigating.
East Lane to Station Rd. junction visibility/parking obscured issue. Clerk to contact Highways to investigate / identify way forward.
Due to personal circumstances the clerk requested to change the September Parish Council meeting date to Tuesday 12th, one week later than the originally planned 5th September. This was accepted by the Council.
There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.25 pm.