2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
Telephone: 01778 571249
Email: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com
                                               
MINUTES OF MORTON & HANTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING:   TUESDAY 25th July 2023

In attendance: Cllrs.: B. Hyde, W. Lawrance, S. Reynolds, K. Morris, C. Holden, S. Walker

Also in attendance: County & District Cllr. S. Woolley & N. Walker – R.F.O. & Clerk.

7.15pm PUBLIC FORUM:

In attendance: Rev’d. N. Bullen & 1 member of the public.

The member of the public is a Highway’s specialist from within the Parish.   Concern was raised regarding the sightline, looking south on the A15, from the exit from Hill View Gardens. Visibility of the approaching northern bound traffic from Bourne is severely restricted by a BT telegraph pole and beyond detritus/undergrowth overflowing from the dyke bordering the A15/The Pastures development. This had previously been notified to the Clerk, with full detail regarding required compliance. The Clerk has informed both Highways and SKDC Planning of the issue. Situation / action to be monitored.

Additionally, the question of installing a pedestrian crossing at the A15 crossroads was raised and assistance offered to campaign. This has been submitted as a case on a number of occasions. At the last PC meeting the Clerk was tasked with obtaining a current costing for such crossing and a statement of likelihood from LCC Highways. Statement can be found at Agenda Item 4 of these notes.

The position of the 30 mph. signs on the A15 was questioned. It was proposed that there should be a buffer from the 60 mph, through a 40 mph section and the 30 mph positioned closer to the village. LCC Highways, when the 30 mph reduction was agreed purely changed the extant 40 mph. signs to 30. However this also aligned with the start point of street lighting (even though some have been subsequently switched off). If the 30 mph. limit was associated with the built-up area of the village it was thought it may have more impact. However given that the current planning consents, The Pastures development to the south and the planned 71 dwelling development to the north, which does entail further changes to the A15, it is likely that the current position will remain.

7.38pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING:

1.   TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: 

Cllrs. R. Wells, Cllr. M. Tuohy, A. Morris, M. Harris, A. Tilly and C.Cllr. M. Hill

2.   TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

N. Walker declared an interest in Agenda Item 7.

3.   TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13th JUNE 2023 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES:

Following a proposal by Cllr. K. Morris, seconded by Cllr. S. Walker, the Clerk’s Notes of the meeting held on 13th June 2023 were approved as Minutes and duly signed by the Chair Person, Cllr. B. Hyde.

4.   CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

Report:

Numerous ‘Fix-My-Street’ reports were raised as actions from the last meeting. These have been, or are, being campaigned.

Speed check signs installed on Hanthorpe Rd.

There have been numerous questions in the past regarding an A15 crossing and speed detection devices. Firstly, most of the enquirers are not aware of the costs involved or the criteria that must be met for installation of such. At the last meeting the Clerk was tasked with obtaining current costings etc. Highways were contacted and the information is as follows:

“Costs for a controlled pedestrian crossing are circa~ £200,000.oo. The location does not meet the DfT criteria for static nor average speed cameras. If it did; the simplest systems would cost between £50,000.oo and £100,000.oo. Based on current data, one would not be considered at this location.”

MHE Fete was again a success. However, there was an incident with the marquee the following day. Issue was addressed quickly & efficiently by the event team.

Second problem on the Station Rd. playing field same evening of 9th July. A car drove onto the field, at speed, doing donuts and hand brake turns with no concern for at least 2 young children who were on the field at the time. Video was taken and a police report submitted. This is the second incursion on the field in 2 months. Earlier incident a car drove across the field at speed towards East Lane, turned exiting through the car park when it found could not exit at East Lane.

Delaine bus service for Hanthorpe school children to cease. Cessation of the service is a purely commercial decision by the company. Service will continue from Morton High St. 

Correspondence:

2 complaints regarding Playing Field grass cutting. Contractor contacted accordingly and addressed the problem.

SBA (Government Auditors) confirmed acceptance and approval of this years (2022/3) accounts.

5.   TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDGET:

Payments:

Total payments in period=         £       2822.81

Following a proposal by Cllr. C. Holden, seconded by Cllr. S. Reynolds, the Council approved the payments.

Receipts:

Total receipts in period =           £         647.70 

6.   TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:

Applications:

S23/0965   Land to northeast of 43 & 45 High St. Morton. New single-story bungalow with new access via St. John’s Close.

Available councillors were consulted as SKDC Planning response date was prior to PC meeting. No objections were raised however the PC did comment that only access via St. John’s Close would be acceptable, given High St. buildings listed status. 

Decisions:

S23/0814   29A Edenham Rd. Hanthorpe. Single storey extension & alts. To rear & west side, installation of PV panels on south roof of garage, installation of south facing dormer window.

Granted

In accordance with the declaration of interest at Agenda Item 2, N.  Walker, the Clerk, left the meeting.

7.   TO REVIEW CURRENT SALARIES.

Litter Picking:     Currently 8 hours every 4 weeks @ £12.oo per hour 

Last pay increase was Oct. 2020.  After due consideration and debate an increase of £1.oo per hour was proposed making the new rate £13.oo per hour.

Following a proposal by Cllr. K. Morris, seconded by Cllr. S. Reynolds, the Council approved the increase.

R.F.O. & Clerk:     Given the increase of workload and scope and comparing with similar sized parishes and duties it was proposed to raise the hourly rate of the clerk to match that of the litter picker new rate of £13.oo per hour and increase the hours in month by 8.

Following a proposal by Cllr. S. Walker, seconded by Cllr. K. Morris, the Council approved the increase.

N.  Walker, the Clerk, was re-called rejoined the meeting & resumed his duties.

8.   TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2023.
  
9.   TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.

Due to a concern raised at the last M&H PC meeting an SKDC official visited The Broadway regarding work on cars. The official was satisfied and the activity deemed reasonable.

Station Rd. closure. Highways have been notified of the concern / incorrect map detail regarding the proposed closure, especially at this time of high agricultural traffic from the fens. Cllr. Woolley to be informed by Highways of the situation.

SKDC own and managed some housing stock. Shortfalls in the management and maintenance of the stock are recognised. This is an issue to some of the Morton & Hanthorpe parishioners but the situation is being campaigned / monitored.

Throughout the Parish there are a number of hedges that have not been maintained to the required standard by householders / landowners. Some specific issues have been taken up by Highways. Please could parishioners maintain their hedges/shrubs/trees to the pavement/road boundary line as the situation of limiting access and visibility is both un-social and dangerous. Clerk to highlight on Parish Facebook. 

OTHER MATTERS:

The availability of waste bins in Hanthorpe was raised. The PC has tried to obtain bins to be installed in the past even at PC cost. However, SKDC cannot cover the additional collection of waste therefore due to health and safety and environmental concerns provision of additional bins cannot be progressed.

East Lane entrance to playing field not being maintained / cut. Clerk to inform contractor.

Playing field – west fence area, East Lane end. A number of garden plant/shrubs are out of control and impinging on the playing field. Clerk to write to respective householders for address of the issue.

SKDC are to campaign dedicated ‘purple lidded’ recycling bins for cardboard and paper. This is in addition to the current grey recycling bin. This will improve the recyclability of cardboard & paper due to preventing contamination from other recycled products.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 8.45 pm.