2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
Telephone: 01778 571249     mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com

Minutes of the Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council Meeting - Tuesday 20th February 2024

In attendance: Cllrs:   B. Hyde, W. Lawrance, S. Reynolds, M. Harris, A. Morris, K. Morris, M. Tuohy, C. Holden, A. Tilley

Also in attendance:  N. Walker – R.F.O. & Clerk, Pastor Andy McManus, 5 members of the public.

7.15pm PUBLIC FORUM

A specific issue of dog barking nuisance was once again raised. This specific issue (location) is already elevated to the higher authority of SKDC. A Parish Council does not have powers to deal with this type of issue.

Bins! The current situation was raised as being unacceptable. When the purple lidded bins were collected some people were advised that they had placed the wrong recycling in these bins and that the subject matter should be placed in the grey bins. On collection of grey bins the same items were in 2 cases re-identified by the collectors that it should be placed in the purple bins! The various collectors are therefore not clear and contradictory, leading to many bins not being emptied. Additionally, many grey bins were tagged, not emptied but no indication was made on the tags as to what was wrong. At least correctly annotated tags would help educate on the right recycling products to relevant bin.

Vehicle parking in the village was highlighted as an issue; especially around the East Lane/Station Road area. The impact of visibility is the main concern, especially with the number of school children crossing both roads at this location. The change of tenancy rules for the SKDC bungalows was put forward as one possible cause. The problem has been discussed by the Parish Council previously and raised with LCC Highways. An inspector did attend and review the situation and last report options were being looked at. No update has since been received. Clerk to seek update on progress.

7.45pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

1.   TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies were received from: Cllr. R. Wells, S. Walker, C.Cllr. M. Hill & C. & D Cllr. S. Woolley

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

None submitted:

3.   TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9th January 2024 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES. 

Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Tuohy, seconded by Cllr. A. Morris, the Clerk’s Notes of the meeting held on 9th January 2024 were approved as Minutes and duly signed by the Chair Person, Cllr. B. Hyde.

4.   CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

Report:

As requested at the last meeting, a substrate of hardcore and shingle has been used to fill in the ruts by the cemetery gates.

Trees blown down and some require cut back to northern boundary of the cemetery. (This work is additional to the defined contracted maintenance activities).

Parish Council printer has broken. (Drive belt). This is not a replaceable part. As a key piece of equipment replacement was proposed by Cllr. C. Holden, seconded by Cllr. M. Harris and approved by the Council.

Correspondence:

Notification of closure of Spalding Barclay’s Bank branch. An alternative ‘business branch’ has been identified….Kings Lynn! It was proposed that cheques be scanned and deposited by appropriate bank envelope and paid in at the Post Office. The scanned cheques can then be verified to the monthly bank statements and therefore the reconciliation form. These changes will require amendment of the Financial Regulations which will require formal Council approval.

Notice has been received that after recent ‘water table’ issues, Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council, as Burial Authority, can no longer offer ‘double depth’ burial plots in Haconby Lane Cemetery. Double depth plots already assigned will be honoured but no new assignments are to be made. Changes to the Cemetery Regulations will be required and local Funeral Directors notified.

Bourne Festival of Wheels (cycling event) has been cancelled.

Invitation to propose EV charging points in the parish.

PRoW41 (A15 to 130m east – 71 house development area) to be temporarily closed from 4th March to 3rd September.

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

Payments:

 Total payments in period=         £       1,243.42

Following a proposal by Cllr. C. Holden, seconded by Cllr. M. Tuohy, the Council approved the payments.

Receipts:

Total receipts in period =           £          273.10 

6.   TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:

Applications:  

S24/0199 The Chestnuts, The Grove, Hanthorpe. 2 trees – A Sycamore and a Horse Chestnut – Trees with a TPO – Lift Crowns to 6m

After discussion, the Council directed the Clerk to raise an objection to this application. Loss of mature trees or significant impact to them, especially so visible as these, not only harms the vistas of the village but also their positive effect on surface water control. A significant element of the original TPO.

Decisions: 

S23/1360 Field to north of Southfield Nurseries. Creation of off-leash dog field.          Granted                    

S23/1660 Holme Farm, 19 High St. Morton. Discharge of material conditions.             Acceptable

S23/1964 Holme Farm, 19 High St. Morton. Partial demolition of outbuilding.            Granted

S23/2037 Land east of Folkingham Rd. Morton. Demolition of derelict outbuilding.    Granted

7.   TO REVIEW AND CONFIRM ACCEPTANCE OF THE MORTON & HANTHORPE EMERGENCY PLAN.

The recent flooding demonstrated the need for a coherent emergency plan for Morton & Hanthorpe. 

A draft has been produced and circulated and permissions where required obtained.

Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Tuohy, seconded by Cllr. A. Morris, the Council approved the Emergency Plan. Copies will be distributed accordingly.

8.   TO CONSIDER SIGNAGE TO HANTHORPE POND.

Is signage required to the front edge of the pond where rising water may obscure the drop off.

3 options were identified: Simple post & sign, series of posts and warning chain, no signage.

Following discussion where over many years there has not been any incidents it was proposed by by Cllr. S. Reynolds, seconded by Cllr. M. Tuohy that no action be taken. This was accepted by the Council with 1 abstention.

9.   TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 26th March 2024

10.   TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.

No outside bodies present.

OTHER MATTERS:

The Clerk was asked to clarify the car park area adjacent to the C of E School off Station Road does not belong to the Parish Council. The Clerk confirmed this.

The overgrown hedge at the left corner of Edenham Road adjoining Edenham Road/The Grove continues to be a hazard. Once in leaf visibility will be even more restricted. This was, at last record with Highways, being subject to a formal order to cut back & reduce. This has not occurred. Clerk to attain current progress and chase.

Misuse of Playing Field litter bins (dog waste) and of dogs on the field continues. Clerk to investigate new signs and potential for fines as the field is registered as ‘No Dogs Allowed’ with SKDC in accordance with health and safety guidelines.  

There being no further business the meeting ended at 8.30 pm.

Original Signed

N. Walker
Clerk & R.F.O.
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council