December 2025 Minutes

Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
      Telephone: 07547171357    Email: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com                        
                                                                                                                                                Page No: 713
 
                     Draft Minutes of the Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council Meeting,  
                                                           Tuesday 2nd December 2025
 
In attendance: Cllrs:   B. Hyde (Chair), W. Lawrance, S. Reynolds, C. Walker, K. Morris, 
                                   M. Tuohy, R. Carlton, F. Barker,
Also in attendance:    N. Walker (R.F.O. & Clerk)
                                                            
 
7.15pm PUBLIC FORUM   (No members of the public attended)
 
7.15pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
 
 
                    
1. TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Cllrs. R. Wells, A. Morris, M. Harris, plus: D & C. Cllr. S. Woolley, C. Cllr. M. Hill 
 
2. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
 
Cllr. Lawrance – Agenda Item 7
 
3. TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 28th OCTOBER 2025 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES.
 
      Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Tuohy, seconded by Cllr. F. Barker, the Clerk’s Notes of 
            the meeting of 28th October 2025 were approved as Minutes & duly signed by the Chair 
            Person, Cllr. B. Hyde.      
 
4. CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
 
      Report:
      Chairman’s mid-year internal audit of PC accounts carried out. No issues.
      Complaint received regarding ‘abandoned’ car.
      Further complaints received regarding pyracantha ingress into Pearce’s Lane.
      3 non-functioning street lights reported and now fixed.
      1 complaint of severe ‘puddling’ during recent rain. Investigated, Road drain cleared of leaf 
      debris – road drained successfully.
 
     Correspondence:
 
     Notification of potential tenant for Stainfield Rd. field.
     Access request by National Grid for survey on Stainfield Rd. field. – The Council concurred 
     that access is mandated and that the Clerk to respond to the request accordingly.
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                            Page No: 714
 
5. TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDGET:
 
      Payments: 
 

Mr. N. Wilkie

Litter picking 5/10 to 24/10

£           90.50

St. John the Baptist Church

Hall hire for Oct. PC mtg.

£           15.00

Mr. N. Walker

Clerk’s salary for Oct.

£         672.52

HMRC

P.A.Y.E. & Employer’s NI to 5th Oct.

£         303.36

Mr. N. Wilkie

Litter picking 31/10 to 23/11 inc.

£           90.50

S. Harrison & Co.

Verge & Playing Field grass cutting for 2025

£      4,800.00

                                                                  Total payments in period =        £      5,971.88
 
Following a proposal by Cllr. R. Carlton, seconded by Cllr. C. Walker, the Council approved the payments.
 
 
Receipts: 
 

Set-in-Stone

Memorial fee.

£         125.00

Barclay’s Bank

2nd qtr. saving acc. interest

£           78.25

Set-in-Stone

Memorial fee.

£         100.00

SKDC

½ yr. litter picking grant.

£         463.32

 
                                                                    Total receipts in period =         £        766.57
 
Verge cutting grant notification received (£3,287.78). Will be confirmed in Nov. bank statement &
formally included as payment at the 13th Jan. PC meeting.
 
 
 
6. TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:
 
  Applications: 
 
        S25/1758  Halls Garage, Folkingham Rd. Morton. Outline application for residential 
                          development.
 
        (The above request was raised at the meeting on 28th Oct. then circulated to Councillors for 
         review as the Planning response date was prior to this meeting – No objections or comments   
         raised.).          
 
        Decisions: 
 
  S25/1938 Connie’s Cottage, 41 High St. Morton. PE10 0NR Section 211 notice: Reduce crowns     
                   of 2 Yew trees.                                                                                          Work Allowed.
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                            Page No: 715
 
7. TO CONSIDER PRECEPT LEVEL FOR 2026/7
 
Based on current expenditure this year & forecast budget requirements for next year the proposed precept for Morton & Hanthorpe Parish is: £16,000.oo
 
This figure constitutes zero increase on the last 2 years precept level. As can be appreciated the tender submission levels are unknown at this time and will not be finalised until post the precept submission cut-off however current funds offset potential increases.
 
Following a proposal by Cllr. W. Lawrance, seconded by Cllr. S. Reynolds, the Council
Approved the precept submission to be £16,000.oo
 
 
8. TO CONFIRM APPROVAL OF TENDER PACKS CONTENT AND PUBLICATION:
 
The tender packs detailing the required services for: Verge & playing field grass cutting, playing field litter collection & Haconby Lane Morton Cemetery maintenance were circulated at the meeting on 28th October for content review. No changes were identified.
 
Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Tuohy, seconded by Cllr. C. Walker, the Council approved 
the tender packs. Clerk to issue packs accordingly.
 
 
9. TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 13th JANUARY 
2026
 
 
10. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
 
From District & County Councillor: Sue Woolley
 
There have been complaints about the BMW in front of the bungalows behind the Church. It doesn't have a SORN or tax, however the Police won't/can't do anything unless it's moving. SKDC won't class it as abandoned as it has a registered keeper. Also, their residential services won't do anything even though the owner is a tenant. 
 
It has been reported to DVLA. Other residents need to report to initiate action.
 
The road sweeper has been round this morning, please let me know if any bits have been missed.
 
You may have seen that I've flagged up to residents that the HWRC in Bourne is under pressure regarding white goods. This isn't their fault but there's a problem with the firm that usually takes the stuff.
 
I had a request for a replacement bin which should have now been delivered to a resident in the Crescent.
 
There is no news on the timescale for the crossing and Martin and I continue to push.
Sue
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                           Page No:  716
      OTHER MATTERS:
 
     Cracked / uneven surface on verge on High St. Clerk to again request address from Highways.
 
Hedge at 27 Edenham Rd. (Bungalow on corner) remains an issue and poses a threat to emerging traffic / pedestrians. Previously reported to Highways on numerous occasions! Clerk to again raise with the authority.
 
Severe puddling on East Lane during heavy rainfall. Clerk to report / seek address.
 
There being no further business the meeting ended at: 7.45 pm.
 
 
 
 
Signed:………………………………………………….(Chair Person)
 
 
Date:…………………………………………………….