2026 Minutes

Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council

5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
Telephone: 07547171357 Email: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com
                                                                                                                                                    
Draft Minutes of the Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council Meeting, Tuesday 27th October 2026
                                                
In attendance: Cllrs: R. Wells (Chair), B. Hyde, S. Reynolds, W. Lawrance, R. Carlton, M. Tuohy, K. Morris, F. Barker

Also in attendance:  D & C. Cllr. S. Woolley, C. Cllr. M. Hill, N. Walker (R.F.O. & Clerk)

7.00 pm.   PUBLIC FORUM

No members of the public were in attendance.

7.05 pm.   MORTON & HANTHORPE PARIH COUNCIL MEETING.
                                                                                                                     
1. TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Cllrs: C. Walker, A, Morris, M. Harris

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

None raised.

3. TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 22nd SEPTEMBER 2026 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES.

Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Tuohy, seconded by Cllr. W. Lawrance, the Clerk’s Notes of the meeting of 22nd September 2026 were approved as Minutes & duly signed by the Chair 
Person, Cllr. R. Wells.   
   
4. CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

Report:
Although grass cutting was due to end it has been extended due to the current growing conditions.
National Grid 2nd consultation was held at Morton Village Hall and a 2nd meeting on the same day at the Baptist Church organised by concerned local residents (Haconby, Stainfield, Dunsby, Morton). A proposed draft letter to WMEL was presented. The Council directed the Clerk to submit the letter which defined both comments & objections to the proposed pylon route. 
No responses have been received regarding tenders for the creation of additional ashes plots at Morton Cemetery. Alternative options need to be considered as only 2 plots remaining as we enter the winter period.
A boundary marker has been erected to on the northern boundary of the cemetery. An offer of some trees has also been made.
Currently, the perch benches agreed for the bus shelters at the last meeting are out of stock. Alternatives are being sought.
Accounts, Minutes and Inspection information submitted for internal mid-year audit. Audit passed.
                                                                                                                                        
Correspondence:
Further correspondence from National Grid. Apart from a pylon in the Parish owned field on the Hanthorpe/Stainfield Lane it is also being considered for a staging area/depot for equipment/materials.
Letter received from Haconby resident regarding further concern i.r.t. the pylons/works including heavy plant & materials movement. Noticeable that Morton residents were missing from the Haconby meeting. Apparently, we declined to attend- however no invitation was received which may have been the reason! The meeting outcome was to press for the pylons to be south of Haconby (more than supported by the Dunsby contingent!) Letter proposed from   Morton/Hanthorpe to be lodged within this 2nd consultation period. (Draft to be circulated to councillors accordingly)
Traffic Notice.

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

Payments:

Following a proposal by Cllr. R. Carlton, seconded by Cllr. B. Hyde, the Council approved the payments.

Receipts:

6. TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:

Applications:
S26/1467 The Sticks, 59 Haconby Lane. Morton. Application to build two detached dwellings.   

Due to the required response date by SKDC Planning councillors were consulted by e-mail. No objections or comments were raised other than that a boundary (Fence or hedge) be erected to replace the grubbed-out one to the south of the proposed development (northern boundary of the cemetery).

Decisions:
S26/0913  Land off A15 Folkingham Rd. (71 dwelling development). Application for certificate of lawful development re: S23/2032 Considered lawful development.

7. TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 1st December 2026

8. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.

County Councillor Martin Hill & County & District Councillor Sue Woolley:

The proposed government changes to the administration structure of Lincolnshire (Re-organisation) are currently on hold and being re-evaluated. An announcement is due shortly regarding any proposed change. At present elections are still planned for next May.

Proposed WMEL pylon routes are the subject of significant local concern, concern also being raised by both the District & County Councils.

Numerous speeding instances have been raised within the village. Please note; speeding is an offence and should be reported to the Police. This can be done both on-line and via the 101 reporting.

A number of instances of ‘hoarding’ have been identified within the village. This can be a fire risk. SKDC have a reporting line for any concerns over these situations.

OTHER MATTERS:

Northern & eastern boundaries of the playing field, Station Rd. require cutting back. Action to be arranged.

Brooke House parking causing pedestrian issues. The respective authority for address is LCC Highways.

Warburtons lorries delivering to the Co-Op backing out onto the A15. Clerk to communicate issue.

Trees on A15 Bourne Rd. adjacent to the Hill View Rise 2nd development a concern. In recent high winds debris has been dropped; trees in a poor state. The Clerk has attempted to have this matter addressed by the developer but without success. Concern to be registered with LCC Highways.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at: 7.50 pm.

Signed:………………………………..(Chair Person)

Dated:…………………………………

Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 0NY
Tel: 07547171357
E-mail: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com
27th October 2026

Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council wish to make their views known in respect of the National Grid WMEL proposed pylons and route.

The Council object to the southern route initially presented that would run to the north of Morton & Hanthorpe but south of Haconby. (Noting from the 2nd consultation that this is now not the preferred route in this area, that now being north of Haconby), Morton and Hanthorpe effectively form one village as the boundaries have merged due to development. This is the largest by far of the four communities affected and continues to grow. (Over 1100 dwellings with a community of approx. 4,000 people). The northern proposed route disrupts/affects far less people.
 
Currently, there is a planning agreed development to the north of the village along the Folkingham Rd. (A15) of 71 dwellings. In the Lincolnshire Long Term Plan there is further proposed growth to the north (and south) of the village. 

The area south of Haconby encompasses Haconby Hall, elements of which date from the 14th century; and a public asset (Morton Town Lands owned) which was a football field now used by the scouts and guides with further plans in progress for further amenity use.
Both agriculture and exploratory excavations (some looking for roman aspects as many finds turn up in the area) show that the stretch of land between Morton and Haconby includes an old water course. While Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council are confident that your surveys have picked this up the Councils concern is in the stability of the ground for the proposed large pylons. Lincolnshire, and especially the wind tunnel effect from the North Sea across Morton makes the area especially prone to high winds. With pylons as high as being proposed this would exacerbate ground movement over old water courses.

A number of parishioners also wish to know what the route for heavy plant/structures would be during assembly of the pylons / grid extension. Many roads around these villages are single track lanes, dykes to both sides and little if no sub-strate to the road surface. The two consultations were not very forthcoming on this aspect of the proposed build!

Further, to the north-west of the village, the Council have difficulty in understanding the double dog-leg of the proposed pylon path south of Stainfield, north of Hanthorpe. On original plans the pylon lines continued in a relatively straight-line north of Stainfield. This original route would require we believe one less pylon (based on the WMEL outline plans) and shorter cable runs (less resistance/greater power transmission).

Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council await further information/clarification regarding this proposed project.

Yours sincerely, for and on behalf of Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council,

Nicholas Walker      
R.F.O. & Clerk, Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council