The village of Benenden in Kent

PARISH COUNCILOF BENENDEN

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 16th February2004 in the Pavilion, Iden Green.

PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds. R. P. Message Mrs. D. Bailey
Mr. J. Clarke Mr. R. Lake Mr. R. Manning Mr. P. Conway

APOLOGIES: Mr. J. Hemsley

MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 19th January 2004 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest.

MATTERS ARISING

Parish Newsletter All were agreed that it was well presented, there had been no adverse comments, and the method of distribution, through the Parish Magazine, was successful.

Village Appraisal No one was present to give information on this topic.

Benenden Hospital The Clerk had written to the Chairman of the Management Committee about the future of the Hospital but no reply as yet received. Cllr Reynolds was not sure what the Parish Council could actively do about the situation

Trees at Cherryfields. The Clerk reported that the lime trees had been trimmed and work on the large willow tree was scheduled for Wednesday 18th February.

Cranbrook History Society Cllr Lake said Benenden would be represented in the villages exhibition at Cranbrook Museum and he had contacted contributors to the Benenden Millennium books and would access photographs etc from the Parish Council archive.

Speaker for the Annual Assembly.. The date of the Annual Assembly has been changed from 26th April to Monday 10th May. The Annual Meeting will follow this for the election of Chairman and formation of committees. There will be an Ordinary Meeting on 19th April. The village hall extension and the future plans for Benenden will be the topics for discussion at the Annual Assembly and it is hoped there will be public participation This will be advertised in the Parish Magazine and the Parish Newsletter

HIGHWAY MATTERS Cllr Reynolds met with Richard Emmett of TWBC Highways and went round the parish looking at problem areas.

He did not agree that all the repair work – especially Iden Green Road – was of poor quality and said it fulfilled their quality control . £5,000 was spent on this work and the total budget for the year for the parish is £6,000. He addressed most of the points well, but not Iden Green Road. The pot holes round the Green have been filled, the man hole cover below Eaglesden replaced, pot holes filled in Ramsden and Dingleden Lanes and Standen Street. The loose grit in Sarnden Lane will be cleared up and the flooding near Fridays along the Cranbrook Road will hopefully be cured by unblocking the culvert in the wood.
The Lengthsman Project is in operation and the Clerk will distribute the forms to Councillor These are to be filled in giving details of road repairs needed and sent to TWBC Highways
There will be a grit bin sited at the top of The Green and one at Leybourne Dell In view of the recent very icy conditions round The Green, the Clerk will write to Tony Carrick of TWBC requesting that this road be gritted It is not a high priority road, but it is used daily by parents accessing the primary school and by church goers.
There appears to be failures along the length of the gas pipe line as Transco are working in several places in the area Cllr Lake said there was a manhole cover missing at Pullington and a smell of gas. The Chairman said the failure of the gas repairs is the responsibility of Morrisons and TWBC should monitor their work and contact them.

VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR Cllr North had resigned to give more time to her Borough commitments and the vacancy was posted on the notice boards
On 5th February. If 10 electors have not called for an election within 14 days of this date, the vacancy can be filled by co-option. The names of several candidates were put forward for consideration and Cllr Reynolds will meet each of them.

CRIME AND DISORDER AUDIT There is a meeting at Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Wednesday 24thMarch 2004 at 6 p.m. Rob Mills cannot go, but Cllrs Reynolds and Conway will attend.

The Community Warden was discussed but as yet no progress has been made on this issue.

VILLAGE TIDY-UP This has been organised by BACS and will take place on Saturday 27th March Meet at the Village Hall at 9 a.m. The community refuse vehicle will be in the Village Hall lay-bye The Clerk to provide refuse sacks.

PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which was circulated with the Agenda. The application at Briar Barn, Apple Pie Farm to change from B1 light industrial use to residential was discussed at length. A decision was deferred as it was decided to look at the previous plans again.

The application at Forest Farm has been withdrawn.

A meeting has been arranged at Cranbrook Council Offices by Peter Turner on 20th February at 11.30 a.m. for the Parish Council to meet delegates from MM02 to discuss their latest mast application.

FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the January meeting were agreed:
One Tel Internet charge 814 3.79
P. Conway Stationery/mileage 815 30.79
M. Kellett February salary 256.71
Stamps 5.60 816 262.31
British Telecom Telephone 817 53.94
The Village Shop Admin 818 31.77

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £6,624.24 in the Deposit Account

CORRESPONDENCE KAPC meeting on 18th February. Cllr Conway unable to attend.
Ash Tree in hedge at Holly Cottage. The boundary should be checked to verify the owner. All agreed it could be felled.
Buildings at Risk. TWBC are doing a target survey to see if there are any additional buildings or monuments to be added to the list.
Code of Conduct – Register of Interests. Councillors are asked to register membership of the Freemasons and political councils.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Clarke said a police car was speeding excessively through the village at around 9 am at school time. Cllr Conway to contact Commander West.
He also said the water leak by the Village Hall entrance had stopped and perhaps with was a spring.

Cllr Message said the hedge outside Warrens had not been cut and was overhanging the footpath. Also the bin by the seat on the Recreation Field had not been emptied by TWBC. The Clerk to contact Environment Dept.

Cllr Lake thanked the Clerk for dealing with the lime trees at Cherryfields.

Borough Councillor Peter Davies spoke on various topics. Regarding Village Appraisals, there is a delay in analysing them.
Benenden Hospital. The rumours that 400 houses are to be built there are untrue. It is in the High Weald AONB and is outside the Limits to Built Development.

Gritting round the Green. He would see if this could be done.

Crime and Disorder Audit. This is a revamp of the Community Safety Plan

Briar Barn, Apple Pie Farm. The Compliance Office to check the property.

Buildings at Risk. The Ice House at Benenden School is on the register but an application has been made for its restoration.
190

Regarding cars parking at the top of Walkhurst Road and on the pavement, he would ask the parking attendant to go round and issue fines. If parking near junctions persists it would mean double yellow lines throughout the village

Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Davies for his contribution to the meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55 a.m.

Chairman 16th February 2004

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION Cllr Conway reported that not much was happening at present. No decision yet from KCC He had a meeting with Diccon Grey who has sports council contacts. There is a quiz night at The Bull on Monday 23rd February at 7.30 pm. Raffle prizes are needed.

IDEN GREEN TENNIS CLUB The Tennis Club have applied to extend their existing plans for a club house to accommodate toilets and a kitchen. There was main drainage and electricity in Chapel Lane. They also want a path beside the courts to access the club house. All were in agreement with this. The existing lease will have to be amended to include these changes.

WATER BOILER FOR VILLAGE HALL Following the break-down of the existing boiler, three estimates were sought - £897 from Hobbart Still, £478 from Wightman and Parrish and £399 from Nisbets. It was agreed to purchase the boiler from Nisbets.

FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the January meeting were agreed:

V. Kellett Replacement water heater –
Playgroup rooms 619 230.08
Rother Valley Press Fundraising leaflets BVH 620 315.00
D. Dalrymple January salary 621 341.05
M. Kellett salary contribution – February 622 42.30
D. Dalrymple Telephone refund 623 37.37
John Bourne & Co Playground equipment 624 654.48
Southern Water St. George’s Hall 625 49.40

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £4424.80 in the Deposit Account. There is a COIF Dividendof approx £2,300 due at the end of February.

Chairman 16th February, 2004

		Minutes for January 2004 Click for minutes for December 2003 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		PARISH COUNCILOF BENENDEN Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 16th February2004 in the Pavilion, Iden Green. PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds. R. P. Message Mrs. D. Bailey Mr. J. Clarke Mr. R. Lake Mr. R. Manning Mr. P. Conway APOLOGIES: Mr. J. Hemsley MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 19th January 2004 were confirmed and signed. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest. MATTERS ARISING Parish Newsletter All were agreed that it was well presented, there had been no adverse comments, and the method of distribution, through the Parish Magazine, was successful. Village Appraisal No one was present to give information on this topic. Benenden Hospital The Clerk had written to the Chairman of the Management Committee about the future of the Hospital but no reply as yet received. Cllr Reynolds was not sure what the Parish Council could actively do about the situation Trees at Cherryfields. The Clerk reported that the lime trees had been trimmed and work on the large willow tree was scheduled for Wednesday 18th February. Cranbrook History Society Cllr Lake said Benenden would be represented in the villages exhibition at Cranbrook Museum and he had contacted contributors to the Benenden Millennium books and would access photographs etc from the Parish Council archive. Speaker for the Annual Assembly.. The date of the Annual Assembly has been changed from 26th April to Monday 10th May. The Annual Meeting will follow this for the election of Chairman and formation of committees. There will be an Ordinary Meeting on 19th April. The village hall extension and the future plans for Benenden will be the topics for discussion at the Annual Assembly and it is hoped there will be public participation This will be advertised in the Parish Magazine and the Parish Newsletter HIGHWAY MATTERS Cllr Reynolds met with Richard Emmett of TWBC Highways and went round the parish looking at problem areas. He did not agree that all the repair work – especially Iden Green Road – was of poor quality and said it fulfilled their quality control . £5,000 was spent on this work and the total budget for the year for the parish is £6,000. He addressed most of the points well, but not Iden Green Road. The pot holes round the Green have been filled, the man hole cover below Eaglesden replaced, pot holes filled in Ramsden and Dingleden Lanes and Standen Street. The loose grit in Sarnden Lane will be cleared up and the flooding near Fridays along the Cranbrook Road will hopefully be cured by unblocking the culvert in the wood. The Lengthsman Project is in operation and the Clerk will distribute the forms to Councillor These are to be filled in giving details of road repairs needed and sent to TWBC Highways There will be a grit bin sited at the top of The Green and one at Leybourne Dell In view of the recent very icy conditions round The Green, the Clerk will write to Tony Carrick of TWBC requesting that this road be gritted It is not a high priority road, but it is used daily by parents accessing the primary school and by church goers. There appears to be failures along the length of the gas pipe line as Transco are working in several places in the area Cllr Lake said there was a manhole cover missing at Pullington and a smell of gas. The Chairman said the failure of the gas repairs is the responsibility of Morrisons and TWBC should monitor their work and contact them. VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR Cllr North had resigned to give more time to her Borough commitments and the vacancy was posted on the notice boards On 5th February. If 10 electors have not called for an election within 14 days of this date, the vacancy can be filled by co-option. The names of several candidates were put forward for consideration and Cllr Reynolds will meet each of them. CRIME AND DISORDER AUDIT There is a meeting at Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Wednesday 24thMarch 2004 at 6 p.m. Rob Mills cannot go, but Cllrs Reynolds and Conway will attend. The Community Warden was discussed but as yet no progress has been made on this issue. VILLAGE TIDY-UP This has been organised by BACS and will take place on Saturday 27th March Meet at the Village Hall at 9 a.m. The community refuse vehicle will be in the Village Hall lay-bye The Clerk to provide refuse sacks. PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which was circulated with the Agenda. The application at Briar Barn, Apple Pie Farm to change from B1 light industrial use to residential was discussed at length. A decision was deferred as it was decided to look at the previous plans again. The application at Forest Farm has been withdrawn. A meeting has been arranged at Cranbrook Council Offices by Peter Turner on 20th February at 11.30 a.m. for the Parish Council to meet delegates from MM02 to discuss their latest mast application. FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the January meeting were agreed: One Tel Internet charge 814 3.79 P. Conway Stationery/mileage 815 30.79 M. Kellett February salary 256.71 Stamps 5.60 816 262.31 British Telecom Telephone 817 53.94 The Village Shop Admin 818 31.77 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £6,624.24 in the Deposit Account CORRESPONDENCE KAPC meeting on 18th February. Cllr Conway unable to attend. Ash Tree in hedge at Holly Cottage. The boundary should be checked to verify the owner. All agreed it could be felled. Buildings at Risk. TWBC are doing a target survey to see if there are any additional buildings or monuments to be added to the list. Code of Conduct – Register of Interests. Councillors are asked to register membership of the Freemasons and political councils. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Clarke said a police car was speeding excessively through the village at around 9 am at school time. Cllr Conway to contact Commander West. He also said the water leak by the Village Hall entrance had stopped and perhaps with was a spring. Cllr Message said the hedge outside Warrens had not been cut and was overhanging the footpath. Also the bin by the seat on the Recreation Field had not been emptied by TWBC. The Clerk to contact Environment Dept. Cllr Lake thanked the Clerk for dealing with the lime trees at Cherryfields. Borough Councillor Peter Davies spoke on various topics. Regarding Village Appraisals, there is a delay in analysing them. Benenden Hospital. The rumours that 400 houses are to be built there are untrue. It is in the High Weald AONB and is outside the Limits to Built Development. Gritting round the Green. He would see if this could be done. Crime and Disorder Audit. This is a revamp of the Community Safety Plan Briar Barn, Apple Pie Farm. The Compliance Office to check the property. Buildings at Risk. The Ice House at Benenden School is on the register but an application has been made for its restoration. 190 Regarding cars parking at the top of Walkhurst Road and on the pavement, he would ask the parking attendant to go round and issue fines. If parking near junctions persists it would mean double yellow lines throughout the village Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Davies for his contribution to the meeting. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55 a.m. Chairman 16th February 2004 HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION Cllr Conway reported that not much was happening at present. No decision yet from KCC He had a meeting with Diccon Grey who has sports council contacts. There is a quiz night at The Bull on Monday 23rd February at 7.30 pm. Raffle prizes are needed. IDEN GREEN TENNIS CLUB The Tennis Club have applied to extend their existing plans for a club house to accommodate toilets and a kitchen. There was main drainage and electricity in Chapel Lane. They also want a path beside the courts to access the club house. All were in agreement with this. The existing lease will have to be amended to include these changes. WATER BOILER FOR VILLAGE HALL Following the break-down of the existing boiler, three estimates were sought - £897 from Hobbart Still, £478 from Wightman and Parrish and £399 from Nisbets. It was agreed to purchase the boiler from Nisbets. FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the January meeting were agreed: V. Kellett Replacement water heater – Playgroup rooms 619 230.08 Rother Valley Press Fundraising leaflets BVH 620 315.00 D. Dalrymple January salary 621 341.05 M. Kellett salary contribution – February 622 42.30 D. Dalrymple Telephone refund 623 37.37 John Bourne & Co Playground equipment 624 654.48 Southern Water St. George’s Hall 625 49.40 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £4424.80 in the Deposit Account. There is a COIF Dividendof approx £2,300 due at the end of February. Chairman 16th February, 2004