Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for November 2004
Click for minutes for October 2004

These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk

PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN 

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15th November 2004 in The Pavilion, Iden Green

PRESENT:   Mr. G. Reynolds          Mr. P. Conway         Mr. J. Clarke

                      Mr. P. Message           Mr. S. Hockney         Mrs. C, Pitt

                      Mr. R. Lake                Mr. R. Manning

APOLOGIES:  Mrs. D. Bailey

MINUTES  The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 18th October 2004 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.   Cllr Reynolds declared an interest in Planning Application no. 02591.  Outline application for farm  workers cottage.

MATTERS ARISING

Highway matters   Work is continuing on the Iden Green Road . followed by  New Pond Road and the stretch from Benenden Cross Roads to Mounts Hill . The delays are due to problems with the surfacing material .

Cllr Pitt reported that her car had been  splashed by the tarmac and had not been treated considerately by the contractors.  This should be reported to Highways with a letter to Ringway from the Parish Council, and James Whitehorne at TWBC should be informed.

The Clerk reported that the vehicle counter – the first step to see if Cranbrook Road meets the criteria for an interactive sign  - had been stolen.

Drains : Hortons Close   Southern Water have been contacted about the recent problems and these will be followed up at the end of November when Martin Banks is back in the office.

Parish Notice Board  It was agreed that the new notice board outside St. George’s Hall be moved to the new site opposite The Village Shop, and the old notice board be renovated and put up at the Village Hall

Village Clean-up Cllr Lake reported that this was successful with about 12 parishioners participating

FOOTBALL CLUB  Cllr Conway said that the £2,000 grant had been received from KCC.  £l,000 repays the Parish Council for purchasing equipment, kit etc.  It was agreed that £250 be given to the Cricket Club and the remainder for starting up a netball club.  Jo Thomson is still keen to start a netball club but owing to family commitments is unable to at the moment   It was suggested that the Football Club could apply to the KCPFA for a grant as the Parish Council is a member.

 BENENDEN  & IDEN GREEN  CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

It is recommended to extend the conservation area at Iden Green along the Iden Green Road.  The Benenden Area remains the same

This document to be circulated for councillors’ comments and returned to the Clerk  by  30th November

PLANNING MATTERS  Cllr Conway read the planning report which was circulated with the Agenda.  He commented that there were fewer planning applications than usual.

The application for a farm workers cottage would not be discussed as the report by the Agricultural Officer was awaited..

Cedars, Mill Street.  Iden Green.  Questions were asked about the position of the roof lights and its proximity to neighbouring property.  It was agreed that Cllrs Conway and Lake meet with Peter Turner, the planning officer, on site.

Regarding the appeal concerning The Poplars, Benenden.  The Planning Inspector  will  visit the site on 6thDecember and his decision will be known by March 05.

FINANCIAL MATTERS.

 Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the October meeting were agreed: Printing at Cranbrook                      Stationery
888                                 61.09

One Tel                          Internet charge 
889                                 8.20

Steve Bryant                            Mowing The Green                      890                                 76.43

Steve Bryant                           12 extra cuts
891                                 408.00

M. Kellett                      November salary344.14

                                      Stamps   10.08 
892                                 354.22

BT                                  Telephone 
893                                 66.56

 

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £11,151 in the Deposit Account.

CORRESPONDENCE    KAPC meeting on   8th   December. Cllrs Conway and Reynolds to attend

TWBC Christmas lights grant of £150 received.  This to be distributed between Benenden Village Hall and Iden Green Pavilion.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr Manning offered his resignation from the Parish Council due to pressure of work as a County Councillor and other commitments

Cllr Reynolds thanked him for his work on behalf of the Parish Council.

Cllr Reynolds said this created a vacancy which would be advertised and  the Council agreed he should ask Richard Garnier if he would be willing to be co-opted onto the Council.

Cllr Hockney reported that the culvert at Iden Green crossroad was permanently blocked and filled  by water coming out of  the nearby farmyard.  Cllr Davies said he would tell Highways.

Cllr Hockney asked  if any conditions had been put on the conversion of Wandle Mill to restore the banks and the wheel and channel the water.  It was agreed to go back to the plans and contact the compliance officer.

Cllr Clarke asked for a meeting with the St. George’s Club committee.  This to be arranged.

The Clerk had been asked if a security light could be installed in the Club carpark  An electrician had advised that this would be difficult and costly in install and it was decided not to proceed,

 

Reports of foreign people asking for money and  trying to sell pictures door to door  to be given to Rob Mills, the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 a.m.

 

 

 

Chairman                                                        15th November, 2004

Cllr Davies said he would like to put an article about the Village Hall extension and the Jo Brand concert in the Borough News

Regarding the Parish Charter, all were agreed with the content but its implementation throughout the Town Hall must improve.

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

IDEN GREEN TENNIS CLUB LEASE  A new plan is to be drawn up and a new lease produced.  The Tennis Club are contacting the solicitor who drew up the 1990 lease to ask if he will produce a new lease and it was agreed that this would be scrutinised by Whitehead   & Monkton, solicitors in Tenterden

 

REGISTRATION OF TRUST PROPERTIES.  On advice from Tim Monkton it was agreed that all properties conveyed to the Parish Council and those that make up the Harmsworth Trust, be registered with the Land Registry.  This will formally define all boundaries and prevent any dispute over ownership.

 

PLAYGROUND REPAIRS AND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT.  The Clerk presented the quotation from Bournes of Newenden and it was agreed that further quotations be sought.

 

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL  Cllr. Clarke reported that the new charges had not yet been finalised.  It was hoped that the Trust would be repaid £l,000 of that owing and the Barn Dance money was in hand.  The bookings are greatly improved and when the new facilities are in place the Hall will be advertised in the local media, parish magazine etc.  The new charges will be approved at the December meeting.

 

VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION UPDATE.  Cllr Conway reported and all were agreed that the building work was proceeding well and to an excellent standard .and was two weeks ahead of schedule.  The finances were on target and it was expected to be finished by January 05.   He proposed that the Parish Warden could use the community office on a part time basis for a charge to KCC  of £250 per year. This was agreed.

 

Tickets for the Jo Brand evening were selling well – 300 already sold – and 300 have been reserved for parishioners.  Price is £16 or £20 to include coach.

 

It is estimated that there sufficient reserves to fund the extension, but an application for permission to borrow from the Public Works Loan Fund is being submitted.

An opening ceremony is planned  to thank TWBC and KCC and individual donors.  Possibly a Saturday morning.

 

FINANCIAL MATTERS  Payments made on the Trusts behalf since the October meeting were agreed.

M. Kenward                        Mowing/hedge cutting

                                         I.G. Pavilion                          680                                 780.00

G. Vinson                       Felling 5 May trees Iden Green                     681                                 500.00

Steve Bryant                            Mowing Recreation grounds                          682                                 180.72

D. Dalrymple                      Telephone refund                             683                                 37.37

M. Kellett                      Salary contribution 45.00

                                                 Mileage         12.25                              684                                 57.25

D. Dalrymple                      October salary                             685                                 350.03

Mid Kent Water                             St. George’s Hall                                686                                 34.34

Hurstway Construction                                   Village Hall extension                        687                                 35,407.57

 

                                                          

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account, £8034 in the Deposit Account and £16,150 in the No 2 Account.

 

A COIF dividend of approximately £2,350 was due at the end of November.

 

 

 

 

Chairman                                                                            15th November, 2004

Copyright Tim Dwyer 2004 - timdwyer@benenden.org.uk