Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for Febuary 2005
Click for minutes for January 2005

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 21st February 2005 in The Pavilion, Iden Green.

PRESENT:  Mr. P. Conway      Mr. J. Clarke    Mr. P. Message. Mr. R. Garnier

                     Mrs. C. Pitt           Mr. R. Lake      Mrs. D. Bailey Mr.S. Hockney

                     Mr. P. Conway in the Chair

                     Cllr Peter Davies  TWBC   Cllr Roger ManningKCC

APOLOGIES:  Mr. G. Reynolds

MINUTES:  The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 17th January 2005 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  There were no Declarations of Interest

MATTERS ARISING:

Highways   The letter regarding future delivery of highway services was circulated prior to the meeting and the various options were discussed.  The Borough favoured Option C which “..enables the Council to champion the highway issues on behalf of itself and its communities whilst recognising that the legal responsibility for the function rests with KCC and they should adequately resource its delivery,”  Cllr Davies said this had been discussed informally and Option C the best, , but not enough information had been given and they were referring back to KCC     Cllr. Manning said the Government had forced Kent to reduce its overheads –   12 operational  districts to be  reduced to 3.  Parish Councils to take a more pro-active role with a designated contact to be the receptor of  queries etc.

 Benenden Parish Council would respond by favouring Option C for the present, but reserving the right to change its position  should other factors emerge, and ask for clarification of the accessibility and implementation  of the service to parish councils.

The Iden Green Road was discussed.  Cllr Manning having walked it with Cllr Weedon and Richard Emmett.  Cllr Reynolds to be contacted about his letter to James Whitehorne.  Cllr Pitt has not yet received any response to her letter to Mr. Whitehorne.

A highways meeting has been organised for Wednesday 9th March, 10 am in the Memorial Hall, Benenden to meet with Richard Emmett.  Cllrs Conway, Clarke, Reynolds and Garnier to attend.

Speaker for Annual Assembly It was agreed that David Coleman, Chairman of Tunbridge Wells branch of KAPC be asked to speak if he is free.

Launch of Parish Charter  This  is to be held on Thursday 10th March, 7 p.m. at the Council Offices, Cranbrook. 5 Parish Councillors are able to attend.

New Pond Wood, Sissinghurst.  E mail received from Cranbrook Parish Council – the owner lives in London and comes down at weekends to tend his crops.He has no intention of living on the site.

Licensing Act.  Cllr Davies is meeting with the Borough Solicitor to clarify the situation regarding parish councils and will come back to the Clerk.

 RESIGNATION OF PARISH CLERK  Cllr Conway said the clerk had done a very good job for 10 years and would be missed.  The clerk said two local people had applied and she  would be interviewing  them  this week, then they would be interviewed by the Chairman.  Cllr Bailey asked if the local advertising of the post was sufficient and the Clerk would check with KAPC

PARISH NOTICE BOARD.  The Clerk reported that the owner of the house at 1 Cherryfields was not happy with having the Notice Board by  his hedge in front of his house, and it was agreed that the board at St. George’s Hall stay where it is and the board outside the Village Shop be moved to the Village Hall.  It was agreed that Victor Kellett move and renovate this board.  Information about the new location to be put in the Parish Magazine

CONSERVATION AREA EXHIBITION.  This was well produced and informative but it should have been better advertised. It was decided that the display be put on in the Village Hall for the Annual Assembly on 25th April.  Cllr Davies said that formal acceptance of the extended Conservation Area was required..  BACS has been consulted.  Copies of the new Conservation Area to be distributed to councillors.

LETTER FROM CLLR MANNING RE PLANNING APPLICATION AT FOREST FARM, BENENDEN.  Cllr Conway went through the matters contained in this letter and his reply. Asked for any comments, Cllr Manning said the matter was closed.

PLANNING MATTERS    Cllr Conway said Cllr Garnier would now take over Planning.and gave the new rota to the Clerk for distribution.   Cllr Conway read the planning report which had been distributed with the Agenda.   Regarding the appeal at Briar Barn enquiries to be made about any further developments. The application at Mulberry Cottage, Iden Green was discussed at length and a meeting with the planning officer on site was requested to clarify the situation.  Cllr Davies said the conditions of the original application concerning the development of  the whole site – the Royal Oak public house -  needed to be enforced as this was at the entrance to the village and on the edge of the Conservation Area.

Hartleys, Cranbrook Road.  A driveway was being constructed with a post and rail fence and a stable had been put up in the field at the back.  Nothing had been received by the Parish Council and this would be brought to the attention of the planning officers.

Greenwood, Cranbrook Road.  Permission for a replacement dwelling was refused by TWBC.  New plans submitted but no measurements given –  Parish Council recommended refusal.

The Enforcement Officer will be asked to go to Beacon House as the storage area has increased.

After concerns expressed by the Parish Council regarding Wandle Mill, Iden Green.  The Enforcement Officer has contacted the owner and all the planning conditions will be complied with.

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

One Tel                             Internet charge                  911                                    10.47

Cancelled - error                                                                                        912

BT                                     Telephone                         913                                    57.68

M. Kellett                         January salary   252.12

                                                        Stamps     5.60                  914                                    257.72

Printing @ Cranbrook                         Stationery                         915                                    12.68

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Currant Account and £9,592 in the Deposit Account.

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL SITE – PUBLIC MEETING.   Cllrs Reynolds and Conway have been invited to meet the school building committee on 7th March and there will be a public meeting on Thursday 10th March.  The Parish Council have had no more information so cannot comment further.  Cllr Davies said it was important that the chosen site was suitable and agreeable to everyone and to meet all the criteria It was acknowledged that there was great concern in the parish regarding the possible sites and it was important that a decision was made as soon as possible.  Cllr Pitt said David Hicken, the KCC Consultant had made ‘foot print’ drawings of all the sites with the school building on each of them to highlight the pros and cons and gauge the impact on each one.  The TWBC planners would identify the site and go into the highway considerations etc and there would be more public consultation.  It is imperative  that delays are prevented, but legally there has to be a proper sequential analysis. 

CORRESPONDENCE   Meeting on Wednesday 30th March 7.30 p.m. in the Corn Exchange, Maidstone Given by CPRE Kent – speakers Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Paul Bevan Chief Executive of SEERA. Dr. Hilary Newport director of CPRE KENT on the South East Plan and its impact on  Kent.  Cllrs Garnier, Conway , Lake and Hockney  to attend.

 DEFRA announce the introduction of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill which give parish councils greater powers  relating to graffiti, fly posting and dogs.

 

KAPC Planning Information Day on 19th March – Cllr Garnier to attend.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.   Cllr Conway asked Cllr Davies when Benenden could expect its Community Warden.  More interviews are taking place and it is hoped  a Warden will be appointed.  He also spoke of problems with travellers at Hawkhurst and Goudhurst.  Authorities have to operate within the law taking account of Human Rights and Race Relations.  The site at Hawkhurst was turned down on planning grounds, but it is becoming more difficult to refuse applications.  AONB status does give some protection                                                                    

Cllr Garnier said there had been an accident at Scullsgate caused by the high kerbs along the lane.  This to be brought up at the Highways meeting on 9th March

Cllr Clarke requested a litter bin and a new seat  for outside the Village Hall.  Also one of the lime trees at Cherryfields needs attention.  Cllr Hockney to advise.

Cllr Message said there had been an accident on the outskirts of Iden Green caused by excessive speed.  Referred to Highway meeting. Also the road around the Green is very dangerous in icy weather.  Letter from the Primary School head teacher.  Refer to highways meeting.

It was reported that foreign lorries are using the approach road to Apple Pie Farm to park over night.  Cllr Conway to contact the police.

There beng no further business the meeting closed at 10.30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Chairman                                                                         21st February, 2005

Cllr Davies said the first part of Local Development Framework which  will super cede the Local Plan will be ready in 2 years time.  The second document will give a district by district analysis of where houses are to be built. The Borough is preparing a response.  An advance copy will be ready soon..  This will also identify the site for the new school.

Cllr Manning said there is great concern in Kent about building on green field sites.  There is a 9 ½  year brown field land bank but the Government have no reality of what is already available in Kent.   There is no attention paid to local infra structure – roads, schools, hospitals flood plains  etc  He said it was important that parish councils write expressing their concerns.

 HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

 

IDEN GREEN TENNIS CLUB LEASE AND REGISTRATION OF TRUST LAND

It was agreed that the solicitors – Whitehead Monkton – go ahead with producing a new lease for the Tennis Club, and registering with the Land Registry the land conveyed to the Parish Council by the Earl of Cranbrook and Viscount Harmsworth in the 1920’s – The Village Green, the Recreation Grounds at Iden Green and Benenden, St. George’s Hall, the Iden Green Allotment Field and the War Memorial.  The approximate fee for the Tennis Club lease is £1500 .- the tennis club to make a contribution. This includes a Court fee to cancel the remaining part of the existing lease and registration with the Land Registry. The fee for registering the Trust lands will be approximately £750.  The Clerk to ask for a written estimate.

 

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL UPDATE

The work on the extension has been completed. A bench to be installed in the changing room.  Hurstway’s final account has not yet been received and there will be a deficit in the region of £13,000 but this will be covered by money in hand

Cllr Conway announced that a further £6,000 will be given by Kent Adult Education and this will go towards the further  refurbishment of the Hall.  Estimates have been received for the sound and lighting, £6,000 can be claimed from TWBC before the end of March, which leaves the  improvements to the kitchen and the car park.

The opening ceremony  by the Mayor will take place on Saturday 16th April at 12 noon.  Invitation list had been distributed for further ideas to be collected by the Clerk

 

APPOINTMENT OF ST. GEORGE’S CLUB REPRESENTATIVE   All were agreed that Cllr Garnier replace Cllr Manning as St. George’s Club representative.

 

CORRESPONDENCE   Request from Playgroup for permission to install a larger climbing frame in the garden.  Might need listed planning permission.  Referred them back to the manufacturers for a smaller  alternative.

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

Hurstway Construction                     Village Hall                        698                                    22,764.04

Larels Nursery                  Replacement May Trees

                                           Iden Green Rec                                    699                                    207.30

JPS Media                         Advertising – Jo Brand                            700                                    10.00

R. Dalton—Holmes                                                     “         “      “                     701                                    41.60

D. Dalrymple                    Telephone refund                                702                                    37.37

D. Dalrymple                    Jan salary                          703                                    366.89

M. Kellett                         Salary contribution                      704                                    45.00

Chris Saunders Assoc                                Tennis Club plan                                   705                                    287.88

Southern Water                                St. G. Hall                         706                                    46.10

Chairman                                                                   21st February 2005

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