Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for July 2006
Click for minutes for June 2006

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 17th July 2006 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden.

Lois Howell, Head of Legal, Human Resources and Democratic Services spoke to the Parish Council about her responsibilities and the nature of her role. As Head of Legal Services her principal role is that of standards and monitoring officer, aiding the function of a successful council. Lois emphasised the importance of councillors understanding of Declaration of Interest. In small parishes it is often the case that councillors face planning decisions on neighbouring properties. An important factor to remember is Fettering of Discretion. Always keep an open mind and never pre-judge a decision, be prepared to change your mind during a final meeting. If too many Parish Councillors have a prejudicial interest, a special dispensation can be applied for. If Legal Advice is required and there was a conflict between Borough & Parish, Legal Services would offer other advisors, experts in their own field.

To clarify Personal Interest - clarify nature of interest “Say it & Stay”             Prejudicial Interest - leave room while debate takes place, so not to seek to  influence other councillors.

Nb: All councillors to complete a register of interest for retention on the Public Register. Remind all members annually if their register needs updating. Public Register is held by the Monitoring Officer [note any changes within 28 days]. Councillors own responsibility but can be sent via Clerk.

Lois clarified that the Standards Committee was to promote good standards and offer training. The regulatory function of the committee is to investigate any complaints either from the public or other councillors concerning another councillor or council. Allegations have to be investigated and can be referred to the local council standards officer. If a breach of code / conduct has arisen then a hearing takes place either by the Standards Board or at a local level, a panel of 3 investigators will sit in judgement. Penalties can be passed in the form of further training, suspension of 3 months, letter of apology or referred back to the Standard Board.

 Nb: Register of Gifts - anything over £25 must be registered with Standard & Monitoring Officer.

The Chairman thanked Lois Howell for attending and the Parish Council meeting was opened.

Present:

Cllr Blockley   Cllr Pitt      Cllr Clarke   Cllr Hagens   Cllr Hockney
Cllr Kellett       Cllr Lake   Cllr Reynolds

14           Apologies:   Cllr Bailey

15        MINUTES: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 19th June2006 were

Confirmed and signed.   Proposed – Cllr Pitt  Seconded – Cllr Kellett      

16       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Kellett declared a prejudicial interest in Sovereign Forestry, Cattsford Farmyard, Dingleden Lane.

17           MATTERS ARISING

DPD Process - Chairman confirmed that he is to produce a draft letter expressing the concerns of the Council about the DPD Process. A decision to be taken as to whom the letter should be sent. Cllr Pitt asked that the Clerk record the parish council’s dissatisfaction over the recent rushed timetabled of mediation meetings and noted that the notice given for 2 public meetings was too short

Conservation Area Improvements - A contractor was due to start today on a footpath from the pavement to the Benenden Public Toilets. Not started yet. Cllr Clarke confirmed that there had been no advice on a timetable. Cllr Clarke to chase Brian Hayward. Cllr Reynolds reported that the benches around the green need to be leveled. Cllr Hockney expressed concern about the dead trees. The Chairman reported that in hindsight they should not have handed over authority to TWBC.

Village Hall - Cllr Clarke confirmed that we had now received 3 quotes for repairs to the stanchion. The council unanimously agreed to go ahead with the quote from Hurstway. Clerk to write and confirm.

Cllr Clarke & Cllr Lake reported that they had made a visit to  an “amtico” floor in situ. 2 quotes have been received from DeWhit Floors & United Flooring. Cllr Reynolds reminded the council that 3 quotes are required. Cllr Clarke to chase Avalon flooring for a new quote. Once third quote received a decision could be made to proceed. Cllr Clarke confirmed that the BVH committee would remove existing floor tiles to save labour costs. All agreed in principal.

18           Newsletter

The Chairman informed the council that Pam Williams has offered to edit the Parish Newsletter. The Parish Council will be responsible for providing information. Cllr Pitt shared an early draft of the letter with the council and reported that printing costs need to be investigated. Cllr Hagens presented an insert produced by Janet Greenroyd, Community Warden. Cllr Hockney suggested an insert for emergency procedures and a register of Benenden elderly.

19           Reports

Highways - Cllr Blockley & Cllr Clarke attended a meeting reporting on the new structure of Kent Highways. If any councillor requires information Cllr Blockley has the presentation available to download. The clerk circulated a report on Highway Issues for June / July.

KCC Local Boards - Cllr Blockley reported on a meeting he attended in Hawkhurst, bringing county councillors to local parishes. A talk was given on the recently published document Kent 2010.  Cllr Blockley reported that the Parish had received a grant of £1,500. This was to be used for a clean up campaign and Kent Cllr Manning asked for a report on how the grant was to be spent.

Mediation Planning Meetings  - Cllr Blockley spoke briefly on and distributed 5 summaries outlining the meetings that had taken place so far.

Police Forum - Cllr Lake attended a meeting which introduced the new chief inspector for Kent Police. It was attended by 6 police officers, 4 community wardens and 7 parish councillors. It was reported that there had been 17 offences in the village and out of 11 village crime figures, Benenden was 3rd from last. The meeting also covered new mobile police stations, which would come out to villages and would be able to give advice on safety, law and order. Cranbrook now run a scheme for the elderly “against bogus callers”, where they nominate a neighbour to intercept bogus callers.

The Chairman suspended the meeting while a brief talk was given by Janet Greenroyd,

Community Warden & Rob Mills, Neighbourhood Watch.

Rob Mills reported that more than half the break-ins were in cars parked in Hempsted

Forest. He also advised that PC Gary Hastings will be our local policeman looking after

Hawkhurst, Sandhurst & Benenden. A suggestion was put forward that he attend the Sept

Parish meeting. Janet Greenroyd reported that she currently runs a nominated neighbour scheme in Iden Green but this was not yet operating in Benenden. She also reported that there had been fly tipping in Hempsted Forest. Cllr Lake suggested that Janet should attend our Parish Meetings to report back on any concerns.

The Chairman reopened the meeting.

Walking Bus - Cllr Hagens presented a report on the Walking Bus scheme

20           Harmsworth Trust

Cllr Blockley  reported that he had written to the Charity Commission seeking advice on 2 matters which were of concern to all councillors. He asked for clarification on whether the Trust Deeds gave us protection against compulsory purchase and whether Trust Assets could be used to further educational purposes. The reply from the Charity Commission to both queries was no.

Cllr Blockley informed the Council of a new file that was being circulated, containing brochures and correspondence of interest. If this system is to work, it is essential that the file is circulated promptly.

21           Benenden 2030

Cllr Blockley informed the council that this document was only in it’s early stages, therefore only a PC document at present.

22       Parish Council Priorities

Cllr Blockley asked the Parish Council to consider short term Council priorities.

23        Parish Clock

Cllr Blockley noted the excellent refurbishment of the Church Clock. The Parish shared the cost with the P.C.C. Cllr Blockley proposed that a tree which obscures the view of the clock be removed or trimmed back to it’s boundary. Further investigation as to responsibility and costs needs to be undertaken before any decision is made.

24        Planning

Planning report was circulated    01550 - approve subject to Enforcement Officers Report.

25        Financial

Financial report was circulated

26       Correspondence

Clerk to contact Mark Reid to check on progress with Entertainment Licence  paperwork

Letter received from Trisha Skilton re dead trees around Iden Green Pavilion. Point    noted. Clerk to acknowledge letter, stating trees would be replaced in the autumn.

Letter received from Roma Marshall re hedge cutting, potholes and debris on land. Clerk to write and acknowledge.

27        A.O.B

Cllr Lake reported that the property owner of Merlewood had reported that the drive at the  front floods.

Cllr Lake reported that property owners should be reminded that hedges are to be kept tidy each year.  Cllr Blockley acknowledged that this would be an excellent newsletter feature

Meeting closed at 10.12pm.

Next meeting: Monday 18th September 2006 at The Pavilion, Iden Green at 8pm.

                          

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