Present: Cllrs Blockley, Clarke, Fogg, Hagens, Hockney, Reynolds, Clerk

439 Apologies: Cllrs Bailey, Lake, Kellett

440 Declarations of Interest:
Chairman PB reported that the Parish Council, as Trustees of the Harmsworth Trust, had been advised by TWBC Acting Monitoring Officer, William Benson, to declare a "Prejudicial Interest" under the terms of the Councils Code of Conduct and would not be commenting on planning application TW/08/04187/FUL/ARJ.

441 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 19th January 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr SH

442 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 430/08 Annual Assembly Speaker. DB attended CPRE Biofuel Talk, no suitable speaker identified.
Minute No: 426/08 Matters Arising: Parish Council Newsletter. AF apologies noted for no article due to illness.

443 Register of Members Personal Interests:
Clerk advised a new form had been produced and reminded Councillors of their responsibility to report any changes. Clerk to distribute to all Clerk Action

444 Benenden C.E.Primary School
PC school working party PB, RL, GR attended a meeting with BCEP working party RDH, DH, BM, and Michael Rogers, surveyor.
Chairman PB advised both sides were able to put forward views openly and the PC stated their position that no decisions would be reached until the full scheme was in circulation.

445 TWBC – Public Convenience Review
Minute No: 429/08 refers
Chairman PB reported that despite the Overview & Scrutiny Committee overturning the Cabinets decision to close nearly all rural PC’s, all toilets would close on 1April 2009 as financial savings are still top priority at TWBC. SH asked if we could be party to any further discussions. Clerk reported several PC’s were trying to work out saving strategies.
L Penny spoke on behalf of several residents outlining frustration of the closure. Drivers, elderly residents, families using the play park all made use of the facilities. Chairman PB thanked LP for her comments and advised that we were in contact with TWBC Richard Powell, Director of Services to the Community. TWBC would no longer fund the facility. The issue will be an agenda item for the Annual Assembly. Clerk to contact RP Clerk Action

446 TWBC – Standards Committee:
Ethnicity Survey – Clerk gathered all completed surveys to return to TWBC Clerk Action
How would you spend the Council Tax Survey? – Clerk reminded members to support the on-line survey.
PC Action

447 TWBC-Affordable Housing Meeting:
AF reported on the meeting attended by himself, RL and Clerk. TWBC Rural Housing OfficerJennifer Hudson and TWBC Planning Policy Officer Deborah Dixon outlined possible sites identified by the SHLAA Core strategy process. A strict criteria is followed to identify suitable sites and further research in consultation with the PC is required to assess the Affordable Housing Need. RL and Clerk to attend TWBC Rural Review Focus Group 9 March 2009.

448 ACRK – Community Action Plan Survey:
Clerk gathered all completed surveys to return to ACRK Clerk Action

449 Planning Report:
[a] Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Planning Report [attached]

RL reported no documentation had been received on the Agricultural Assessment for application at Land North-West of Eaglesden Farm, Hinksden Road, Benenden.

[b] TWBC – Town / Parish Council Training "Amendments to Permitted Development regime for Householder as at 1 Oct 2008"

Chairman PB advised all attended meeting. Clerk advised to encourage use of Planning Portal website to find out about the new rules www.planningportal.gov.uk/house

450 Financial Report:
Rate Account
Payments made on Council’s behalf since January 2009

Chq No Outgoings
TRF H/T Vat refund BVH storage extn 2985.69
265 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopy + 09 Diary 8.77
266 Audit Commission 2008 Fees 350.75
267 B.Sullivan – Jan 09 salary 408.00
268 B.T Payment Services – Office phone 63.29
269 K.C.C – Landscape Services 2nd 50% The Green 395.93
270 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopies 8.22
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Feb 18.58
4239.23

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £15,560.35

I can report that the Charity Commission 2008 Annual Return are completed for
Charity Name Charity No Documents
Harmsworth Trust 302682 Return + Accts + Trustee Report
The Village Green 1015247 Return
Edmund Gybbon Charity 238203 Return

451 Correspondence:
Chairman and Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]
Item 1 – ACRK – Surveys collected
Item 6 – My Kent Highways Online – GR and JC to attend
Item 7 – TWBC Public Conveniences – R.Powell, PB, Clerk to liaise
Item 16 – TWBC Ethnicity – Surveys collected

SH enquired as to responsibility of area behind the tennis club towards Chapel Lane, dead Birch Tree, Oak covered in ivy, generally overgrown and messy. Clerk Action

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.45pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

TWBC PD reported on the Joint Transportation Board meeting where he successfully managed to include Coldharbour Lane, Cycle Route 18 as an urgent item, due to the severe deterioration of the highway. Potholes had been filled but due to poor weather by the next day the surface was breaking up again. Poor quality works. Cycle routes must be inspected thoroughly.
Benenden Crossroads cluttered signage needs addressing. Council Tax / Budget Setting – probable 5% tax increase.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm

Next Meeting:
Monday 16th March 2009 at 8pm at The Pavilion, Iden Green, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 16th February 2009

452 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 19 January 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr JH Seconded: Cllr GR

453 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC advised nothing to report this month

454 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since January 2009
Income
TRF Rate A/C – VAT refund BVH storage extn 2985.69
St Georges Jan 158.33
BVH Jan wages 493.30
3637.32

Chq No Outgoings
D/D Insurance Feb 534.16
018 BVH – vat reclaim on storage extn 744.68
019 D.Dalrymple– Jan 09 wages, xmas box, 8.99 mousetrap 452.20
020 B.Sullivan – Jan 09 46.50
021 KCC Landscape Servs 2nd 50% Ben + I/G Rec Grounds 787.31
2564.85

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £4,746.48

Balance in No 2 A/C - £107.13

I can report that the Charity Commission 2008 Annual Return is completed for
Charity Name Charity No Documents
Harmsworth Trust 302682 Return + Accts + Trustee Report

Bonny Sullivan – Benenden Parish Clerk 12 Feb 2009