Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for meeting June 2009
Click for minutes for May 2009

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

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15th June 2009 in
The Pavilion, Iden Green

488 Apologies:
Cllr Hockney

489 Declarations of Interest:
None

490 Minutes:
The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday 18th May 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr AF Seconded: Cllr MK

491 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 483/09 Strawberry Wood Culvert Project Contribution. Chairman PB had contacted Alan Milne BACS Chairman to explain our donation offer of £250 to be possibly match funded with £250 from BACS. Alan Milne could not make a firm offer but one possibility is to donate the bank interest on funds which are being held on behalf of Culvert Project.

492 Benenden Public Convenience:
Chairman PB confirmed that the public toilets were in full operation, opening from 9am-6pm, 7 days per week. Cleaning by a local resident had commenced at £6ph on a monthly invoice basis. So far no problems reported. Any plans for modification will only commence once official handover is received from TWBC.

493 TW Area Parish Chairman’s Meeting Report:
Chairman PB attended and reported on:
TWBC new waste / recycling initiative: Doorstep collection of plastic and cans would commence on 1 July 09, with all householders receiving a leaflet, clearly outlining new collections and a green box or sack.
TWBC Civic Amenity Lorry: A threatened, valuable, rural service which will inevitably be reduced or lost. Traders and business have abused service which is provided for householders to dispose of bulky household waste. TWBC aim to reduce the cost of collecting large items i.e. fridges, sofas. All local PC’s will not let this service go easily. Sevenoaks Council, where the service was withdrawn, has reported a 35% increase in fly-tipping.
Ward Walks: Benenden is timetabled for September 2009. Representatives from TWBC, Kent Community Safety Partnerships, and Parish Councillors will visit residents and report feedback. PC Action
494 Bus Shelter Damage:
Chairman PB reported on damage to the bus shelter outside the Village Hall. Clerk advised windows were broken, graffiti removal and general repairs required. Quotes for repairs to be obtained.
PB + JC Action
495 Replacement Notice board:
Clerk asked PC to consider the quotations report previously circulated. Cllr AF enquired why
companies had quoted for different sizes. Clerk explained two companies could not provide
made to measure and one company only provided cast metal. After discussion all PC agreed
to proceed with R.Kingsnorth. Clerk + JC to liaise. PC Agreed.

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

Chairman PB advised that a full discussion on new planning application TW/01440/FUL/CT
would take place after all Parish Council and Harmsworth Trust business had been transacted.
Applicant: Mr C Begeman, Cascade Rural Housing
Location: OS Plot 6287, Iden Green Road, Iden Green
Proposal: Provision of 14 dwellings for Local Needs Housing

497 Financial Report:
[a] Audit Commission – Annual Audit of Accounts 08/09
Clerk and Chairman signed completed Annual Accounts 08/09 Return. Clerk Action

[b] Chairman’s allowance 09/10 [ink, paper]
Clerk and Chairman asked PC to consider 1 ream of paper and 1 ink cartridge for each
PC member, for use in 09/10 to be used instead of Chairman’s Allowance. Cllr PB proposed.
PC motion agreed. Clerk Action
[c] Monthly Finance Report

Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since May 2009
Income
NIL

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
286 P Blockley – Toilets keys cut + cleaning goods 19.42
287 Baldwins – flowers + fertilizer war memorial 45.70
288 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopies + binding 34.01
289 Post Office – NI 08/09 B.Sullivan 9.65
290 KALC 20009/10 Subs [S137] 615.32
291 CPRE 09/10 Subs [S137] 29.00
292 KCPFA 09/10 Subs [S137] 20.00
293 ACRK 09/10 Subs [S137] 35.00
294 Communicorp – Clerk + Councils 09/10 [S137] 10.00
295 NALC – Local Council Review 09/10 [S137] 13.50
296 Kent Air Ambulance Don [S137] 150.00
297 Kent Ass Blind Don [S137] 60.00
298 Hospice in Weald Don [S137] 200.00
299 HCH League of Friends Don [S137] 265.00
300 Cranbrook CAB Don [S137] 265.00
301 Benenden PCC Don [S137] 60.00
302 Angley School Farm Don [S137] 140.00
303 Kenward Trust Don [S137] 100.00
304 Samaritans Don [S137] 100.00
305 B Sullivan May salary £488.10, post, pkg, stny £10. 498.15
306 Stationery Express – AA stny, flyers, badges, printing, 79.96
307 J Fagan – Public Toilets cleaning May 09 138.00
308 British Heart Foundation – In memory R.Pearce 25.00
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband June 09 18.58
2931.29

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £17,126.19

 

498 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]

Item 20 – Kent Wildlife Awards – Are you wild about your garden? Enter by 30 June 09
Item 21 – Kent BTCV – Tree Warden Scheme – Donation request
Item 24 – TWBC Mayor Charity Multiple Sclerosis - Donation Request
Item 27 – K6 Telephone Kiosk – paint & maintenance schedule

Clerk advised notification received from:
TW Community Safety Partnership – Safer Summer Leaflet Contact Clerk
Safer Kent Awards – Celebrating outstanding PCs, PCSOs, Community Wardens,
Volunteers, Young People Contact Clerk
TWBC New Monitoring Officer - Paul Cummins
TWBC Consultation SEA Scoping Report for Town Centres + Development Control Policies DPD 15June-24July PC Action

Cllr GR asked for regular updates with Kent Highways. Clerk had forwarded May Schedule [item 25] issued by Community Liaison Officer but would produce a PC report. Clerk advised a password for the new My Highways On-Line had not yet been issued or dates for training.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.22pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.23pm

 

Following Harmsworth Trust Meeting

Chairman PB opened the meeting for discussion on new planning proposal TW/01440/FUL/CT
Applicant: Mr C Begeman, Cascade Rural Housing
Location: OS Plot 6287, Iden Green Road, Iden Green
Proposal: Provision of 14 dwellings for Local Needs Housing

Chairman PB and Cllr RL advised TWBC are aware of Cascade Rural Housing, a private developer who are seeking outline planning permission, in an attempt to work with a Housing Association, identifying Local Housing Needs. TWBC have received 2 other applications for similar developments from Cascade. Benenden’s ACRK Housing Survey is a public document which has been quoted in the proposal. The proposed site is outside the limit to build, in a sensitive conservation area but applicant is using the exception site rule.
TWBC PD – advised that the proposal is a Major Application and would require a 13 week consultation. To date no Yellow planning notices have been displayed. TWBC PD suggested a Planning Forum meeting be called. All interested parties can send a representative to attend; PC, residents, objectors, supporters. All are given an opportunity to speak.
Cllr RL noted that the applicant had written that pre-application advice had been sought. TWBC PD advised that he understood no advice had been taken.
Chairman PB outlined the results of the ACRK survey which identified a need for 36 units of which 50% would ideally be built. TWBC and PC are under pressure to identify sites for Affordable Housing and a planning process criteria has to be strictly followed. Cllr AF reiterated that this application was not any part of PC action. Cllr DB emphasised in the past and as now the PC would not consider affordable housing on this scale, as out of keeping with size of hamlet.
Residents spoke of problems with extra sewage demands; current drainage issues, speeding vehicles, proposed access would be within metres of Beech Cottage, development would be in most elevated position of hamlet, impact on High Weald Landscape Trail, no consultation with PC or residents, 7% increase in total housing if development goes ahead.
Chairman PB reported that the PC would need to produce a refusal under strict planning conditions and would keep all residents informed of details for objection criteria.
TWBC PD reiterated that a Planning Forum was advisable for any major controversial applications, an informal meeting before going to full Planning Committee. Arrange speakers.
Further discussion then followed on speeding, speed limit sign obscured by overgrown verge, adverse camber on bend.
Chairman PB advised that Highways were due to start priority works at the village crossroads and any speeding concerns could be sent direct to Clerk or Kent Police – PC Hulme. Email: 7772@kent.pnn.police.uk

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Meeting: Monday 20th July 2009
at the Memorial Hall, Benenden at 8pm

 

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 15th June 2009

Present: Cllrs Blockley, Bailey, Clarke, Fogg, Hagens, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk
10 Apologies:
Cllr Hockney

11 Minutes:
The minutes of the Annual Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 18th May 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr DB

12 Matters Arising:
[Minute No: 460/09] Salt Bin for Oakfields. Clerk reported that KHS has seen a
significant demand in the requests for Salt Bins following the worst winter in 18 years.
A full review of Winter Service Policy is now to be undertaken and unfortunately any
requests are on hold until the Highways Advisory Board have approved the review,
sometime in September 09.

13 Benenden Village Hall:
[HT Minute No: 5/09] Cllr JC thanked Cllr GR for delivery and spreading of stone to damaged area in the village hall car park and thanked Cllr RL for rolling out.
Chairman PB thanked both Cllrs.

14 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since May 2009
Income
St Georges May rent 158.33
KCC 50% claim window damage BVH 102.30
BVH May wages 519.75
COIF COIF quarterly dividend 2583.90
3364.28
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Zurich Insurance June 09 512.48
038 S.Clarke – oil for mowers 4.05
039 Southern Water – rates Ben Pre-School 54.40
040 B.Sullivan –wages May £46.50, keys cut Pre-School £10 56.50
041 D.Dalrymple - wages May £449.96 + Poison £6.49 456.45
042 BVHMC – refund KCC claim window damage 102.30
1186.18

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £7,544.57

Balance in No 2 A/C - £107.13

15 Correspondence:
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.27pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 20th July 2009 at The Memorial Hall, Benenden immediately after PC meeting

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