TWBC Holly Goring, Research Information Officer & TWBC Raymond Warren, Head of Community & Corporate Planning briefed the Parish Council on the forthcoming “Ward Walks” to be held in the village.

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Fogg, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk

509 Apologies:
Cllr Clarke

510 Declarations of Interest:
None

511 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 20th July 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr JH Seconded: Cllr MK

512 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 503/09 Benenden Primary School. Chairman PB reported no developments although minutes of the previous meeting had been received.
Cllr GR reported that the Parish Council £1000 donation had been put towards mugs for each child, lighting and costuming of pageant and family barbeque. Confirmation in writing would be appreciated. Action -GR

513 Strawberry Wood Culvert:
Cllr MK reported on the huge success of the project and the celebration open day. Cllr SH expressed how the event had brought the community together. Chairman PB thanked MK for all her help and support in promoting and raising awareness of the culvert.
Chairman PB proposed that the original £250 donation be reconsidered. BACS cannot match fund but have been invaluable in managing the finances and hosting the project.
PC Agreed. Motion Passed. PC Agreed / Clerk Action

514 Adopt a Kiosk:
Clerk reported no feedback received from the letter inviting residents to “Adopt the Kiosk”, in the vicinity of the Goddards Green Road Kiosk.
Chairman PB hi-lighted the kiosk was not in an AONB and was not in a prominent position. Chairman PB proposed the kiosk would not be adopted. PC Agreed. Motion Passed.
Clerk to contact BT and TWBC Jim Kehoe, Head of Planning PC Agreed / Clerk Action

515 Highways:
Clerk reported on a petition received from Harmsworth Court residents outlining their road safety concerns along Walkhurst Road and in The Street. Kent Highways Steven Noad had responded promptly and advised that the matter will be going before the Joint Transportation Board. Clerk reported a resident of Pullington Cottages had raised the issue of traffic calming for vehicles entering the village from Rolvenden. Turning right out of Pullington is a hazard. Clerk awaits Highways response. Cllr MK reported ref: CSM10202836 Woodcock Lane had been jet patched, resulting in more gravel on road as it is not rolled in, surely hazardous to cyclists. Cllr GR expressed concern over all the overgrown hedges, verges, brambles over footpaths. Hedgecutters with flexible arms are used by contractors. Cllr JH advised although Pullington footpath had been cleared a metre back at ground level, the brambles overhead were untouched.
Clerk advised not selected for training at present time. KHS meeting Oct 09 tbc Clerk Action

516 Affordable Housing:
Chairman PB advised PC Housing Committee met with TWBC Jennifer Hudson, Rural Housing Enabling Officer and ERHA Alison Thompson. Discussion identified sites which would be suitable to PC and which would not be suitable to TWBC LDP criteria.
Chairman PB reported a response was made to TWBC Rural Review Consultation. He reiterated that councils which had succeeded with Affordable Housing Developments worked closely with a flexible Highways department.

517 KALC – Local Area Meeting Report:
Chairman PB reported on the meeting held on Thurs 10th Sept 09.
New Hospital Development Pembury: Building ahead of schedule but public transport
problematic. 1st phase handover - 30 Nov 2010. 1st occupation – 31 Jan 2011. Clerk has report.
Cllr GR emphasised Maidstone Hospital parking problems were horrendous.
Civic Amenity Lorry: This valued facility will disappear. It costs TWBC £170k p.a. A
proposal was suggested where by residents would receive vouchers and an entitlement to
purchase extra vouchers if regular users. All PC’s would make a contribution. Cllr SH, TWBC has an obligation to separate waste due to landfill costs, perhaps segregation of waste needs more attention. Cllr MK expressed concern over fly-tipping increase – Paddock Wood had reported increase. Cllr GR emphasised that TWBC had excellent collection services for fly-tipping but as a frequent personal witness, fly-tipping is on the increase. Discussion of
flexibility required, pick up things next to the bin not just in it and rural villages require the amenity due to distance from North Farm Civic Tip.
Chairman of KALC area committee will put forward all ideas to TWBC.

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

Cllr RL advised Application: TW/01440/FUL/CT had been REFUSED:
Applicant: Mr C Begeman, Cascade Rural Housing
Proposal: Provision of 14 dwellings for Local Needs Housing
Location: OSPlot 6287, Iden Green Road, Iden Green

Cllr RL advised Application TW/09/02058/FUL/CT2 had been APPROVED
Proposal: Replacement dwelling incl widening access and new parking arrangements;
replacement pool house
Location: Chestnut Cottage, Woodcock Lane, Iden Green

Cllr RL reported that the PC would not take any decision until further investigation on
Application: TW/09/02223/FUL/CP3 Proposal: Construction of new lake
Location: Benenden Place, Iden Green Road, Iden Green
No provision for water outlet for new large lake. Flooding could be a problem as land falls away to another property.

Cllr RL advised several matters at TWBC outstanding re Application: TW/09/02409/ARJ
Proposal: Retrospective – Agricultural storage bays & poison/chemical store, rest room & wc Facility

Location: Eaglesden Farm, Mill Street, Iden Green
Site visit made. TWBC Enforcement notices on bays following a previously dismissed appeal.
No obvious agricultural activity although hard landscaping activity. A tidy, well screened site is evident. Interim comments made to TWBC.

TW/09/00028/FUL/AJ –Location: Land North-West of Eaglesden Farm, Hinksden Road
Proposal: Erection of an agricultural building for the housing of cattle and siting of mobile
home for agricultural worker. Refused by TWBC
Location: Land North-West of Eaglesden Farm, Hinksden Road
Power of Enforcement not been actioned by TWBC – mobile home lived in. Chairman PB advised enforcement can take up to 2 years. Cllr GR to attend informal hearing 29 Sept 2009.

519 Standing Orders Annual Review:
Chairman PB asked PC if they had any items for the annual review of the Standing Orders, adopted at the meeting of 22 Sept 2008. [Minute No 368/08] No changes. PC Agreed

Clerk advised NALC Model Standing Orders & Chairmanship [2009] are due to be published.

520 Financial Report:
[a] Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since July 2009
Income
BVHMC Pine cutlery trays 30.00
Marquee Donation 50.00
TOTAL 80.00

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband August 09 18.58
318 TWBC Mayors Charity – MS S137 25.00
319 R. Kingsnorth – Noticeboard + 3 cutlery trays 835.00
320 B. Sullivan July salary £477.21 477.21
321 M.English – Public Toilets clean 7-31 July 150.00
322 Audit Commission Fees 08/09 327.75
323 BT – Office Phone 73.08
324 Stationery Express-Paper,Copying,Inks SH,JC+MK 98.59
325 KALC – Clerk Honorarium 08/09 30.00
326 I/G Pav Tst – Hall Hire 19/1, 16/3, 15/6 18.00
327 B. Sullivan – Aug salary £463.16, post £6.57, stny £1.37 471.10
328 M. English – Public Toilets clean 1-31 Aug 186.00
329 Stationery Express – Office Ink 13.99
330 EDF Energy – Public Toilets 14.06
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Sept 09 18.58
2756.94

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £13,227.83

[b] Financial Regulations Annual Review:
Chairman PB asked PC if they had any items for the annual review of the Financial Regulations adopted at the meeting of 22 Sept 2008 [Minute No 369/08] No changes.
PC Agreed

[c] Clerk reported that Annual Update 2009 for Benenden Village Green Charity No: 1015247 had been completed online.

[d] Clerk advised Co-Operative Financial Services and Britannia had merged on 1 Aug 2009

521 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated reports [attached]
Item 8 – An interactive presentation to raise awareness of the effectiveness of community penalties. An hour long presentation for general public. Contact Clerk
Item 30 – TWBC Monitoring Officer Paul Cummins and Barbara Varney, Vice-Chair to TWBC Standards Committee to attend before PC meeting 19 Oct
TWBC Mobile Gateway – Co-op Car Park, Cranbrook 10am-3pm. To assist with any issues regarding benefits, leisure activities and general council enquiries.
Help the Aged – Handy Van Man. Contact Clerk
KHW Project – Up to 25 free trees for your community / private owner. Closing date 31 Oct 09.
SH Action
Chairman PB asked all Cllrs to consider articles for next issue of PC newsletter. PC Action

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.00pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

TWBC PD advised he is in contact with KHS Alan Ash, regarding Woodcock Lane and an Interactive Sign. It is on KHS schedule of works.
TWBC PD spoke on enforcement process; amenity lorry importance as a 36mile round trip for our residents and confirmed his attendance on Ward Walks within the village.

CH spoke of flooding concerns re Application TW/09/02223 construction of a new lake at Benenden Place. As the owners of the property which could be effected by the build, flooding has already been a problem. TWBC has confirmed a full flood risk assessment plan is now required.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.08pm

Paul Cummins, TWBC Monitoring Officer & Barbara Varney, Vice-Chair, TWBC Standards Committee will attend to brief Parish Council at 7.30pm

Next Meeting: Monday 19th October 2009
at the Memorial Hall, Benenden at 8pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 14th September 2009

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Fogg, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk

23 Apologies:
Cllr Clarke

24 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 20th July 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr RL

25 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 20/09 Benenden Pre-School – Chairman PB advised that confirmation for
a sign, to raise awareness of the Pre-School had been granted. It would be situated in the
garden underneath the tree as agreed.

26 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr RL reported on behalf of BVHMC that two double glazed windows for the kitchen had been ordered for the hall.
Cllr RL advised BVHMC had agreed to keep the hire fees at present cost for the forthcoming year.

27 Recreation Grounds:
[a] ROSPA Report: Clerk advised the annual report from ROSPA had arrived. All medium risks had been identified and sent to Bourne Amenity for a quotation of works.
Diccon Gray had agreed to remove the broken table tennis table. Still in place. Cllr MK to approach again. MK Action

[b] Benenden wooden posts to edge of grounds /car park: Clerk advised only 2
quotations received. Cranbrook Fencing had not quoted for works although asked. All
suggestions to Clerk for third quotation. HT Action
Cllr JH asked if collapsible post could be moved to edge of football field, nearer
playground, as vehicles driving over land during autumn months destroyed the corner of
the pitch. Clerk noted.

28 Bus Shelter Repairs:
Minute No 502/09 + 494/09 – 2nd quotation now received but awaiting 3rd. Chairman PB to chase. PB Action
KCC Funding – Clerk reported funding was available towards maintenance of bus
shelters. Photographic evidence of before and after repairs are required. Grants of up to
50% of costs can be applied for.

29 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
[a] Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since July 2009

Income
St Georges July rent 158.33
BVH July wages 519.75
St Georges August rent 158.33
St Georges Pre-School summer term 231.00
COIF Dividend 3003.78
BVH August wages 519.75
4590.94

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Zurich Insurance Aug 09 512.48
047 D. Dalrymple – BT line rental + £5 calls 75.33
048 D. Dalrymple – July 09 wages 453.94
049 Post Office – DD Tax/NI 1Apr-30Jun 09 408.08
050 Chubb Fire – Annual Safety Check St Georges 79.87
051 B. Sullivan – clerk wages July 09 46.50
052 M. Page – I/G Pavilion replacement gates 170.20
053 Playsafety Ltd – Annual Inspection Rec Grds 144.90
054 D. Dalrymple – Aug 09 wages 438.02
055 B. Sullivan – clerk wages Aug 09 46.50
D/D Zurich Insurance Sep 09 512.48
2888.30

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £9,305.95

Balance in No 2 A/C - £107.13

[b] Adoption Harmsworth Trust Accounts 08/09
Chairman PB and Clerk signed the authorised annual accounts previously signed by Tom Dawlings. BVHMC authorised annual accounts signed by Chairman John Clarke and Treasurer Michael Patrick.

30 Correspondence:
Clerk advised Cranbrook Town FC had approached the PC about rectifying the bent crossbars on the goal posts at Benenden Recreation Ground. Cranbrook Town FC has received complaints by the Football League about the pronounced bow in the centre. Clerk confirmed that several teams were given free access to the pitch and only charged for hire of the village hall changing rooms at £10 per game. Clerk had written to the Club asking their members to rectify the situation to ensure League compliancy.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 19th October 2009 at The Memorial Hall, Benenden immediately after PC meeting