Notes on visit by Paul Cummins, TWBC Monitoring Officer & Barbara Varney, TWBC Standards Committee.
PC advised his role as the Chief Legal Officer was to manage the legal team, debt recovery issues, work closely with the TWBC Standards Committee and be there to advise on conduct matters.
BV explained how the TWBC Standards Committee oversees the Code of Conduct, and monitors the action of any alleged misconduct by Cllrs. The Committee is independent and helps with good governance. TWBC Standards Committee is made up of an equal number of TWBC, PC and Independent Members, set up after the new Model Code of Conduct came in. The members are elected for 4yrs, can renew for another 4yrs but retire after 8yrs. Previously all grievances went direct to the Standards Board of England in London. New legislation came in giving powers to county and boroughs to undertake investigations at base level. Now decisions are taken mostly at local level. TWBC Standards Committee has received 9 complaints in 18mths. A sub-committee with a PC, TWBC + IND reviews complaint. Advice is sought from legal team and if there is a possibility the code has been breached the Monitoring Officer will appoint an Independent Assessor, another sub-committee will sit and take a decision. An open hearing would then take place. If the Standards Board was disbanded then TWBC would require an ethical governance committee at local level.

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19th October 2009 in The Memorial Hall, Benenden

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

522 Apologies:
None

523 Declarations of Interest:
None

524 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 14th September 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr MK

525 Matters Arising:
[Minute No: 514/09] Adopt A Kiosk. Clerk advised correspondence had been received from Marden History Group with a request to acquire the kiosk at Goddards Green Road for their Heritage Centre. Chairman PB proposed that if the kiosk could be passed over to a Heritage Group would PC support. PC Agreed. Motion Passed. Clerk advised that she had previously written to TWBC Planning Services to advise of non-adoption. Clerk Action

526 TWBC Ward Walks:
Chairman PB reported on the successful village ward walks. Cllr MK advised residents had expressed disappointment that although a postcard had been placed to indicate an interest many were not visited. Cllr JC felt that a questionnaire with an envelope to be sent back to TWBC may have helped. Clerk reported that on average only 5 houses per team per walk were visited.
Clerk reported on the issues which had been identified at Parish level. “Play equipment needs improving to incorporate 3-5yrs and 10-14yrs.” Cllr SH suggested a skate park with research into sports grants. Other issues a village diary for more communication, removal of broken table tennis table [see HT minute]. Chairman PB confirmed issues would be looked into.

527 Affordable Housing:
ERHA AGM:
Cllr MK and Cllr GR reported on the English Rural Housing Association AGM. A fantastic talk was given by Richard Hawkes, architect on the home he built. “Crossway – The Grand Design with no Energy bills” Cllrs were able to visit the newly built ERHA 12 homes all with ground source heating. Design certainly in keeping with their environment.
Benenden Almshouses:
Cllr RL and Clerk met with Benenden Almshouse Treasurer, Arianwyn Neve and Alison Thompson of ERHA to discuss the possibility of identifying a small site [½ to ¾ acre] for a small development. AN would be reporting to her trustees.
Allotment Field
Chairman PB advised although the PC identifies the allotment filed as a possible site, due to LDP Policy, rural lanes are not suitable without pavements and therefore are not suitable for affordable housing.
Chairman advised Cascade Housing proposed to come back to TWBC with a revised plan at Iden Green Road and an option on a piece of land opposite Vyvyan Cottages. The PC has no involvement with Cascade.

528 Highways:
Clerk had attended My Kent Highways Online training and would begin to use the website.
Chairman PB advised a meeting with Kent Highways was scheduled for Thurs Oct 22 at 10am and asked all Cllrs to assist the Clerk by identifying any works on the report that had been completed. PC Action

529 Parish Council Newsletter:
[Minute No 521/09]Chairman PB asked for articles for the newsletter to be forwarded to Maureen Lake by the end of November. JH – Merry & Bright, RL – Planning, Affordable Housing – PB or AF, Phone Kiosks / Strawberry Wood Culvert – MK, Clerk – Become a Parish Councillor, Election 2010. Further ideas to Chairman PB PC Action

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

Application: TW/09/02223/FUL/CP3
Proposal: Construction of new lake
Location: Benenden Place, Iden Green Road, Iden Green

Cllr RL reported that TWBC had authorised a flood risk assessment. BH had instructed an independent assessment. PC were aware questions proposed by BH had been answered by TWBC but BH had yet to receive a reply. Cllr RL reported the light proposed in the shelter would be approved but any other lighting would have to be under a new application.

Application: TW/09/02409/ARJ
Proposal: Agricultural storage bays & poison/chemical store, rest room & wc facility
[Retrospective]
Location: Eaglesden Farm, Mill Street, Iden Green

Cllr RL advised the plan had now been invalidated in accordance with Regulation 4. TWBC
may now serve an enforcement notice.

Application: TW/09/00028/FUL/AJ
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
Cllr GR attended the informal hearing. TWBC appeared badly prepared. Planning Officer not supported by Head of Planning. Appellant asked for costs incurred in the appeal be met by TWBC. Decision not yet received.

531 Financial Report:

[a] Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 10 Sept 2009

Income
TWBC 2nd 50% Precept 7000.00
TOTAL 7000.00

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
331 B. Sullivan – Sep salary £448.80, post £3.60 452.40
332 M. English – Public Toilets clean 1-30 Sep 180.00
333 Stationery Express – stny, ink RL, JH 132.67
334 BVH – cleaning equip for public toilets since July 138.13
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Oct 09 18.58
921.78

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £19,306.50

[b] Parish/Town Precept 2010/11
Clerk advised TWBC had notified that all Parish precept requests have to be with
Head of Finance & Governance by 15 Jan 2010. Clerk to prepare Precept data for PC
meeting on 14 Dec 2009 Clerk Action

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

Item 3 – Cllr AF requested Free Trees Scheme – Liaise with Cllr SH
Item 9 – Domestic Abuse West Kent Conference – Clerk to attend
Item 19 – TWBC Parish Council Sustainability Questionnaire – No Comment
Item 26 + 30 – Eastern Area Planning Venue Review – TWBC PD
Item 34 – High Weald AONB Unit – Free “Making of the High Weald Landscape” Presentation
Clerk to contact re Annual Assembly 2010. Free advisory visits to landowners with
land greater than 1 acre. Clerk Action

Clerk reported on the Kent Karrier Dial a Ride Service. TW Residents who have medical conditions that makes travelling on conventional public transport difficult and who live in a rural area more than 500mtrs from a conventional bus stop can use the service. £5 per year. TWBC reported it is under-used.

Chairman reported on the serious concern expressed by Cllrs and Parishioners alike over the Cranbrook
Car Parking Charges Review.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.28pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

TWBC PD discussed Eastern Area Planning Venue, Civic Amenity Lorry stays will be shorter with less frequent visits but hope to maintain service, Cranbrook Car Parking would have an immense impact on local business in current economic climate, impact on surrounding streets with congestion, next stage of consultation includes Parish Councils.

BH enquired about the new proposal by Cascade Homes.

Chairman PB reported it was now well known that Cascade had purchased various options on land throughout the TW Borough. Benenden PC had not entered any discussion with Cascade Housing but had negotiations in principal with TWBC & ERHA. Clerk needs latest information from Cascade. Chairman Action

PC reported that 2 kerbstones at Seerose, Iden Green had dropped. Clerk Action

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.35pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 19th October 2009

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

31 Apologies:
None

32 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 14th September 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr AF Seconded: Cllr SH

33 Matters Arising:
[Minute No: 28/09] Bus Shelter Repairs – Chairman PB advised 3 quotations now
received. D Gurr Construction £705, M Page Building £563.50, Premier Property
Maintenance £620. Chairman PB proposed M. Page. HT agreed. Clerk to apply for
KCC grant towards repairs. Clerk Action

34 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC reported on behalf of BVHMC that two double glazed windows for the kitchen had been installed and all the guttering and barge board had been replaced.

35 Bourne Amenity Quotation Recreation Grounds:
Clerk advised site visit with Jim Vidler had taken place at Benenden play equipment. The repairs required to the four main timbers of the high tower would be solved by being fitted with a wooden brace with a view to renewal next year. Research replacement costs.
Cllr MK had been unable to contact Diccon Gray to remove the broken table tennis table. Cllr GR offered to remove if required. Clerk advised Bournes had not been asked to quote for the removal of the table and Ward Walks feedback showed residents had enquired to its removal or repair. Chairman PB proposed Bourne’s quotation be approved. HT Agreed. Clerk Action

36 Iden Green Tennis Club Rent Review:
Chairman PB advised in accordance with the agreed lease, the 3 yearly rent review was
due for 2009/10. The proposed increase was from £200 to £225. Clerk had written.
Acknowledgement not yet received.

37 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 10 Sept 2009

Income
St Georges Sept 09 rent 158.33
BVH Sept 09wages 519.75
J Kellett Allotment Field Rent 09 87.50
765.58
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
056 D. Dalrymple – Sept 09 wages 438.02
057 Post Office – DD Tax/NI 1Jul-30Sep 09 404.21
058 B. Sullivan – clerk wages Sep 09 46.50
D/D Zurich Insurance Oct 09 512.48
1401.21

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £8,670.32

Interest No 2 A/C .15
Balance in No 2 A/C £107.28

38 Correspondence:
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.00pm