Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Meeting minutes for February 2010
in the Memorial Hall, Benenden
Click for minutes for January 2010

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

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15 February 2010
in the Memorial Hall, Benenden

Present:Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk
TWBC PD + 4 members of the public

568 Apologies:Cllr AF [Holiday]

569 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr JC – declared a personal interest in planning application: TW/09/03939 Green Briars, Cranbrook Road. Neighbouring property
Cllr GR – declared a personal interest in planning application: TW/09/03539 Netters Hall Caravan, Attwaters Lane, Hawkhurst. Relative of applicant.

570Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 18 January 2010 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr JCSeconded:Cllr DB

571 Matters Arising:
Minute No 561/10 Parish Council Newsletter: Cllr RL reported an extra 100 copies of the newsletter were ordered to ensure full parish and shop coverage. All Cllrs but one delivered their nominated allocation.
Minute No 562/10 Highways: Cllr JC responded to Clerk’s KHS email request in advising size and depth of potholes etc. Full discussion followed re KHS method of works, utilities damage to carriageways, works seldom repaired adequately, and quantity not quality, poor supervision. Yew Tree Farm KHS ref: 2776 urgent repairs reqd. Clerk Action

572 TWBC – Parish Chairmans Meeting:
Vice-Chairman RL reported that the civic amenity lorry would be continuing until the end of March 2010 and looked positive for sustaining a service during the next year. Cllr RL advised on Maidstone Probation Service “What we can do for you” re supervised gangs on probation working for the community free of charge. Cllr PB advised a working party from Blantyre House had worked on the Memorial Hall under a similar project. Cllr GR suggested teams could be sent to litter pick throughout the county – A21 extreme litter problem.
Vice-Chairman RL reported Public Toilets were discussed again. No news yet on £3,000 demolition costs or a possible grant towards making the facilities DDA compliant nor any transfer lease documentation. As TWBC were the owners when the law on Disabled Access came in, a grant should be offered to help Parishes make the toilets compliant. Clerk reminded PC that the precept unfortunately had been set higher to accommodate the continuing maintenance of the public toilets.

573 Community Warden Update:
Clerk advised that following a meeting with Nigel Freeman, Area Supervisor & Ros Tolhurst, Community Warden for Hawkhurst & Sandhurst, who was also to cover Benenden, notification had been received that Aaron Kluibenschadl would be covering the area with effect of 25 Feb 10. Cllrs all agreed a presence was needed within the village.

574Annual Assembly Date & Speaker:
Clerk advised that the guest speaker arranged is Matt Pitts, Cultural Landscape Advisor, High Weald AONB Unit. Talk on “The making of the High Weald Landscape”.
PC Agreed Monday 26th April 2010 for Annual AssemblyClerk Action


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

TW/09/03619 – Benton Hoppers, Dingleden Lane, Benenden – conversion of rebuilt hopper huts to stables. PC will not consider this application as the hopper huts should have been dismantled and removed under enforcement action decided by the Planning Inspectorate APP/M2270/C/07/2053284

TW/10/00073/LBC – Mill House, Mill Street, Iden Green – demolish & rebuild existing damage cellar wall and replace damaged concrete floor inc tanking layer to waterproof cellar.
Clearly urgent repairs are needed to this property to ensure preservation. APPROVAL

M2270/A/09/2119522 – Drywater Developments, Land adjacent to telephone exchange & St Georges Place, New Pond Road, Benenden – construction of 4 x 3-bed linked detached houses….PC have written to the Planning Inspectorate to recommend and reiterate REFUSAL. Cllr GR recommended PC attend hearing. PC Action

576Financial Report:
Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 13 JAN 2010
Income
BKHMRC VAT Refund - Rate, HT & BVH 2903.69
SOHarmsworth Trust – Clerk Jan 10 Salary 100.00
TOTAL 3003.69
Outgoings
Chq NoSupplier
TFRHarmsworth Trust - Vat refund 2415.76
361Stationery Express UK - office ink13.99
362Iden Green Pavilion - Hall Hire 14/9 + 16/11 18.00
363B.Sullivan Jan 10 688.66 post 4.96 stny / gift DD 9.62 703.24
364BT Payment Services - Office Phone 84.92
365 M.English – Public Toilets Jan 10180.00
366Arnold Cole Trust - Gibbon & Ginder Donation 102.50
367Stationery Express UK - copying Jan PC mtg10.25
D/DWaitrose.com – Broadband Feb 1018.99 3547.65

After all cheques cleared

Reconciled with Bank Statement 28 Jan 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £13,039.85

Clerk advised Cllr JC had completed an Internal Audit check list inline with PC Financial Regulations.

Clerk advised a comparable Insurance quotation was being obtained from Came & Co, with cover provided from Aviva.

577Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]
Item 6 - KHWPOrchard Project Questionnaire MK
Item 44 - Clerk confirmed PC would be attending I/G Pavilion Quiz Night PC Action

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.35pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to members of the public.

TWBC PD confirmed that the civic amenity lorry budget was in place form 10/11 hopefully no reduction in service; Planning Services backlog due to severe weather should be caught up by March 10; KHS – meeting 16 Feb 10 to discuss local issues; snow services; deterioration of road surfaces due to severe weather; take photos outside Yew Tree Farm as Coldharbour Lane is part of Cycle Route 18; more regular inspection required. Dog fouling on I/G recreation ground a problem; spring on gate at play park broken. Clerk Action

Chairman PB thanked TWBC PD.

No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 8.45pm

Next Meeting: Monday 15 March 2010
At: Memorial Hall, Benenden at 8pm

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

 

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 15 February 2010

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

62 Apologies:
Cllr AF [Holiday]

63 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday
18 January 2010 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JH Seconded: Cllr GR

64 Matters Arising:
Minute No 59: Benenden Village Hall Car Park.
Chairman PB advised some temporary repairs were carried out to the potholes at the entrance to the car park. Action is required as surface is poor. Cllr PB,RL and JC had met with Jan Hemsley.
Clerk had contacted James Martin of Ringway - no response as yet. Discussion followed on school buses and large vehicles turning in the entrance. A locked barrier was suggested but this could prove to be hazardous as nowhere in the village can accommodate large vehicles turning. Cllr SH suggested pedestrian access needs identifying. Cllr MK suggested the barrier was positioned to
allow turning but protect major parking area. Cllr GR advised reinforced concrete should be used.
Chairman PB finance would be an issue, future for whole car park area still uncertain but
quotations would be obtained. A programme of works needs to be drawn up over 4-5 years and included in the precept. Cllr MK reported that the disabled parking area was permanently wet. Cllr JC reported there is a drainage problem and suggested David Miles be instructed to clear area again.HT Action

65 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC reported the new double glazed toughened glass front doors had been fitted.

66 St Georges Club:
Chairman PB advised PB, RL & JC had met with St Georges Club Committee to discuss the request for HT permission for a new sign and a mezzanine storage floor. Chairman PB confirmed a detailed drawing of the sign was requested and St Georges Committee are to seek advice from pre-application planning at Cranbrook, to establish exactly what LBC permission is required to the Listed Building.

67Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 13 JAN 2010
Income
St GeorgesJan 10 rent158.33
BVHJan 10 wages 519.75
TFR Rate Vat refund HT & BVH2415.76
3093.84
Outgoings
Chq NoSupplier
070Bourne Amenity – Ben Rec & I/G playequip 1351.25
071B.V.H.M.C – vat refund 08/091604.36
072D Dalrymple – Jan 10 salary403.79
073D.Dalrymple – St Georges Cottage phone76.75
SOB. Sullivan – clerk Jan 10100.00
D/DZurich Insurance Feb 10 512.48
4048.63

After all cheques cleared

Reconciled with Bank Statement 28 Jan 2010

Clerk reported C/A held £500 and D/A held £7,305.21

Interest No 2 A/C .05
Balance in No 2 A/C£107.33

Clerk asked HT to consider closing National Investment Savings Book, as recommended by Internal Auditor 08/09. The funds to be transferred to the Co-Operative Bank: Harmsworth Memorial Trust Account No 2. Chairman PB and Cllr MK to sign letter with Clerk, as Clerk not a signatory. HT AgreedClerk Action

68 Correspondence:
Clerk reported Benenden Pre-School Treasurer had advised the KCC grant applied for had been partly successful. The Pre-School did not receive the full grant but will be in a position to pay Autumn & Spring fees before 31 March 2010. The toddler group
only ran for 3 sessions due to lack of support.

Chairman PB read out a request from the Pre-School to change the fluorescent light fittings to 6inch pendant fittings. Educational Guidance recommends children should have soft, natural lighting to improve the learning environment. The Pre-School would
provide required light fittings. Clerk to obtain quote from registered electrician.
Clerk Action

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.06pm

Date of Next Meeting:Monday 15 March 2010
At: Memorial Hall, Benenden
immediately after the Parish Council meeting

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST

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