Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Dines, Hagens, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk
KCC R Manning, TWBC F Rook, TWBC L Hall + 8members of the public

01 Election of Chairman:
It was resolved to elect Cllr PB as Chairman. Cllr GR abstained from voting.
Cllr PB signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk

02 Election of Vice-Chairman:
Cllr RL decided to stand down. Cllr PB thanked RL for his support and advice as Vice-Chair.
It was resolved unanimously to elect Cllr DB as Vice-Chairman.
Cllr DB signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk.

03 Apologies:
Cllr JH [holiday]

04 Election of Committees, Acceptance of Office & Members Registers:
Clerk requested all Register of Interest forms be returned by 18 June 2010. All Cllrs signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk.
PC resolved sub-committees. List of Committees 2010/11 [attached]

05 Declarations of Interest:
None Declared

06 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 17 May 2010 were confirmed and
signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr MK. PC Minutes resolved.

07 Matters Arising:
Minute No 597/10 – Subscriptions & Donations.
Clerk had clarified Kent County Agricultural Society’s request for a S137 donation. It was resolved to offer to fund a coach for pupils of age 7-9 from Benenden Primary School to attend the event to be held in May 2011. Clerk to enquire if they wish to attend. Clerk Action

08 Age Concern AGM:
Cllr JH reported on the AGM. Only 8 present with 6 being committee members. Main issue discussed was loss of premises. Cllr PB thanked Cllr JH for attending and outlined the importance of PC representation, as we as a Parish benefit from Age Concern.

09 KHS:
[i] Speeding issues in Standen Street
Chairman PB reported on the speeding concerns, volume of traffic and junction of Standen Street with Mill Street, Iden Green Rd and Coldharbour Lane, from a resident of Standen Street. Clerk had forwarded concerns to all PC. Clerk had previously contacted KHS re crossroads signage and road markings. Cllr PB had contacted Kent Police who had carried out 1 speedcheck, with no speed limit issues but they would continue to monitor. Cllr DB enquired if a “quiet lane” provision was available through KHS, as designated “quiet lanes” were in operation in other areas nationally. Clerk to enquire. Clerk Action

[ii] Parish & KHS Meeting 2 June 2010
Clerk reported on the KHS meeting, which gave an opportunity for Parishes to come face to face with KHS delivery team and for KHS to understand Parish concerns, as Parishes have to report and feedback issues to residents. Parishes identified issues which were collated by
Charles Mackonochie, JTB Parish Council representative. The final document will be circulated. Clerk had forwarded our KHS concerns including Online Reporting System issues, poor feedback, local inspector should meet with PC, poor quality of repairs, recreation ground water leak issue over 3yrs old. A worthwhile meeting which will hopefully give KHS a greater insight to Parish concerns.

10 KALC Area Meeting 9 June 2010:
Cllr RL reported that a vacancy is available on the TWBC Standards Committee, KHS is
carrying out a large review including the Speed Limit Review, KALC suggest that compulsory
training courses for Clerks and Cllrs are phased in. TWBC pest control services are to be
withdrawn from 30 July 2010 and will only be available to residents who receive certain means tested benefits.

11 Casual Staff Wage Review:
Chairman PB confirmed, it was resolved that an hourly rate of £6ph would be paid to P Message, for his work on the maintenance of the war memorial. He will continue to invoice twice per year. PC Noted

12 Local Consultations:
Chairman PB spoke on increasing workloads of PC. He proposed sub-committees to work on
local consultations and report on behalf of full PC.

[i] KCC Highways & Waste Directorate Statement of Community Involvement May 24 –July 19
[ii] TWBC Planning Consultation Allocations Development Plan Rural June 14 – Aug 9 PB/RL

13 Training & Development – [i] TWBC New Members Induction 21 June 2010 SD to attend
[ii] TWBC briefing village green applications, governance +
setting the council tax base rate 29 June 2010 PB to attend
[iii] TWBC & UOK – Leading change 29 June 2010
After the crunch 20 July 2010 None

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

TW/10/01554 – School Farm, Cranbrook Road – CLD [CEU] Change of use from equestrian to storage, display, exhibition, office and meeting space for the Wild Camel Protection Foundation
Cllr RL confirmed the reason for not commenting on this application was supporting documents went back over 12years i.e. minutes of meetings and TWBC enforcement team is in the process of drafting a report.

15 Financial Report:
Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 12 May 2010
Income
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk May 10 Salary 100.00
TOTAL 100.00
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
388 Baldwins – 12 rails for stiles 14.40
389 Southern Water – waste water public toilets 127.59
390 Stationery Express UK – AA flyers, copying, badges, ink 108.30
391 South East Water – water usage public toilets 69.64
392 B.Sullivan May 10 salary 692.44
393 M.English – Public Toilets May 10 + clean materials 192.08
394 C.Turner – 20 15” pegs + 20 9” pegs parish marquee 37.60
395 Baldwins – 10 boxes begonias war memorial 53.00
396 EDF Energy – public toilets 23 Feb – 25 May 61.68
397 Communicorp – Clerk + Councils Subs 10/11 [S137] 11.00
398 NALC – LCR Subs 10/11 [S137] 13.50
399 ACRK – BPC + BVH Subs 10/11 [S137] 65.00
400 CPRE – Subs 10/11 [S137] 29.00
401 KALC – Subs 10/11 [S137] 626.09
402 KCPFA – Subs 10/11 [S137] 20.00
403 Kent Air Ambulance – Donation 10/11 [S137] 150.00
404 Kent Ass for Blind – Donation 10/11 [S137] 60.00
405 Hospice in the Weald – Donation 10/11 [S137] 200.00
406 HCH League of Friends – Donation 10/11 [S137] 300.00
407 Cranbrook CAB – Donation 10/11 [S137] 300.00
408 Benenden PCC – Donation 10/11 [S137] 60.00
409 Angley School Farm – Donation 10/11 [S137] 140.00
410 Samaritans TW District – Donation 10/11 [S137] 150.00
411 Stationery Express – copying, box paper, office ink, envs 56.69
412 IGPT – Hall Hire 17 May 10 9.00
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband June 10 18.99
TOTAL 3566.00
After all cheques cleared:

Reconciled with Bank Statement 28 May 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £17,288.71 PC Noted

[ii] Setting of Chairman’s Allowance:
Chairman PB advised he does not require a personal allowance set but resolved that an allowance of 2 inks and a ream of paper be given to each Cllr. PC Resolved

16 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report 10 June 2010 [attached]

Chairman PB advised a letter received 14 June 2010 from David Harmsworth, Chair of
Governors, Benenden CE Primary School outlining the appointment of Clague architectural
consultancy, instruction of Michael Rogers LLP surveyors, to enter into preliminary
negotiations with landowners. He requested a small group should liaise with the school
governors. Chairman PB confirmed the PC intention is for a small group to work with KCC and
school governors, whose duty would be to report back to full PC where any decisions will be
taken. PC Noted

Cllr GR asked Chairman PB if he could ask individual Cllrs a question on Election Leaflets
and their views on the new school. Chairman PB reiterated that as it was not an agenda item
it could not be discussed but a proposal can be sent to the Clerk for the next full PC meeting.
GR
Chairman PB read out a letter received from Tom Dawlings regarding the Parish Election and his response. Chairman PB confirmed that the Clerk had ensured all candidates had received correct papers and had contacted all about producing a flyer. No other input was required and the Clerk remained neutral. Chairman PB confirmed it was a competitive, contested election and blanket distribution of flyers was not the responsibility of the existing council.

Cllr GR expressed his disappointment with some of the business of the past 4 years and he would contact TWBC Electoral Services, TWBC Monitoring Officer and TWBC Standards Committee to outline his views. Cllr DB asked why he considered behaviour to be improper. Cllr GR response indicated his dissatisfaction with the flyer distribution and felt strongly that all 12 should have gone out together or all individually.
Chairman PB confirmed that the official paperwork was displayed on noticeboards and local shops, to ensure residents were aware of the candidates standing.

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

Chairman PB opened the meeting to members of the public.

Minute No: 9 [ii] 10/11 KCC Roger Manning as JTB Chairman confirmed he invited Charles Mackonochie for “constructive” PC comments at the meeting between KHS and Parishes.
It was an excellent opportunity for senior KHS staff to see “face to face” what issues Parishes have to deal with on a daily basis.
KCC RM confirmed he would seek to use his KCC members allowance to deal with the water leak on Rolvenden Road by the recreation ground. KHS Ref: 1188 and the constant flooding issue by Cheesemans Garage, where 3 gullies sit higher than the road surface.
He reported the new contractors are repairing the potholes to a good standard but equally emergency repairs sometimes need “temporary” repairs.
Ringway have been partners for a number of years but the contract is up for review and tender. Quality appraisals are in place for new contractors.
Cllr MK enquired about the water problem on the roads, edges worn away. Water source should be addressed even if it’s the landowner’s responsibility as roads will continue to erode and it would be great to see the return of the lengthsman.

TWBC Francis Rook outlined that he, Linda Hall and Sean Holden would be working together as a “rural” voice.

TWBC Linda Hall advised that an extraordinary meeting of TWBC had been called to adopt the core strategy. It would take place on 17 June 2010 6.30pm Town Hall TW. A request to defer adopting until the Secretary of State produces new legislation will be proposed, and use of the Local Plan continue until 2011. If adopted it will be binding and more affordable housing must be built. Allocation of 300 homes in Cranbrook. Loss of green belt and rural fringe.

PD confirmed in the long term, a couple of sites for potential Affordable Home builds had been identified in Iden Green. No rural fringe or green belt in the Parish as we are AONB. 15 houses in a development before reduced to 10.

Chairman PB and SD confirmed they would attend the meeting. PB reiterated that allocation criteria of Affordable Housing are hampered by KHS applying urban standards to rural areas.
PB/SD Action

PD confirmed he chaired the sub-committee for the Winter Services Policy and thanked Clerk for her comments. Clerk noted minute change. PB signed.

David Harmsworth spoke on the inadequacy of the buildings of the school and how distressing the whole process has been, with a divided community and increasing pressures on the school. DH reiterated now KCC had chosen a site we must get a school onto the site – a sensitive site. DH appealed to PC to get a group of HT to work with the Governors to ensure the interests of the HT are met and believes it would be advantageous to work closely and cooperatively to forward a plan. It is a preferred site subject to planning permission.
PB – on sight of a plan we will respond and the PC totally support the need for a new school
DH – work with the architects and give PC and School Governor input. Still misconception about the site
PB – PC views have not changed
JH – Access?
DH – request to circulate letter to all members.
RL – Whilst we know school governors prefer the ridge site, the Parish Poll suggested another site.
DH – We must push forward on KCC “preferred” site. Act responsibly to get a new school
RL – The Parish decided the Poll, we as PC act on behalf of our residents
DB – I see my role as a Parish Cllr is to try and get the best for the Parish as a whole
Chairman PB thanked everybody for comments

No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 9.35pm