Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Meeting minutes for July 2010
in the The Pavilion, Iden Green, Benenden
Click for minutes for May 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 19 July 2010
in The Memorial Hall, Benenden

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk
TWBC F Rook, TWBC L Hall + 7 members of the public

Vice Chair DB chaired the meeting

17 Apologies:
Cllr PB [holiday], Cllr SD [business]

18 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr GR declared an interest as Benenden Primary School Governor

19 Minutes:
The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday 14 June 2010 were confirmed and
signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr JHa Seconded: Cllr MK. PC Minutes resolved.

20 Matters Arising:
Minute No 09/10-11 Speeding issues in Standen Street
Clerk read KHS email outlining that following a site visit road markings would be refreshed but it does not meet criteria for new signage as only 1 recorded accident in past 3 years.
Minute No 16/10-11 Correspondence
Chair DB reported letter from DH would be discussed under the HT

21 Affordable Housing:
Chair DB advised T Reddick of Landspeed Development had met with TWBC Rural Enabling Officer JH and TWBC Planning Policy Officer DD to discuss a possible option for site behind telephone exchange, and now wished to meet BPC. Landspeed had not been able to make arranged date. Await new date. AH Committee Action

Chair DB reported a new model for Low Cost Home Ownership had been published by ERHA.
Increased build costs to meet design standards, lower grant rates and the challenging mortgage market had made it necessary for ERHA to review their policy. Shared ownership for local people remains at 80% share thereby guaranteeing the property can not be sold on open market and ERHA can now charge rent on 20%. Report with Clerk.

Chair DB gave an update on two possible sites ERHA were investigating; land adjacent to
Vyvyan cottages – a topographical survey has been commissioned to plot an appropriate
access to the site and how much land required for 6 units; Walkhurst Road land owned by
Benenden Almshouses – awaiting confirmation that the land can sold before ERHA can
progress. PC Noted

22 Benenden Public Toilets:
Chair DB reported the lease between TWBC and BPC will be terminated at 30 Sept 2010 and the future ownership was now agreed but final paperwork awaited. Confirmation of £3,000
grant towards adaption for DDA compliancy and £600 pa under the Community Toilet
Scheme. Clerk to confirm any outstanding rent owed to BPC. PC Noted
23 Parish Chairs Meeting:
Chair DB reported Cllr PB had attended the meeting. TWBC restructure has led to some staff redundancies and some new roles created. The restructure should save in excess of £1 million and help to deliver the Medium Term Financial Strategy which assumes TWBC will receive a 30% reduction in Revenue Support. TWBC has agreed to move from national pay to a local pay system. A model which rewards employees’ contributions not time served. PC Noted

24 AGM Invitations:
Chair DB reiterated how important it is for members to attend AGMs and ensure Benenden is represented.
TW & District CAB – Thurs 22 July Matfield Village Hall DB attend
Kent CAN [funding] – Weds 15 Sept Ashford GR attend
Cllr GR suggested a sub-committee for funding to be formed. PC Noted

25 Election Flyers:
Chair DB asked Cllr GR to speak on this requested agenda item.
Cllr GR felt that some flyers were dishonest as they did not express full views on new school but following advice received he asked to withdraw question.
Chair DB reiterated that the new school was indeed an important issue, one of several for the PC to consider.

26 Local Consultations:
Cllr RL spoke on the adoption of TWBC Core Strategy at an extraordinary meeting held on 17 June. The Core Strategy will cover the period to 2026 and will be the principal document within TWBC LDF. [RL notes on file]
Cllr RL reiterated it was a large document and perhaps a sub-committee should be set up to formulate BPC response. Cllr GR proposed every member should see and comment. Clerk to circulate. PC resolved

TWBC Planning Consultation Allocations Development Plan Rural June 14 – Aug 9
PC response required PB/RL

Chair DB advised CC from Weald of Kent Protection Society [WKPS] had approached BPC and asked if we could incorporate views. BPC resolved to make own response. PC noted

27 TWBC Civic Amenity Refuse Collection Proposal:
Chair DB advised that correspondence would be received from TWBC about the proposal to reduce the civic amenity vehicle to 1 visit per month. TWBC Cllr LH expressed concern for the people living in rural communities, it penalises fringe villages.
BPC resolved to formulate a response to TWBC Julie Mellor PC resolved

28 Planning Report:
Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Monthly Planning Report [attached]
Cllr RL confirmed PB, RL and Clerk would be attending the TWBC Assessment of Planning Applications workshop on Tues 27 July PB/RL/Clerk

29 Financial Report:
Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 10 June 2010
Income
Chq S Harrington – Marquee Donation 50.00
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk June 10 Salary 100.00
Chq J Reich – Marquee Donation 50.00
TOTAL 200.00
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
413 EDF Energy – phonebox 1 Jun 09 – 31 May 10 147.71
414 Shaw & Sons – Declaration of Acceptance x 25 12.93
415 J Clarke – Public toilets, toilet roll, mop head, bleach blocks 23.77
416 Stationery Express – 300 b/w copies PC June mtg 18.00
417 M English – Public Toilets June 10 + bleach, disinfectant 185.89
418 B Sullivan – June 10 salary 773.36, post 10.64, stny .54 784.54
419 Post Office Ltd – B Sullivan Tax/NI 1 Apr – 30 Jun 10 488.96
420 P Message – War memorial 1 Jan – 30 Jun 10 133.00
421 Benenden Memorial Hall – Hall Hire 14/6 + 19/7 10 18.00
422 KALC - TW Area Clerks honorarium 10/11 30.00
423 KCC KCS – 50% village green mowing 399.93
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband July 10 18.99
TOTAL 2261.72

After all cheques cleared:

Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 June 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £15,226.99 PC Noted

Request to check EDF Energy £147.71 chq no: 413. Clerk believed majority of payment was standing charge not electricity usage. Clerk Action

Cllr RL wished a note be recorded of the excellent service received from KCC KCS mowing contractors this year.

30 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report 15 July 2010 [attached]
Item 20 – ACRK Village Hall networking opportunity Weds 21 July Wingham 7pm – JC
Item 58 – Cory Environmental email received that litter bins on PC owned land would not be emptied after 31 July. TWBC litter bins would still be emptied i.e. adjacent to highways. BPC to monitor. PC Noted
Item 65 – TWBC Mobile Gateway is at Budgens, Hawkhurst 16 Sept / noticeboard
Item 80 – Rural Road Speed Limit Motion – reduce to 50mph.
Chair DB asked members for their opinions. BPC resolved not to comment. PC resolved
Item 84 – TW Assembly Halls request to display information. A4 size agreed. PC Noted
Item 88 – ACRK change in the legal structure of ACRK Tues 27 July 7pm – BPC not attend

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.57pm

Chair DB opened the meeting to the public

MF asked was the BPC still in the same mind as at the Annual Meeting 2008 when Chairman
PB advised “It is not the PC or HT intention to obstruct the development of a new school”
Chair DB reiterated the PC as a body would in no way obstruct the building of the school. We all strongly believe in a new village school. At a recent meeting Chairman PB again repeated his support for the building of a new school.

MF requested residents were asked to tidy their hedgerows along The Street as hedges were overgrown and made pavement access difficult in places. Clerk to write. Clerk Action

TWBC FR spoke on TWBC recently adopted Core Strategy. Cranbrook would receive 300 new homes, schools would be under pressure. TWBC had recently voted to borrow £20 million to purchase the Land Registry office and possibly the cinema, with plans to develop the whole site and TWBC to move out of the middle of Tun Wells.

TWBC LH reported she had voted against the adoption of the Core Strategy. 326 homes in the next 16 years without added infrastructure. 6000 homes in TW Borough. The Core Strategy could be scrapped by Government but TWBC chose to continue. There is no requirement on infrastructure, we should try to get revisions on the Core Strategy.

RDH 2 issues: Firstly had TWBC not adopted the policy, they would have been without a policy for 12 months, which would not be legal. Secondly the actual number of homes is 286 for Cranbrook as 40 already accounted for.
TWBC LH advised the LDP is legal until 2011.

No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 9.02pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting held 19 July 2010

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk

Vice-Chair DB chaired the meeting

90 Apologies:
Cllr PB [holiday], Cllr SD [business]

91 Minutes:
The minutes of the Annual Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday
19 July 2010 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr MK

92 Matters Arising:
None

93 Harmsworth Trust Proposal at request of Cllr GR:
Chair DB asked GR to speak on this requested agenda item.
GR proposed that HT meet before 20 August to formulate exactly what HT want to achieve from the new school project. Several issues to be discussed: St Georges Hall, requires ongoing maintenance on a building which has 3 uses. HT has a responsibility to ensure the buildings are fit for purpose. GR expressed his view that St Georges is no longer fit for purpose and suggested a new building could be incorporated into the “future” of Benenden.
Chair DB emphasised the importance of all HT attending an agreed closed meeting. HT
resolved to meet on Weds 1 Sept and GR to advise Clerk of the agenda. GR Action

94 Benenden Primary School:
[i] Meeting with David Harmsworth
HT had all received correspondence from DH. PB and DB had met with DH. Agreement for HT to meet with KCC Architects Clagues, Michael Rogers Surveyors and School Governors Project Group to discuss preliminary proposals which relates to HT land. Meeting confirmed for 20 Aug 2010 11am-1pm. DH to circulate details.

[ii] Michael Rogers LLP – Appt of M K H Clokes
Chair DB confirmed Michael Rogers, Chartered Surveyors had been appointed by KCC and had written to HT to ask permission for survey works including soil investigation on HT land including the area of car park to the front of the Village Hall.
Chair DB requested HT appoint M K H Clokes, Chartered Surveyors to act on HT behalf. HT resolved. HT resolved

GR advised as PC representative he had attended a school meeting where the Finance &
Purposes Committee reported that the building was being constantly “patched up” just
maintenance not vandalism. Recent repairs to windows and caretaker / PE store was £2,500.
GR reported there had been a change to the Governing Body and all pupils were making
satisfactory progress.
JC thanked GR for reporting back to the HT.
Chair DB thanked GR and asked if the school had suffered any further vandalism. GR
reported window film and cctv had been purchased.

95 Benenden Village Hall:
BVHMC Chairman JC reported the village hall had recently had all woodwork including the noticeboard all painted and re-varnished.
JC advised that BVHMC had finished their contract with PHS Waste as it had been costing approx £400pm for bin lift. A new contractor was being sought.
Chair DB enquired if there was any progress on the car park entrance. JHem confirmed a
revised quote from Ringway had been received
GR expressed concern about a soft spot could be a spring as an area of car park was often
wet. JHem - the drain needs investigating it fills with sediment.
Chair DB requested GR, JHem and JC action further investigation and obtain 3 quotes.
JC/JHem/GR Action

JC asked that 50% of the costs be met by PC as the front entrance is a thorough fare not
just used by BVH users.
Chair DB proposed to HT that 50% of costs be met by PC. HT agreed. HT resolved

96 Benenden + I/G Play Area – ROSPA Report
Chair DB advised that HT were aware the high tower on the play equipment at Benenden
Recreation Ground was suffering from rot to the main struts and had taken action to close this part of the play area.
Following ROSPA’s report and advice from Inspector, HT had immediately closed the whole play area to exercise caution. Rot to the main struts and wear and tear to the beams of the swings meant seats had to be removed. The site is padlocked and signs direct parishioners to use the I/G facility. No further action until ROSPA report received.
MK expressed concern that it had coincided with the school holidays.
GR advised HT do not spend money on there at present. HT Noted

97 St Georges:
[i] Club
Chair DB advised a request to peabeach the garden area outside the fire exit doors had been Received from St Georges Club committee and HT had granted permission. HT Agreed

[ii] Preschool
Clerk reported the electrician had finally completed the pendant fittings and fridge move.
Clerk advised M Page had replaced a broken window, blown out in bad weather.
Chair DB read a request from the Chairman of the pre-school asking for various improvements including the hallway. This is a communal area so is HT responsibility. Fire proof paint will be required. Awaiting finalised fire safety report from Les Aldous. St Georges Committee to meet with Benenden Pre-School. PB/JC/RL Action

98 Iden Green – Trees adjacent to PROW WC 156 – Chapel Lane:
Clerk advised KCC KHS had reported a dangerous tree opposite Claremont Place, Chapel Lane. An inspector has not identified any major defects but for further investigative work they recommended cutting all the ivy back. Clerk had instructed B Hatcher Tree Surgeon to quote. Await quotation.

99 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 10 June 2010
Income
St Georges June 10 rent 158.33
BVH June 10 wages 519.75 TOTAL 678.08
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Aviva - Insurance June 10 387.39
090 D.Dalrymple June 10 salary 403.79
091 Cancelled ---------
092 Chubb Fire Ltd – replacement extinguisher 224.01
093 Chubb Fire Ltd – annual service PreSchool St Georges 75.55
094 KCC KCS – 50% Rec ground and I/G mowing 1212.27
SO COIF – sinking fund 317.00
SO Rate Account – BS clerk June 10 100.00
TOTAL 2720.01
After all cheques cleared
Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £8,689.69
HT A/C NO 2
Balance in No 2 A/C 1037.81

Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 June 2010 HT Noted

100 Correspondence
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm

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