The village of Benenden in Kent

PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15th December 2003 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden.

PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds Mrs. D. Bailey Mr. P. Message Mr. R. Lake
Mr. J. Clarke Mr. P.Conway Mr. R. Manning Mrs. E. North

APOLOGIES: Mr. J. Hemsley

MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 17th November 2003 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: In accordance with the Code of Conduct Cllr Conway declared an interest in the application for a radio mast at Beacon Farm.

MATTERS ARISING:

Highways The Clerk reported that work had started on the Iden Green Road and the cats eyes were being replaced along the B2086 starting at the Cranbrook end. The white lines on the Goddards Green Road would be done after surface dressing which was scheduled for the Spring. The footpath repairs beside the Village Hall had been completed and Cllr Clarke was very satisfied with these. The Iden Green Road repairs were discussed at length and Cllr Hemsley would be asked to convey his thoughts on these and give them to Cllr Manning who would take them up with Ring way. Cllr Manning also asked the clerk to give him a record of work undertaken by Highways in the parish and how it was carried out. The clerk to arrange a Wednesday morning Highways meeting in January.

Parish newsletter The clerk presented a rough draft with items of current interest. Cllr Conway said he would put it in A5 format and liaise with the clerk

Speedwatch Cllr Conway said he had only had 7 applicants despite recruiting by e mail, the Parish Magazine and posters. He will now ask the police to give a presentation of how the scheme will work to the parish council and other interested parties.

Parish Training Day. Cllr Reynolds reported that this had been an interesting meeting, dealing mainly with the planning system. The Eastern Area Committee now meets every three weeks in order to meet targets and achieve a quick turn round. All agendas are on the web site and applications can be tracked through the system. The new forms are now in use. More consultation before hand is needed with all interested parties closely involved with an application to save time at committee.

SOUTHERN WATER The clerk reported that Martin Banks, technical manager of Southern Water will attend the January meeting . Cllr Reynolds to visit the residents of Hortons Close.

VILLAGE APPRAISAL All were agreed that the questionnaire produced by the committee was very good and addressed all aspects of the parish. When it is completed it will be submitted to the Borough for analysis to give statistics on the needs of the parish. The method of distribution and collection will be discussed further, but it is hoped that it will be launched at the Village Fete in June.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the November meeting were agreed:
Chq No. Amount

British Legion Poppy Wreath 801 £16.00
One Tel Internet charge 802 3.29
M. Kellett December salary 803 256.71
Arkill & Hill War Memorial clean 804 111.04
TWBC Lottery fee 805 19.50
Harry Barham War Memorial garden 806 45.00
Memorial Hall Hire 807 8.00
KCC Landscapes The Green – mowing 808 379.64
Printing at Cranbrook Stationery 809 9.54
Benenden Village Hall Christmas lights grant 810 75.00
Iden Green Pavilion Christmas lights grant 811 75.00

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £7,299.63 in the Deposit Account.

PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which is appended.
Regarding the Cranden application he said it was useful to have such local industry in the parish but further expansion needs monitoring. A site meeting with Cranden would be organised for Wednesday 17th December. Cllrs Reynolds, Lake, Conway, Manning and Bailey to attend.

Cllr Conway left the meeting while the application by MMO2 for a mast at Beacon Farm was discussed. Cllr Reynolds said that the parish was adamant that all masts be sited in Hemstead Forest and any applications for any other site in the parish would be refused. This was agreed unanimously.
The Clerk will complete the form for this application and send it with a covering letter.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Reynolds said that at the TWBC meeting regarding finance for the Village Hall the fact that Benenden’s precept was one of the lowest in the Borough was regarded unfavourably. Although the precept for 2004/5 has been agreed and notified to the Borough at £10,000 he enquired whether this could be increased as an extra way to fund any shortfall in the Village Hall fundraising. The Clerk advised against this and said the proper way to get additional funding was through the Public Works Loan Board which, if all criteria are met, can advance money within 10 days if necessary. After lengthy discussion the Clerk was asked to enquire whether the precept could be increased and arrange a meeting of the Finance Committee. Cllrs Reynolds, Hemsley, Bailey, North and Conway.

Cllr Conway said the Kent Police have offered their Community Safety trailer for Benenden Fete and Iden Green Fare. The dates to be confirmed.

Cllr Lake asked if PC Beck had spoken to the owners of the cars parked at the top of Walkhurst Road. Also when the lime trees at Cherryfields were due to be trimmed. The Clerk said they should be done on the 17th December.
He asked for clarification of the increased consultation required before planning applications come to committee. Cllr Reynolds said that in the case of application for a house behind the village shop, the planning officer advised one thing and the committee opposed this. More dialogue was needed between all interested parties - residents, officers etc to get over the points of concern.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.

Chairman 15th December, 2003

HAARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL Cllr Conway reported that TWBC had approved the £42,000 grant subject to KCC approval. The TWBC contribution will be carried over if KCC does not agree its contribution (£85,000) Cllr Reynolds thanked Cll. Conway, Borough Councillor Peter Davies and Simon Dalton-Holmes for their hard work in preparing this application. When the contributions are approved, fundraising will begin and a leaflet will go out in the Parish Magazine in January.

MOWING CONTRACTS The Clerk reported that the quotation from KCC Landscapes had increased considerably in some areas. The Green and Benenden Recreation Ground had increased by 5% but the verges along Benenden Recreation Ground had gone up by 157% and Iden Green Recreation Ground by 95%. The increased charge for the verges was because of the extra posts put up in the summer to deter squatters, but the reason for Iden Green on distance, was unacceptable. The Clerk to get back to KCC Landscapes and get a quote from another contractor.
The quotation for hedge cutting and grass cutting round Iden Green Pavilion and the Pump was accepted and all were agreed that Mr. Kenward does a very good job.

Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the November meeting were agreed:

D.Dalrymple November salary 610 342.12
M. Kellett Salary contribution 611 42.30
KCC Landscapes Recreation grounds –
Mowing 612 424.03

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £6863.14 in the Deposit Account

Chairman 15th December, 2003

		Minutes for December 2003 Click for minutes for November 2003 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15th December 2003 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden. PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds Mrs. D. Bailey Mr. P. Message Mr. R. Lake Mr. J. Clarke Mr. P.Conway Mr. R. Manning Mrs. E. North APOLOGIES: Mr. J. Hemsley MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 17th November 2003 were confirmed and signed. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: In accordance with the Code of Conduct Cllr Conway declared an interest in the application for a radio mast at Beacon Farm. MATTERS ARISING: Highways The Clerk reported that work had started on the Iden Green Road and the cats eyes were being replaced along the B2086 starting at the Cranbrook end. The white lines on the Goddards Green Road would be done after surface dressing which was scheduled for the Spring. The footpath repairs beside the Village Hall had been completed and Cllr Clarke was very satisfied with these. The Iden Green Road repairs were discussed at length and Cllr Hemsley would be asked to convey his thoughts on these and give them to Cllr Manning who would take them up with Ring way. Cllr Manning also asked the clerk to give him a record of work undertaken by Highways in the parish and how it was carried out. The clerk to arrange a Wednesday morning Highways meeting in January. Parish newsletter The clerk presented a rough draft with items of current interest. Cllr Conway said he would put it in A5 format and liaise with the clerk Speedwatch Cllr Conway said he had only had 7 applicants despite recruiting by e mail, the Parish Magazine and posters. He will now ask the police to give a presentation of how the scheme will work to the parish council and other interested parties. Parish Training Day. Cllr Reynolds reported that this had been an interesting meeting, dealing mainly with the planning system. The Eastern Area Committee now meets every three weeks in order to meet targets and achieve a quick turn round. All agendas are on the web site and applications can be tracked through the system. The new forms are now in use. More consultation before hand is needed with all interested parties closely involved with an application to save time at committee. SOUTHERN WATER The clerk reported that Martin Banks, technical manager of Southern Water will attend the January meeting . Cllr Reynolds to visit the residents of Hortons Close. VILLAGE APPRAISAL All were agreed that the questionnaire produced by the committee was very good and addressed all aspects of the parish. When it is completed it will be submitted to the Borough for analysis to give statistics on the needs of the parish. The method of distribution and collection will be discussed further, but it is hoped that it will be launched at the Village Fete in June. . FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the November meeting were agreed: Chq No. Amount British Legion Poppy Wreath 801 £16.00 One Tel Internet charge 802 3.29 M. Kellett December salary 803 256.71 Arkill & Hill War Memorial clean 804 111.04 TWBC Lottery fee 805 19.50 Harry Barham War Memorial garden 806 45.00 Memorial Hall Hire 807 8.00 KCC Landscapes The Green – mowing 808 379.64 Printing at Cranbrook Stationery 809 9.54 Benenden Village Hall Christmas lights grant 810 75.00 Iden Green Pavilion Christmas lights grant 811 75.00 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £7,299.63 in the Deposit Account. PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which is appended. Regarding the Cranden application he said it was useful to have such local industry in the parish but further expansion needs monitoring. A site meeting with Cranden would be organised for Wednesday 17th December. Cllrs Reynolds, Lake, Conway, Manning and Bailey to attend. Cllr Conway left the meeting while the application by MMO2 for a mast at Beacon Farm was discussed. Cllr Reynolds said that the parish was adamant that all masts be sited in Hemstead Forest and any applications for any other site in the parish would be refused. This was agreed unanimously. The Clerk will complete the form for this application and send it with a covering letter. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Reynolds said that at the TWBC meeting regarding finance for the Village Hall the fact that Benenden’s precept was one of the lowest in the Borough was regarded unfavourably. Although the precept for 2004/5 has been agreed and notified to the Borough at £10,000 he enquired whether this could be increased as an extra way to fund any shortfall in the Village Hall fundraising. The Clerk advised against this and said the proper way to get additional funding was through the Public Works Loan Board which, if all criteria are met, can advance money within 10 days if necessary. After lengthy discussion the Clerk was asked to enquire whether the precept could be increased and arrange a meeting of the Finance Committee. Cllrs Reynolds, Hemsley, Bailey, North and Conway. Cllr Conway said the Kent Police have offered their Community Safety trailer for Benenden Fete and Iden Green Fare. The dates to be confirmed. Cllr Lake asked if PC Beck had spoken to the owners of the cars parked at the top of Walkhurst Road. Also when the lime trees at Cherryfields were due to be trimmed. The Clerk said they should be done on the 17th December. He asked for clarification of the increased consultation required before planning applications come to committee. Cllr Reynolds said that in the case of application for a house behind the village shop, the planning officer advised one thing and the committee opposed this. More dialogue was needed between all interested parties - residents, officers etc to get over the points of concern. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m. Chairman 15th December, 2003 HAARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL Cllr Conway reported that TWBC had approved the £42,000 grant subject to KCC approval. The TWBC contribution will be carried over if KCC does not agree its contribution (£85,000) Cllr Reynolds thanked Cll. Conway, Borough Councillor Peter Davies and Simon Dalton-Holmes for their hard work in preparing this application. When the contributions are approved, fundraising will begin and a leaflet will go out in the Parish Magazine in January. MOWING CONTRACTS The Clerk reported that the quotation from KCC Landscapes had increased considerably in some areas. The Green and Benenden Recreation Ground had increased by 5% but the verges along Benenden Recreation Ground had gone up by 157% and Iden Green Recreation Ground by 95%. The increased charge for the verges was because of the extra posts put up in the summer to deter squatters, but the reason for Iden Green on distance, was unacceptable. The Clerk to get back to KCC Landscapes and get a quote from another contractor. The quotation for hedge cutting and grass cutting round Iden Green Pavilion and the Pump was accepted and all were agreed that Mr. Kenward does a very good job. Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the November meeting were agreed: D.Dalrymple November salary 610 342.12 M. Kellett Salary contribution 611 42.30 KCC Landscapes Recreation grounds – Mowing 612 424.03 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £6863.14 in the Deposit Account Chairman 15th December, 2003