The village of Benenden in Kent

PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 20^th September 2004 in The Pavilion, Iden Green.

PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds. Mr. P. Conway Mr. J. Clarke Mr. S. Hockney

Mrs. D. Bailey Mr. R. Manning Mr. P. Message

APOLOGIES: Mrs. C. Pitt Mr. R. Lake

MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19^th July 2004 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.

MATTERS ARISING:

Highway matters The Clerk reported that since the grip fibre dressing at Standen Street, the flooding problem at 1 Vyvyan Cottages appears to have been solved..The work to Iden Green Road will start approx. October and the grip fibre will be at an extra depth. Patching along this road had already started. Surfacing work is also due along the Cranbrook Road and then New Pond Road. The problems with the gas main at Mounts Hill was due to joint erosion.

Parish Warden Candidates have been interviews and Benenden with Frittenden have been allocated a warden who is due to start duties at the end of the Summer. It was decided to invite him to the October meeting.

Speedwatch. This has had to be abandoned due to a licensing dispute with the designers of the speed guns. The police have agreed to refund the purchase money.

Football Cllr Hockney thanked Robin Beesley for putting up the goal posts and the first match was won by Benenden 7 – 3. There is a full fixture list and the next home match is on Sunday 3^rd October.

KCC £20,000 Grant Priorities for this are public transport, community safety, local community and voluntary organisations and KCC’s supporting independence programmed community facilities etc. The scheme is ongoing and further money could be made available. Bids need to be in by the end of September and as there was very little time left, it was decided to put a scheme together for next year.

PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT. The Chairman reported on the meeting with members of the building project, the governors, Cllrs Reynolds and Conway and David Hicken the KCC Consultant. There are now six sites in the parish to be considered: The Glebe Field with Tom Scott’s; The Feoffee Field; Cyster’s Field off New Pond Road; Benenden School Grounds; land opposite the school Hospice. All have to be considered on their merits – access, proximity to the village and the church , the size of the site, landscaping, drainage.

The Chairman opened the meeting to the public. There were many concerns expressed about the sites off New Pond Road which is an extremely fast road and is furthest out of the village Concerns also about the cost of the site, any hidden agendas and the consultation process. The Chairman said that that all the sites had been offered without prejudice. There is no preferred site The Governors initiate the proposal, then it goes to the Parish Council for an opinion, then the Borough Council’s planning department , full consultation takes place, then inclusion into the Local Development Framework. This all takes time and the Governors intend to call another public meeting to give further information

Regarding key worker housing. This was included in the first public meeting but currently additional housing is not being considered. All of the sites are in the High Weald AONB and outside the limits to built development

The Chairman stated that the school has to be in the right place for everyone and is to serve the parish for many generations. The position far outweighs any cost considerations which is why all interested parties will be consulted throughout the process and this process is in the earliest stages with several years to go before everything is finalised.

The Chairman thanked the parishioners for attending the meeting to express their views.

KENT HIGHWAYS PARTNERSHIP REVIEW It has been decided that the Highways service will be reshaped to improve service delivery, cost effectiveness and customer satisfaction It is recommended that current Agency arrangements delegated to Districts (TWBC0 should not be renewed; all Highway responsibilities to go to KCC in co-located offices not involving District Council Highway Units (Cranbrook) with the Highways Service managed through 3 KCC Div;isional offices and one headquarters; consultation should be carried out with District and Parish Councils on the local implementation of these new arrangements

The Chairman expressed concern that there had been no prior consultation and again the Parish Charter had been ignored. It appeared to have been rushed through and many parishes and the KAPC were concerned that local services would suffer.

PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which was circulated with the Agenda

FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the July meeting were agreed

Kent Police Speedwatch camera 863 346.04

One Tel Internet charge 864 6.14

Rob Mills Speedwatch 865 15.00

M. Kellett August salary 866 252.12

BT Telephone 867 45.40

Mrs. C Campbell Football goal posts 868 346.62

Mrs. C. Campbell Football equipment 869 272.34

Vesey Football kit 870 345.85

CPRE Planning conference 871 15.00

Printing at Cranbrook Stationery 872 64.87

Steve Bryant Mowing – The Green 873 76.43

One Tel Internet charge 874 8.31

M. Kellett September salary

inc O/T 290.46

Stamps 14.56 875 305.02

Audit Commission Audit fee 2004 876 141.00

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £4997 in the Deposit Account.

KCC had agreed to pay the £2,000 grant for starting up the Football/Netball teams

The Auditors opinion had been received and all procedures were correct.

CORRESPONDENCE Letter from TWBC regarding the renewal of the lease on the public convenience. They are in agreement with the terms and length of the lease – 25 years full repairing, but not the increase in rent from £10 a year to £100 a year. After discussion it was agreed that the rent be increased to £50 a year. The Clerk to contact the Estates Dept and get a new lease drawn up.

E mail from Rural Housing - The house in Horton’s Close has been sold to a local couple. Three couples applied.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Clarke said the owners of the Village Shop wanted the parish notice board taken off their property. The Clerk to contact Highways to see if the posts could be put into the footway.

The Clean-up Day, organised by BACS is for a date in October when the refuse lorry is at the Village Hall lay-bye. The Clerk to apply to KCC for bags, sticks and fluorescent vests.

Cllr Pitt – via e mail – said volunteers were needed for the Casino Night on 23^rd October. Cllr Manning volunteered. She also said that many people had said how useful and informative they found the Parish newsletter.

Cllr Reynolds said that Mrs. Neve had contacted him about the possibility of having a footpath laid along Walkhurst Road from Feoffee Cottages to make it safer for elderly people. The Clerk to contact Highways.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15 p.m.

Chairman 20^th September, 2004

Mr. Blockley asked if an up to date Electoral Roll could be put in the Post Office. The Clerk to enquire of TWBC

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION UPDATE The work has started. Cllr Davies to explain the funding procedure as the parish council wants to borrow as little possible. Cllr Conway and the Clerk to produce a cash flow with details of the borrowing facility at the next meeting. This was agreed.

Cllr Clarke said work would start on the inside in two weeks time, and once the toilets were out of commission a path with lights to access the public toilets. The Clerk to advise TWBC.

A regular meeting with the contractors is organised for Friday mornings Users of the Hall to be given regular progress reports

It was confirmed that Jo Brand will be appearing at the Assembly Hall on 18^th March as part of the fund raising campaign and it was agreed that a deposit of £500 be sent to the booking office.

MOWING CONTRACTS RENEWAL All were agreed that the new contractor had not been satisfactory and the Clerk had asked other contractors for quotes but as yet these were not to hand. It was suggested that Benenden School be asked for the name of their contractor. New quotes to be discussed at the next meeting.

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL Cllr Clarke said the finances were low and the bookings for July and August were down. However, bookings for September/October were good and it was anticipated that the situation would get back to normal. The Hall would be advertised and past customers advised of the improvements. Cllr Clarke asked if the charges could be put up across the board by £1.00 / hour. It was agreed to discuss this at a later date as the charges would have to be revised in the New Year in light of the improvements.

FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the July meeting were agreed

David Dalrymple July salary 657 350.03

David Dalrymple telephone refund 658 37.37

M. Kellett salary contribution - August 659 45.00

Southern Water St. Georges Hall 660 40.29

Gale Dunn Partnership Architects fee BVH 661 3493.98

Steve Bryant Mowing – July 662 145.72

M.T.Austen Electrical work St. G. Hall 663 112.46

D. Dalrymple August salary 356.51

Petrol 10.00 664 366.51

M. Kellett salary contribution- Sept 665 45.00

Playground Management ROSPA checks 666 138.65

The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £2803 in the Deposit Account.

Chairman 20^th September 2004

		Minutes for September 2004 Click for minutes for July 2004 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 20^th September 2004 in The Pavilion, Iden Green. PRESENT: Mr. G. Reynolds. Mr. P. Conway Mr. J. Clarke Mr. S. Hockney Mrs. D. Bailey Mr. R. Manning Mr. P. Message APOLOGIES: Mrs. C. Pitt Mr. R. Lake MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19^th July 2004 were confirmed and signed. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest. MATTERS ARISING: Highway matters The Clerk reported that since the grip fibre dressing at Standen Street, the flooding problem at 1 Vyvyan Cottages appears to have been solved..The work to Iden Green Road will start approx. October and the grip fibre will be at an extra depth. Patching along this road had already started. Surfacing work is also due along the Cranbrook Road and then New Pond Road. The problems with the gas main at Mounts Hill was due to joint erosion. Parish Warden Candidates have been interviews and Benenden with Frittenden have been allocated a warden who is due to start duties at the end of the Summer. It was decided to invite him to the October meeting. Speedwatch. This has had to be abandoned due to a licensing dispute with the designers of the speed guns. The police have agreed to refund the purchase money. Football Cllr Hockney thanked Robin Beesley for putting up the goal posts and the first match was won by Benenden 7 – 3. There is a full fixture list and the next home match is on Sunday 3^rd October. KCC £20,000 Grant Priorities for this are public transport, community safety, local community and voluntary organisations and KCC’s supporting independence programmed community facilities etc. The scheme is ongoing and further money could be made available. Bids need to be in by the end of September and as there was very little time left, it was decided to put a scheme together for next year. PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT. The Chairman reported on the meeting with members of the building project, the governors, Cllrs Reynolds and Conway and David Hicken the KCC Consultant. There are now six sites in the parish to be considered: The Glebe Field with Tom Scott’s; The Feoffee Field; Cyster’s Field off New Pond Road; Benenden School Grounds; land opposite the school Hospice. All have to be considered on their merits – access, proximity to the village and the church , the size of the site, landscaping, drainage. The Chairman opened the meeting to the public. There were many concerns expressed about the sites off New Pond Road which is an extremely fast road and is furthest out of the village Concerns also about the cost of the site, any hidden agendas and the consultation process. The Chairman said that that all the sites had been offered without prejudice. There is no preferred site The Governors initiate the proposal, then it goes to the Parish Council for an opinion, then the Borough Council’s planning department , full consultation takes place, then inclusion into the Local Development Framework. This all takes time and the Governors intend to call another public meeting to give further information Regarding key worker housing. This was included in the first public meeting but currently additional housing is not being considered. All of the sites are in the High Weald AONB and outside the limits to built development The Chairman stated that the school has to be in the right place for everyone and is to serve the parish for many generations. The position far outweighs any cost considerations which is why all interested parties will be consulted throughout the process and this process is in the earliest stages with several years to go before everything is finalised. The Chairman thanked the parishioners for attending the meeting to express their views. KENT HIGHWAYS PARTNERSHIP REVIEW It has been decided that the Highways service will be reshaped to improve service delivery, cost effectiveness and customer satisfaction It is recommended that current Agency arrangements delegated to Districts (TWBC0 should not be renewed; all Highway responsibilities to go to KCC in co-located offices not involving District Council Highway Units (Cranbrook) with the Highways Service managed through 3 KCC Div;isional offices and one headquarters; consultation should be carried out with District and Parish Councils on the local implementation of these new arrangements The Chairman expressed concern that there had been no prior consultation and again the Parish Charter had been ignored. It appeared to have been rushed through and many parishes and the KAPC were concerned that local services would suffer. PLANNING MATTERS Cllr Conway read the planning report which was circulated with the Agenda FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Council’s behalf since the July meeting were agreed Kent Police Speedwatch camera 863 346.04 One Tel Internet charge 864 6.14 Rob Mills Speedwatch 865 15.00 M. Kellett August salary 866 252.12 BT Telephone 867 45.40 Mrs. C Campbell Football goal posts 868 346.62 Mrs. C. Campbell Football equipment 869 272.34 Vesey Football kit 870 345.85 CPRE Planning conference 871 15.00 Printing at Cranbrook Stationery 872 64.87 Steve Bryant Mowing – The Green 873 76.43 One Tel Internet charge 874 8.31 M. Kellett September salary inc O/T 290.46 Stamps 14.56 875 305.02 Audit Commission Audit fee 2004 876 141.00 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £4997 in the Deposit Account. KCC had agreed to pay the £2,000 grant for starting up the Football/Netball teams The Auditors opinion had been received and all procedures were correct. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from TWBC regarding the renewal of the lease on the public convenience. They are in agreement with the terms and length of the lease – 25 years full repairing, but not the increase in rent from £10 a year to £100 a year. After discussion it was agreed that the rent be increased to £50 a year. The Clerk to contact the Estates Dept and get a new lease drawn up. E mail from Rural Housing - The house in Horton’s Close has been sold to a local couple. Three couples applied. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Clarke said the owners of the Village Shop wanted the parish notice board taken off their property. The Clerk to contact Highways to see if the posts could be put into the footway. The Clean-up Day, organised by BACS is for a date in October when the refuse lorry is at the Village Hall lay-bye. The Clerk to apply to KCC for bags, sticks and fluorescent vests. Cllr Pitt – via e mail – said volunteers were needed for the Casino Night on 23^rd October. Cllr Manning volunteered. She also said that many people had said how useful and informative they found the Parish newsletter. Cllr Reynolds said that Mrs. Neve had contacted him about the possibility of having a footpath laid along Walkhurst Road from Feoffee Cottages to make it safer for elderly people. The Clerk to contact Highways. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15 p.m. Chairman 20^th September, 2004 Mr. Blockley asked if an up to date Electoral Roll could be put in the Post Office. The Clerk to enquire of TWBC HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION UPDATE The work has started. Cllr Davies to explain the funding procedure as the parish council wants to borrow as little possible. Cllr Conway and the Clerk to produce a cash flow with details of the borrowing facility at the next meeting. This was agreed. Cllr Clarke said work would start on the inside in two weeks time, and once the toilets were out of commission a path with lights to access the public toilets. The Clerk to advise TWBC. A regular meeting with the contractors is organised for Friday mornings Users of the Hall to be given regular progress reports It was confirmed that Jo Brand will be appearing at the Assembly Hall on 18^th March as part of the fund raising campaign and it was agreed that a deposit of £500 be sent to the booking office. MOWING CONTRACTS RENEWAL All were agreed that the new contractor had not been satisfactory and the Clerk had asked other contractors for quotes but as yet these were not to hand. It was suggested that Benenden School be asked for the name of their contractor. New quotes to be discussed at the next meeting. BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL Cllr Clarke said the finances were low and the bookings for July and August were down. However, bookings for September/October were good and it was anticipated that the situation would get back to normal. The Hall would be advertised and past customers advised of the improvements. Cllr Clarke asked if the charges could be put up across the board by £1.00 / hour. It was agreed to discuss this at a later date as the charges would have to be revised in the New Year in light of the improvements. FINANCIAL MATTERS Payments made on the Trust’s behalf since the July meeting were agreed David Dalrymple July salary 657 350.03 David Dalrymple telephone refund 658 37.37 M. Kellett salary contribution - August 659 45.00 Southern Water St. Georges Hall 660 40.29 Gale Dunn Partnership Architects fee BVH 661 3493.98 Steve Bryant Mowing – July 662 145.72 M.T.Austen Electrical work St. G. Hall 663 112.46 D. Dalrymple August salary 356.51 Petrol 10.00 664 366.51 M. Kellett salary contribution- Sept 665 45.00 Playground Management ROSPA checks 666 138.65 The Clerk reported that there was £500 in the Current Account and £2803 in the Deposit Account. Chairman 20^th September 2004