The village of Benenden in Kent

BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 16th May 2005 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden.

Present: Mr G Reynolds    Mr P Conway    Mrs C Pitt   Mr J Clarke   Mr R Garnier
               Mr R Lake Mr P Message    Mr S Hockney Mrs D Bailey

MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 11th April 2005 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

ELECTIONS AND COMMITTEES:   Cllr Reynolds stood down as Chairman and Mr P Blockley took the Chair. Cllr J Clarke proposed Cllr Reynolds as Chairman , seconded by Cllr Lake and being unopposed was unanimously elected. Cllr Reynolds proposed Cllr Conway as Vice Chairman, seconded by Cllr Pitt and being unopposed was unanimously elected.
See attached list for membership of committees

MATTERS ARISING

Highways   Cllr Garnier asked what had happened to the remedial road works. It was pointed out that some work had been carried out on the Iden Green Road and at the junction between New Pond Road and Goddards Green road. Cllr Reynolds will assess the problem areas with Cllr Clarke and contact made with Cllr Manning.
Discussion ensued about various traffic/parking problems in Benenden which seems to be exacerbated by the routing of a Hams bus down Walkhurst Road. Parish clerk to contact Hams regarding this bus route.
Cllr Lake raised further problems about the parking due to The Bull customers and it was agreed that the Landlord should be formally approached to encourage parking in Benenden Village Car Park. Cllr Garnier to check whether this should be available 365 days a year.
Police Matters   Cllr Conway pointed out that the Community Warden had started. Also that a police officer had been appointed to look after Benenden. There will be a meeting on Thursday 19th May to discuss these issues with the warden, police officer, Cllr Conway and Cllr Reynolds. Cllr Conway to inform participants of time and place.
Benenden Parish Appraisal
A discussion ensued regarding the delivery problems and shortage of time to complete the forms. Cllr Bailey felt that it had become a borough document rather than a parish document. The Parish Clerk read out an e-mail from Cllr Davies regarding an extension of the date for the form to be handed in, that posters to encourage more people to participate will be going up and that he will contact the KM and Courier about the Appraisal.

PLANNING
Some discussion regarding the application from the Grange as the Parish Council supports it. Cllr Reynolds to write to Leader of the Council and Borough Councillors regarding decisions not representing Parish views. It was agreed to set up a sub-committee of Cllr Reynolds, Cllr Conway and Cllr Hockney to form a Benenden Design Statement which Borough would take into account when viewing planning submissions.

Hartleys – discussion about application re driveway/moving of barn. Planning Officer to view in a fortnight, as there has been no planning permission.

Knockers – though a leylandi hedge has been planted, Cllr Garnier found that the only objection could be from Highways if it affects sightlines.

Mulberry Cottage – Cllr Garnier and Cllr Pitt to accompany Planning Officer in a fortnight’s time to make sure planning conditions are being adhered to.

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Clarke reported that all was finished except for the Changing Rooms which are due to be finished by mid-June. For the refurbishment of the kitchen he had three quotations.
Hurstway’s quotation was recommended by Cllr Clarke and Cllr Conway seconded this, unanimously agreed. Cllr Clarke to liase with Hurstways and the Booking Clerk for dates to start.
Regarding the painting of the Main Hall there have now been 3 quotations. Cllr Clarke to liase with Booking Clerk regarding dates to start.

CORRESPONDENCE

Parish Clerk informed members of a traffic notice regarding work to be done in the next 18 months. Cllr Reynolds to find out actually what it entails.

The quotation from Mr G Vinson regarding the Lime Trees at Cherryfields was circulated and after discussion Cllr Hockney is to find out the cost of planting larger trees. It was discussed whether the Parish should contribute.

Ms Skilton had contacted Cllr Reynolds regarding the grass cutting at the Pavilion. Parish Clerk to find out who is responsible for strimming, etc and to contact Ms Skilton.

PLANNING
Cllr Conway took over the Meeting as Cllr Reynolds had not been present at the April 11th meeting. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the process of the planning application of The Poplars with Cllr North and Cllr Davies present. Cllr Clarke felt strongly that after being on the Council for 29 years what had happened was a disgrace.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would send a letter to Diane Talbot at TWBC, copies to Melvin Howell, Roy Bullock (Cllr responsible for Planning) and Philip Thomas(Interim Chief Executive).
Cllr Reynolds with Cllr North, Cllr Davies and Cllr Garnier to meet with relevant Borough Officers to clarify lines of communication.
Cllr Garnier and Cllr Conway to find a better system of informing interested parties over problem planning applications and to report back to the Parish Council.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Hockney raised the problem of dog fouling on the football pitch, suggesting bigger signs might be needed. He also pointed out that there was an increase of litter on Glebe Field and the crossroads. It was felt that the Community Warden should be informed of these two problem areas.
Cllr Lake raised the problem of the 4 concrete spurs outside The Poplars where the Parish Noticeboard was. Parish clerk to sort out.
Cllr Lake enquired when the Spring Clean Up Day was to be. Parish Clerk to inform him of the dates when the bin lorry is here and liase with Cllr Lake regarding a date. Parish Clerk will e-mail councillors about the date.

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

		Minutes for May 2005 Click for minutes for April 2005 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 16th May 2005 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden. Present: Mr G Reynolds Mr P Conway Mrs C Pitt Mr J Clarke Mr R Garnier Mr R Lake Mr P Message Mr S Hockney Mrs D Bailey MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 11th April 2005 were confirmed and signed. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None ELECTIONS AND COMMITTEES: Cllr Reynolds stood down as Chairman and Mr P Blockley took the Chair. Cllr J Clarke proposed Cllr Reynolds as Chairman , seconded by Cllr Lake and being unopposed was unanimously elected. Cllr Reynolds proposed Cllr Conway as Vice Chairman, seconded by Cllr Pitt and being unopposed was unanimously elected. See attached list for membership of committees MATTERS ARISING Highways Cllr Garnier asked what had happened to the remedial road works. It was pointed out that some work had been carried out on the Iden Green Road and at the junction between New Pond Road and Goddards Green road. Cllr Reynolds will assess the problem areas with Cllr Clarke and contact made with Cllr Manning. Discussion ensued about various traffic/parking problems in Benenden which seems to be exacerbated by the routing of a Hams bus down Walkhurst Road. Parish clerk to contact Hams regarding this bus route. Cllr Lake raised further problems about the parking due to The Bull customers and it was agreed that the Landlord should be formally approached to encourage parking in Benenden Village Car Park. Cllr Garnier to check whether this should be available 365 days a year. Police Matters Cllr Conway pointed out that the Community Warden had started. Also that a police officer had been appointed to look after Benenden. There will be a meeting on Thursday 19th May to discuss these issues with the warden, police officer, Cllr Conway and Cllr Reynolds. Cllr Conway to inform participants of time and place. Benenden Parish Appraisal A discussion ensued regarding the delivery problems and shortage of time to complete the forms. Cllr Bailey felt that it had become a borough document rather than a parish document. The Parish Clerk read out an e-mail from Cllr Davies regarding an extension of the date for the form to be handed in, that posters to encourage more people to participate will be going up and that he will contact the KM and Courier about the Appraisal. PLANNING Some discussion regarding the application from the Grange as the Parish Council supports it. Cllr Reynolds to write to Leader of the Council and Borough Councillors regarding decisions not representing Parish views. It was agreed to set up a sub-committee of Cllr Reynolds, Cllr Conway and Cllr Hockney to form a Benenden Design Statement which Borough would take into account when viewing planning submissions. Hartleys – discussion about application re driveway/moving of barn. Planning Officer to view in a fortnight, as there has been no planning permission. Knockers – though a leylandi hedge has been planted, Cllr Garnier found that the only objection could be from Highways if it affects sightlines. Mulberry Cottage – Cllr Garnier and Cllr Pitt to accompany Planning Officer in a fortnight’s time to make sure planning conditions are being adhered to. BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL Cllr Clarke reported that all was finished except for the Changing Rooms which are due to be finished by mid-June. For the refurbishment of the kitchen he had three quotations. Hurstway’s quotation was recommended by Cllr Clarke and Cllr Conway seconded this, unanimously agreed. Cllr Clarke to liase with Hurstways and the Booking Clerk for dates to start. Regarding the painting of the Main Hall there have now been 3 quotations. Cllr Clarke to liase with Booking Clerk regarding dates to start. CORRESPONDENCE Parish Clerk informed members of a traffic notice regarding work to be done in the next 18 months. Cllr Reynolds to find out actually what it entails. The quotation from Mr G Vinson regarding the Lime Trees at Cherryfields was circulated and after discussion Cllr Hockney is to find out the cost of planting larger trees. It was discussed whether the Parish should contribute. Ms Skilton had contacted Cllr Reynolds regarding the grass cutting at the Pavilion. Parish Clerk to find out who is responsible for strimming, etc and to contact Ms Skilton. PLANNING Cllr Conway took over the Meeting as Cllr Reynolds had not been present at the April 11th meeting. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the process of the planning application of The Poplars with Cllr North and Cllr Davies present. Cllr Clarke felt strongly that after being on the Council for 29 years what had happened was a disgrace. It was agreed that the Parish Council would send a letter to Diane Talbot at TWBC, copies to Melvin Howell, Roy Bullock (Cllr responsible for Planning) and Philip Thomas(Interim Chief Executive). Cllr Reynolds with Cllr North, Cllr Davies and Cllr Garnier to meet with relevant Borough Officers to clarify lines of communication. Cllr Garnier and Cllr Conway to find a better system of informing interested parties over problem planning applications and to report back to the Parish Council. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Hockney raised the problem of dog fouling on the football pitch, suggesting bigger signs might be needed. He also pointed out that there was an increase of litter on Glebe Field and the crossroads. It was felt that the Community Warden should be informed of these two problem areas. Cllr Lake raised the problem of the 4 concrete spurs outside The Poplars where the Parish Noticeboard was. Parish clerk to sort out. Cllr Lake enquired when the Spring Clean Up Day was to be. Parish Clerk to inform him of the dates when the bin lorry is here and liase with Cllr Lake regarding a date. Parish Clerk will e-mail councillors about the date. There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.15 p.m.