Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for July 2005
Click for minutes for June 2005

These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk

PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN

The minutes for the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Monday 18th July 2005 in the Memorial Hall.

Present:        Mr G Reynolds  Mr P Conway  Mrs C Pitt  Mr R Lake  Mr P Message
                     Mr S Hockney  Mrs D Bailey
Apologies:    Mr R Garnier
 
Mr Turner of the Planning Department at Cranbrook gave a short presentation on how the parish council fits into the planning process. There were 5 main points to consider:

  1. Be consistent with the Development Plan Policy
  2. Stick to material planning considerations
  3. Have a clear view of the outcome we want and why
  4. Contact the Case Officer if need clarification
  5. Invite Planning Officer to Meetings to explain policies

An informative discussion ensued and Cllr Conway thanked Mr Turner for his time.
 
MINUTES:   The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 20th June 2005 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  None
 
MATTERS ARISING:
  • CCTV – Cllr Reynolds reported on his meeting with Cranbrook Police re reorganization.  There are 5 Swift Cameras, the allocation of which are dependent on number of incidents in the village. Community Warden is monitoring this. Cllr Message referred to the vandalism in the village on Wednesday night. Cllr Conway informed the meeting that Speedwatch will begin in September and volunteers will be needed to operate it. The police have asked for their speedgun to be returned – Clerk to sort out.
  • Benenden and Iden Green Playground – There was general discussion regarding the graffiti and general tattiness of the playgrounds. Bournes have quoted for repainting, Clerk to get 2 other quotations. Councillors to approve.
  • Lime trees at Cherryfields – TWBC are assessing the need for replanting, as their budget is limited and will contact the Clerk with a decision.

HIGHWAYS
  • Cllr Reynolds referred to communication with Highways regarding the Council’s dissatisfaction with recent work.  Cllr Pitt pointed out that they seem too keen to patch up rather than sort out the original problems. Cllr Reynolds to speak to Cllr Manning and Cllr Davies. Cllr Davies to forward to Clerk recent communication with James Whitehorne.
  • Cllr Message reported water leak near Pullington Cottages. Clerk to notify Mid-Kent.
  • Cllr Pitt reported that the pot holes on Woodcock Lane were bad, possibly due to a drain problem.

PLANNING
  • Cllr Conway, in the absence of Cllr Garnier, read through the Planning Report. Some concerns were raised re Narin and old Eaton House – to be looked at.

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL
  • Cllr Clarke reported that the kitchen was nearly finished
  • Cllr Clarke pointed out that the light goes off at 12.30pm to allow people to clear up after functions. The light is also useful to light up the playground and pavement to Pullington Cottages, rather than have streetlights, as agreed previously by the council. A light is needed above the door to light up a ‘dead area’.
  • Cllr Clarke reported that Benenden Players will only contribute a maximum of £2,500 for the lighting. He is currently waiting for quotations to see whether new approval is needed.
  • Hurstway Retention Fee – various problems in the hall still needed to be sorted out by Hurstway
  • Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Clarke for all his hard work regarding the Village Hall.

WAR MEMORIAL
  • Clerk to find out whether Mr Barham is due to retire, as he is from his work with the Bowling Club.

CORRESPONDENCE
  • Cllrs given copies of High Hedges leaflets, letter to James Whitehorne and reply, TWBC Cabinet Portfolios.
  • Cllrs were informed that TWBC have sent the Local Plan Review Inspector’s report which Cllr Conway currently has.

AOB
  • Cllr Reynolds informed the meeting that Rev Smith has a right of way across the Recreation Ground and would like to use this to make an access road for the new school. Cllr Pitt informed the meeting that from July to December preliminary identification work was being done by the Borough and no decision had been made.  It was noted that the Church had agreed that money raised by the sale of the new school would go to the new school, as it was allocated for the education of the parish.  Cllr Hockney was concerned that the next public meeting would be more informative to villagers than the last one.
  • Cllr Message and Cllr Hockney are to convene a meeting with the owner of Stream Farm, Iden Green over proposed footpath  changes. It was noted that TWBC are responsible for only 12 of the main footpaths.
  • Cllr Conway asked Cllr Davies about the Village Appraisal, will chase it up.
  • Cllr Lake asked Cllr Conway for the letter of what was discussed at last month’s meeting between himself and Mr Turner to be circulated.
  • Cllr Clarke reported that the Licensing Licence had changed from his name to that of the Parish Council, but that the licence application had been submitted.
  • Cllr Pitt asked the Clerk to make sure that the grass was cut for the Iden Green BBQ on the 29th August
  • Cllr Pitt raised the problem of the Chair and Vice-Chair resigning next year and that his needed to be addressed. Cllr Reynolds to discuss with Cllr Pitt.

Meeting was then opened to the public.
 
Mr Blockley pointed out that there might be problems with the access across the recreation Ground as it was for the occasional use of movement of cattle.  Cllr Reynolds and Clerk to check this.

The meeting was closed at 9.50pm

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