The village of Benenden in Kent

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 17th October 2005 at The Memorial Hall, Benenden.

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

MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19th September 2005 were confirmed and signed.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

MATTERS ARISING:

None

HIGHWAYS:

Cllr Clarke reported on his meeting with Richard Emmett of Highways. Resurfacing of bottom of Walkhurst Road, waiting for finance. New curbing around The Green needs to be increased in height. Resurfacing of footpath and putting in of bollards to wait until the building of The Poplars is finished.

PLANNING

The council accepted the report by Cllr Garnier from the Planning Committee. The issue of Greenwood was raised and after discussion, it was agreed by the council to support its application.

LICENSING LAWS

Cllr Clarke reported to the Council the problems with this for BVH and it was agreed to refer to a solicitor regarding the problems of personal licence holder. The Clerk to contact KAPC for any further advice for village halls.

BENENDEN AND IDEN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS

Cllr Clarke reported to the council on the meetings regarding the above. The priorities were agreed by the council and the clerk to notify Brian Hayward. Clerk to contact relative of Harmsworth family to explain what the council is doing about the May Trees. It was also agreed to write a letter to Clive Turner asking whether the site of the Scout Hut could be tidied up. Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Clarke, Cllr Hockney and Cllr Message for their work on this.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mrs Evans wrote a letter to the Council requesting an extension to the pavement on the Cranbrook Road. Cllr Clarke to discuss this with Richard Emmett at Highways monthly meeting.
Clerk informed the council of New School Meeting signs to go up round the village. Clerk to arrange meeting of the Harmsworth Trustees for Monday 14th November.
Clerk notified the councillors of the Local Democracy Week held in Cranbrook.
Clerk informed the Council that the internal 6 monthly audit was satisfactorily completed
Information regarding the Kent Highways Contacts and Management Structure at TWBC was distributed.

Any Other Business

Cllr Pitt reported that Mr Kenward is finding it difficult to cut the hedge between the Car Park and the Pavilion and needs reducing in size. Clerk to contact Mr Vinson for a quote. Cllrs agreed to increase the hedge cuts at Iden Green pavilion to 4 times over the summer.
Cllr Pitt wished the resignation of the Chair and Deputy Chair at April to be on the Agenda for the next meeting. She felt there was a need for continuity and how was the Council going to deal with this. A general discussion was had about how to encourage/recruit new councillors. Some ideas were to put a notice in the Parish Magazine, encouraging people to attend council meetings and sub-committees which will delegate some of the workload.
Cllr Hockney raised villagers concern regarding the accidents at the crossroads. There was concern about the signage. Clerk had informed Richard Emmett and to meet with Cllr Clarke before next parish meeting.
Cllr Message updated the parish council on the application for a grant to improve paths. He has contacted the local landowners and is currently getting quotations for the cost.

The meeting was opened to the public. There was a general discussion regarding the lack of signage at Benenden crossroads. Mr Blockley raised the point that the grant to improve Benenden and Iden Green was a waste of ratepayers money. Cllr Reynolds to meet with Cllr Davies and Cllr North to raise this point.

The meeting ended at 9.45pm.

		Minutes for October 2005 Click for minutes for September 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 Parish Council held on 17th October 2005 at The Memorial Hall, Benenden. Present: Mr G Reynolds Mr P Conway Mr R Garnier Mr R Lake Mrs C Pitt Mr P Message Mr S Hockney Mrs D Bailey Mr J Clarke MINUTES: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19th September 2005 were confirmed and signed. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None MATTERS ARISING: None HIGHWAYS: Cllr Clarke reported on his meeting with Richard Emmett of Highways. Resurfacing of bottom of Walkhurst Road, waiting for finance. New curbing around The Green needs to be increased in height. Resurfacing of footpath and putting in of bollards to wait until the building of The Poplars is finished. PLANNING The council accepted the report by Cllr Garnier from the Planning Committee. The issue of Greenwood was raised and after discussion, it was agreed by the council to support its application. LICENSING LAWS Cllr Clarke reported to the Council the problems with this for BVH and it was agreed to refer to a solicitor regarding the problems of personal licence holder. The Clerk to contact KAPC for any further advice for village halls. BENENDEN AND IDEN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS Cllr Clarke reported to the council on the meetings regarding the above. The priorities were agreed by the council and the clerk to notify Brian Hayward. Clerk to contact relative of Harmsworth family to explain what the council is doing about the May Trees. It was also agreed to write a letter to Clive Turner asking whether the site of the Scout Hut could be tidied up. Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Clarke, Cllr Hockney and Cllr Message for their work on this. CORRESPONDENCE Mrs Evans wrote a letter to the Council requesting an extension to the pavement on the Cranbrook Road. Cllr Clarke to discuss this with Richard Emmett at Highways monthly meeting. Clerk informed the council of New School Meeting signs to go up round the village. Clerk to arrange meeting of the Harmsworth Trustees for Monday 14th November. Clerk notified the councillors of the Local Democracy Week held in Cranbrook. Clerk informed the Council that the internal 6 monthly audit was satisfactorily completed Information regarding the Kent Highways Contacts and Management Structure at TWBC was distributed. Any Other Business Cllr Pitt reported that Mr Kenward is finding it difficult to cut the hedge between the Car Park and the Pavilion and needs reducing in size. Clerk to contact Mr Vinson for a quote. Cllrs agreed to increase the hedge cuts at Iden Green pavilion to 4 times over the summer. Cllr Pitt wished the resignation of the Chair and Deputy Chair at April to be on the Agenda for the next meeting. She felt there was a need for continuity and how was the Council going to deal with this. A general discussion was had about how to encourage/recruit new councillors. Some ideas were to put a notice in the Parish Magazine, encouraging people to attend council meetings and sub-committees which will delegate some of the workload. Cllr Hockney raised villagers concern regarding the accidents at the crossroads. There was concern about the signage. Clerk had informed Richard Emmett and to meet with Cllr Clarke before next parish meeting. Cllr Message updated the parish council on the application for a grant to improve paths. He has contacted the local landowners and is currently getting quotations for the cost. The meeting was opened to the public. There was a general discussion regarding the lack of signage at Benenden crossroads. Mr Blockley raised the point that the grant to improve Benenden and Iden Green was a waste of ratepayers money. Cllr Reynolds to meet with Cllr Davies and Cllr North to raise this point. The meeting ended at 9.45pm.