The village of Benenden in Kent

The minutes for the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Monday 12th December 2005 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden

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

Declarations of Interest: None

Matters Arising

Cllr Reynolds explained to the council that as he was much better now he would not be resigning.

Benenden and Iden Green Enhancements

Cllr Clarke reported to the council of his meeting with Brian Hayward regarding the detail of the enhancements
It was agreed that Cllr Hockney and Cllr Message would discuss and report back to the Clerk what types of trees to plant at BVH
Brian Hayward was concerned about work around BVH due to the possibility of the new school being sited there, but the council agreed to continue with its implementation.
Cllr Lake agreed to contact residents at Cherryfields regarding the proposed work there and their feelings on it.
Cllr Reynolds agreed to contact Tricia Skilton regarding the work proposed for Iden Green Pavilion and the type of trees to be planted there.
Clerk to contact the WI regarding moving the noticeboard .
Clerk to put notice in the Parish Magazine regarding the planting of dead trees on the recreation ground, as some trees have been planted in memory, but no record kept.
Councillors felt that the proposed number of 50 posts around the Green at a cost of £100 per post was excessive. The Green committee to walk the site, consult the Church and see how necessary they really were.
Clerk reported to the council that TWBC had a rolling programme of updating the public conveniences for disabled access, but currently there was no time scale for Benenden.

Precept

Clerk presented the accounts for the year so far and proposed expenditure for the rest of the year. Based on this information Cllr Reynolds asked for any comments and proposed the precept for 2006/7 to be set at £12,000, a reduction of £8,000 from 2005/6. He pointed out that legal fees had been incorporated into this due to the registration of lands and the Iden Green lease.
Cllr Clarke proposed agreement of the precept and Cllr Message seconded. All Councillors agreed.

Planning

Cllr Garnier reported to the council on planning matters.
There had been an objection to the resiting of the garage by Mr Cranston, Cllr Reynolds to discuss with the objector.
Cllr Reynolds application was to go to the SE Committee at the end of January, with a neutral response from the council.

Benenden Village Hall

The final bill from Hurstways was discussed by the council as they have charged for re-doing the floor in the men’s toilets, Cllr Reynolds to sort out as they were at fault. Councillors agreed that overall Hurstways had done a good job.
Cllr Clarke reported that Bournes had cleaned and restained the playgrounds at Benenden and Iden Green well.

Correspondence

Clerk bought to the council’s attention the new mowing contract and the council agreed to renew it.

Any Other Business

Cllr Reynolds had spoken to Lynn Nelson and reported that there was a stakeholders meeting in January, that membership would be Cllr Reynolds, Cllr Conway, Cllr Clarke and if a fourth to be added that it would be Cllr Pitt. He had raised with Lynn Nelson that Highways should be consulted on sites 1 and 8. He reported that TWBC would be reassessing all 12 sites, which councilors agreed was not necessary. Cllr Reynolds was concerned that delays could hinder the new school.
Cllr Reynolds reported that the Parish Chairman’s meeting was successful and that there was funding for Parish Plan if the council wanted to go ahead with this. Only Cranbrook and Capel had done a parish plan. He was concerned that there was a lot of work and what would actually be gained from it. It was suggested that a meeting of the Chair and Clerks in surrounding areas of Cranbrook would help.
Cllr Davies reported the Parish Appraisal was to help with the parish plan but that only a third of Parish Appraisals had been returned, which was disappointing and that the results still needed to be analysed.
It was suggested that TWBC Chair of Standards Board, Lois Howell, should be invited to the February meeting.
Cllr Reynolds reported a successful visit by Princess Royal to the Weald Information Centre. That Cllr Clarke, Cllr Reynolds, Ken Potter and the clerk represented Benenden. Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Davies for organizing the stand.
Cllr Hockeny reported that access to Collingwood Grange was hindered by the parking of people attending the school. School to be informed.
Cllr Lake reported that the football club is to be restarted next summer.
Cllr Clarke was concerned that there was another accident at the crossroads last week. Clerk to contact the Highways for a meeting.
Cllr Reynolds reported that Horsmenden have bought a speedwatch camera. Need to monitor it to see how successful it will be.
Clerk was asked to send agenda and minutes to Cllr Hall as well as Cllr Davies and Cllr North.

The meeting was opened to the general public. Mr Blockley raised a concern regarding the estimated fees of £12,000 for work done on enhancing Benenden and Iden Green.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm :

		Minutes for December 2005 Click for minutes for November 2005 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL The minutes for the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Monday 12th December 2005 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden Present: Mr G Reynolds Mr R Lake Mr P Message Mr S Hockney Mr R Garnier Mr J Clarke Apologies: Mr P Conway Mrs C Pitt Mrs D Bailey Declarations of Interest: None Matters Arising Cllr Reynolds explained to the council that as he was much better now he would not be resigning. Benenden and Iden Green Enhancements Cllr Clarke reported to the council of his meeting with Brian Hayward regarding the detail of the enhancements It was agreed that Cllr Hockney and Cllr Message would discuss and report back to the Clerk what types of trees to plant at BVH Brian Hayward was concerned about work around BVH due to the possibility of the new school being sited there, but the council agreed to continue with its implementation. Cllr Lake agreed to contact residents at Cherryfields regarding the proposed work there and their feelings on it. Cllr Reynolds agreed to contact Tricia Skilton regarding the work proposed for Iden Green Pavilion and the type of trees to be planted there. Clerk to contact the WI regarding moving the noticeboard . Clerk to put notice in the Parish Magazine regarding the planting of dead trees on the recreation ground, as some trees have been planted in memory, but no record kept. Councillors felt that the proposed number of 50 posts around the Green at a cost of £100 per post was excessive. The Green committee to walk the site, consult the Church and see how necessary they really were. Clerk reported to the council that TWBC had a rolling programme of updating the public conveniences for disabled access, but currently there was no time scale for Benenden. Precept Clerk presented the accounts for the year so far and proposed expenditure for the rest of the year. Based on this information Cllr Reynolds asked for any comments and proposed the precept for 2006/7 to be set at £12,000, a reduction of £8,000 from 2005/6. He pointed out that legal fees had been incorporated into this due to the registration of lands and the Iden Green lease. Cllr Clarke proposed agreement of the precept and Cllr Message seconded. All Councillors agreed. Planning Cllr Garnier reported to the council on planning matters. There had been an objection to the resiting of the garage by Mr Cranston, Cllr Reynolds to discuss with the objector. Cllr Reynolds application was to go to the SE Committee at the end of January, with a neutral response from the council. Benenden Village Hall The final bill from Hurstways was discussed by the council as they have charged for re-doing the floor in the men’s toilets, Cllr Reynolds to sort out as they were at fault. Councillors agreed that overall Hurstways had done a good job. Cllr Clarke reported that Bournes had cleaned and restained the playgrounds at Benenden and Iden Green well. Correspondence Clerk bought to the council’s attention the new mowing contract and the council agreed to renew it. Any Other Business Cllr Reynolds had spoken to Lynn Nelson and reported that there was a stakeholders meeting in January, that membership would be Cllr Reynolds, Cllr Conway, Cllr Clarke and if a fourth to be added that it would be Cllr Pitt. He had raised with Lynn Nelson that Highways should be consulted on sites 1 and 8. He reported that TWBC would be reassessing all 12 sites, which councilors agreed was not necessary. Cllr Reynolds was concerned that delays could hinder the new school. Cllr Reynolds reported that the Parish Chairman’s meeting was successful and that there was funding for Parish Plan if the council wanted to go ahead with this. Only Cranbrook and Capel had done a parish plan. He was concerned that there was a lot of work and what would actually be gained from it. It was suggested that a meeting of the Chair and Clerks in surrounding areas of Cranbrook would help. Cllr Davies reported the Parish Appraisal was to help with the parish plan but that only a third of Parish Appraisals had been returned, which was disappointing and that the results still needed to be analysed. It was suggested that TWBC Chair of Standards Board, Lois Howell, should be invited to the February meeting. Cllr Reynolds reported a successful visit by Princess Royal to the Weald Information Centre. That Cllr Clarke, Cllr Reynolds, Ken Potter and the clerk represented Benenden. Cllr Reynolds thanked Cllr Davies for organizing the stand. Cllr Hockeny reported that access to Collingwood Grange was hindered by the parking of people attending the school. School to be informed. Cllr Lake reported that the football club is to be restarted next summer. Cllr Clarke was concerned that there was another accident at the crossroads last week. Clerk to contact the Highways for a meeting. Cllr Reynolds reported that Horsmenden have bought a speedwatch camera. Need to monitor it to see how successful it will be. Clerk was asked to send agenda and minutes to Cllr Hall as well as Cllr Davies and Cllr North. The meeting was opened to the general public. Mr Blockley raised a concern regarding the estimated fees of £12,000 for work done on enhancing Benenden and Iden Green. The meeting closed at 9.30pm :