The village of Benenden in Kent

PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN

Minutes of the Extra-ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 9^th October 2006 in Memorial Hall, Benenden.

Present: Cllrs Blockley, Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds

57 Benenden C.E.Primary School, TWBC Strategy and Development Team Report

All Cllrs had previously received the TWBC Strategy & Development Team report which would be put to TWBC Cabinet on 28^th Sept 2006.

Cllr Pitt was surprised that the outcome of the Mediation meetings did not appear to have been taken into account in the DPD report. The Chairman felt that the only outcome of the

Mediation meetings was that both sides had had the opportunity to air their views but they had done little to resolve differences of opinion.

Cllr Kellett agreed that the process had allowed the TWBC to “tick all the boxes” without serious thought of the impact on the local community.

Cllr Blockley explained Phase 1 of the process is now completed and the consultation period, Phase 2, will start and an independent Inspector was likely to be appointed to scrutinize the DPD report. Timing of the next phase not yet clear.

58 TWBC Cabinet Meeting, 28^th Sept 2006

Cllr Blockley reported that Cllr Melvyn Howell had chaired the meeting well. The Chairman spoke on behalf of the Parish Council. He was listened to politely, but gained the impression that the Members Working Party, after a visit to Benenden some two weeks earlier, had decided on their position and the Glebe was their favoured site.

Cllr Blockley tabled two letters the he proposed to send to Cllr Howell, Lynn Nelson, The Members Working Party with copies to the remaining members of the Borough Council. Cllr Blockley said that legal advice had been sought in the event of Compulsory Purchase Order being placed on the village hall car park and the Trust had no automatic defense against such a move by the Borough Council. If this happened it would be up to the Trustees to obtain the best possible deal in the circumstances.

Cllr Bailey suggested that we approach Lord Rothermere and it was agreed that this might be worth considering in due course.

Cllr Blockley advised that a 3 minute talk slot had been booked for the full TWBC meeting on Mon 16^th Sept 2006. Cllr Blockley emphasised that the village had 2 clear opinions on where a new School should be sited. The Mediation meeting to establish the value placed on the Glebe by Parishioners had clearly shown that parishioners did not want to see any building on the Glebe.

It was proposed that a Parish Poll similar, to an Election Poll, would be held to clarify village views on the siting of a new school. It would be organised and supervised by TWBC and only Parishioners on Benenden Electoral role would be eligible to express a view. The Parish would meet the cost and it might be possible to defer this until the next precept is set. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern that any question must not be seen as weighted. The Chairman agreed and said that proper advice would be sought in framing the questions. The council voted unanimously to take the necessary action to arrange a Village Poll.

A.O.B

Cllr Reynolds advised that during inclement weather he had visited both sites. It was raining hard. Site 1 had a heavy mist and boggy under foot whereas Site 8 presented as much drier, still with a view. He recommended that all Cllrs walk both sites as the terrain and aspect would never change. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern that a full ecological report had never been taken.

The Formal Meeting closed at 9pm

Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to the Public.

Mr Findlay was concerned that as The Strategy and Development team had ruled out building on the pasture, ruling out the Glebe would rule out Site 8. The Chairman said that although Lynn Nelson had indeed indicated that building on the sensitive area of the pasture was not an option, the final decision was a matter that would be dealt with at the planning application stage. Cllr Blockley said that nowhere in the DPD report did it state that KCC favour the new school being built on the Glebe field and he reiterated that the Parish Council would not proceed with a village poll unless the questions were properly framed and clearly neutral.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.08pm

		Minutes for Extraordinary Meeting October 2006 Click for minutes for June 2006 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 Extra-ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 9^th October 2006 in Memorial Hall, Benenden. Present: Cllrs Blockley, Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds 57 Benenden C.E.Primary School, TWBC Strategy and Development Team Report All Cllrs had previously received the TWBC Strategy & Development Team report which would be put to TWBC Cabinet on 28^th Sept 2006. Cllr Pitt was surprised that the outcome of the Mediation meetings did not appear to have been taken into account in the DPD report. The Chairman felt that the only outcome of the Mediation meetings was that both sides had had the opportunity to air their views but they had done little to resolve differences of opinion. Cllr Kellett agreed that the process had allowed the TWBC to “tick all the boxes” without serious thought of the impact on the local community. Cllr Blockley explained Phase 1 of the process is now completed and the consultation period, Phase 2, will start and an independent Inspector was likely to be appointed to scrutinize the DPD report. Timing of the next phase not yet clear. 58 TWBC Cabinet Meeting, 28^th Sept 2006 Cllr Blockley reported that Cllr Melvyn Howell had chaired the meeting well. The Chairman spoke on behalf of the Parish Council. He was listened to politely, but gained the impression that the Members Working Party, after a visit to Benenden some two weeks earlier, had decided on their position and the Glebe was their favoured site. Cllr Blockley tabled two letters the he proposed to send to Cllr Howell, Lynn Nelson, The Members Working Party with copies to the remaining members of the Borough Council. Cllr Blockley said that legal advice had been sought in the event of Compulsory Purchase Order being placed on the village hall car park and the Trust had no automatic defense against such a move by the Borough Council. If this happened it would be up to the Trustees to obtain the best possible deal in the circumstances. Cllr Bailey suggested that we approach Lord Rothermere and it was agreed that this might be worth considering in due course. Cllr Blockley advised that a 3 minute talk slot had been booked for the full TWBC meeting on Mon 16^th Sept 2006. Cllr Blockley emphasised that the village had 2 clear opinions on where a new School should be sited. The Mediation meeting to establish the value placed on the Glebe by Parishioners had clearly shown that parishioners did not want to see any building on the Glebe. It was proposed that a Parish Poll similar, to an Election Poll, would be held to clarify village views on the siting of a new school. It would be organised and supervised by TWBC and only Parishioners on Benenden Electoral role would be eligible to express a view. The Parish would meet the cost and it might be possible to defer this until the next precept is set. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern that any question must not be seen as weighted. The Chairman agreed and said that proper advice would be sought in framing the questions. The council voted unanimously to take the necessary action to arrange a Village Poll. A.O.B Cllr Reynolds advised that during inclement weather he had visited both sites. It was raining hard. Site 1 had a heavy mist and boggy under foot whereas Site 8 presented as much drier, still with a view. He recommended that all Cllrs walk both sites as the terrain and aspect would never change. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern that a full ecological report had never been taken. The Formal Meeting closed at 9pm Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to the Public. Mr Findlay was concerned that as The Strategy and Development team had ruled out building on the pasture, ruling out the Glebe would rule out Site 8. The Chairman said that although Lynn Nelson had indeed indicated that building on the sensitive area of the pasture was not an option, the final decision was a matter that would be dealt with at the planning application stage. Cllr Blockley said that nowhere in the DPD report did it state that KCC favour the new school being built on the Glebe field and he reiterated that the Parish Council would not proceed with a village poll unless the questions were properly framed and clearly neutral. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.08pm