The village of Benenden in Kent

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15^th January 2007 in The Pavilion, Iden Green.

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

Apologies: TWBC Cllr Davies

Vice-Chairman Cllr Pitt was invited by the Cllrs to chair the meeting.

103 MINUTES: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 11^th December 2006 were confirmed and signed. Proposed – Cllr Blockley Seconded – Cllr Kellett

104 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

A personal interest was declared by Cllr Blockley & Cllr Reynolds in respect of T.W.B.C planning ref:03714 Mrs Lizanne Brown, as Mr Simon Brown is a solicitor to both councillors.

A personal interest was declared by Cllr Kellett in respect of TWBC planning ref: 03409 Mr Wylie, 2 Border View.

105 MATTERS ARISING:

No matters arising reported.

106 Benenden Primary School

Report of meeting with KCC- Cllr Pitt reported Cllr Manning was concerned about the minimal consultation there had been between KCC and PC and he himself was not informed of the letter showing support for Site 8 from TWBC to KCC. Cllr Pitt advised Cllr Lake, Cllr Blockley and herself had met with Cllr John Simmonds, Cabinet Member for Education. Cllr Blockley confirmed the meeting was called as Cllr Simmonds had not consulted with the PC. Mr Keith Gabriel is thanked for time spent trying to unpick the differential in financial costs for Site 1 & 8. Cllr Simmonds has suggested further investigation for exact costs for Site 1. A further meeting will be arranged towards the end of February. KCC have stated that Site 8 is preferred but would be happy to support either site with appropriate funding.

Primary School Leaflet- Cllr Pitt reported the Primary School had held an exhibition with a leaflet with pictures of a concept for the new school. The PC agreed the exhibition was well put together.

Correspondence from Mr Finley

As a result of the PC leaflet a letter had been received from Mr Mike Finley. At Mr Finley’s request his letter was read out and Cllr Blockley read out the PC reply. [available from clerk]

Cllr Blockley confirmed the content of the PC leaflet had been taken direct from DPD Process report and the series of mediation meetings held in July 2006. Cllr Pitt thanked Cllr Blockley for dealing with this matter.

Cllr Hockney asked if KCC will produce a detailed analysis of different site costs.

Cllr Reynolds again asked if the ecological surveys of either site had been produced. Cllr Reynolds requested that an acknowledgement of the distinct lack of information between PC, TWBC and KCC be logged.

Cllr Pitt reported that as the initial slot with the Inspectorate had been lost it was important to find out what the possible timescale would be.

Cllr Lake expressed concern that KCC had not spoken with PC but were in talks with the School Governing Body beforehand. If there had been communication between PC and Governors of the School perhaps a site could have been decided on earlier. Log dissatisfaction

Cllr Pitt reported a direct quote “Oh well that’s it then, because otherwise KCC would not have spent all this money on this exhibition”.

Cllr Blockley stated that the PC needed to emphasise that the exhibition was only a “concept plan”.

107 Village Poll

Cllr Pitt reported that a Parish meeting would be held to decide whether a Poll was to take place irrespective of decision by TWBC. As a PC we need to gather hard data to clarify the Parish views. All questions must be unbiased, simple and open. 1 vote – 1 site. Cllr Pitt explained the format of holding a Parish Poll. A poll is similar to an election but the hours in which one can vote are shorter [4pm-9pm].The poll will be organised and run by TWBC.

108 Cranbrook Council Offices – Closure

Cllr Blockley reported he attended the Cranbrook PC meeting on 11 Jan 2007. Cranbrook and surrounding PC’s expressed real anger that the original decision to close the offices was made back in December 2005 and was not made public. A plan of action is being put together to extend the closure date for groups that have been displaced. Cllr Blockley reiterated that on separate occasions Cllr Davies & Cllr Howell both stated adamantly that no final decision had been made.

109 Highways

Clerk circulated a schedule for the forthcoming meeting arranged with Katie Brown and Andrew Bray of TWBC Highways. Cllr Clarke & Cllr Blockley to attend on 24^th January 2007.

Cllr Clarke reported the Enhancement team has lowered the signs at the war memorial, the plaque had been reinstated on the bench at BVH but the dead trees have yet to be replaced.

110 Strawberry Wood Culvert

Cllr Pitt reported Kent High Weald Project had written asking for a representative to work on a steering group for the project. Cllr Kellett nominated and accepted the proposal and reported the project had over £5,000 and an engineer would visit the site soon.

111 Newsletter

Cllr Pitt asked PC to begin to consider items for the next newsletter. Update of school news to be included, perhaps a youth bias approach with an article by the Scout & Guide leaders, hedge clipping, police, community warden.

112 Planning Report

Cllr Kellett reported on recent planning applications & decisions

03537 – Approve

03409 – Circulating

03714 – Circulating. This application was discussed. The buildings were considered perfectly adequate for the intended use. Application subject to a thorough investigation by Highways regarding entrance from Standen Street into Mill Street.

02918 – Refusal by TWBC. PC felt an extraordinary decision as adjoining property has identical development.

113 Financial Report

Payments made on Council’s behalf since December 2006

Income

VAT Refund 872.09

TWBC Xmas Light Grant 175.00

1047.09

Chq No Outgoings

078 Benenden Memorial Hall – Hall Hire 20.25

079 KCC Landscape Services –2^nd Inv Mowing the Green 563.75

080 BVH-Xmas Light Grant 87.50

081 Iden Green Pavilion-Xmas Lights Grant 87.50

082 Clerk Salary 356.40 / Postage & Admin 10.99 367.39

083 Waitrose.Com- Broadband 18.99

084 The Village Shop-Photocopying 22.30

085 BVH- VAT Refund 872.09

086 Printing at Cranbrook – ink, copies, wallets 43.17

087 Rother Valley Press – 800 Primary School Site Leaflets 184.00

TRF Transfer to H/T – H.Barham chq 100878 77.50

2,364.69

Clerk reported that the C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £18,758.53

114 Correspondence

Cllr Blockley asked PC to recall areas and numbers covered for next leaflet drop and

thanked Cllr Hagens for the number she delivered.

Cllr Pitt invited comments from members of the public.

Mr Norman Pitt suggested the Poll could be held during the last week of March 2007 to include British Summertime change – lighter evenings.

Mr Peter Cooper asked if footpath lighting existed from the lay-by to the front of The Pavilion. Part of the conservation enhancement programme was the installation of a light over the entrance to the Pavilion from the lay-by.

Mr Philip Message reported the kissing gates are now installed and a further large gate to allow access for wheelchairs would be installed at the top of Hilly Fields. Cllr Pitt thanked Philip for his role as the Guardian of our footpaths

There being no further questions the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Meeting: Monday 26^th February 2007 at 8pm, The Pavilion, Iden Green

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

Meeting Held 15^th January 2007

115 Benenden Village Hall

Cllr Clarke reported that the bookings are good but the removal of the existing floor had proved costly. Cllr Blockley explained the existing tiles could not be removed from the sub-base and the additional costs would amount to £10,000.00 The hall floor had to be repaired quickly to meet commitments. As the cost far exceeded the funds available a decision was taken to increase the Precept for 2007/08. United Flooring had agreed to accept 50% of the full cost now with a delayed payment of the balance in April 2007.

Cllr Pitt thanked Cllr Clarke and his team, Cllr Blockley for sorting the financial arrangement and United Flooring, for an excellent job working long hours in order to reinstate the hall to full use. Cllr Clarke thanked everybody who had helped with the floor removal.

116 Financial Report

Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since December 2006

Income

Benenden Pre-School 238.00

Iden Green Allotment jul-dec06 43.75

BVH Wages nov 440.05

St Georges nov 115.00

TRF –H.Barham 77.50

914.30

Chq No Outgoing

D/D Insurance 413.18

877 V.Kellett-I.Green bench & fence repairs 232.87

878 H.Barham-War memorial maintenance & fuel 77.50

879 D.Dalrymple-Wages Dec 367.83

880 Post Office-NI & Tax oct-dec06 365.24

881 KCC Landscape Services-2^nd Inv Mowing 891.45

882 B.Sullivan-wages & BVH dust masks,ear plugs 57.35

883 S.Clarke-mower repairs 86.20

884 G.Vinson-Holly Tree Cut Iden Green 75.00

2,566.62

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £4,961.13

Balance in No 2 A/C 13,454.25

		Minutes for Meeting January 2007 Click for minutes for November 2006 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 15^th January 2007 in The Pavilion, Iden Green. Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds Apologies: TWBC Cllr Davies Vice-Chairman Cllr Pitt was invited by the Cllrs to chair the meeting. 103 MINUTES: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 11^th December 2006 were confirmed and signed. Proposed – Cllr Blockley Seconded – Cllr Kellett 104 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: A personal interest was declared by Cllr Blockley & Cllr Reynolds in respect of T.W.B.C planning ref:03714 Mrs Lizanne Brown, as Mr Simon Brown is a solicitor to both councillors. A personal interest was declared by Cllr Kellett in respect of TWBC planning ref: 03409 Mr Wylie, 2 Border View. 105 MATTERS ARISING: No matters arising reported. 106 Benenden Primary School Report of meeting with KCC- Cllr Pitt reported Cllr Manning was concerned about the minimal consultation there had been between KCC and PC and he himself was not informed of the letter showing support for Site 8 from TWBC to KCC. Cllr Pitt advised Cllr Lake, Cllr Blockley and herself had met with Cllr John Simmonds, Cabinet Member for Education. Cllr Blockley confirmed the meeting was called as Cllr Simmonds had not consulted with the PC. Mr Keith Gabriel is thanked for time spent trying to unpick the differential in financial costs for Site 1 & 8. Cllr Simmonds has suggested further investigation for exact costs for Site 1. A further meeting will be arranged towards the end of February. KCC have stated that Site 8 is preferred but would be happy to support either site with appropriate funding. Primary School Leaflet- Cllr Pitt reported the Primary School had held an exhibition with a leaflet with pictures of a concept for the new school. The PC agreed the exhibition was well put together. Correspondence from Mr Finley As a result of the PC leaflet a letter had been received from Mr Mike Finley. At Mr Finley’s request his letter was read out and Cllr Blockley read out the PC reply. [available from clerk] Cllr Blockley confirmed the content of the PC leaflet had been taken direct from DPD Process report and the series of mediation meetings held in July 2006. Cllr Pitt thanked Cllr Blockley for dealing with this matter. Cllr Hockney asked if KCC will produce a detailed analysis of different site costs. Cllr Reynolds again asked if the ecological surveys of either site had been produced. Cllr Reynolds requested that an acknowledgement of the distinct lack of information between PC, TWBC and KCC be logged. Cllr Pitt reported that as the initial slot with the Inspectorate had been lost it was important to find out what the possible timescale would be. Cllr Lake expressed concern that KCC had not spoken with PC but were in talks with the School Governing Body beforehand. If there had been communication between PC and Governors of the School perhaps a site could have been decided on earlier. Log dissatisfaction Cllr Pitt reported a direct quote “Oh well that’s it then, because otherwise KCC would not have spent all this money on this exhibition”. Cllr Blockley stated that the PC needed to emphasise that the exhibition was only a “concept plan”. 107 Village Poll Cllr Pitt reported that a Parish meeting would be held to decide whether a Poll was to take place irrespective of decision by TWBC. As a PC we need to gather hard data to clarify the Parish views. All questions must be unbiased, simple and open. 1 vote – 1 site. Cllr Pitt explained the format of holding a Parish Poll. A poll is similar to an election but the hours in which one can vote are shorter [4pm-9pm].The poll will be organised and run by TWBC. 108 Cranbrook Council Offices – Closure Cllr Blockley reported he attended the Cranbrook PC meeting on 11 Jan 2007. Cranbrook and surrounding PC’s expressed real anger that the original decision to close the offices was made back in December 2005 and was not made public. A plan of action is being put together to extend the closure date for groups that have been displaced. Cllr Blockley reiterated that on separate occasions Cllr Davies & Cllr Howell both stated adamantly that no final decision had been made. 109 Highways Clerk circulated a schedule for the forthcoming meeting arranged with Katie Brown and Andrew Bray of TWBC Highways. Cllr Clarke & Cllr Blockley to attend on 24^th January 2007. Cllr Clarke reported the Enhancement team has lowered the signs at the war memorial, the plaque had been reinstated on the bench at BVH but the dead trees have yet to be replaced. 110 Strawberry Wood Culvert Cllr Pitt reported Kent High Weald Project had written asking for a representative to work on a steering group for the project. Cllr Kellett nominated and accepted the proposal and reported the project had over £5,000 and an engineer would visit the site soon. 111 Newsletter Cllr Pitt asked PC to begin to consider items for the next newsletter. Update of school news to be included, perhaps a youth bias approach with an article by the Scout & Guide leaders, hedge clipping, police, community warden. 112 Planning Report Cllr Kellett reported on recent planning applications & decisions 03537 – Approve 03409 – Circulating 03714 – Circulating. This application was discussed. The buildings were considered perfectly adequate for the intended use. Application subject to a thorough investigation by Highways regarding entrance from Standen Street into Mill Street. 02918 – Refusal by TWBC. PC felt an extraordinary decision as adjoining property has identical development. 113 Financial Report Payments made on Council’s behalf since December 2006 Income VAT Refund 872.09 TWBC Xmas Light Grant 175.00 1047.09 Chq No Outgoings 078 Benenden Memorial Hall – Hall Hire 20.25 079 KCC Landscape Services –2^nd Inv Mowing the Green 563.75 080 BVH-Xmas Light Grant 87.50 081 Iden Green Pavilion-Xmas Lights Grant 87.50 082 Clerk Salary 356.40 / Postage & Admin 10.99 367.39 083 Waitrose.Com- Broadband 18.99 084 The Village Shop-Photocopying 22.30 085 BVH- VAT Refund 872.09 086 Printing at Cranbrook – ink, copies, wallets 43.17 087 Rother Valley Press – 800 Primary School Site Leaflets 184.00 TRF Transfer to H/T – H.Barham chq 100878 77.50 2,364.69 Clerk reported that the C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £18,758.53 114 Correspondence Cllr Blockley asked PC to recall areas and numbers covered for next leaflet drop and thanked Cllr Hagens for the number she delivered. Cllr Pitt invited comments from members of the public. Mr Norman Pitt suggested the Poll could be held during the last week of March 2007 to include British Summertime change – lighter evenings. Mr Peter Cooper asked if footpath lighting existed from the lay-by to the front of The Pavilion. Part of the conservation enhancement programme was the installation of a light over the entrance to the Pavilion from the lay-by. Mr Philip Message reported the kissing gates are now installed and a further large gate to allow access for wheelchairs would be installed at the top of Hilly Fields. Cllr Pitt thanked Philip for his role as the Guardian of our footpaths There being no further questions the meeting closed at 9.20pm Next Meeting: Monday 26^th February 2007 at 8pm, The Pavilion, Iden Green HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 15^th January 2007 115 Benenden Village Hall Cllr Clarke reported that the bookings are good but the removal of the existing floor had proved costly. Cllr Blockley explained the existing tiles could not be removed from the sub-base and the additional costs would amount to £10,000.00 The hall floor had to be repaired quickly to meet commitments. As the cost far exceeded the funds available a decision was taken to increase the Precept for 2007/08. United Flooring had agreed to accept 50% of the full cost now with a delayed payment of the balance in April 2007. Cllr Pitt thanked Cllr Clarke and his team, Cllr Blockley for sorting the financial arrangement and United Flooring, for an excellent job working long hours in order to reinstate the hall to full use. Cllr Clarke thanked everybody who had helped with the floor removal. 116 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since December 2006 Income Benenden Pre-School 238.00 Iden Green Allotment jul-dec06 43.75 BVH Wages nov 440.05 St Georges nov 115.00 TRF –H.Barham 77.50 914.30 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance 413.18 877 V.Kellett-I.Green bench & fence repairs 232.87 878 H.Barham-War memorial maintenance & fuel 77.50 879 D.Dalrymple-Wages Dec 367.83 880 Post Office-NI & Tax oct-dec06 365.24 881 KCC Landscape Services-2^nd Inv Mowing 891.45 882 B.Sullivan-wages & BVH dust masks,ear plugs 57.35 883 S.Clarke-mower repairs 86.20 884 G.Vinson-Holly Tree Cut Iden Green 75.00 2,566.62 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £4,961.13 Balance in No 2 A/C 13,454.25