Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt
Apologies: Cllr Reynolds, TWBC Cllr North
Vice-Chairman Cllr Pitt was invited by the Cllrs to chair the meeting.
117 MINUTES: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 15th January 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed – Cllr Bailey Seconded – Cllr Hagens
118 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No declarations of interest reported
119 MATTERS ARISING:
Newsletter [Minute 111] Cllr Pitt suggested that the next issue of the newsletter be distributed after the intended Parish Poll had taken place. Inserts to include: results of Poll; next steps in the new school procedure; hedge maintenance; Strawberry Wood Culvert [MK]; Community Warden report; Youth focus [CP] to contact youth groups in Benenden; TWBC pre-application planning permission and enforcement advice; BVH new floor [JC].
Cllr Blockley reported that a contribution should be given to the Church for their kind distribution of the newsletter with the Parish magazine [PB] to contact Roy Chapman.
120 Village Poll
Cllr Pitt reported that the PC was delighted with the turn out for the Parish Poll meeting, with over 100 people in attendance. Although not an easy meeting it had given the PC the opportunity to discuss and explain the process with local residents. Cllr Blockley had been in contact with the Returning Officer as a letter of complaint had been received with a copy to the PC.
Cllr Pitt explained that due to the delay in the Land Allocation process and having missed the allocated time slot with the Inspectorate, TWBC have decided to move to a straight forward Planning Application. This will only take place after consultation with KCC, TWBC, PC and all other interested parties. Cllr Pitt confirmed that planning permission has not been applied for yet. Cllr Bailey enquired if there were any legal requirements to fulfill the land allocation process once started.
Cllr Pitt reported that there was still no conclusive answer if 2 sites are allowed to be put forward and we had not been advised of any timescale.
121 Iden Green Tennis Club - Floodlights
Cllr Pitt explained that all PC members had received a copy of the questionnaire and were free to complete individual forms but a decision needed to be taken as a PC. Cllr Blockley read out 2 letters received from local residents Mr & Mrs Stoner and Mr Fulwood. Following general discussion on: low level of lights; future planning considerations of residents who owned tennis courts; concern of light pollution;
Cllr Pitt asked PC to consider that as a PC we have not supported street lighting and have expressed concern about the light pollution from the new primary school
Clerk read out Cllr Reynolds general support for increasing sporting facilities in the village.
A vote was taken: For 1
Against 6
Mixed 2
Clerk to write to Mrs Cunningham outlining the decision.
122 Conservation Enhancement Programme
Cllr Clarke reported that all trees had now been replaced but would monitor the trees on the recreation ground.
Cllr Hockney expressed concern that the lime trees in Cherryfields have yet to be replaced and the area of scrap land was unkempt. Cllr Pitt reported it is a TWBC Housing Association matter and asked [SH] to contact the Clerk who would forward concerns direct.
123 Local Policing
Cllr Clarke expressed concern that PC Hastings had not introduced himself to any of the shopkeepers or publicans in the village nor been visible to residents. This matter would be raised at the next Police Forum
124 Strawberry Wood Culvert
Cllr Kellett read out a report [attached] from the meeting of the steering group. An exhibition is to take place on Saturday 17th March 2007 at The Memorial Hall, Benenden between 10am-4pm to gauge public support for this worthwhile project.
125 Road Closure
As part of an on-going gas maintenance scheme, Morrisons have applied to have Rolvenden Road, near Green Lane, closed in order to complete the works that had been stopped for safety reasons. A finalised diversion is yet to be announced and the road will probably be closed from Monday 12th March 2007 for at least 14 days.
126 Planning Report
Cllr Kellett has decided to step down from her role as Plannning Co-Ordinator. Cllr Pitt thanked Cllr Kellett for all her work over the past year and announced that Cllr Lake had kindly accepted to take on the role. Cllr Lake reported on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
03688 – Monitor and Investigate Refusal
0122 – Refusal. Too large
0196 – Refusal. Too close to other dwellings
0274 – Refusal. This application was discussed. The house is Victorian and the proposed
extension shows no empathy. A modern 2 storey “container” looking design with lots of
glass and wood.
00261 – Circulating. This may well be withdrawn as 0122 has been revised.
Cllr Lake explained the new planning procedure with PC. All planning information will be sent to the Community Office. Logged by Clerk then passed to Cllr Lake to circulate. A new comments form would be included for each application.
Cllr Blockley reiterated that at PC level we do not have to include a relevant Local Plan policy no. TWBC take our views into consideration and decide on the relevant policy number. A copy of the Local Plan is kept in the Office for reference.
Cllr Blockley reported that at the Parish Chairs meeting the procedure to be adopted for Pre-Planning Application discussions would be published shortly. The procedure for requesting an application to go to committee would be clarified in the near future.
127 Financial Report
Income
VAT Refund 22Feb07 village hall floor 2,003.82
Chq No Outgoings
088 Ordanance Survey – map licence 55.81
089 The Village Shop – Xmas Gifts 29.97
090 Clerk Salary 316.80
091 British Telecom – Office Phone 53.12
092 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
093 Printing at Cranbrook – black & colour ink 22.96
094 Cancelled - - - -
095 P.Blockley – Wealden Advertiser public notice 202.34
096 P.Blockley – Courier Newspaper public notice 251.92
097 KAPC – Planning Info Day 117.50
098 Benenden C.E. Primary – 50% wall bars replacement 150.00
1,219.41
Clerk reported that the C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £19,572.19
128 Correspondence
Cllr Blockley asked the clerk to include Cllr Manning on future Highways reports.to
Clerk reported that a quotation had been received from Mr Mark Kenward for 2007/08
mowing and hedge cutting at Iden Green and The Pump House. The quote £945 was
accepted. Clerk to inform Mr Kenward.
Clerk to contact Peter Punchard re cutting the hedge around the recreation ground in
Benenden.
Cllr Blockley asked PC to read Angley School’s proposal for the future of the Council
Offices in Cranbrook.
Cllr Pitt read an invitation to attend TWBC Mayor’s Dinner & Dance.
Cllr Blockley & Cllr Pitt reiterated the use of the Green File and urged Cllr’s to pass on quickly.
Cllr Pitt asked members of the public for their comments.
Mr Philip Message enquired if the benches on the east side of the Green are to be replaced as they are sinking and are very low to the ground.
Mr Finley asked what level of majority would be required against the PC’s views on the location for the new Primary School to make it change its stance. Cllr Pitt replied that when the results of the Poll are known, the PC will make a decision.
Mr Peter Stoner urged Cllrs to drive past the Hawkhurst Tennis Club before the next
meeting. Bright lights in the village would destroy the serenity of the night sky.
Mrs Diane Stoner emphasized that a large number of the tennis club members do not even live in Benenden or Iden Green and reiterated the strength of feeling against such a proposal by the residents.
There being no further questions the meeting closed at 9.25pm
Next Meeting: Monday 19th March 2007 at 8pm
The Pavilion, Iden Green
HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 26th February 2007
129 Benenden Village Hall
Cllr Clarke reported that the Badminton lines marked out by United Flooring were incorrect.
The wrong sized tape had been used. United Flooring has admitted responsibility and would be removing the tape, then paint in white lines. A representative of the Badminton club will be present to ensure correct sizing.
Cllr Clarke enquired if a disclaimer notice “Cars parked at own risk” be reinstated at the Village Hall. Cllr Pitt asked Cllr Clarke to investigate costs of a new sign.
Cllr Clarke reported that hire charges are not set to increase this April 2007 but the BVH committee has discussed charging regular users storage costs per year: Benenden Players £250; Benenden Primary School £150; Judo Club £50; Steps/Aerobics £50.
Cllr Pitt enquired if all licenses costs were covered by proposal. Cllr Clarke confirmed and proposed. Cllr Lake seconded motion.
130 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since January 2007
Income
BVH Wages Jan 440.05
St Georges Jan 115.00
TRF from No 2 A/C 13,454.25
14,009.30
Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance 413.18
885 M.Kenward-Iden Green hedge cut & mowing annual chg 815.00
886 D.Dalrymple-Wages Jan 367.83
887 D.Dalrymple-St Georges Qtr Phone Bill 42.05
888 B.Sullivan – Clerks salary 45.00
889 Southern Water – St Georges, Playgroup rates 63.75
890 United Flooring – BVH Floor 1st inv 13,454.25
15,201.06
C/A £500.00 D/A £3,769.37
Balance in No 2 A/C Nil
