The village of Benenden in Kent

Mr Robert Cottrill, Director for Planning & Development TWBC and Mr Jim Kehoe, Head of Planning Services TWBC spoke to the Parish Council about their roles and the importance of communication and liaison between TWBC and PC’s.

RC reported that progress was being made on implementing the 164 recommendations hi-lighted by the Trevor Roberts Report. In June 2007 the Audit Commission will be assessing the progress of the implementation process.
RC briefly reported on the planning application process for the new Benenden Primary School. TWBC would be working with KCC and School Governors once a site was chosen with full consultation with PC. TWBC has no control over the timescale. KCC could make the application if the land is wholly KCC owned, if not the application would be via TWBC Planning route.
JK reported on TWBC LDF including the 5,000 new homes required by 2026. Each year approx 2200 planning applications are received. 85% are dealt with within the 8 week guideline. JK advised on changes to Parish Councils request for Plans to go to committee. Planning Committee would advise PC’s within 5 working days of decision. JK reported Pre-Application Discussions were now available for applicants, locally held on Monday mornings at the WIC, Cranbrook aiding applications to be submitted with fuller information. JK stated it should improve the service with speed and openness of decisions.

Cllr Blockley thanked Robert Cottrill & Jim Kehoe for their attendance.

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

Apologies: Cllr Bailey, Cllr Kellett

131 MINUTES: The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 26th February 2007
were confirmed and signed. Proposed – Cllr Hockney Seconded – Cllr Pitt

132 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No declarations of interest reported

133 MATTERS ARISING:
No matters arising

134 Benenden Churchyard
Cllr Blockley asked Cllrs to consider making a contribution towards the upkeep of the churchyard which currently costs £2,000 per year to maintain. Clerk contacted KAPC who advised a Parish Council is under no obligation to make a contribution. Cllr Hockney stated we all enjoy an open churchyard facility. Cllr Blockley suggested it could be included within the Precept next year.

135 Village Green
Damage was caused by a vehicle being driven over the cricket pitch twice, with minimal damage to the square. Reported to Police, who identified owner and vehicle but intimated without full evidence there will be no further action.
Cllr Blockley contacted County Cllr Manning who had contributed a KCC grant of £1,500.00 in 2006/07. This was to be used for a major clean up of ditches, but remains unspent at present. Cllr Blockley asked if the cost of repairs to the cricket green and edges of green could be used from this grant. Cllr Manning confirmed this was acceptable.

136 K.A.P.C
1 - Clerk approached the council about renewing the annual subscription to K.A.PC.
Motion passed.
2 – Cllr Blockley and Cllr Lake reported on their attendance at a KAPC Planning Day

137 Police & Parish Forum Report
Cllr Hagens has agreed to take on this role as Cllr Lake is now responsible for planning matters. Cllr Hagens recently attended a Police & Parish Forum meeting.
138 Cranbrook Offices
Cll Blockley reported on the recent exhibition held at WIC and he attended the TWLDF issues & options community workshop on the future of Cranbrook Council Offices. An exhibition in consultation with Urban Practioners will be held at Weald Sports Centre. Cranbrook feels strongly about maintaining good community facilities, which are accessible to the elderly. Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern have yet to find suitable relocation sites. Cllr Reynolds reported this issue hi-lighted another case of the Parish Charter not being followed.

139 Newsletter
Cllr Pitt asked that all items for the May issue be forwarded by Sunday 1st April 2007. The newsletter would be distributed with the Parish magazine. This issue would have a youth bias with a short report on Pre-Application Planning to include TWBC contact details, BVH, Trees & Hedges, Rubbish & Green Boxes and Strawberry Wood Culvert Project.

140 TWBC LDF – Core Strategy: From here to 2026
Cllr Blockley reported that 5000 new homes need to be built in the Borough by 2026. Cllr Davies reported that the number of new homes required is governed by how many a borough can accommodate. Jim Kehoe, Head of TWBC Planning states that there are sufficient brown sites to accommodate the housing required.

141 Planning Report
Cllr Lake reported on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
00419 – Revised plan for tarmac drive. Supported last application, recommend Approval
00747 – New application. Circulating
02956 - Notification of appeal lodged with Planning Inspector. Proposal – construction of new 3 bay garage. Refusal
Cllr Reynolds expressed disappointment with TWBC refusal decision of 03714, for a Day Nursery in term time only, at Lower Standen Granary.

142 Highways
Clr Reynolds enquired about cleaning the road signs with funds from the £1,500 06/07 grant. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern about the growing litter problem throughout the Borough and the high amount of pot holes to our local roads.
A meeting is planned for 11 April with Cllr Blockley, Cllr Clarke and the Highways Team.

143 Finance Report
Payments made on Council’s behalf since February 2007
Chq No Outgoings
099 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
100 Cancelled - - - -
101 Clerk Salary – 356.40 Postage 6.60 Key Cut 5.88 368.88
102 Print at Cranbrook – 800 copies, 2 inks, wallets A3 Photofrme 68.23
103 B.Sullivan – Wealden Advertiser Remember to Vote 116.47
TFR H/T – Vat refund 2003.82
2576.39

Clerk reported that the C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £16,995.80

144 Correspondence
TWBC Housing Partnership Committee currently has 2 vacancies. Any person interested should contact the Clerk.
Hawkhurst P.C has issued a letter objecting to TWBC double taxation proposals over Dunorlan Park
Cllr Pitt has agreed to continue to be the nominated PC member of the Iden Green Pavilion Trust.
Cllr Davies reported that TWBC carried out 2 litter picks in the spring & autumn each year. Every rural road will be covered but if any problems with litter, fly-tipping Cllr Davies can be contacted direct. Cllr Reynolds confirmed that the fly-tipping team were efficient.
Cllr Davies reported on the vast improvements made to Dunorlan Park which is widely used and is of general benefit to all the Borough not just Tunbridge Wels residents, which is why it is now included in General Expenses not Special Expenses.
Cllr North commented on TWBC Housing Partnership Committee, being valued amongst
PC’s with an interest in social housing.
Cllr Davies suggested that perhaps local residents could clean the road-signs. He enquired
why a large refuse lorry continues to go around the green in light of damage. Establish if it
is a business or domestic collection and then arrange for a smaller cart for the houses.

Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to members of the public

Janet Greenroyd suggested contacting Blantyre House, who may be able to provide a team
for maintenance duties, to keep costs low.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm

Next Meeting: Monday 18th June 2007 at 8pm
Iden Green Pavilion, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 19th March 2007

		Minutes for Meeting March 2007 Click for minutes for February 2007 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		PARISH COUNCIL OF BENENDEN Mr Robert Cottrill, Director for Planning & Development TWBC and Mr Jim Kehoe, Head of Planning Services TWBC spoke to the Parish Council about their roles and the importance of communication and liaison between TWBC and PC’s. RC reported that progress was being made on implementing the 164 recommendations hi-lighted by the Trevor Roberts Report. In June 2007 the Audit Commission will be assessing the progress of the implementation process. RC briefly reported on the planning application process for the new Benenden Primary School. TWBC would be working with KCC and School Governors once a site was chosen with full consultation with PC. TWBC has no control over the timescale. KCC could make the application if the land is wholly KCC owned, if not the application would be via TWBC Planning route. JK reported on TWBC LDF including the 5,000 new homes required by 2026. Each year approx 2200 planning applications are received. 85% are dealt with within the 8 week guideline. JK advised on changes to Parish Councils request for Plans to go to committee. Planning Committee would advise PC’s within 5 working days of decision. JK reported Pre-Application Discussions were now available for applicants, locally held on Monday mornings at the WIC, Cranbrook aiding applications to be submitted with fuller information. JK stated it should improve the service with speed and openness of decisions. Cllr Blockley thanked Robert Cottrill & Jim Kehoe for their attendance. Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19th March 2007 in The Pavilion, Iden Green Present: Cllrs Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds Apologies: Cllr Bailey, Cllr Kellett 131 MINUTES: The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 26th February 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed – Cllr Hockney Seconded – Cllr Pitt 132 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: No declarations of interest reported 133 MATTERS ARISING: No matters arising 134 Benenden Churchyard Cllr Blockley asked Cllrs to consider making a contribution towards the upkeep of the churchyard which currently costs £2,000 per year to maintain. Clerk contacted KAPC who advised a Parish Council is under no obligation to make a contribution. Cllr Hockney stated we all enjoy an open churchyard facility. Cllr Blockley suggested it could be included within the Precept next year. 135 Village Green Damage was caused by a vehicle being driven over the cricket pitch twice, with minimal damage to the square. Reported to Police, who identified owner and vehicle but intimated without full evidence there will be no further action. Cllr Blockley contacted County Cllr Manning who had contributed a KCC grant of £1,500.00 in 2006/07. This was to be used for a major clean up of ditches, but remains unspent at present. Cllr Blockley asked if the cost of repairs to the cricket green and edges of green could be used from this grant. Cllr Manning confirmed this was acceptable. 136 K.A.P.C 1 - Clerk approached the council about renewing the annual subscription to K.A.PC. Motion passed. 2 – Cllr Blockley and Cllr Lake reported on their attendance at a KAPC Planning Day 137 Police & Parish Forum Report Cllr Hagens has agreed to take on this role as Cllr Lake is now responsible for planning matters. Cllr Hagens recently attended a Police & Parish Forum meeting. 138 Cranbrook Offices Cll Blockley reported on the recent exhibition held at WIC and he attended the TWLDF issues & options community workshop on the future of Cranbrook Council Offices. An exhibition in consultation with Urban Practioners will be held at Weald Sports Centre. Cranbrook feels strongly about maintaining good community facilities, which are accessible to the elderly. Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern have yet to find suitable relocation sites. Cllr Reynolds reported this issue hi-lighted another case of the Parish Charter not being followed. 139 Newsletter Cllr Pitt asked that all items for the May issue be forwarded by Sunday 1st April 2007. The newsletter would be distributed with the Parish magazine. This issue would have a youth bias with a short report on Pre-Application Planning to include TWBC contact details, BVH, Trees & Hedges, Rubbish & Green Boxes and Strawberry Wood Culvert Project. 140 TWBC LDF – Core Strategy: From here to 2026 Cllr Blockley reported that 5000 new homes need to be built in the Borough by 2026. Cllr Davies reported that the number of new homes required is governed by how many a borough can accommodate. Jim Kehoe, Head of TWBC Planning states that there are sufficient brown sites to accommodate the housing required. 141 Planning Report Cllr Lake reported on recent planning applications & decisions [attached] 00419 – Revised plan for tarmac drive. Supported last application, recommend Approval 00747 – New application. Circulating 02956 - Notification of appeal lodged with Planning Inspector. Proposal – construction of new 3 bay garage. Refusal Cllr Reynolds expressed disappointment with TWBC refusal decision of 03714, for a Day Nursery in term time only, at Lower Standen Granary. 142 Highways Clr Reynolds enquired about cleaning the road signs with funds from the £1,500 06/07 grant. Cllr Reynolds expressed concern about the growing litter problem throughout the Borough and the high amount of pot holes to our local roads. A meeting is planned for 11 April with Cllr Blockley, Cllr Clarke and the Highways Team. 143 Finance Report Payments made on Council’s behalf since February 2007 Chq No Outgoings 099 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99 100 Cancelled - - - - 101 Clerk Salary – 356.40 Postage 6.60 Key Cut 5.88 368.88 102 Print at Cranbrook – 800 copies, 2 inks, wallets A3 Photofrme 68.23 103 B.Sullivan – Wealden Advertiser Remember to Vote 116.47 TFR H/T – Vat refund 2003.82 2576.39 Clerk reported that the C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £16,995.80 144 Correspondence TWBC Housing Partnership Committee currently has 2 vacancies. Any person interested should contact the Clerk. Hawkhurst P.C has issued a letter objecting to TWBC double taxation proposals over Dunorlan Park Cllr Pitt has agreed to continue to be the nominated PC member of the Iden Green Pavilion Trust. Cllr Davies reported that TWBC carried out 2 litter picks in the spring & autumn each year. Every rural road will be covered but if any problems with litter, fly-tipping Cllr Davies can be contacted direct. Cllr Reynolds confirmed that the fly-tipping team were efficient. Cllr Davies reported on the vast improvements made to Dunorlan Park which is widely used and is of general benefit to all the Borough not just Tunbridge Wels residents, which is why it is now included in General Expenses not Special Expenses. Cllr North commented on TWBC Housing Partnership Committee, being valued amongst PC’s with an interest in social housing. Cllr Davies suggested that perhaps local residents could clean the road-signs. He enquired why a large refuse lorry continues to go around the green in light of damage. Establish if it is a business or domestic collection and then arrange for a smaller cart for the houses. Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to members of the public Janet Greenroyd suggested contacting Blantyre House, who may be able to provide a team for maintenance duties, to keep costs low. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm Next Meeting: Monday 18th June 2007 at 8pm Iden Green Pavilion, Benenden HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 19th March 2007 145 Benenden Village Hall & Recreation Ground Cllr Clarke reported an order had been placed for 200 new chairs and delivery is expected in early April. A new car park “vehicles parked at own risk” sign had been purchased at a cost of £25. Recreation Ground Damage A vehicle caused damage to the children’s play area fence on Benenden Recreation Ground when it wheel span and lost control finishing in a ditch. The offenders removed a fence panel to try to dislodge the vehicle that had become stuck in the soft ground. Reported to Police, owner identified but despite photographic evidence the police will not prosecute as insufficient evidence. 146 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since February 2007 Income BVH Wages Feb 440.05 St Georges Feb 115.00 COIF 3259.24 Vat Refund – TFR from Rate Acc 2003.82 5818.11 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance 413.18 891 D.Dalrymple-Wages Feb 367.83 892 B.Sullivan – Clerks salary 45.00 893 Whitehead Monckton – St Georges Club Lease Renewal 1181.00 2007.01 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £7,580.47 Balance in No 2 A/C 0.00