Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Monday 21st May 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden
Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt,
147 Apologies: Cllr Reynolds
148 Election of Officers & Committees
Cllr Pitt took the Chair and asked for nominations for Chairman. RL proposed Cllr Blockley seconded by JC. Cllr Blockley agreed to stand. Cllr Pitt asked for a show of hands.
Motion passed
Cllr Blockley returned to the Chair and asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman and proposed Cllr Pitt. This was seconded by Cllr MK.
Cllr Blockley asked for a show of hands.
Motion passed
Committee List 2007/08 attached
149 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 19th March 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JH, seconded: Cllr RL
150 Declarations of Interest:
No declarations of interest reported
151 Subscriptions & Donations [S137]:
Following discussion it was agreed to support the same organisations as in 2006 with the exception of The Kenward Trust Project. All donations to increase by £5-£10
Motion passed. [attached]
Clerk asked for consideration of annual subscriptions to: KAPC [minute: 136] Action in Rural Kent; CPRE; Clerk & Councils Direct.
Motion passed
152 Standards Board –Code of Conduct
PB advised that a new Code of Conduct had been introduced from May 2007. All Parish Councils must adopt the amended Code by October 2007. On the advice of KAPC it was agreed to defer adopting the code until after the information days which are to be run by KAPC in Jul/Aug 07.
Clerk to attend TWBC information day – date to be announced
153 Parish Charter
PB advised that the revised Parish Charter document issued is a positive move forward but the effectiveness is reliant on TWBC implementation.
154 Benenden Primary School Update
PB reported that PB, CP, RL & Keith Gabriel had recently attended a meeting with KCC Bruce McCorrie. A neutral draft brief has been put to the architect and a date to meet them is awaited. Bruce McCorrie confirmed that any funding would not be lost due to the process delays.
155 Trees
Cherryfields – PB confirmed that Pat Spensley, Estates Support Officer had written and actioned required works in Cherryfields.
Glebe Field & Recreation Ground Tree Preservation Order - PB confirmed approved without modification. PB thanked JH
156 Planning Report
RL circulated new Planning Committee Rota for 2007/08. Agreed
RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
157 Financial Report
Payments made on Council’s behalf since March 2007
Income
Untaxed Bank Interest 166.65
Georgetti – Edmund Gybbon 2.50
Donation – Marquee Hire 40.00
Musters - Stephen Ginder 25.00
TWBC Precept 13,000.00
13,234.15
Chq No Outgoings
104 P.Blockley – gift C.Turner + A3 Maps 35.00
105 Rother Valley Press - Poll Leaflets + reprint 526.00
106 KAPC Annual Subscription 07/08 586.90
107 B.Sullivan – mar salary 396 + postage 4.68 400.68
108 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
109 Printing at Cranbrook 12.24
110 David Peacock – Posters Annual Assembly 43.79
111 Miles Agricultural Services- Village Green repairs 321.95
112 Kent County Playing Fields Association 15.00
113 Iden Green Pavilion - Hall Hire 12.00
114 KAPC – Honorarium Area Secretary 28.00 115 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
116 Rother Valley Press – May 07 Newsletter 142.00 117 B.T – Office Phone 54.63
118 B.Sullivan – apr salary 316.80 + postage 2.88 319.68
119 B.Sullivan – reimburse Annual Assembly expenses 97.25
120 KAPC – Clerk Information Day 58.75
121 Dr Davies – CS retirement print 30.00
122 Bob Ogley – assembly speaker fee + donation 150.00
123 Printing at Cranbrook – Photocopy AA + stationery 33.70
TRF Harmsworth Trust – balance of o/s floor costs 12,450.98 15,356.53
Clerk reported that C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £14,429.42
Clerk asked for authorisation to continue banking with Co-Operative Bank for 2007/08 and the Annual Audit 06/07 approved. PB & Clerk sign. Motion passed
158 Strawberry Wood Culvert Project
MK reported on the ongoing works to divert a stream away from the culvert to halt further erosion. Adam Sykes, TWBC Brian Hayward and Jonathan Biddy have put forward a bid to the Heritage Society which will be match funded by KCC.
159 Newsletter
PB thanked all involved in the production of the 2nd issue. Special thanks to CP and Clive Turner. Apologies to SH for the absence hedge report, this will be included in the next issue.
160 Correspondence
PB proposed that with the introduction of the Charities Act 2006, it would be prudent to seek advice to ensure that the Harmsworth Trust scheme was compatible with the new Act.
PB reported the PCC welcomed individual donations for Revd Christopher Smith’s retirement gift. A Parish Council gift of a framed 1814 print depicting the church and village green had been purchased and would be presented to Rev’d Smith.
PB advised BT had confirmed that the public payphone in Iden Green would not be removed. It will be retained as a card operated facility only.
PB asked Cllrs for any suggested topics to be put forward to the TWBC Overview & Scrutiny Committee for 2007/08. Cllr North explained it is ongoing and not restricted by deadlines.
PB advised a full report by Urban Practioners on the future of Cranbrook Offices had been issued. Conclusions circulated in Green Folder.
PB informed that Carrie Stevens, PR Officer for Benenden Hospital had offered a conducted tour of the Hospital if desired. The suggestion was welcomed and a date in the Autumn would be arranged. Clerk to display flyers for Hospital Summer Concert.
Borough Council Report
Cllr Davies reported on Iden Green Public payphone – visual impact would not change but card only facility could be an issue as not youth friendly.
Cllr Davies suggested that the effectiveness of KCC/TWBC Joint Transportation Board could be a suitable issue for the Overview and Scrutiny committee.
Cllr North asked if controversial planning decisions be copied to her and Cllr Davies. Clerk to note
Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to members of the public.
Community Warden, Janet Greenroyd reported she had been unable to contact P.C.Hastings re: speeding through Iden Green village.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm
Next Meeting: Monday 18th June 2007 at 8pm
The Pavilion, Iden Green
BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL SUBSCRIPTIONS & DONATIONS
2007-2008
Subscription
Kent Playing Fields Ass 15.00
CPRE 27.00
KAPC 586.90
Action in Rural Kent 35.00
Clerk & Councils Direct 9.50
673.40
Donations [s137]
Kent Air Ambulance 135.00
Kent Ass of Blind 55.00
Hospice in Weald 160.00
HCH League of Friends 260.00
Cranbrook CAB 260.00
Benenden PCC 55.00
Angley School Farm 135.00
1060.00
TOTAL 07/08 1,733.40
Subscriptions & Donations agreed by the Parish Council at the Annual Meeting on Monday 21st May 2007.
Minute No: 151/07
