The village of Benenden in Kent

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 18th June 2007 in
The Pavilion, Iden Green, Benenden

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

165 Apologies: Cllr Bailey, Cllr Hockney

166 Minutes:
The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday 21st May 2007 were amended to include a list of Subscriptions & Donations [S137] Min No: 151. The minutes were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr MK

167 Declarations of Interest:
No declarations of interest reported

168 Matters Arising:
None reported

169 Standards Board –Code of Conduct
PB distributed the amended Standards Board Code of Conduct Guidance for Members. PB and RL attending KAPC advice day on 28 July 07. Clerk to attend TWBC information day on 26 June 2007. All Parish Councils must adopt the amended Code by 1st October 2007. [Min No 152]

170 Highways
Clerk distributed Highways Schedule Report [attached]. PB and JC met with KCC Highways Andrew Bray and Katie Brown to address village issues.
PB reported on two road closures: Tilsden Lane & Cranbrook Road from 22 June 2007 for approx 15 days issued by Mid Kent Water
PB advised Countryside Alliance is running a campaign to raise awareness of the issue of Fly-tipping. GR to record comments and forward to clerk. Action required

171 Police & Parish Forum
JH reported on the meeting held on 6 June 2007. Issues discussed included: speeding through villages including Iden Green; new Sergeant for Cranbrook; Neighbourhood Watch DNA selector packs and local crime statistics. Benenden had 12 reported crimes from March – May 2007.
Damage to village 2
Damage to property 2
Theft from property 6
Theft from cars 1 [two cars involved]
Theft of cars 2 [one recovered]

CP asked that we monitor Parish Crimes over the following quarter.

172 Parish Future Plans
CP expressed a view that now was an opportunity to look forward as a Parish Council ensuring a pro-active and forward thinking stance. Perhaps research could be undertaken on a Village Plan, incorporating Affordable Housing & Green issues hi-lighted by the Environmental Strategy. PB & RL attending Action in Rural Kent Parish Planning Day on 12th July 2007. Report back to PC.

173 Benenden Primary School
PB advised that a meeting with KCC Bruce McCorrie and the architects Roderick James is scheduled for 26 June 2007. All working party members [PB CP RL] and Keith Gabriel invited to attend. If any significant findings an extraordinary meeting will be called.

174 Planning Report
RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
Discussion took place on PC rights with respect to planning obligations, following a site visit to a property where a neighbour had instructed solicitors because they were unhappy with certain aspects of a planning application. PB reiterated that the PC task in dealing with planning applications, must at all times, be to present an objective view of the proposal and not become involved in disputes between neighbours.

JH spoken with TWBC Tree Officer Dan Docker about works required to trees at the Benenden Recreation Ground. An A6 TPO form needed completing. JH Action

175 Financial Report
PB asked PC to consider salary rise of 3% for clerk as at 1 June 2007 as decision for 2007 rates yet to be set by NALC. KAPC to issue information when available. Motion Agreed
Payments made on Council’s behalf since May 2007
Income
VAT Refund – remainder costs of BVH floor 1854.40
Chq No Outgoings
124 Baldwins – war memorial flowers 33.50
125 B.Sullivan – may salary 396 + post 4.08 + 5.40 coffee exps 405.48
126 Kent Air Ambulance - S137 135.00
127 Kent Ass for Blind – S137 55.00
128 Hospice in the Weald – S137 160.00
129 HCH League of Friends – S137 260.00
130 Cranbrook C.A.B – S137 260.00
131 Benenden P.C.C – S137 55.00
132 Angley School Farm – S137 135.00
133 Action with Communities in Rural Kent – S137 Subs 35.00
134 Clerks & Councils Direct – S137 Subs 9.50 135 C.P.R.E – S137 Subs 27.00
136 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
137 J.Hanson – framing print 16.00
138 V.Kellett – repairs to bus shelter 48.00
139 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopying 15.16
140 The Village Shop – photocopying AGM C Burns 55.05
1,723.68 Clerk reported that C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £14,995.14

176 Correspondence
Clerk reported that S137 acknowledgement letters had been received. Circulate in Green File.
Clerk reported that the R.O.S.P.A Annual Safety Inspection of the children’s play areas would be carried out during July.
PB advised Kent Police Authority were looking for nominees for Safer Kent Awards. Application forms are held in the Community Office. Closing Date 20 July 2007

Borough Council Report
Cllr Davies reported on Planning Applications; Cllr PB & RL are attending a Parish Councillors TWBC Planning Meeting in September 2007. PD suggested that clarity of EIA Screening Opinions be forwarded as an item for the agenda.
Iden Green sign replacement. PD to contact clerk.
Recycling issues at Cranbrook Car Park; Future of merging all waste collections; Parish Plan Design Statement – identify site for affordable housing.

Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to members of the public.

Peter Cooper reported on the numerous power cuts that New Pond Road and Walkhurst Road have experienced over the years. PB asked Peter Cooper for a copy of the letter written to EDF Energy and the PC would research. Action required.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.17pm

Next Meeting: Monday 16th July 2007 at 8pm
Memorial Hall, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 18th June 2007

177 St Georges Club
PB reported that St Georges Club representatives had contacted the PC in respect of maintenance to the security lighting and the positioning of a wall mounted cigarette bin required due to the impending smoking ban regulations.
PB, RL and JC to meet with St George’s committee to agree siteing as Caretakers views must be a consideration. Action required
Clerk reported that Michael Austen had been contacted. Await quote for works required.
178 Benenden Village Hall
JC reported that 3 official No Smoking signs would be purchased and would be mounted to be visible.
JC reported that the new chairs had arrived. Under no circumstances would the new chairs
leave the hall as they are not suitable for outdoor use. Old stock being stored at PB and can
be used for outdoor functions.

179 Financial Report

Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since May 2007

Income
St Georges May 158.33
BVH 440.05 COIF 2349.00 2,947.38

Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance May 426.66
S/O COIF Sinking Fund 317.00
905 D.Dalyrmple – May 07 388.94
906 Clerk Salary – Apr/May 90.00
1,222.60

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £9,896.23

Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73

		Minutes for Meeting June 2007 Click for minutes for May 2007 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 18th June 2007 in The Pavilion, Iden Green, Benenden Present: Cllrs Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds 165 Apologies: Cllr Bailey, Cllr Hockney 166 Minutes: The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday 21st May 2007 were amended to include a list of Subscriptions & Donations [S137] Min No: 151. The minutes were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr MK 167 Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest reported 168 Matters Arising: None reported 169 Standards Board –Code of Conduct PB distributed the amended Standards Board Code of Conduct Guidance for Members. PB and RL attending KAPC advice day on 28 July 07. Clerk to attend TWBC information day on 26 June 2007. All Parish Councils must adopt the amended Code by 1st October 2007. [Min No 152] 170 Highways Clerk distributed Highways Schedule Report [attached]. PB and JC met with KCC Highways Andrew Bray and Katie Brown to address village issues. PB reported on two road closures: Tilsden Lane & Cranbrook Road from 22 June 2007 for approx 15 days issued by Mid Kent Water PB advised Countryside Alliance is running a campaign to raise awareness of the issue of Fly-tipping. GR to record comments and forward to clerk. Action required 171 Police & Parish Forum JH reported on the meeting held on 6 June 2007. Issues discussed included: speeding through villages including Iden Green; new Sergeant for Cranbrook; Neighbourhood Watch DNA selector packs and local crime statistics. Benenden had 12 reported crimes from March – May 2007. Damage to village 2 Damage to property 2 Theft from property 6 Theft from cars 1 [two cars involved] Theft of cars 2 [one recovered] CP asked that we monitor Parish Crimes over the following quarter. 172 Parish Future Plans CP expressed a view that now was an opportunity to look forward as a Parish Council ensuring a pro-active and forward thinking stance. Perhaps research could be undertaken on a Village Plan, incorporating Affordable Housing & Green issues hi-lighted by the Environmental Strategy. PB & RL attending Action in Rural Kent Parish Planning Day on 12th July 2007. Report back to PC. 173 Benenden Primary School PB advised that a meeting with KCC Bruce McCorrie and the architects Roderick James is scheduled for 26 June 2007. All working party members [PB CP RL] and Keith Gabriel invited to attend. If any significant findings an extraordinary meeting will be called. 174 Planning Report RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached] Discussion took place on PC rights with respect to planning obligations, following a site visit to a property where a neighbour had instructed solicitors because they were unhappy with certain aspects of a planning application. PB reiterated that the PC task in dealing with planning applications, must at all times, be to present an objective view of the proposal and not become involved in disputes between neighbours. JH spoken with TWBC Tree Officer Dan Docker about works required to trees at the Benenden Recreation Ground. An A6 TPO form needed completing. JH Action 175 Financial Report PB asked PC to consider salary rise of 3% for clerk as at 1 June 2007 as decision for 2007 rates yet to be set by NALC. KAPC to issue information when available. Motion Agreed Payments made on Council’s behalf since May 2007 Income VAT Refund – remainder costs of BVH floor 1854.40 Chq No Outgoings 124 Baldwins – war memorial flowers 33.50 125 B.Sullivan – may salary 396 + post 4.08 + 5.40 coffee exps 405.48 126 Kent Air Ambulance - S137 135.00 127 Kent Ass for Blind – S137 55.00 128 Hospice in the Weald – S137 160.00 129 HCH League of Friends – S137 260.00 130 Cranbrook C.A.B – S137 260.00 131 Benenden P.C.C – S137 55.00 132 Angley School Farm – S137 135.00 133 Action with Communities in Rural Kent – S137 Subs 35.00 134 Clerks & Councils Direct – S137 Subs 9.50 135 C.P.R.E – S137 Subs 27.00 136 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99 137 J.Hanson – framing print 16.00 138 V.Kellett – repairs to bus shelter 48.00 139 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopying 15.16 140 The Village Shop – photocopying AGM C Burns 55.05 1,723.68 Clerk reported that C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £14,995.14 176 Correspondence Clerk reported that S137 acknowledgement letters had been received. Circulate in Green File. Clerk reported that the R.O.S.P.A Annual Safety Inspection of the children’s play areas would be carried out during July. PB advised Kent Police Authority were looking for nominees for Safer Kent Awards. Application forms are held in the Community Office. Closing Date 20 July 2007 Borough Council Report Cllr Davies reported on Planning Applications; Cllr PB & RL are attending a Parish Councillors TWBC Planning Meeting in September 2007. PD suggested that clarity of EIA Screening Opinions be forwarded as an item for the agenda. Iden Green sign replacement. PD to contact clerk. Recycling issues at Cranbrook Car Park; Future of merging all waste collections; Parish Plan Design Statement – identify site for affordable housing. Cllr Blockley opened the meeting to members of the public. Peter Cooper reported on the numerous power cuts that New Pond Road and Walkhurst Road have experienced over the years. PB asked Peter Cooper for a copy of the letter written to EDF Energy and the PC would research. Action required. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.17pm Next Meeting: Monday 16th July 2007 at 8pm Memorial Hall, Benenden HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 18th June 2007 177 St Georges Club PB reported that St Georges Club representatives had contacted the PC in respect of maintenance to the security lighting and the positioning of a wall mounted cigarette bin required due to the impending smoking ban regulations. PB, RL and JC to meet with St George’s committee to agree siteing as Caretakers views must be a consideration. Action required Clerk reported that Michael Austen had been contacted. Await quote for works required. 178 Benenden Village Hall JC reported that 3 official No Smoking signs would be purchased and would be mounted to be visible. JC reported that the new chairs had arrived. Under no circumstances would the new chairs leave the hall as they are not suitable for outdoor use. Old stock being stored at PB and can be used for outdoor functions. 179 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since May 2007 Income St Georges May 158.33 BVH 440.05 COIF 2349.00 2,947.38 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance May 426.66 S/O COIF Sinking Fund 317.00 905 D.Dalyrmple – May 07 388.94 906 Clerk Salary – Apr/May 90.00 1,222.60 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £9,896.23 Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73