Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for Meeting October 2007
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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 15th October 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden

Present: Cllrs Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds. Clerk
215 Apologies: Cllr Bailey, TWBC E North

216 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 17th September 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr MK Seconded: Cllr JH

217 Declarations of Interest:
No declarations of Interest reported

218 Matters Arising:
No matters arising reported.

219 Benenden Primary School

Cllr PB reported that the revised plans for Site 1 had been received, which mirrored the design of the building proposed for Site 8. Copies distributed to members of public in attendance. 2 clear changes from previous plan. Car Park entrance moved back to allow safer exit off of New Pond Road and an additional classroom now included. Cllr PB asked BPC for their views. Overall agreement that the revised plan made better use of the site, with safer access and Benenden Primary School needs could be met. Cllr GR and Cllr SH did not comment. BPC noted that the footpath from the crossroads to the entrance on New Pond Road and all surrounding buildings on the eastern end of the site should be included to show perspective.

Cllr PB suspended the meeting at 8.12pm and asked for comments from members of the public.

Discussion followed on the Government national objective “Walking Buses” allowing for further footpaths, provision of pre-school included, soil movement impact on costs, timescale, further consultation, caretaker and teacher houses not a consideration.

Cllr PB advised that the architects will produce more detailed drawings to allow costing of both sets of plans. BPC expected final plans at the end of Oct 2007. A meeting will take place involving KCC Committee to look at plans, visit both sites then make a final decision with no further consultation process. Although no clear date for a decision KCC have acknowledged the urgency. TWBC P Davies agreed that the decision would be determined by KCC, TWBC would be consulted and all other parties advised as in a standard planning application. During planning stage cases can be put forward.

Cllr PB closed discussion at 8.27pm and reconvened the parish meeting


220 Highways – Street Nameplates
TWBC are developing a programme of inspections, painting and replacement of street
nameplates throughout the Borough. Cllr GR contacted TWBC direct.
Hortons Close sign needs replacing. Green Lane & Stepneyford Lane need swapping.
Sign on Nineveh Lane pointing to Great Nineveh needs replacing. Iden Green sign in process of being replaced. Clerk to report


221 KAPC – Public Conveniences
Cllr PB reported that TWBC are under severe expenditure constraints and are trying to save money by giving responsibility of Public Conveniences to PCs. All PC will be visited by TWBC leaders to try to agree a compromise. General agreement at PC level, that public toilets are used by visitors to villages and as such should remain under the tourist budget. Copy of David Coleman report in Community Office.

222 KCC Clean Up Day
Cllr PB proposed that a clean up day be postpone until early in 2008. PC agreement.

Cllr GR reported TWBC refused to take a large amount of fly-tipping which had been dumped on his land as it was not on a highway. The waste load had come from Hastings. The waste was finally taken.

Dead animals on highway – who is contactable?

223 Newsletter
Cllr CP advised the next newsletter is scheduled for distribution at the end of November
2007. Current items included Police, Appeals for special constables, Ask the Leader,
Farmers markets, PO closure - KCC website put views, Pre-application process offered
at WIC, [RL & PB - Housing List] [MK – criteria], Hempsted Swimming Club. All
items in by middle of November.

224 Planning Report
Cllr RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
Cllr PD reported a condition could be drawn in on TW/03095/Honeysuckle Cottage white shiplap timber to be replaced by stained timber.

225 Financial Report
Payments made on Council’s behalf since September 2007
Income
TWBC – Public Conveniences 10.00
TWBC – Precept 13000.00
13,010.00

Chq No Outgoings
161 B.Sullivan – Sep salary 408.00 + post 3.36 411.36
162 P Blockley – HP Printer / Scanner for Office 54.99
163 The Village Shop – Photocopying & Stny 28.19
164 Waitrose.Com – Broadband 18.99
513.53

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £22,190.91

226 Correspondence

Clerk distributed TWBC Town & Parish Council Policy Statement [Parish Charter]
Cllr PB reported on Post Office planned closures. Post Office at Benenden Chest Hospital, Goddards Green Road, TN17 4AX will be closed.

Cllr PB closed the formal meeting at 9.14pm and opened meeting to TWBC PD

PD reported the public conveniences responsibility will take place over the next 5 years. He was concerned about the refusal to take the fly-tipping as in theory all rubbish should be collected from private land, highways and ditches. To report dead animals TWBC provide a 24 hr hotline. PD to email clerk.
PD also advised a planning application goes before cabinet on Thurs 18th Oct 2007 which is for a new state of the art 512 bed hospital at Pembury.

Cllr PB opened meeting to members of the public

PM asked that landowner responsibility for hedge and trees be included in the newsletter as stop signs etc are easily obstructed by overgrown foliage. MF reported that one side of The Street had seen a recent flurry of activity after being terribly overgrown.

Community Warden Janet Greenroyd advised people could contact her in the event of finding a dead animal

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Meeting: Monday 19th November 2007 at 8pm
The Pavilion, Iden Green


HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 15th October 2007

227 Minutes;
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 17th September 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr MK Seconded: Cllr JH

228 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC reported that JMLA structural engineers carried out a survey. One timber support has rotted more than other three. Recommendation of fixed plate with an in-fill with composite filler.

Cllr JC advised a planning application would be submitted to TWBC this week for storage extension at the hall.

229 Iden Green / Benenden Recreation Grounds
Clerk reported Bourne Amenity quotation on medium risk items and renewal of 20m3 bark. As in excess of £1,000.00 further quotes being sought.

Cllr CP reported the gate to entrance does not close properly alerting safety issue. Clerk noted.

230 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since September 2007
Income
St Georges Sept 158.33
BVH Sept wages 459.68
618.01
Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance Sept 426.66
926 D.Dal - BVH varnish/brushes 56.75 + St Grg Bathrm Light 19.97 76.72
927 D.Dalrymple – Sept 07 398.47
928 Post Office Ltd – Tax + NI 1Jul-30Sep07 388.73
929 B Sullivan – Sept 07 46.50
930 JMLA – BVH Structural Eng Insp of timber frame 258.50
931 M Austen – St Georges Security Lights + Bonding Gas Meter 326.43
1,922.01
Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A £9,693.05

Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73

Cllr JC noted chq 926. BVH to pay for varnish/brushes. Clerk noted.

Copyright Tim Dwyer 2004 - timdwyer@benenden.org.uk