The village of Benenden in Kent

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 19th November 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds. Clerk

231 Apologies: Cllrs Blockley, Kellett

232 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15th October 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr RL Seconded: Cllr GR

233 Declarations of Interest:
TW/07/3649 – Cllr RL declared a personal interest as a neighbour in this application

234 Matters Arising:
No matters arising reported.

235 Benenden Primary School
Cllr CP advised the final drawings for the proposed building for Site 1 had been received. Copies distributed. The concept is similar to proposed Site 8 building. Woodleigh Coles, Quantity Surveyors will prepare costs for both sites. BPC and Benenden Primary School working party will be allowed to comment. Cllr CP advised that KCC will hopefully make a decision on the chosen site before the end of 2007. The application will then be available for general views from the public and other interested parties.

236 Kent BTCV Warden Scheme
Cllr SH reported on the British Trust Conservation Volunteers scheme outlining the valuable work carried out on conservation of local woodland and pond life.
Cllr SH and Mr & Mrs Molesworth are our designated wardens. Cllr SH encouraged public awareness of the scheme and spoke on the Community Woodland team in Sandhurst. Cllr CP asked for an article for the newsletter. Cllr GR reported that Mr John Burbage would be a knowledgeable person to have involved. Cllr SH advised that BTCV were seeking donation to ensure training could be maintained. Agreed motion
to support the scheme - £100 S137 08/09. Action

237 Newsletter
Cllr CP thanked cllrs for items received and advised all articles had to be to sent by Weds 21st Nov deadline.

238 Speedwatch
Cllr JH reported on a meeting held by Hawkhurst PC to raise awareness of a new speed watch scheme. As the costs would be approx £2,000 Kent Police are keen for Parishes to make joint purchases. A representative from Sandhurst PC attended. Cllr JH to investigate in entitlement of flashing “slow down” signs at the next Police Parish Forum meeting. Action

239 Scouts Bonfire Night
Cllr JC congratulated the Scouts Bonfire working party on a successful event. Discussion followed over concerns about the traffic congestion through the village before and after the event. Parking by visitors was irresponsible and could lead to safety issues. Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Scout leader. [Cllrs JC & RL] Action

240 Planning Report
Cllr RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached]
BPC discussed 4 plans:
TW/07/03953 2nd application - Benenden Girls School. Previous application for a new
junior school and medical centre, had been refused by TWBC on energy efficiency
status. New plan with revised energy conditions Approve
TW/07/03848 Eaton Cottage – 3rd application. Detrimental to a listed building Refuse
TW/07/03777 Lynwood – side extn with front / rear dormers Neutral
TW/07/03649 Ashlawn Cottage – rear extension. Cllr RL did not comment. Approval

241 Financial Report
Bank Payments made on Council’s behalf since October 2007
Income
Interest 144.66
VAT Refund 06/07 2,470.25
2,614.91
Chq No Outgoings
165 Printing at Cranbrook – Laminate, Ink, Photocopies 16.76
166 Benenden Memorial Hall 18.00
167 B.T – Office Phone 62.41
168 B.Sullivan – Oct Salary 391.68 + postage 7.66 399.34
169 John Hanson – commission of painting Benenden Hospital 220.00
170 G Vinson – tree surgery Ashlawn – The Green 260.00
171 Waitrose.com – Broadband 18.99
172 The Village Shop – photocopying 3.00
173 Printing at Cranbrook – Laminating, Diary, Photocopies 32.39
TRF VAT to H/T 1,610.25
2,641.14

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £22,164.68

Cllr CP thanked clerk.

242 Correspondence
Cllr CP advised TWBC Mayor Christmas Toy Appeal letter and posters had been received. Cllr CP asked for a decision to support this worthwhile cause with a donation of £50. Agreed motion
Cllr CP reported to two events TWBC Mayor Charity Quiz Night Jan 2008 and Royal Air Force civic reception - details with Clerk.

Cllr CP closed the formal meeting at 8.57pm and opened meeting to the public

Philip Message reported on the completed works to the village following a £2,500 grant. The village had benefited from footpath repairs, 16 new styles and 2 kissing gates, one in the eastern corner of the Glebe and one at the foot of Hillyfields including drain

renewal solving the problem of floodwater which hampered the daily walking bus. BACS had funded the extra £200 costs incurred. Cllr CP thanked Philip Message for being our “guardian of footpaths” and the input he personally put into the village. Cllr CP advised the PC would write to BACS thanking them for their donation.

Cllr CP advised that the next PC meeting would start at 8pm not as noted on the agenda.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.04pm

Next Meeting: Monday 10th December 2007 at 8pm
Memorial Hall, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 19th November 2007

243 Minutes;
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 15th October 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr RL Seconded: Cllr GR

244 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC nothing to report

245 Iden Green / Benenden Recreation Grounds
Clerk reported on quotes received for works and bark renewal.
Bourne Amenity & Mr V Kellett had quoted for maintenance work.
Boune Amenity & AHS Ltd quoted for bark. AHS price not as competitive and only supply not spread. Clerk asked BPC consideration for Bourne Amenity quote. Agreed motion

Cllr RL enquired about the use of squidgy matting to replace bark. Clerk to research.

246 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since October 2007
Income
Bank Interest 91.12
St Georges Oct 158.33
BVH Oct wages 459.68
Iden Green Allotment 87.50
TRF 1,610.25
2,406.88
Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance Oct 426.66
932 B.Sullivan – Oct 07 46.50
933 TWBC planning application fee BVH 67.50
934 D Dalrymple – Oct salary 379.42 + BT 70.70 450.12
935 M Kenward – Iden Green Mowing & Hedges 945.00
936 BVH Vat refund 2006/2007 489.45
937 K Giddings Milborrow 47.00
938 Mid Kent Water – St Georges Flat & Playgroup 46.17
2,518.40
Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A £9,581.53

Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73

		Minutes for Meeting November 2007 Click for minutes for October 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 19th November 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden Present: Cllrs Bailey, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds. Clerk 231 Apologies: Cllrs Blockley, Kellett 232 Minutes: The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15th October 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr RL Seconded: Cllr GR 233 Declarations of Interest: TW/07/3649 – Cllr RL declared a personal interest as a neighbour in this application 234 Matters Arising: No matters arising reported. 235 Benenden Primary School Cllr CP advised the final drawings for the proposed building for Site 1 had been received. Copies distributed. The concept is similar to proposed Site 8 building. Woodleigh Coles, Quantity Surveyors will prepare costs for both sites. BPC and Benenden Primary School working party will be allowed to comment. Cllr CP advised that KCC will hopefully make a decision on the chosen site before the end of 2007. The application will then be available for general views from the public and other interested parties. 236 Kent BTCV Warden Scheme Cllr SH reported on the British Trust Conservation Volunteers scheme outlining the valuable work carried out on conservation of local woodland and pond life. Cllr SH and Mr & Mrs Molesworth are our designated wardens. Cllr SH encouraged public awareness of the scheme and spoke on the Community Woodland team in Sandhurst. Cllr CP asked for an article for the newsletter. Cllr GR reported that Mr John Burbage would be a knowledgeable person to have involved. Cllr SH advised that BTCV were seeking donation to ensure training could be maintained. Agreed motion to support the scheme - £100 S137 08/09. Action 237 Newsletter Cllr CP thanked cllrs for items received and advised all articles had to be to sent by Weds 21st Nov deadline. 238 Speedwatch Cllr JH reported on a meeting held by Hawkhurst PC to raise awareness of a new speed watch scheme. As the costs would be approx £2,000 Kent Police are keen for Parishes to make joint purchases. A representative from Sandhurst PC attended. Cllr JH to investigate in entitlement of flashing “slow down” signs at the next Police Parish Forum meeting. Action 239 Scouts Bonfire Night Cllr JC congratulated the Scouts Bonfire working party on a successful event. Discussion followed over concerns about the traffic congestion through the village before and after the event. Parking by visitors was irresponsible and could lead to safety issues. Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Scout leader. [Cllrs JC & RL] Action 240 Planning Report Cllr RL commented on recent planning applications & decisions [attached] BPC discussed 4 plans: TW/07/03953 2nd application - Benenden Girls School. Previous application for a new junior school and medical centre, had been refused by TWBC on energy efficiency status. New plan with revised energy conditions Approve TW/07/03848 Eaton Cottage – 3rd application. Detrimental to a listed building Refuse TW/07/03777 Lynwood – side extn with front / rear dormers Neutral TW/07/03649 Ashlawn Cottage – rear extension. Cllr RL did not comment. Approval 241 Financial Report Bank Payments made on Council’s behalf since October 2007 Income Interest 144.66 VAT Refund 06/07 2,470.25 2,614.91 Chq No Outgoings 165 Printing at Cranbrook – Laminate, Ink, Photocopies 16.76 166 Benenden Memorial Hall 18.00 167 B.T – Office Phone 62.41 168 B.Sullivan – Oct Salary 391.68 + postage 7.66 399.34 169 John Hanson – commission of painting Benenden Hospital 220.00 170 G Vinson – tree surgery Ashlawn – The Green 260.00 171 Waitrose.com – Broadband 18.99 172 The Village Shop – photocopying 3.00 173 Printing at Cranbrook – Laminating, Diary, Photocopies 32.39 TRF VAT to H/T 1,610.25 2,641.14 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £22,164.68 Cllr CP thanked clerk. 242 Correspondence Cllr CP advised TWBC Mayor Christmas Toy Appeal letter and posters had been received. Cllr CP asked for a decision to support this worthwhile cause with a donation of £50. Agreed motion Cllr CP reported to two events TWBC Mayor Charity Quiz Night Jan 2008 and Royal Air Force civic reception - details with Clerk. Cllr CP closed the formal meeting at 8.57pm and opened meeting to the public Philip Message reported on the completed works to the village following a £2,500 grant. The village had benefited from footpath repairs, 16 new styles and 2 kissing gates, one in the eastern corner of the Glebe and one at the foot of Hillyfields including drain renewal solving the problem of floodwater which hampered the daily walking bus. BACS had funded the extra £200 costs incurred. Cllr CP thanked Philip Message for being our “guardian of footpaths” and the input he personally put into the village. Cllr CP advised the PC would write to BACS thanking them for their donation. Cllr CP advised that the next PC meeting would start at 8pm not as noted on the agenda. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.04pm Next Meeting: Monday 10th December 2007 at 8pm Memorial Hall, Benenden HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 19th November 2007 243 Minutes; The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 15th October 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr RL Seconded: Cllr GR 244 Benenden Village Hall: Cllr JC nothing to report 245 Iden Green / Benenden Recreation Grounds Clerk reported on quotes received for works and bark renewal. Bourne Amenity & Mr V Kellett had quoted for maintenance work. Boune Amenity & AHS Ltd quoted for bark. AHS price not as competitive and only supply not spread. Clerk asked BPC consideration for Bourne Amenity quote. Agreed motion Cllr RL enquired about the use of squidgy matting to replace bark. Clerk to research. 246 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since October 2007 Income Bank Interest 91.12 St Georges Oct 158.33 BVH Oct wages 459.68 Iden Green Allotment 87.50 TRF 1,610.25 2,406.88 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance Oct 426.66 932 B.Sullivan – Oct 07 46.50 933 TWBC planning application fee BVH 67.50 934 D Dalrymple – Oct salary 379.42 + BT 70.70 450.12 935 M Kenward – Iden Green Mowing & Hedges 945.00 936 BVH Vat refund 2006/2007 489.45 937 K Giddings Milborrow 47.00 938 Mid Kent Water – St Georges Flat & Playgroup 46.17 2,518.40 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A £9,581.53 Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73