The village of Benenden in Kent

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 10th December 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden

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

247 Apologies:
None

248 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 19th November 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr SH Seconded: Cllr JH

249 Declarations of Interest:
None

250 Matters Arising:
No matters arising reported.

251 Kent Police – new Cranbrook PS & Village PC
Cllr CP invited Sgt Ray Masters and PC Tony Bonehill to speak. Sgt Masters reported on Police roles within our local area, use of the multi agency approach and forging closer links with PC. PC Bonehill advised that his responsibility was to cover Benenden, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst villages working closely with Community Warden Janet Greenroyd and PCSO. Discussion followed about policing needs for Benenden. All aware that crime rate is low but police visibility in the village is important. PC Bonehill advised he would introduce himself to shop owners, publicans and the elderly community.
Cllr CP thanked Sgt RM and PC TB for attending.

252 Police & Parish Report- JH
Cllr JH reported that there had been 8 crimes in Benenden since Sept. 4 being stolen cars. Cllr JH had researched the costs for a permanent flashing speed limit sign [approx £4,000] via Highways. The criteria for use of a sign are judged by the number of fatalities in the area.

253 Street Naming
Cllr JC advised that the PC need to provide proof for re-naming the street name plates recently replaced following correspondence received from TWBC concerning the re-naming of Green Lane / Stepneyford Lane. Cllr MK had spoken with Hawkhurst PC who recommended contacting Post Office / Emergency Services for confirmation of street name. TWBC PD to investigate.

254 Planning
Cllr RL reported on Planning Report. Cllr GR thanked TWBC PD & BPC for support in his approved plan TW/07/02937. TWBC also approved TW/07/02482 Mr Cyster at Eastern Area Planning Committee earlier today.

255 Financial Report
Clerk circulated precept preparation figures to full council.
Precept of £14,000.00 for 2008/2009 was proposed. Approve. Clerk to action.

Payments made on Council’s behalf since November 2007
Income
TWBC Christmas Grant 175.00
175.00
Chq No Outgoings
174 Royal British Legion – Poppy wreath 16.50
175 Arkhill & Hill – Annual Bronze Clean 111.04
176 BVH – Christmas Grant 87.50
177 Iden Green Pavilion – Christmas Grant 87.50
178 B.Sullivan – Nov sal £326.40, postage £3.36, stny £3.48 333.24
179 St Georges Project – TWBC Lord Mayor Toy Appeal 50.00
180 Waitrose.com – Broadband 18.99
181 KCC KCS – Village green scarifying, mulching 528.75
182 P Message – Jul-Dec 2007 war memorial work & spring bulbs 165.50
1399.02 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £20,940.66

Cllr CP thanked clerk.

256 Correspondence
Cllr PB reported, he and Cllr RL on behalf of BPC, had met with Kenneth Heskith of Benenden Hospital, to present the commissioned John Hanson watercolour, celebrating the hospital centenary.
Cllr PB thanked Cllr CP for initiating the project and her organisation of another issue of our newsletter. As a PC our aim is to now consider how many issues per year are required.
Cllr SH reported on flood water on the Cranbrook Road past the Moat towards the Garage. Clerk to report.

Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.46pm
Cllr CP opened the meeting to the public

TWBC PD reported the Iden Green fingerpost was back in situ.
PC reported a footpath sign had rotted along New Pond Road at the Parkland of Benenden Girls School. PM to report.
MF asked if any news received on new Primary School. Cllr CP advised nothing to report.
PC advised of flooding to Sea Rose in Iden Green. Highways had provided the owner with sandbags over a year ago but no further action.
TWBC PD had called on the property and taken photographs. Clerk to report
PM enquired about a law for cycles on highways, age or size limit on path.
SGT RM reported no minimal age limit and understood teenagers on mountain bikes can be problematic.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.52pm

Next Meeting: Monday 21st January 2008 at The Pavilion, Iden Green at 8pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 10th December 2007

257 Minutes:
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 19th November 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr SH Seconded: Cllr GR

258 Mowing Contract Quotations:
Clerk advised that annual quotations for the 2008/09 had been received from KCC Landscape Gang Mowing and M Kenward for mowing, hedge-cutting and pump house at Iden Green. 3.5% and 5% increase respectively. Cllr CP asked for a vote to continue using these two highly valued service providers. Motion passed

259 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC nothing to report

260 St Georges Club
Cllr CP reported that the Clerk had written to St Georges Club committee following on going concerns with cigarette butt littering and noise pollution. The Club had responded quickly to the letter including discussion at committee level. Action is to be taken in the form of further notices informing guests and members that the front is not a socializing or designated smoking area and on subscription renewal members will be given a copy of the Clerks letter. Cllr CP thanked the committee for their prompt reaction and BPC will monitor.

261 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since November 2007
Income
BVH repay brushes, varnish 56.75
St Georges Nov 158.33
BVH Nov wages 459.68
COIF 2495.81
3,170.57

Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance Nov 426.66
939 D Dalrymple – Nov salary 379.42
940 B Sullivan – clerk Nov wages 46.50
852.58

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A £11,899.52

Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73

		Minutes for Meeting December 2007 Click for minutes for November 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 10th December 2007 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Pitt, Reynolds. Clerk 247 Apologies: None 248 Minutes: The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 19th November 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr SH Seconded: Cllr JH 249 Declarations of Interest: None 250 Matters Arising: No matters arising reported. 251 Kent Police – new Cranbrook PS & Village PC Cllr CP invited Sgt Ray Masters and PC Tony Bonehill to speak. Sgt Masters reported on Police roles within our local area, use of the multi agency approach and forging closer links with PC. PC Bonehill advised that his responsibility was to cover Benenden, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst villages working closely with Community Warden Janet Greenroyd and PCSO. Discussion followed about policing needs for Benenden. All aware that crime rate is low but police visibility in the village is important. PC Bonehill advised he would introduce himself to shop owners, publicans and the elderly community. Cllr CP thanked Sgt RM and PC TB for attending. 252 Police & Parish Report- JH Cllr JH reported that there had been 8 crimes in Benenden since Sept. 4 being stolen cars. Cllr JH had researched the costs for a permanent flashing speed limit sign [approx £4,000] via Highways. The criteria for use of a sign are judged by the number of fatalities in the area. 253 Street Naming Cllr JC advised that the PC need to provide proof for re-naming the street name plates recently replaced following correspondence received from TWBC concerning the re-naming of Green Lane / Stepneyford Lane. Cllr MK had spoken with Hawkhurst PC who recommended contacting Post Office / Emergency Services for confirmation of street name. TWBC PD to investigate. 254 Planning Cllr RL reported on Planning Report. Cllr GR thanked TWBC PD & BPC for support in his approved plan TW/07/02937. TWBC also approved TW/07/02482 Mr Cyster at Eastern Area Planning Committee earlier today. 255 Financial Report Clerk circulated precept preparation figures to full council. Precept of £14,000.00 for 2008/2009 was proposed. Approve. Clerk to action. Payments made on Council’s behalf since November 2007 Income TWBC Christmas Grant 175.00 175.00 Chq No Outgoings 174 Royal British Legion – Poppy wreath 16.50 175 Arkhill & Hill – Annual Bronze Clean 111.04 176 BVH – Christmas Grant 87.50 177 Iden Green Pavilion – Christmas Grant 87.50 178 B.Sullivan – Nov sal £326.40, postage £3.36, stny £3.48 333.24 179 St Georges Project – TWBC Lord Mayor Toy Appeal 50.00 180 Waitrose.com – Broadband 18.99 181 KCC KCS – Village green scarifying, mulching 528.75 182 P Message – Jul-Dec 2007 war memorial work & spring bulbs 165.50 1399.02 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £20,940.66 Cllr CP thanked clerk. 256 Correspondence Cllr PB reported, he and Cllr RL on behalf of BPC, had met with Kenneth Heskith of Benenden Hospital, to present the commissioned John Hanson watercolour, celebrating the hospital centenary. Cllr PB thanked Cllr CP for initiating the project and her organisation of another issue of our newsletter. As a PC our aim is to now consider how many issues per year are required. Cllr SH reported on flood water on the Cranbrook Road past the Moat towards the Garage. Clerk to report. Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.46pm Cllr CP opened the meeting to the public TWBC PD reported the Iden Green fingerpost was back in situ. PC reported a footpath sign had rotted along New Pond Road at the Parkland of Benenden Girls School. PM to report. MF asked if any news received on new Primary School. Cllr CP advised nothing to report. PC advised of flooding to Sea Rose in Iden Green. Highways had provided the owner with sandbags over a year ago but no further action. TWBC PD had called on the property and taken photographs. Clerk to report PM enquired about a law for cycles on highways, age or size limit on path. SGT RM reported no minimal age limit and understood teenagers on mountain bikes can be problematic. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.52pm Next Meeting: Monday 21st January 2008 at The Pavilion, Iden Green at 8pm HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 10th December 2007 257 Minutes: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 19th November 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr SH Seconded: Cllr GR 258 Mowing Contract Quotations: Clerk advised that annual quotations for the 2008/09 had been received from KCC Landscape Gang Mowing and M Kenward for mowing, hedge-cutting and pump house at Iden Green. 3.5% and 5% increase respectively. Cllr CP asked for a vote to continue using these two highly valued service providers. Motion passed 259 Benenden Village Hall: Cllr JC nothing to report 260 St Georges Club Cllr CP reported that the Clerk had written to St Georges Club committee following on going concerns with cigarette butt littering and noise pollution. The Club had responded quickly to the letter including discussion at committee level. Action is to be taken in the form of further notices informing guests and members that the front is not a socializing or designated smoking area and on subscription renewal members will be given a copy of the Clerks letter. Cllr CP thanked the committee for their prompt reaction and BPC will monitor. 261 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since November 2007 Income BVH repay brushes, varnish 56.75 St Georges Nov 158.33 BVH Nov wages 459.68 COIF 2495.81 3,170.57 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance Nov 426.66 939 D Dalrymple – Nov salary 379.42 940 B Sullivan – clerk Nov wages 46.50 852.58 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A £11,899.52 Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73