Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for Meeting January 2008
Click for minutes for December 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 21st January 2008 in The Pavilion, Iden Green

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

262 Election of a Chairman for the meeting
Clerk asked Cllrs for nominations for Chairman for the meeting.
Cllr Clerk proposed Cllr Lake. Seconded: Cllr Kellett. All agreed Cllr Lake to Chair.

263 Apologies
TWBC PD & RM

264 Minutes:
Cllr GR stated that minutes should be amended to read Cllr Pitt chaired the meeting.
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 10th December 2007 were amended, confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr JC

265 Declarations of Interest:
None

266 Matters Arising:
Discussion on TWBC expenditure investing in a new logo following confirmation that
TWBC are considering moving responsibility of Public Conveniences to local Parishes
in an attempt to cut expenditure.

267 Benenden Primary School
Cllr RL confirmed that Architects Woodley Coles had now produced a set of draft
figures for both sites. Cllr RL & Cllr PB had not had the opportunity to meet yet. Information would be passed to Keith Gabriel as a member of the working party. Cllr GR expressed concern over any further delay to the process and reiterated that as a PC we must facilitate all action to advance the process. Cllr RL confirmed a date was set for the working party to meet with Bruce McQuarrie and funding is secured for a new school. Cllr GR confirmed that the meeting should be held swiftly and if without a quorum draft in another parish councillor.

268 Parish Councillor Vacancy
Cllr RL confirmed a letter of resignation from Cllr CP had been received by Chair PB.
Formal Notices would be displayed until 30 Jan 2008.

269 Highways
Discussion followed on circulated report and general dissatisfaction of action by Kent Highways Service. 3 additional issues: Scullsgate Bridge, Floods lower side – requires open culvert. Benenden crossroads – hole was patched but now crumbled away. Pullington Fold Farm, Rolvenden Road – large hole forces vehicles into central carriage.
Cllrs agreed to raise issue with TWBC RM. Clerk to action

270 AGM Speaker
Cllr JC suggested Gemma Humphries. Cllr SH expressed an interest in a local historian.
Suggestions for Ernie Pollard, Tony Singleton & Mike Davies – All Cllrs to advise
Clerk. Action required

271 Planning Report
Cllr RL discussed previously issued Planning Report. Cllr SH enquired about TW/07/04124 – LDC. Cllr RL confirmed clear clarification of exact usage of site had been produced inline with Lawful Development Certificate [existing].

Cllr RL required full PC decision on TW/07/03781/FUL/CT2 Chestnut Cottage, Woodcock Lane, Iden Green. Cllr RL explained that the property had originally been a forester’s cottage and had alterations in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Cllr MK & JH made a site visit. Cllr MK reported that the property sits close to the road in a sensitive position, the new build would be a 112% increase on footprint with the original cottage obscured, 70’s additions ugly with flat roof. The existing one storey that faces the road would be replaced by a large cat-slide. TWBC had noted Woodcock Lane for its flora and fauna. Cllr RL asked for PC comments. Cllr GR – turn down needs to be moved away from road and only 2 storeys. Cllr SH – issues with height, imposing elevation. Cllr DB – no comment. Cllr JH – not happy about demolish and re-build. Cllr JC – agreed with Cllr GR comments.

Cllr RL formally closed the meeting in order for the owner of the property Mrs Turk to speak for 3 minutes. [8.40pm]
Mrs Turk described how the main beam had been removed to house present dormer windows. The feel the property in its current state looks a mess and wanted to ensure it fit in with its surroundings and environment. A family of 6 requiring 4 bedrooms had spoken to the owners of Ramsden Bungalow for advice. Cllr JC asked if TWBC Planners had been out to the property. Mrs Turk advised they had not but had had an informal meeting where similar comments of an imposing build in a lane of natural beauty. Cllr RL advised Mrs Turk to contact Planners again and seek advice.

Cllr RL asked for a decision. Cllrs voted to refuse planning application TW/07/03781

272 TWBC – Expenditure Questionnaire
Clerk advised that TWBC Sean Clerk, Head of Financial & Property Services had requested all PC complete the questionnaire, to enable a review of Parish Council Services and Expenditure to ensure consistency throughout the borough. Clerk action.

273 Financial Report
Payments made on Council’s behalf since December 2007
Income
Edmund Gybbon 2.50
2.50
Chq No Outgoings
183 B Sullivan – Dec sal 367.20
184 B Sullivan – postage stamps 5.76
185 Printing at Cranbrook – ink, photocopying, laminating 34.92
186 B Sullivan – 3 xmas gifts 24.97
187 Benenden Memorial Hall – Hire 11/10, 10/12 13.50
188 Rother Valley Press – 600 BPC Newsletters 142.00
189 Waitrose.com – Broadband 18.99
607.34 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £20,335.82


274 Correspondence
Discussion followed on the green staining to the war memorial stone after the bronze clean. Find a solution. Enquire with war graves commission. Clerk action

Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.00pm
Cllr RL opened the meeting to the public

TWBC EN reported the discussion to close / sell off public conveniences requires PC to meet with TWBC to provide a solution, views any positive input. TWBC determined to move forward.
Cranbrook Public Meeting – EN emphasised importance of all PC to attend and show interest and support. A community effort to hi-light views of TWBC actions. Cllr RL advised he had attended 3 meetings. Cranbrook Parish Council had not made a final decision or formulated a view and the Library Site Development had only just been put forward to them. Cllr RL advised we would contact Cranbrook PC to offer our support and any action required. Clerk action

MF enquired as to any action on a flashing speed awareness light. Cllr RL confirmed this had been discussed at the previous meeting [minute no 252]. Due to costs and fatality criteria this would not be pursued further.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm

Next Meeting: Monday 18th February 2008 at Memorial Hall, Benenden at 8pm



HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 21st January 2008

275 Minutes:
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 10th December 2007 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr GR Seconded: Cllr JC

276 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC advised that he and Michael Patrick had attended a TW Local Board meeting in respect of a £5,000 Small Community Capital Projects Grant applied for to help finance the village hall storage extension. At this meeting Benenden Village Hall was awarded £3,250.

Cllr JC advised that the Village Hall Committee with assistance from the Clerk, are in the process of registering for a Kite Mark Award scheme operated by ACRK. In order to facilitate this process new risk assessments, health & safety policy require updating.
The benefit of being awarded the Kite Mark will hopefully reflect on continual high bookings and can be used for conferences.

277 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since December 2007
Income
St Georges Dec 158.33
BVH Dec wages 459.68
Ben Playgroup – Autumn Term 238.00 856.01
Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance Dec 426.66
941 D Dalrymple – Dec salary +£11.69 391.11
942 B Sullivan – clerk Dec wages 46.50
943 Southern Water – St Georges 70.07
944 Jack Clayton & Co – C/Heating Boiler Breakdown 129.07
945 Bourne Amenity – works to Ben Rec / Iden Green Plygrds 1970.27
946 Post Office – D.Dalrymple Tax & NI oct-dec07 368.64
3,402.32


Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £9,353.21


Balance in No 2 A/C - £104.73

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