The village of Benenden in Kent

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

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

279 Apologies
Cllr Blockley, Cllr Bailey

280 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 21st January 2008 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr GR

281 Declarations of Interest:
None declared.

282 Matters Arising:
None

283 Benenden Primary School
a] Cllr Lake informed the PC he had resigned from his role as Primary School
Governor.
b] Cllr Lake reported on the meeting held on 31 Jan 08. PB, RL & KG met with Bruce McQuarrie, and Nigel Woodley of Woodley Coles Architects. Professional meeting to discuss costs with the conclusion that Nigel Woodley would consider all issues identified and report any amendment of costs.

Cllr Hockney arrived 8.06pm

Cllr RL confirmed no new figures had been issued but arrangements were in place to email Clerk and contact RL when new figures released. Costs will be definitive and will then be circulated.

Cllr GR enquired if the Parish Council had been asked to provide a new nominee for primary school governor. PC agreed to put forward a nominee after the forthcoming
by-election.

284 By-Election for Parish Councillor Vacancy
Cllr RL advised that due to ten parishioners contacting TWBC to call an election, a by-election would be held on Thursday 6 March 2008. Cllr RL read out the statement of nominees: M.Finlay – withdrawn, A.Fogg, J.Hemsley and T.Robb.

285 Neighbourhood Watch
Cllr JH advised leaflets raising awareness of the scheme had been distributed by community warden Janet Greenroyd throughout the village. Results will depend on response to leaflets. PC expressed thanks for her continued commitment.

286 Planning Report
Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Planning Report.
Cllr RL advised on Planning Inspectorate decision to uphold decision of all 3 appeals received from Mr T Robb of Eaglesden Farm, Iden Green. APP/M/2270/C/07 0044381/044384/044386. Appeals dismissed therefore 6 months to action enforcement PS/ENF/07/07.
Cllr RL, PB and Planning Services received a letter of complaint concerning a new drive exit and dropped kerb to property Hurstdene on Walkhurst Road. General concern
over the steepness of slope in pathway causing prams and wheelchairs to gravitate towards the road. Planning & Highways had provided no advice. TWBC PD to email clerk. PD action. Cllr JC advised he would report matter to KCC Highways at meeting with Andy Bray on Weds 20th Feb 2008. Cllr GR to also attend.

287 Financial Report
Payments made on Council’s behalf since January 2008
Income
Chq No Outgoings
190 Printing at Cranbrook – ink, photocopy, xmas cards 21.49
191 BT Office Phone 53.15
192 B Sullivan Jan wages £326.40 + postage £4.06 330.46
193 Waitrose.com-Broadband 18.99
194 Printing at Cranbrook – 2 A4 box files, ink, photocopy 22.60
446.69
Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £19,889.13

288 Correspondence
Clerk reported on KCC Kent Trading Service email messaging system. PC agreed to inclusion thus helping to contribute the safety of the community.
Clerk advised on invitation to Kent Post Office Summit and ACKR Youth Forum Workshop.
Clerk advised that correspondence had been sent to KCC R Manning on general concerns with KCC Highways and to Cranbrook PC outlining our support for refurbishment of the closed Cranbook Council Offices.
Clerk displayed PIPA – a non-political network for all tiers of government on planning and related policies.

Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.40pm
Cllr RL opened the meeting to the public

P.Cooper enquired about flooding issue at See Rose. Clerk advised the emergency of this issue had been reported to Highways & R Manning. Await response.

TWBC PD reported on the future of “Gateway” an electronically government. Cranbrook Council Offices - TWBC is aware a better facility is required for Cranbrook and surrounding villages. TWBC is committed to providing more services. An exhibition is planned for spring: reuse Council Office Site / redevelop Library Site.
PD spoke on “no cold calling zone” with reference to neighbourhood watch. JG offered to research.
PD confirmed Richard Highgate of KCC Highways is aware of the flooding problem at See Rose. Contact Clerk.
Cllr GR queried Public Conveniences – PC agreed should be included within Tourism Budget. TWBC PD confirmed no decision taken yet.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm

Next Meeting: Monday 17th March 2008 at the Pavilion, Iden Green
ACKR [Action with Communities in Rural Kent] talk to PC 7.30pm
Ordinary Meeting of Council at 8pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 18th February 2008

289 Minutes:
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 21st January 2008 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr GR

290 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC reported that two verbal quotes had been received at approx £30,000.00 for the single-storey storage build. Await third quotation.

291 Iden Green Pavilion
Cllr RL read an email received from Trisha Skilton, Chairman of the Pavilion Committee identifying three issues.
a] Iden Green Committee Representative – to be decided at Annual Meeting 19th May 2008
b] Gates from Iden Green Road in poor state of repair. Clerk previously reported.
Cllr JC check if included in enhancement grant. Funds exhausted? Await installation of arch light then replace.
c] Damage to grass verge either side of car park entrance. Discussion car park
needs enlarging. Overhanging tree needs cutting back. Clerk to contact M Kenward.

292 Financial Report
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since January 2008
Income
St Georges Jan 158.33
BVH Jan wages 459.68
618.01
Chq No Outgoing
D/D Insurance Jan 426.66
947 KCS Landscape Services – Iden Green/ Ben Rec Mowing 1,165.76
948 D.Dalrymple Jan wages/ back pay to 1Oct07 + phone £66.18 750.76
949 B.Sullivan – Jan wages 46.50
2,389.68

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £7,581.54

Balance in No 2 A/C - £105.60

		Minutes for Meeting February 2008 Click for minutes for January 2008 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 February 2008 in The Memorial Hall, Benenden Present: Cllrs, Clarke, Hagens, Hockney, Kellett, Lake, Reynolds. Clerk 278 Election of a Chairman for the meeting Clerk asked Cllrs for nominations for Chairman for the meeting. Cllr Kellett proposed Cllr Lake. Seconded: Cllr Hagens. All agreed Cllr Lake to Chair. 279 Apologies Cllr Blockley, Cllr Bailey 280 Minutes: The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 21st January 2008 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr GR 281 Declarations of Interest: None declared. 282 Matters Arising: None 283 Benenden Primary School a] Cllr Lake informed the PC he had resigned from his role as Primary School Governor. b] Cllr Lake reported on the meeting held on 31 Jan 08. PB, RL & KG met with Bruce McQuarrie, and Nigel Woodley of Woodley Coles Architects. Professional meeting to discuss costs with the conclusion that Nigel Woodley would consider all issues identified and report any amendment of costs. Cllr Hockney arrived 8.06pm Cllr RL confirmed no new figures had been issued but arrangements were in place to email Clerk and contact RL when new figures released. Costs will be definitive and will then be circulated. Cllr GR enquired if the Parish Council had been asked to provide a new nominee for primary school governor. PC agreed to put forward a nominee after the forthcoming by-election. 284 By-Election for Parish Councillor Vacancy Cllr RL advised that due to ten parishioners contacting TWBC to call an election, a by-election would be held on Thursday 6 March 2008. Cllr RL read out the statement of nominees: M.Finlay – withdrawn, A.Fogg, J.Hemsley and T.Robb. 285 Neighbourhood Watch Cllr JH advised leaflets raising awareness of the scheme had been distributed by community warden Janet Greenroyd throughout the village. Results will depend on response to leaflets. PC expressed thanks for her continued commitment. 286 Planning Report Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Planning Report. Cllr RL advised on Planning Inspectorate decision to uphold decision of all 3 appeals received from Mr T Robb of Eaglesden Farm, Iden Green. APP/M/2270/C/07 0044381/044384/044386. Appeals dismissed therefore 6 months to action enforcement PS/ENF/07/07. Cllr RL, PB and Planning Services received a letter of complaint concerning a new drive exit and dropped kerb to property Hurstdene on Walkhurst Road. General concern over the steepness of slope in pathway causing prams and wheelchairs to gravitate towards the road. Planning & Highways had provided no advice. TWBC PD to email clerk. PD action. Cllr JC advised he would report matter to KCC Highways at meeting with Andy Bray on Weds 20th Feb 2008. Cllr GR to also attend. 287 Financial Report Payments made on Council’s behalf since January 2008 Income Chq No Outgoings 190 Printing at Cranbrook – ink, photocopy, xmas cards 21.49 191 BT Office Phone 53.15 192 B Sullivan Jan wages £326.40 + postage £4.06 330.46 193 Waitrose.com-Broadband 18.99 194 Printing at Cranbrook – 2 A4 box files, ink, photocopy 22.60 446.69 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £19,889.13 288 Correspondence Clerk reported on KCC Kent Trading Service email messaging system. PC agreed to inclusion thus helping to contribute the safety of the community. Clerk advised on invitation to Kent Post Office Summit and ACKR Youth Forum Workshop. Clerk advised that correspondence had been sent to KCC R Manning on general concerns with KCC Highways and to Cranbrook PC outlining our support for refurbishment of the closed Cranbook Council Offices. Clerk displayed PIPA – a non-political network for all tiers of government on planning and related policies. Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.40pm Cllr RL opened the meeting to the public P.Cooper enquired about flooding issue at See Rose. Clerk advised the emergency of this issue had been reported to Highways & R Manning. Await response. TWBC PD reported on the future of “Gateway” an electronically government. Cranbrook Council Offices - TWBC is aware a better facility is required for Cranbrook and surrounding villages. TWBC is committed to providing more services. An exhibition is planned for spring: reuse Council Office Site / redevelop Library Site. PD spoke on “no cold calling zone” with reference to neighbourhood watch. JG offered to research. PD confirmed Richard Highgate of KCC Highways is aware of the flooding problem at See Rose. Contact Clerk. Cllr GR queried Public Conveniences – PC agreed should be included within Tourism Budget. TWBC PD confirmed no decision taken yet. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm Next Meeting: Monday 17th March 2008 at the Pavilion, Iden Green ACKR [Action with Communities in Rural Kent] talk to PC 7.30pm Ordinary Meeting of Council at 8pm HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Meeting Held 18th February 2008 289 Minutes: The minutes of the ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 21st January 2008 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr GR 290 Benenden Village Hall: Cllr JC reported that two verbal quotes had been received at approx £30,000.00 for the single-storey storage build. Await third quotation. 291 Iden Green Pavilion Cllr RL read an email received from Trisha Skilton, Chairman of the Pavilion Committee identifying three issues. a] Iden Green Committee Representative – to be decided at Annual Meeting 19th May 2008 b] Gates from Iden Green Road in poor state of repair. Clerk previously reported. Cllr JC check if included in enhancement grant. Funds exhausted? Await installation of arch light then replace. c] Damage to grass verge either side of car park entrance. Discussion car park needs enlarging. Overhanging tree needs cutting back. Clerk to contact M Kenward. 292 Financial Report Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since January 2008 Income St Georges Jan 158.33 BVH Jan wages 459.68 618.01 Chq No Outgoing D/D Insurance Jan 426.66 947 KCS Landscape Services – Iden Green/ Ben Rec Mowing 1,165.76 948 D.Dalrymple Jan wages/ back pay to 1Oct07 + phone £66.18 750.76 949 B.Sullivan – Jan wages 46.50 2,389.68 Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £7,581.54 Balance in No 2 A/C - £105.60