A Closed Meeting of the Council was held for members to receive the report on Affordable Housing Needs from A.C.R.K

Tessa O’Sullivan, ACRK Rural Housing Enabler and Jennifer Hudson, TWBC advised that the survey had received a good response rate and had identified that there was a need within the Parish to provide affordable homes of up to 18 units. Jennifer Hudson explained the application criteria and how the process begins with identification of possible sites. The PC would choose a working party to work closely with TWBC Planning Officers.
Chairman PB thanked Tessa O’Sullivan for compiling the survey and Jennifer Hudson for attending. Clerk to be liaison contact.

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 17th November 2008 in Iden Green Pavilion

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

392 Apologies: Cllr Fogg

393 Declarations of Interest:
None declared

394Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 20th October 2008 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr MK

395 Matters Arising:
Cllr SH thanked the Clerk - works to the handrails and resurface of pavement at Pullington
Cottages had been completed.
Cllr RL enquired if the property discussed previously had been visited. [Minute 385/08]
Janet Greenroyd, Community Warden, had visited the property with her supervisor but no
identifiable laws were being broken. 2 residents had contacted Chairman with concerns over
the number of vehicles parked on the main highway. PC enquired if it could be reported to the local Police.

396 Benenden Hospital Visit:
Chairman PB reported on the recent visit by PC members to the Hospital. Assistant Hospital
Director, Jane Abbott and PR Manager, Carrie Stephens conducted an excellent tour. Clerk has
written.

397 Parish Newsletter:
Chairman PB explained that the PC had agreed to try to produce a newsletter once a year. He asked all PC members to consider articles for the next meeting for an issue to be circulated in January 2009. Maureen Lake had agreed to act as Editor with Clive Turner producing the final draft. PC action

398 T.W.B.C:
Chairman’s Focus Group
Chairman PB advised a recent corporate assessment stakeholder survey conducted by the
Audit Commission, is part of the process for TWBC to hopefully upgrade after achieving a
“weak council” performance. Representatives from the Focus Group will meet with Auditors
to discuss the major overall improvements.
Christmas Grant
Clerk reported that a grant towards Christmas decorations had been applied for and awarded.
£100 to Benenden Village Hall
£75 to Iden Green Pavilion Clerk action
Parish Council Invite
Clerk advised TWBC had invited all members of PC to attend Christmas Drinks between 5-
7pm on Monday 8th December. Please contact Clerk if you wish to attend.

399 Strawberry Wood Culvert:
Cllr MK reported on the fragile state of the culvert and the action to divert the stream in order
to assess needs. £82,000 had been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A pledge of PC
support, not financial, was requested as it is hoped to involve the whole community with
future school workshops etc

400 Crime in Hemsted Forest:
Cllr SH expressed concern to this constant crime. Although not unique it is a situation with a
particular pattern. Janet Greenroyd reiterated that she regularly visits the Car Park, putting up
signs which are immediately destroyed. Car owners are reminded to lock vehicles and not
leave any valuables in sight. Local Police are aware.

401 Planning Report:
Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Planning Report [attached]

APP/M2270/A/08/2073041 – Benenden School, Appeal against TW/07/02467/FULMJ/PJT
The appeal had been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on renewable energy issues.

Cllr JC, RL and PB recently visited Cysters Farm which had been granted planning permission for disused buildings for conversions to 1 or 2 bedroom apartments for rentable income. Good quality provided.

402 Financial Report:
Rate Account
Payments made on Council’s behalf since October 2008
Income
BANK Bank Interest 207.06
TWBC Staffing Refund Parish By-Election 389.07
CHQ Marquee Hire Donation 50.00
TWBC Christmas Lights Grant 175.00
821.13 Chq No Outgoings
245 Memorial Hall Hire – 21July 9.00
246 Ben Primary School – 400th year celebration donation 1000.00
247 B.Sullivan – Oct salary, postage, card, gift for C.Burns511.78
248 B.T Payment Services – Office Phone 69.39
249 B.T Payphones – 2 kiosks I/Green & Dingleden 2.00
250 Cancelled ----
251 R.B.L – Remembrance Day Wreath 16.50
252 Printing at Cranbrook – copying, ink for cllr, stny 57.27
253 A.D.Howard Stone Consultant – clean war memorial 250.00
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Nov 18.99
1,934.93

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £18,112.41

403 Correspondence
-Clerk advised a Kent Highways Services Survey needed completing by 8 December 2008. Cllr JH, DB, SH to complete and return to Chairman. PC action

-Clerk read the TWBC Mayors Toy Appeal letter. PC agreed a donation of £25 be sent to St Georges Community Project. Clerk noted WI.C were a collection point for toy donations. Clerk action

-Clerk advised CPRE were holding their AGM 28 Nov 2008 & Kent Alternative Energy Conference – talk on Bio fuels with lunch at TW Assembly Halls on 24 Jan 2009. Anybody interested in attending should contact the Clerk.

-Clerk reported a letter of thanks had been received from Benenden Primary School for “the PC generous donation” towards the 400th celebrations planned for next year

Their being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.00pm

Cllr PB opened the meeting to the Public

TWBC PD reported that CPA inspectors were pleased with findings so far at TWBC; Hemsted Car Park is a concern and needs monitoring, planning issue over a tepee being lived in needed further investigation.

Cllr PB thanked everyone for their comments.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm

Next Meeting:

Monday 15th December 2008 at 8pm at the Memorial Hall, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 17 November 2008

404 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 20th October 2008 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr JH Seconded: Cllr GR

405 St Georges:
Electrical Testing – Full inspection reports received from K Jones Electrical, for Benenden Pre-School, St Georges Club and Caretakers Cottage.
Report identified 1 urgent issue – Bond Main Gas in Pre-School which had been instructed immediately. All other issues were marked as non urgent. Although it is noted that a full re-wire is recommended in St Georges Club within the next 5 years as the existing installation is over 30 years old.
Clerk to pass copies to relevant parties. Clerk action
Fire Risk Assessment – A draft report had been received from Fireclipse Associates Ltd on the whole building. Although Caretakers Cottage does not require a fire risk assessment as it is a private property it was decided to include as it is part of the building.
Chairman PB advised that a meeting was now required to establish who would be responsible for implementation and action. Action

406 Benenden Village Hall:
Storage Extension – Cllr JC advised that works were completed with the exception of the disability ramp / dropped kerb. Extras invoice covered plastering, 2 coats of emulsion, lighting and laminate flooring. A suitable safety surface was being sourced for the ramp.
Winser Engineering – A quotation to carry out repairs to the staunchions included supply, fabricate & paint on site welding and bolting £695 + vat. Chairman PB asked PC to consider this proposal. Agreed action

407 Financial Report:
Harmsworth Trust
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since October 2008

Income
BANK Bank Interest 121.74
St Georges Oct 158.33
BVH Oct wages 493.30
CHQ Iden Green Tennis Club – Rent 07/08 200.00
973.37

Chq No Outgoings
D/D Insurance Nov 534.16
996 D.Dalrymple – Oct wages 437.41
997 D.Dalrymple Phone line rental + £5 calls 71.03
998 B.Sullivan – Oct wages 46.50
999 K.Jones Electrical - 3 x elec tests to St Georges + sec lamps 252.63
000 East European Builders Ltd – works completion invoice1,896.50
3,238.23

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £7,685.24

Bank Interest Oct .63
Balance in No 2 A/C- £107.13