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

423 Apologies: TWBC Davies, TWBC Holden

424 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr AF declared a personal interest in Minute No 427/09 – Benenden Primary School.
Cllr AF is the PC nominated School Governor at BCEP.
Clerk confirmed that she had contacted TWBC seeking advice on behalf of Cllr AF. At the present time, there are no implications on being a member of the Governing Body but would liaise with TWBC if and when future decisions were required.
Clerk advised new Members Registers were being produced with guidance from TWBC and reminded all members to declare any changes to their personal interests.

425 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15th December 2008 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr JC

426 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 413/08 Parish Council Newsletter. Chairman PB asked for any remaining articles to be handed to RL or Clerk by Thursday 22 Jan 2009 PC Action

427 Benenden C.E.Primary School:
Chairman PB reported that BCEP School Governors had match funded with KCC £100,000.00 allowing the Planning Application Process to proceed. PC school working party PB, RL, GR are attending a meeting with BCEP working party RDH, DH, BM on Friday 23 Jan 2009.
Chairman PB confirmed that the PC working party would report back to full council before any decisions were taken. No decisions would be reached until the full scheme was in circulation and any impact on the village addressed. Cllr AF confirmed the new school proposal was for the building only. BCEP had been saving for furniture and furnishings.

Cllr GR asked on behalf of BCEP, for permission to dig 2 holes on The Green, in order to erect a temporary hazel arch as part of the 400th Anniversary celebrations. A pageant and cricket match is being arranged. Chairman PB asked BCEP to write to PC.
GR Action
428 Benenden Churchyard:
Chairman PB advised that St Georges Churchyard Committee had requested a PC member be nominated to serve on the committee. Cllr MK had kindly agreed.
Cllr MK reported on the recent meeting of the Churchyard Committee; No longer sheep due to damage and escape issues; PC responsibility for footpaths at Glebe Field, Beadle Plat. Chairman PB advised footpaths are not PC responsibility but KCC. Cllr MK circulated the Churchyard Policy and asked for PC Agreement. Voluntary workers to clear brambles, ash trees etc required. Clerk to contact Goudhurst PC Clerk PCAgreed /Clerk Action

429 TWBC – Public Conveniences:
Chairman PB reported on the meeting called in by TWBC Overview & Scrutiny Committee, held 8 January 2009 by on the inevitable future closure of nearly all rural P.C’s within the Borough with the exception of Cranbrook, Goudhurst, & Paddock Wood, with Sissinghurst under review. The decision was overturned with a 7/7 split, with the Chairman’s vote deciding. All local communities are to be offered the premises through Parish or Town Councils, in order to determine whether continued facilities are a local priority or to find an alternative use for the building. If not TWBC is likely to demolish the facility to remove any further maintenance costs. One consideration is the “Richmond Scheme” which encourages publicans to open their facilities to the public, and receive an annual contribution of approx £600. As a PC our action is still unclear.

430 Annual Assembly Speaker:
Date for Annual Assembly confirmed as – Tuesday 28 April 2009
Clerk asked for suggestions for a suitable speaker. Discussion followed. Possible – CPRE’s talk on Biofuels, Wind turbines etc; Natl Trust, Planning - Permitted Development
PC/Clerk Action
431 Mowing – K.C.C Landscape Services Quotation 2009:
Clerk advised that the quote from KCC Landscape Services for mowing The Green, Recreation Ground in Benenden & Iden Green, showed a 5% increase on 2008. In recent years it had ranged from 3.5%-5%. Discussion followed and PC agreed the reliability and quality of work provided by KCC was essential to maintaining a well kept village. PC Agreed

432 Planning Report:
[a] Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Planning Report [attached]

Cllr RL read an email from TWBC Planning Investigations Officer Richard Hazelgrove, outlining recent concerns at Little Bishopsden Farm:
A planning application for the garage is expected at TWBC by the end of January.
Further Issues:
Condition 1: the roof glare will be checked in spring/summertime
Condition 2: submission of plans for a turning and parking area – owner has 28 days to comply
Condition 3: restricts the barn to storage of pears, agricultural machinery and honey production.
Concerns received about the standard of finish being too high for a barn are being considered but the plans do allow for sinks etc as the production of honey would require a building to be kept sanitary clean.

[b] TWBC – Town / Parish Council Training “Amendments to Permitted Development regime for Householder as at 1 Oct 2008”
Chairman PB advised PB, RL, MK & Clerk to attend

433 Financial Report:

Rate Account
Payments made on Council’s behalf since December 2008

Income
BACS Vat Refund – H/T & BVH storage extn 2985.69
CHQ Gybbon & Ginder 08/09 102.50 3088.19

Chq No Outgoings
263 Ben Memorial Hall Hire – 15 Dec 08 18.00
264 B.Sullivan Dec 08 salary 367.20 stamps3.24 370.44
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Jan 18.58
407.02

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £19,799.58

434 Correspondence:
Chairman and Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]
Item 12 – Clerk confirmed copies ordered. Comments by 12 March 2009
Item 13 – Clerk reported a signed agreement had been received from BTPayphones. An approx insurance value would be £3,000 per kiosk. Recommendation by Goudhurst PC and internet research on purchase of a restored kiosk.
Item 16 – Kent Police Survey. Chairman PB asked for views on the survey outlining increase of the Police element of Council Tax. Option 1 – inc by 2.5% Option 2 – inc by 5%
Police presence is required but as Benenden has very low crime figures, it is reflected in the level of Police attendance in the village. PC voted on Option 1 – 8 members voted. 1 member abstained.
Clerk Action
Item 17 – Road surface of CR18 Coldharbour Road. Clerk distributed a report issued by Mark
Simmons dated 14 January 2009 in relation to TWBC PD request for urgent action, an agenda item for the TWBC JTB meeting.
Item 18 – TWBC Rural Housing for Local People. Any member wishing to attend advise Clerk.
Cllr RL and Clerk to attend

Clerk distributed a survey issued by ACRK on community action plans. All members to complete
Agenda item for February. PC/Clerk Action

Chairman PB advised Helen Grant, Prospective Conservative MP, would be happy to meet with PC. She is unable to get involved with the merits of one site against the other but is keen to help the case proceed via KCC. Chairman to liaise with Clerk to arrange a meeting in February.

Cllr GR spoke of his concern over the flooding issues at Scullsgate Bridge. The road has fallen away and several vehicles have had to be pulled from the ditch. Although Highways have made a site visit, no action appears to have been taken.
PC members went on to discuss flooding and pot holes outside Hams Travel, overgrown hedge towards The Woodcock, leaning tree over footpath at Hilly Fields, possibly owned by Benenden Place.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.27pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

Mr P Cooper expressed concern about overgrown hedges at 1 New Pond Cottage.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.29pm

Next Meeting:

Monday 16th February 2009 at 8pm at The Memorial Hall, Benenden

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Meeting Held 19th January 2009

435 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 15 December 2008 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr MK Seconded: Cllr GR

436 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC advised nothing to report this month

437 Mowing – KCC Landscape Services Quotation:
Minute: 431/09 records PC agreement to accept the quotation for mowing works at Iden Green Recreation Ground. The 5% increase was noted.
438 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since December 2008
Income
St Georges Dec 158.33
BVH Dec wages 493.30
651.63
Chq No Outgoings
D/D Insurance Jan 534.16
010 D.Dalrymple – Dec 08 wages 429.41
011 Post Office – N.I/TAX D.Dalrymple 404.25
012 Fireeclipse Ltd – Fire Risk Assess St Georges 235.00
013 B.Sullivan – Dec 08 wages 46.50
014 G.Lock – ceased stopcock 22.00
015 D.Dalrymple – phoneline St Georges Cottage 69.52
016 P/Punchard – Ben Rec Ground Hedge 80.00
017 Bourne Amenity – Ben / I.G Playgrounds 1956.38
3777.22

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £3,674.01

Balance in No 2 A/C - £107.13

Clerk advised vat refund claimed in respect of BVH storage extension was to be transferred from Rate account to H/T account

Chairman PB showed concern on the impact of the financial markets low interest rates, future affect on the H/T quarterly returns. The dividends usually ensured that maintenance on St Georges, mowing at Iden Green etc did not rely on any input from the TWBC Precept. Clerk and Chairman to monitor.