Benenden

The Vicar's Letter

Minutes for meeting May 2009
Click for minutes for March 2009

These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 18th May 2009 in
The Memorial Hall, Benenden

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

473 Election of Chairman – Declaration of Office:
Cllr PB stood down and Cllr RL took the Chair. He asked for nominations for Chairman.
Cllr PB proposed by Cllr JC seconded by Cllr MK. No other nominations. All agreed. PC Agreed
Cllr PB signed the Declaration of Office

474 Election of Vice-Chair – Declaration of Office:
Cllr PB took the chair and asked for nominations for Vice Chairman.
Cllr RL proposed by Cllr GR seconded by Cllr JH. No other nominations. All agreed. PC Agreed
Cllr RL signed the Declaration of Office.

475 Apologies:
None

476 Election of Committees: [attached]
PC Committees 2009/10 were discussed and updated PC Agreed

477 Subscriptions and Donations 09/10 [S137]: [attached]
Chairman asked for Cllrs consideration of subscriptions and donations for 2009/10. Proposed donations remain the same as 08/09 with the exception of BTCV Warden Scheme. One off donations of £100 proposed for Kenward Trust – Naomi Residential Project Hawkhurst and Samaritans, Tunbridge Wells District. All agreed. PC Agreed. Clerk Action
478 Declarations of Interest:
None
No changes to Register of Interest

479 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 16th March 2009 were confirmed and signed.
Proposed: Cllr SH Seconded: Cllr GR

480 Matters Arising:
Minute No: 465/09[c] Notes on “Amendments to Permitted Development regime for Householders as at 1Oct 08” Cllr RL asked if TWBC Planning had forwarded more data. Clerk to enquire. Clerk Action

481 TWBC Public Convenience Review:
Chairman PB reported PB BPC took over responsibility of the village public toilets on 11May 09. TWBC Julie Mellors had met with Cllr PB to hand over keys. The building has been given to us as we own the land it sits on. TWBC will continue to take responsibility of insurance until an official handover. At that stage a possible clause will be introduced, that if the Public Conveniences were to be turned into a profit making project i.e. wine bar etc 50% of all profits would be payable to TWBC. £3,000 set aside for demolish will be given to BPC. Cllr PB advised that the vision was for 1 DDA compliant “coin in slot” facility. Cllr PB confirmed that cleaning had commenced at £6 per hour on a monthly invoice basis. Cllr JC confirmed all cleaning materials had been ordered via BVH. Lighting to be sensored, as currently on a timer, which stay on as the toilets are opened. Action

482 K.M 150th Anniversary Tree:
Cllr SH confirmed an 8ft oak tree had been delivered that day. To be planted and photographed
Action

483 Strawberry Wood Culvert Project:
Cllr MK reported on recent developments at the site and future events and activities planned. BACS, on behalf of the project had approached TWBC regarding a Heritage Partnership grant for £21,000 and £47,800 has been offered by the Heritage Lottery Fund UK. Discussion followed regarding a possible PC donation of £500 to show we are actively promoting the
restoration. Cllr GR suggested £250 with match funding of £250 from BACS. Cllr MK to notify BACS. Motion agreed. Disappointment expressed with galvanized steel gates that are appearing across the local parishes replacing wooden styles. Not in keeping with rural environment.
PC Agreed Action
484 F.O.I Act – BPC Model Publication Scheme:
Clerk advised that the officially adopted Publication Scheme [Minute No: 415/08] was now
available to download from the village website.

485 Planning Report:
[a] Planning Rota 09/10 [attached] - Any changes to be reported to Cllr RL and Clerk

[b] Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Monthly Planning Report [attached]
Cllr RL reported on TW/09/00574 retrospective plan. Replacement of domestic store at Little Bishopsden, Bishopsden Lane. PC had considered and found it to be an improvement on previous. Recommendation: Approval TWBC Decision: Refusal. Mrs Strouts to lodge an appeal.

Full discussion on new planning proposal TW/01324/FUL – Land adjacent to Telephone Exchange off of New Pond Road, Benenden.

486 Financial Report:
Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since March 2009
Income
BKCR Bank Interest 54.11
TWBC TWBC – 1st 50% Precept 7000.00
7,054.11
Chq No Outgoings
277 Arnold Cole Trust Gibbon + Gynder 08/09 102.50
278 B.Sullivan – Mar salary £408, postage £3.24 411.24
279 G.Reynolds – ink allowance 07/08 + 08/09 79.26
280 Printing at Cranbrook – photocopies, A4 paper 35.06
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Apr 09 18.58
281 P.Blockley – Iden Signs Digital Prints for Sign 126.50
282 S.Message – Village Sign Artwork 260.00
283 BT Payments – Office Phone 68.02
284 B.Sullivan – AA09, Wealden Ad, Pages, Refreshmts, 196.55
285 B.Sullivan – Apr salary £554.53, Postage £4.06 558.59
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband May 09 18.58
1,874.88
Clerk confirmed C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £20,057.48

Audit Commission
Accounts 08/09 to be adopted and returned to Audit Commission by 30 June 2009
Clerk requests BPC to consider retaining Banking Facilities with Co-Operative Bank.
PC Agreed
Clerk to research changing Broadband / Office Phone i.e. Talk Talk
Clerk Action

487 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]
Item 5 – TWBC Housing Forum – “Standing up to the Downturn” Clerk attended
Item 16 – KALC Cllr Information Day 20 June 09 – Contact Clerk
Item 18 – Benenden Pre-School AGM – Clerk attended. Awaiting 07/08 + 08/09 Accounts

Clerk advised notification received from:
Hawkhurst Fete & Carnival – Float / Vintage Car Entry
Kent Air Ambulance – Textile Bank Initiative
Sandhurst Parish Council APM Invite
TWBC Monitoring Officer Bulletin

Chairman PB spoke on Item 17 – Kent Highways Speed Limit Review Meeting identifying need for consistency nationwide.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.10pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

TWBC PD reported on his Elected Member Annual Report & Review 08/09, the new Mayoral Year, Kent Highways £25,000 for our division, TWBC Town Review Consultation [item 7 correspondence – BPC advised to respond], South East Region SHLAA – Affordable Housing. Iden Green identified as possible site under land on fringes of limit to build, now published.

Janet Greenroyd and a fellow Community Warden will be in the village litter picking on Thursday 21 May 09. Chairman PB thanked her on behalf of the Parish.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.13pm

Next Meeting: Monday 15th June 2009
at The Pavilion, Iden Green at 8pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Annual Meeting Held 18th May 2009

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

1 Note of Chairman Election:
Chairman for year 2009/10 Cllr PB [Minute No 473/09]

2 Apologies:
None

3 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 16 March 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr GR

4 Matters Arising:
None

5 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC advised BVHMC had received three quotations for double glazing three windows in the small hall. Mid Kent Windows had been instructed to commence works at a cost of approx £1,200 Inc vat.
Cllr JC reported a letter and gift would be sent to Trevor Moore on his official retirement, thanking him for his planning knowledge and contribution to various building projects within the Village over many years. Cllrs and BVHMC to sign letter. Action
Cllr JC advised a large European arctic lorry had torn up a large area of geo-block in the village hall car park. Cllr GR has kindly offered to fill with stone to rectify. Cllr RL has kindly offered to roll out. Chairman PB thanked both Cllrs. Action

6 St Georges Hall:
[a] Fire Risk Assessment:
Chairman PB reported on the sad death of Rodney Pearce. A donation will be sent in his memory to chosen charity. He had completed a thorough fire risk assessment to St Georges Hall. [Minute No: 405/08] St Georges Club and Benenden Pre-School must name Fire Safety Officers. The risk assessment must now be implemented and actioned. HT Agreed
[b] St Georges Club:
Following a recent meeting with HT representatives and St Georges Club committee, Chairman PB reported that the smoking area would remain in the area of garden adjacent to New Pond Road and the Club is no longer to have access upstairs to Benenden Pre-School for meetings. Key to be returned.
Cllr JC advised that the owner of the cottage adjacent to the village shop had declined the idea of the notice board being mounted in the front garden. Notice board to remain at St Georges.

7 Iden Green Tennis Club – hard standing and trees:
Chairman PB advised Iden Green Tennis Club were deciding whether to re-submit an amended planning application for lighting. The original process had identified several resident concerns.
[1] Parking – Cllr PB circulated 3 plans: Plan A – existing. 2 outlined options to extend the hard standing parking area in order to ease congestion on Coldharbour Lane. Plan C – extend 1 mt around the perimeter of existing area. Plan B – extends area by removing hedge to left of existing area and 1mt to south and east. HT Agreed Plan B HT Agreed

[2] Trees – The process had identified a gap in the tree screening the courts on the Chapel Lane side. Cllr SH and Kent Barker, Chairman met. A decision on suitable planting will be made after further research.

8 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Clerk confirmed Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since March 2009
Income
St Georges Mar rent 158.33
BVH Mar wages 493.30
BK CR Bank Interest 14.54
I/G TC I/G Tennis Club 08/09 Rent 200.00
St Georges Apr rent 158.33
BVH Apr wages 493.30
Pre-School Spring Term Fees 09 192.00
BVH Backpay D.D Oct08-31Mar08 136.53
1,846.33

Chq No Outgoings
024 TWBC – Rates St Georges Pre-School 203.70
025 D.Dalrymple– Mar 09 wages 429.41
026 Post Office Ltd – D.D Tax NI Jan-Mar09 408.09
027 B.Sullivan – Mar 09 wages 46.50
028 G.Reynolds – I/G Hedgecutting 69.00
029 Bourne Amenity – Top soil BVH 185.44
030 Winser Engineering – BVH structural plates 799.25
031 M.Page – St Georges Club Fire Exit Doors 1060.92
032 M.Page – St Georges Preschool – Bench repairs 224.82
033 M.Page – St Georges Preschool – new locks 169.83
034 D.Dalrymple – Apr wages £447.97, Petrol Strimmer £10, Phonebill £67.83 525.80
035 B.Sullivan – Apr 09 wages 46.50
D/D Zurich Insurance May 09 512.51
036 S.Clarke – repairs to mower, strimmer etc 63.00
037 South East Water – St Georges Preschool rates 32.81
4,777.58

Clerk reported C/A held £500.00 and D/A held £5,366.47

Balance in No 2 A/C - £107.13

9 Correspondence:
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.33pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 15th June 2009 at Iden Green Pavilion
immediately after Parish Council meeting

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