Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Fogg, Hagens, Lake, Kellett, Clerk
Also present TWBC Davies, 3 members of the public

533 Apologies:
Apologies for non attendance from Cllr Hockney [business] and Cllr Reynolds [holiday]

534 Declarations of Interest:
None

535 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 19 October 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr RL Seconded: Cllr JH

536 Matters Arising:
None

537 Benenden Primary School:
Chairman PB reported on the “information paper on the procurement of a new school” issued by Chris Gabriel, KCC Senior Project Manager. Item No 13 – Chairman PB had requested the word “originally” be removed.
Minutes of meeting 15 July 09 Item No 11 – Chairman PB clarified he had not reported that the sub-group would have any delegated authority and reiterated all discussions would be taken to full PC for full decision. Chairman PB asked that “closeness / access to village hall” not be included in final plans. The new school should be a fully functioning self contained unit.

538 TWBC:
Ward Walks Feedback Session – Chairman PB reported many agencies were represented. Members of the public were given the opportunity to discuss issues on a “face to face” basis.
Traffic Calming, Education, Road Maintenance, Public Transport and Affordable Housing are the five main issues when urgent and long term projects were combined.
KHS Highways did not attend.

Cranbrook Car Parking Review – Chairman PB advised following the TWBC cabinet meeting held 13 November 2009, when the “Alpha Parking” report was discussed, a full public consultation will take place involving Parish Councils, residents and businesses of Cranbrook.

539 TW Area Chairman’s Meeting:
Chairman PB reported on a gloomy TWBC 2010/11 budget. Forecast net deficit of £828k for
2010/11 with a 10yr cumulative deficit of £5.4m Special expenses project has now been
resourced through the Delivery Unit. Historically Dunorlan Park has benefited, which although important to Tunbridge Wells, is less so to rural parishes, as each has their own priorities.
Christmas lights grants will be restricted in future but arrangements were in place for this year.
Clerk Action
TWBC Jim Kehoe, Head of Planning Services attended to respond to relevant parish issues discussed enforcement team action, and discuss further parish training sessions.

Civic amenity vehicle to continue but on a reduced Saturday only service on a monthly basis, discourage contractors disposing of building waste and possible pre-paid voucher scheme for households.

TWBC Gary Stevenson reported on the car parking study report and TWBC Sheila Wheeler introduced “Safeguarding the Children of Kent” paper.

540 Highways:
Chairman PB reported on recent meeting with Kent Highways [attached]. PB, JC and Clerk identified urgent items on Parish Schedule. Clerk updated and circulated.

Chairman PB advised KHS annual tracking survey had been completed on behalf of our local community by himself and the Clerk.

Clerk advised PC request for a salt bin located at Oakfield had met KHS criteria, and was 16th out of the successful 25 applications.

Clerk to attend KHS Annual Parish Seminar 24 Nov 09

541 Parish Council Newsletter:
[Minute No 529/09] Chairman PB reminded PC articles for the newsletter to be forwarded to Maureen Lake by the end of November. DB – The Village Green, JC – Benenden Players / BVH, AF – Leisure & Recreational Facilities, JH – Merry & Bright, RL – Planning, MK - Phone Kiosks / Strawberry Wood Culvert, Clerk – Being a Parish Councillor, PB – Affordable Housing / Public Toilets. Any further ideas to Chairman PC Action

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

Application: TW/09/02223/FUL/CP3
Proposal: Construction of new lake
Location: Benenden Place, Iden Green Road, Iden Green

Cllr RL advised he would attend the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 23 November 09

Application: TW/09/00028/FUL/AJ
Proposal: Erection of an agricultural building for the housing of cattle and siting of mobile home for agricultural worker. Refused by TWBC
Location: Land North-West of Eaglesden Farm, Hinksden Road
Appellant asked for costs incurred in the appeal be met by TWBC. Appeal Allowed and
appeal costs to be paid.

543 Financial Report:
[a] Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 15 Oct 2009
Income
BK Bank Interest 7.61
TOTAL 7.61
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
335 BACS-Strawberry Wood Culvert [Min No: 513/09] 250.00
336 P.Blockley – Dell Inks 71.94
337 B.T Payment Services – Office Phone 68.30
338 B.Sullivan – Oct 09 salary 502.63
339 M.English – Public Toilets Oct 09 186.00
340 St George Cmty Project – Xmas Toy Appeal 25.00
341 South East Water – Public Toilets 11/5-13/10 97.22
342 Stationery Express – Photocopying + Office Ink 35.42
343 R.B.L Poppy Appeal - PC Wreath 16.50
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Nov 09 18.58
1271.59

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £18,042.52

[b] Clerk confirmed online Annual Return 08/09 submitted for EDMUND GYBBONS
Charity Number: 238203

[c] Clerk Annual Review:
Chairman PB asked previously for consideration and acknowledgement of the proposed annual review 09 for the Clerk. Salary had been set at £8.16 ph [SCP 15] in June 2007. Review due since 1 June 2008. Comparisons and background research carried out. In line with NALC guidelines Chairman proposed that the Clerk be awarded salary increase to £11.185 ph [SCP 25] backdated to 1 April 2009 with immediate effect. PC Agreed PC Action

544 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report [attached]

Item 8 – Policing Kent 2010-13 survey completed PB, GR, and Clerk
Item 33 – Subsidised Local Bus Services Re-tender – Clerk response to hi light importance of continuation of rural services. Clerk Action
Item 37 – TWBC Christmas Decoration Grant request. Clerk Action

Clerk initiated a survey into “qualified” status and trained Clerks in TW Area. Of all respondents only 2 are CILCA qualified [Cranbrook & Southborough] and only Cranbrook have QCS. Power of Well Being training only offered to Clerks that have passed section 7 of 2008 CILCA and all PC then have to attend a short training course.

Clerk advised Community Warden for Hawkhurst Ross Tolhurst will be covering Benenden area with immediate effect. JC suggested the KCSP should remove the broken filing cabinet and return the office key. Clerk to monitor.

DB suggested the Trading Standards alerts be forwarded to Neighbourhood Watch link person. Clerk displays relevant area alerts on noticeboard. Alerts kept in office until expiry date.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.58pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

TWBC PD discussed Cranbrook car parking public consultation, rural bus services contracts out for tender in Feb 10 for renewal June 10, ACRK improve rural transport presentation, KCC PIPKIN moved onto SPS [Scheme Prioritisation System], Kiosk paint specification. Notes to Clerk. TWBC Davies Action

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 16 November 2009

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

39 Apologies:
Cllrs Hockney and Reynolds

40 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 19 October 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr JC Seconded: Cllr AF

41 Matters Arising:
[Minute No: 35/09] Bourne Amenity Recreation Grounds – Clerk confirmed Cllr GR had
arranged to remove the table tennis table on his return.
[Minute No: 36/09] I/G Tennis Club Rent Review – Clerk confirmed rent for 09/10 duly
received.

42 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr JC reported on behalf of BVHMC that the curtains in the small hall had been renewed.

43 Benenden Pre-School Hire Fees Payment Request:
Chairman PB reported a request from Hayley Sanderson, Benenden Pre-School Treasurer; to pay remainder 2009 and 2010 hire fees in advance. If the sustainability grant is awarded it has to be spent by 10 April 2010.
Clerk noted that the number of full sessions could increase if number of children improved and pay adjustments would be necessary.
Clerk proposed that HT accept 2 payments – Autumn 09 / Spring 10 by 31 March 2010 Summer 10 / Autumn 10 after 1 April 2010 but before 10 April 2010. This payment schedule would tie in with HT accounting procedure.
Chairman PB proposed motion. HT Agreed HT Action

44 Benenden Recreation Ground – Damaged Fence:
Chairman PB advised the fence at the recreation ground had been repaired. Thanks to Victor Kellett for his quick response to the request.

45 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 15 Oct 2009
Income
St Georges Oct 09 rent 158.33
BVH Oct 09 wages 519.75
BK Bank Interest 3.47
681.55
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
059 D. Dalrymple – Oct 09 wages 445.98
060 D.Dalrymple - £10 petrol +£75.33 phone 85.33
061 B. Sullivan – clerk wages Oct 09 46.50
062 South East Water – supply Ben Pre School 33.16
D/D Zurich Insurance Nov 09 512.48
1123.45

Clerk reported C/A held £500 and D/A held £8,228.42

Interest No 2 A/C .05
Balance in No 2 A/C £107.33

46 Correspondence:

Chairman PB reported he had been contacted by a resident of Iden Green requesting the consideration of a skate park facility. Chairman PB visited the resident and received a written request from her 2 sons. Ward Walks report hi-lighted possible improvements to the play equipment and providing a varying age range of equipment. Clerk had enquired with TWBC Leisure Services and a meeting will be arranged with Chairman. Clerk and TWBC play parks specialist to discuss costs, equipment etc. An Amenities sub-committee could be a consideration.
HT Action

Chairman PB advised correspondence dated 13 Nov 09 from St Georges Club had been received. St Georges Club committee request:
Club Sign – the sign would be placed on a post adjacent to the hedge advertising the Club. A previous request had been rejected but HT agreed to Benenden Pre-School sign request. Clerk advised the Pre-School sign was agreed to help encourage dwindling numbers. Chairman PB reported that St Georges would have to provide full drawings indicating style and dimensions. Clerk Action

Mezzanine Floor – installation of a small storage mezzanine floor request. Chairman reported that the Trustees understanding was that as St Georges Hall is listed Grade 2 LBC would be required and it was possible that TWBC would also require a planning application. If the request is to be progressed then detailed drawings of the proposal would be required. Clerk Action

Iden Green Tennis Club – Floodlight demonstration. Cllr RL attended the public demonstration. Only 2 retractable floodlights were used which could not give a true impact of the total light pollution if all 12 stands required were in use.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm