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

545 Apologies:
None

546 Declarations of Interest: Planning Application: 09/03646 – Little Nineveh, Nineveh Lane – Retrospective planning permission for garden landscaping works. Cllr GR & AF declared a personal interest as both are a neighbour of the applicant.

547 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 16 November 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr MK

548 Matters Arising:
None

549 Parish Council Newsletter: Chairman PB reported all items now with Maureen Lake except an article from Cllr AF. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide a review of the previous years activities. Chairman PB advised the planned distribution date was Jan 2010. Cllr JC requested extra copies for wider circulation. AF Action

550 TWBC – LDF Cranbrook Conservation Area:
Public Consultation 7Dec09-18Jan10 – Chairman PB advised a hardcopy had been requested. Clerk contacted Coral Kirkaldie at Cranbrook PC who advised they did not expect Benenden PC to comment.

551 KALC:
Area Meeting Report 9 Dec 09 – Chairman PB reported a presentation was given by Barry Spruce from Kent Police and John Martin, Warden Manager KCC. Chairman PB advised that the Clerk had written to Nigel Freeman, KCC Warden Area Supervisor, re cover wardens and communication. Cllr DB advised Ros Tolhurst, our replacement warden, had recently been absent through ill health.

Civic Amenity Vehicle – no update or decision over the continuation has been made. One option was to provide 1 visit per month on a Saturday only. Any decision would probably not be made for another 6-12mths.

Public Toilets – PCs are still awaiting grants expected from TWBC over the handover of the public toilets. No paperwork on lease agreements or “demolition cost” equivalent funding had been received. KALC will continue to liaise with TWBC Mr. Barrington-King.

Car Parking Charge Review – TWBC Public Consultation notification awaited.

Learning & Development 2009 – Clerk reported a survey received from KALC requires every member of the PC to respond. All ideas and training requirements will be collated and sent by the Clerk before the deadline of 1 March 2009. PC Action

552 Highways:
KHS Annual Parish Seminar – Clerk reported on the meeting and advised full notes were available if requested. KHS members spoke on continuing improvements to the service, winter service, salt bins, soft landscaping, My Kent Highways Online, road safety ETP, Countryside speed limit review, and Kent permit scheme.
Cllr MK reported road sweeping evident in rural lanes but not using the brushes.

Cllr RL reported that following severe flooding at Cherryfields a team had been investigating the drains in the vicinity. The drains were choked by roots and a pipe which runs down past the village shop contains a cable. At this time it is not known what that serves.

553 Mowing – Village Green KCC Landscape Services Quotation: Chairman PB asked PC to consider quotation received for 2010. Clerk advised the increase was 2%. Previous year – 2009 5% All Cllrs agreed Landscape Services had provided an excellent level of work over the previous year and accepted the quotation. Clerk to confirm PC Agreed Clerk Action

554 Planning Report: [a] Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Monthly Planning Report [attached] Cllr RL advised the firm representing Mr & Mrs Holmes had responded to TWBC asking for clarification on the route of an overflow pipe and minor changes to the Granted Application: TW/09/02223/FUL/CP3 Proposal: Construction of new lake Location: Benenden Place, Iden Green Road, Iden Green Application: TW/09/03646 Proposal: Retrospective – permission for garden landscaping works Location: Little Nineveh, Nineveh Lane, Benenden Cllr RL advised that the PC had already approved the application but were unaware that the gardens had previously had historical botanical importance. Cllr RL to contact TWBC Case Officer. RL Action Cllr GR asked that the PC write to TWBC Head of Planning Services, Jim Kehoe expressing opinion that the planning officer was poorly supported and unprepared for the appeal hearing at which the appellant was awarded costs. 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 RL Action
TWBC Parish Training 1 March 2010: Chairman PB advised any Cllrs wishing to attend and any suggestion topics must contact Clerk PC Action

555 Financial Report: [a] Precept 2010/11 – Calculations previously circulated. Chairman PB asked PC to note increase in Precept covers Public Toilet upkeep and Parish Election. It may result in a stand alone election if a General Election is declared. PC resolved Precept be set at £23,000.00 for 2010/2011 PC Agreed Clerk Action [b] Clerk confirmed Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 12 Nov 2009

Income
TRF HT – Clerk salary adjust 1APR-30NOV 09 474.50 TOTAL 474.50 2
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
344 Southern Water – Public Toilets 12/5-13/10 116.82
345 KALC – LCA Arnold Baker 8th Edition 59.00
346 Stationery Express – copying b&w + colour, box files 126.52
347 B.Sullivan – ink for office black + colour 44.98
348 KCC KCS – 2nd 50% mowing The Green 447.72
349 B.Sullivan – Nov 09 + adjust back 1.4.09 + HT + post 1971.70
350 Cancelled -----
351 Post Office Ltd – Tax + NI BS 1Apr09-30Nov09 810.50
352 M.English – Public Toilets Nov 09 180.00
353 B.Sullivan – Cllr JC ink [minute no: 497/09 57.94
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Dec 09 18.58 3833.76
Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £14,683.26
Clerk confirmed monthly Standing Order set up to transfer £100 from HT A/C to Rate A/C to cover Clerks salary for Tax + NI purposes.

Clerk advised the sum of £102.50 had been received from Mr & Mrs Musters & Mr Georgetti in respect of Edmund Gybbon & Stephen Ginder charity. To be distributed to the elderly or needy of the Parish. PB/Clerk Action

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

CPRE – new title Protect Kent to help raise profile and also a new scheme titled “Member Recruit Member”. For more information contact the Clerk

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 8.50pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to the Public.

PC advised the public toilet lights were on after it was closed. Chairman PB thanked PC for observation and advised the lighting was on a timer but would investigate.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55pm

Next Meeting: Monday 18 January 2010 At: Memorial Hall, Benenden at 8pm
PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

Ordinary Meeting Held 14 December 2009 Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Fogg, Hagens, Hockney Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk

47 Apologies: None

48 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 18 November 2009 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr AF Seconded: Cllr MK

49 Matters Arising: [Minute No: 41/09] Chairman PB thanked GR for the removal of the table tennis table.
50 Benenden Village Hall:
Nothing to report.

51 St Georges Hall:
[Minute No: 46/09] Chairman PB reported a written request had been sent to St Georges asking for them to provide full drawings indicating style and dimensions for Club sign. The sign would be placed on a post adjacent to the hedge advertising the Club.
The Club also requested consideration of the installation of a small storage mezzanine floor. 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 are required.
Chairman PB had responded with a request from the Club to continue to have access to the upstairs, occupied by Benenden Pre-School, to hold committee meetings. Chairman PB had outlined that the lease did not include use of the first floor of St Georges Hall.

Clerk confirmed correspondence had been sent to the Tenant at 1 St Georges Place asking them to discuss an overgrown hedge boundary.
52 Mowing + Hedges Quotation 2010:
[a] M Kenward [I/G Pavilion]
Chairman PB asked trustees to consider M Kenward’s quotation for works at Iden Green Pavilion for 2010. – No price increase. All trustees agreed the work had again been carried out to a high level of satisfaction. HT resolved. HT Agreed Clerk Action
[b] KCC Landscape Services [I/G Recreation Ground] Chairman asked trustees to consider Landscape Services quotation for 2010. 2% increase. All trustees agreed works carried out with satisfaction. HT resolved. HT Agreed Clerk Action

53 Iden Green Sign:
Chairman PB advised Iden Green village sign had been damaged when it fell in a recent storm. Mike Paige will undertake any repairs. Bill Lewis Chairman of IGPC asked if it would be possible to have the sign moved as in its current position it is obscured and a more prominent position could be found. KHS would have to be contacted. Clerk Action

54 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
[a] Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 12 NOV2009
Income
St Georges Nov 09 rent 158.33
BVH Nov 09 wages 519.75
I/G Tennis Club Annual Rent 09/10 225.00
COIF Quarterly Dividend 3003.78 3906.86
Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
063 Southern Water – waste Ben Pre School 53.14
064 D. Dalrymple – Nov 09 wages 438.02
065 KCC KCS – 2nd 50% mowing Rec Grds 467.43
066 M Kenward – I/G Pavilion mowing 992.25
067 V Kellett – fence repairs Ben Rec Grd 166.00
TRF B. Sullivan – clerk adjust 1 Apr-30 Nov 09 474.50
D/D Zurich Insurance Nov 09 512.48 3103.82

Clerk reported C/A held £500 and D/A held £9,031.46

Clerk confirmed Standing Order set up to TRF £100pm to Rate A/C to cover Clerks HT monthly salary

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

[b] 3/4 yr Accounts 09/10
Clerk distributed ¾ yearly accounts to all trustees. Discussion followed – rent increase on Pre-School no impact seen, as fees not yet due; St Georges hall fire risk assessment improvements – no costing yet.
55 Correspondence:
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm

Chairman wished everybody a Happy Christmas and a safe, prosperous 2010

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 18 January 2010

At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden immediately after the Parish Council meeting

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST