Present: Cllrs Bailey, Blockley, Clarke, Fogg, Hagens, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk, Martin Sherwood Community Warden [MS] + 2 members of the public

590 Apologies: Cllr SH [Business]

591 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr GR declared a prejudicial interest in TW/10/01313 Netters Hall Caravan, Attwaters Lane as Mr O Reynolds is a relative. Cllr GR commented on the plan but left the meeting when the council discussed resolution.
Cllr GR declared a personal interest in TW/10/00962 Netters Hall Farmhouse, Attwaters Lane and TW/10/01111 Nineveh House, Nineveh Lane as both applicants are neighbours.

592 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15 March 2010 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr MK Seconded: Cllr JC

593 Matters Arising:
Minute No 586/10 Village Community Spring Clean: Cllr MK enquired about the Village Clean Up. Clerk reported it has been the best supported yet with 19 parishioners taking part.
Clerk had written to thank residents.

594 TWBC:
[i] JTB Review of Winter Services
Chairman PB advised TWBC sought PC opinion on how local communities were served during the winter. PC resolved comment should be - no attention given to salting pavements within surrounding villages, Benenden “main” received good service whilst Iden Green residents were forgotten, despite the Clerks constant requests to KHS to clear an area where a salt bin is still awaiting delivery, acknowledgment that A routes take priority but further investigation to ensure rural lanes with food producers are given high priority. Milk tankers etc must be able to deliver goods. Response required by 21 May 2010.
Clerk Action
[ii] JTB Min 059/09: Recommended investigation for footpath improvement
Chairman PB confirmed that following a petition sent to KHS on behalf of Harmsworth Court residents, to improve the narrow footpath along Walkhurst Road and into The Street, the matter would be included into the Local Transport Plan bids for 2011/2012

595 Affordable Housing – Meeting with Cascade Housing:
Chairman PB reported Affordable Housing Committee, TWBC Rural Enabling Officer, Jenny Hudson and TWBC Planning Policy Officer, Deborah Dixon met with Colin Begeman of Cascade Housing. CB outlined Cascade’s options and ideas. TWBC Jenny Hudson advised CB that Benenden PC had a preferred partner which had successfully built local affordable homes before – ERHA.
Chairman PB confirmed PC would not work with Cascade but ERHA had identified 2 possible sites, 1 PC owned.
[Site 16] Further investigation is required as there is a covenant on the land limiting its use to allotments only. Special dispensation was awarded previously as demand for allotments was low at the time of previous build. There is now an increased demand for allotments although the Clerk has only received 1 request. Taking this into consideration that could be space to incorporate 6 units + allotments.
[Site 5] – Land owned by Benenden Almshouse Charity. The Trustees are awaiting confirmation from the Charity Commission that the land could be sold for affordable housing.

Chairman PB read KALC Parish News Issue No: 347

596 Kent Highways Services:
[i] Parish Report
Clerk discussed previously circulated Highways Faults and Tracking Report. Clerk emphasised the length of time taken to produce the reports and constant checking to track a reported fault was under review. The KHS Online system is inflexible and urgent attention is required by KHS to feedback “resolved” issues. In some cases KHS had closed a fault when Clerk is aware works not yet completed. System only goes back over 3 months then faults disappear.

[ii] Online Survey – Winter Service Policy
Chairman PB thanked all Cllrs and Clerk who completed the KHS Ipsos Mori Survey on Winter Service Policy. All results were collated and returned before 16 May 2010.

[iii] Parish & Kent Highways Services Meeting 2 June 10
Chairman PB advised a meeting had been called between the Parishes and KHS with JTB Chairman Roger Manning to discuss and resolve local issues.
PC representation was important, to raise awareness of our concerns. Clerk had acknowledged attendance and would forward PC concerns. Clerk Action

597 Subscriptions & Donations [S137] 2010/11
Chairman PB asked PC to consider the Subscriptions & Donations outlined in the previously circulated report. PC resolved to support the following:

Subscription
Kent Playing Fields Ass 20.00
CPRE 29.00
KALC 626.09
ACRK 65.00 [PC + BVH]
Clerk & Councils Direct 11.00
Local Council Review 13.50
[a] 764.59

Donations resolved 17 May 10
Kent Air Ambulance 150.00
Kent Ass of Blind 60.00
Hospice in the Weald 200.00
HCH League of Friends 300.00
Cranbrook CAB 300.00
Benenden PCC 60.00
Angley School Farm 140.00
Samaritans 150.00
[b] 1360.00

Agreed [a] + [b] 2124.59

2010 Requests from:
Samaritans – TW Branch YES
Victim Support – Kent Branch NO
CROP – Citizens Rights Older People NO
Kent County Agricultural Society More Info Req

10/11 S137[4] LA1972 = £6.15
Ben Electors Total = 1407 PC Approval/Clerk Action

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

TW/10/01313 – Netters Hall Caravan –Retrospective: Permanent retention of mobile home for agricultural worker.
Cllr RL asked PC to consider the application and formulate a comment. Cllr GR left the meeting. The PC resolved to turn down the application but would support renewal on a temporary basis e.g. 3 yrs. Chairman PB asked for sow of hands. PC Action: REFUSAL

599 Financial Report:
[i] Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 10 March 2010
Income
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk Mar 10 Salary 100.00
BK Bank Interest 6.76
TFR TWBC – 50% Precept 11500.00
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk Apr 10 Salary 100.00

TOTAL 11706.76

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Apr 10 18.99
376 Stationery Express UK – binding 1.00
377 B.Sullivan Mar 10 700.02 postage 3.48 703.50
378 Post Office – BS Tax/NI 1Jan-31Mar 10 355.36
379 Benenden Memorial Hall – Hire 18/1 27/1 15/3 20.25
380 B.Sullivan – Gift T Dawlings Accs 08/09 19.99
381 M.English – Public Toilets Mar 10 + clean materials 195.37
382 M.English – Public Toilets Apr 10 180.00
383 M.Page – repairs to door Ladies Public Toilet 52.87
384 Stationery Express UK – copying, inks 61.62
385 BT Payments – Office Phone + Rental 78.19
386 B.Sullivan – AA WA + leaflets, Pages leaflets, Refreshmts 168.62
387 B.Sullivan – April 10 831.42 postage 3.60 835.02
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband May 10 18.99

TOTAL 2709.77
After all cheques cleared
Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 April 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £20,754.71

[ii] Internal Audit Checklist
Clerk confirmed a bi-annual Internal Audit checklist, inline with PC financial regulations, had been completed by Tom Dawlings

[iii] Audit Commission: Annual Return 09/10
Chairman PB asked PC to approve the Annual Accounts 09/10 as presented and the Chairman and Clerk signed off Section 1 & Section 2 of the Audit Commission Annual Return. Clerk to send completed Annual Return when Internal Audit Section completed. Liaise with Tom Dawlings. PC Approval/Clerk Action

600 Correspondence:
Clerk reminded a report had been issued 15 April 2010 prior to Annual Parish Meeting and read
from the previously circulated report 13 May 2010 [attached]

Item 48 – Sarah Gaunt Community Youth Leader request to run a youth club or bring the youth bus into the village. Meeting to be arranged. PC/Clerk Action

Item 57 – Invite to Age Concern AGM. Representative to attend PC Action

Training & Development
Any members may wish to attend the following:

Item 31 – TWBC New Members Induction 21 June 2010 [possibly after 27 May 10]
Item 59 – TWBC briefing on village green applications, governance + setting the council tax
base rate 29 June 2010
Item 51 – TWBC with UOK – Leading change 29 June 2010 + After the Crunch 20 July 2010

Please advise Clerk if you wish to attend any of the training

Chairman PB advised an invitation to attend West Kent Community Health & Hawkhurst League of Friends Health Fair at Hawkhurst Cottage Hospital from 12pm Sat 22 May 2010.

Chairman thanked ex TWBC P Davies for attending and for his commitment, advice and support shown to Benenden Parish Council during his time as Local Borough Councillor.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.16pm

Chairman PB opened the meeting to members of the public.

PD advised that as he had been Chairman of a Subcommittee on TWBC JTB, he was still responsible for the Winter Service Review, so PC comments would be valuable.

No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 9.18pm

Next Meeting: Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

On: Monday 14 June at 8pm

At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting Held 17 May 2010

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

76 Apologies:
Cllr SH [Business]

77 Minutes:
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 15 February 2010 were confirmed and signed. Proposed: Cllr DB Seconded: Cllr JH

78 Matters Arising:
None
79 Benenden Village Hall:
[i] Hire Charge Review
Cllr JC advised BVHMC had resolved to review the hire charges as there had been no price increase since 2006. The increase agreed was £1ph extra. All HT and Clerk noted new hire charges. HT Noted

[ii] Health & Safety Review – all under review. To include updated Conditions of Hire to include Child Protection Policy BVHMC/Clerk Action

[iii] Fire Risk Assessment - Les Aldous has been instructed to liaise with Clerk / BVHMC to carry out a full fire risk as part of the Health & Safety Review. BVHMC/Clerk Action

[iv] Electrical Inspection – K Jones Electrical had completed an Electrical Inspection and Pat Testing to all equipment. Further investigation required. BVHMC/Clerk Action

80 St Georges Club:
[i] Mezzanine Floor – Chairman PB advised correspondence outlining a proposed mezzanine floor had been drawn up by St Georges Club committee. Pre-application planning advice had been sought and LBC would be required for any works. St Georges Committee offered to arrange a “Licence for Alterations” drawn up. HT Noted

[ii] Fire Risk Assessment – Les Aldous had been instructed to liaise with Clerk in order to carry put a full fire risk inline with the fire risk produced by Fireclipse, as part of the Health & Safety Review. HT/Clerk Action

81 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:

Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 10 March 2010

Income
St Georges Mar 10 rent 158.33
BVH Mar 10 wages 519.75
BK Bank Interest 4.01
St Georges Apr 10 rent 158.33
BVH Apr 10 wages 519.75
BVH Insurance Premium 1Apr10-31Mar11 1556.16

TOTAL 2916.33

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
076 D.Dalrymple – St Georges Cottage Letterbox 29.89
077 P.Punchard – Ben Rec Grd strim / cut hedge 85.00
078 M.Page – Bus Shelter Repair 575.75
079 M.Page – BVH 1st 50% repairs to staunchans 1977.52

080 D.Dalrymple – Mar 10 salary 429.16
SO Rate Account – BS clerk Mar 10 100.00
D/D Aviva - Insurance April 10 351.42
081 TWBC – Ben Pre School Rates 211.14
082 M.Page – BVH 2nd 50% repairs to staunchans 2219.57
083 D.Dalrymple – Phonebill 75.83, Petrol 12.00 87.83
084 D.Dalrymple – April 10 salary 445.98
SO Rate Account – BS clerk Apr 10 100.00
085 E.Culverwell – oil for strimmer 9.40
086 J.Clayton – St Georges Cottage boiler inspection 73.44

TOTAL 6696.10
After all cheques cleared

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £8475.47

HT A/C NO 2

Income
NSI Closure of NSI 930.42
BK Bank Interest .06

Balance in No 2 A/C 1037.81

Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 April 2010 HT Noted

82 Correspondence
Clerk confirmed K Jones Electrical quotation in respect of the replacement 6inch pendant fittings and fridge move at Benenden Pre Scholl had arrived, £150 + vat.
HT resolved to accept quote. Clerk Action

Clerk advised IGPTC had approached HT regarding grass cuttings, strimming and weed removal, suggesting a change to the contract. HT checked area before the meeting, no apparent issues. Clerk had written to ask for a quote for works re H & S concerns, raised by M Kenward, dog foul sign move, holes in the grass, timbers supporting young trees need repair etc. HT Noted

Clerk advised IGPTC requested a permanent rounders square be marked into the Sydney Harmsworth Recreation Field, as the annual rounders match had prompted local families to use the field to picnic and play. HT resolved to grant permission for a permanent rounders square but would not be prepared to pay for it. Clerk to advise IGPTC. HT Action

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 14 June at 8pm
At: Memorial Hall, Benenden

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST