Present: Cllrs Bailey, Beattie, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk, TWBC LH, TWBC SH, KCC RM + some 15 members of the public
70 Apologies:
Cllr Hemsley [unwell] Cllr Lake [delayed]

71 Acceptance of Office:
Cllr JB signed acceptance of office which was witnessed by the Clerk

Chairman PB then adjourned the full PC meeting to open the Harmsworth Trust Meeting [Minutes below]

Time 8.02pm
Chairman PB reopened the meeting at 8.23pm

Cllr GR requested Cllr JB be welcomed as it was usually customary to welcome new Members. Chair PB acknowledged and made no comment.

Chair PB acknowledged.

72 Declarations of Interest:
None

73 Minutes:
Cllr JB proposed item 14 be moved to go after item 6.
Chair PB reiterated item 14 was an amendment and would stay in that position on the agenda.
Cllr DB advised two small changes. Minute 60: "they" taken out before "were unachievable"
Minute 66 "objection" should read "objective"
Clerk amended and Chair PB initialed.
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15 Nov 2010 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr JH Seconded: Cllr JC PC Minutes resolved. PC Resolved

74 Matters Arising:
[i] TWBC "The Council’s Budget Residents Priorities Consultation"
Chair PB reported PB, DB, MK and BS had all attended the public meeting held in Goudhurst. The meeting was part of the consultation to access priority views for any sensible cuts and saving of priority services in both urban and rural areas. Residents and PCs were asked to complete a questionnaire without any knowledge of costs. At the meeting attendees were given figures and all agreed if this information had been to hand responses may have been more indicative.

[ii] Chair PB asked Cllrs to submit their Newsletter items to Maureen Lake by 8 Jan 2011. Cllr RL asked for all reports to be computer edited.
GR – Youth Forum; DB – BVH History; MK – What constitutes a Parish Councillor; JHg – Churchyard; PB – 4 village charities JB,JC,JHm,RL – t.b.c PC Action

75 Parish Councillor By-Election:
Cllr GR asked Vice DB if any discussion had taken place with Chair PB about a replacement for the vacancy and on what dates did the discussions take place.
Cllr DB could recall no specific dates.
Cllr GR enquired who was there at the time of the discussions.
Cllr DB reported no formal meetings had taken place.
Cllr GR asked Vice DB if she was aware of the number of residents requesting an Election and had she approached any residents to suggest there should be one.
Vice DB said she had spoken to one or two residents explaining the criticisms concerning the earlier Election and suggested they should request an election from TWBC if they were concerned about this. Vice DB reminded Cllr GR of the atmosphere in the Parish and the divide that had split the village in the past few years. Cllr GR why did you not see fit to discuss this with the full council? We should look to strengthen our weaknesses and work together as a team. An opportunity was the 1 Sept HT meeting. This was important and should have been discussed by everyone.
Vice DB reiterated that this situation had arisen before but there had never been a formal meeting.
Cllr GR replied that as the election had only recently taken place, would it not have been a better option to co-opt.
Vice DB advised that considering the acrimony that exists in the village, she felt the fair and right way was to have an election. Whoever was voted in was elected by the Parish.
Chair PB we have stated our position clearly. Some residents would object whichever course
of action we took. An election therefore takes away much of the personalization. When residents approached me, I explained the situation and if they felt there was a need for an election they should respond. On being asked for assistance I helped 2 residents with their response.
Cllr GR I have a list of dated letters to TWBC which mainly date 16 Sept 2010
Chair PB – I am surprised. There was no coordinated attempt to call for an election.
Cllr GR an email was issued by TWBC on 17 Sept advising an election would take place.
Chair PB we decided that an election was not going to be declared until the closing date.
Cllr GR At the meeting on 20 Sept 2010 you should have told people there would be an election.
Chair PB apologized and agreed it was incorrect.
Vice DB confirmed she was not aware of any email.
Cllr GR outlined how he was unhappy with the election.
Cllr MK reiterated how disappointed and unhappy she was with the atmosphere and the divisions in the Parish over the past 4 years.
Chair PB outlined that Cllr JB had been a signatory asking for an election.
Cllr JB confirmed a response would be given at agenda item 14.
Chair PB reiterated everybody is entitled to their individual opinion and closed the discussion.

76 Benenden Primary School Report:
Cllr GR advised Governors continue to monitor closely the funding proposals from KCC and DOE. A suggested change from funding per pupil to funding based on postcode is likely to be disadvantageous to rural schools precisely what impact is not yet known. One staff member on long term sick leave has been replaced by a permanent teacher. 172 pupils on role, continue to be above the PAN levels [determined capacity]. Governors continue to work closely with KCC, Clague architects and appointed consultants to prepare the planning application. This follows the concept design but with some changes. A planning application is likely to be in excess of £250k and the main concern is to avoid any adverse effect on KCC funding a new school.
Chair PB thanked Cllr GR for his report and reiterated the PC have to carry out the principle duties of the HMT on behalf of the whole village.
Cllr GR proposed a motion "That the PC will communicate with the School Governors and work closely with them to get a planning application passed for a new school"
Chair PB asked each Cllr to express their view.
Cllr DB would like to believe there are better lines of communication in place but Cllrs could only respond to information not initiate action.
Cllr JC wishes KCC would involve the PC. PC has responsibilities to the whole village not the school governors.
2Cllr MK reiterated that from the outset of the proposal, the PC has always been the last to be consulted. We often hear through village gossip.
Cllr GR advised when he was Chair he was in constant communication with KCC.
Cllr JC we are dealing with a KCC "preferred" site.

Chair PB asked for a show of hands. 2 for 5 against 1 abstain –DB not possible to comment until the planning application is received. PC Noted

Chair PB then read the report from Chair of Governors DH
It outlined that a planning application would most probably not be lodged until the 2nd quarter of 2011, allowing for local consultations and further discussions.
Chair PB reiterated that the PC would like to see the plans and look at any future proposals but reserve the right to comment. As yet PC has only been asked to state our preference for access as HMT. At present we have nothing further to say.

77 Snow Report:
Chair PB advised KCC had arranged for selected Parishes to receive a bulk load of salt, for use in difficult places where residents find it hard to get out. A consideration is to find somebody in extreme weather, with a suitable vehicle, wheelbarrow etc to be paid to take sand to required areas and grit vital locations in the village – a Parish newsletter article. Cllr GR offered to provide a service. Chair PB thanked Cllr GR and suggested the PC consider hiring a handyman.
Cllr JB requested a salt bin for Standen Street residents. Cllr JB to liaise with Clerk.
Clerk advised 3 requests received for salt bin requests in past 2 weeks. All forwarded to KHS but there are no allocations available for the year 10/11. Chair PB advised the PC should consider purchasing grit bins and not waiting for KHS set criteria – research costs. Cllr GR asked for a letter to be sent to the village shop. Clerk Action

78 Youth Forum:
Cllr GR reported on the initial meeting of the Youth Forum. An important amenity to possibly reinstate is the Table Tennis Table. Cllr GR kept base so will research costs of strong top. Youths asked for nets on one of the goal posts for shooting practice. Chair PB advised the net would have to be taken down after use and a suitable place found for storage which was accessible to minimize vandalism.
Vice DB asked if the group came up with any projects / ideas
Cllr GR is researching various items and would report further in due course
Chair PB confirmed the sale of St Georges is not a high priority on the HT agenda, so any future schemes should not take this into account. GR Action

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

80 Precept 2011/12:
Clerk outlined the previously circulated expenditure of the ¾ year and the predicted spend until year end. Chair PB proposed that the PC resolved to accept the annual precept for 2011/12 as £23,000.00
Cllr JB abstained and proposed a review of the Finance Regulations in Jan 2011.
Clerk confirmed then Financial Regulations are reviewed annually before the end of the financial year. Chair PB acknowledged Cllr JB request.
PC resolved to accept a precept of £23,000.00 PC Resolved

81 Financial Report:
Parish Council resolved to accept monthly finance report
Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 10 November 2010

Income
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk Nov salary 100.00
BK TWBC – Public Toilets 09/10 grant + community award 3600.00
CHQ Mr Georgetti – Edmund Gybbon donation 2.50
BK TWBC – Festive Decoration Grant 85.00
TRF Harmsworth Trust – P.Punchard hedge cut 85.00
CHQ Mr & Mrs Musters – Stephen Ginder donation 500.00
TOTAL 4372.50

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
457 RBL Poppy Appeal 16.50
458 P Punchard – hedge cut Recreation Ground 85.00
459 Broker Network – Came & Co Ins Public Toilets 51.64
460 Stationery Express – inks DB/JHag, box paper, copying 93.44
461 IGPT – 50% TWBC Festive Decoration Grant 42.50
462 BVH – 50% TWBC Festive Decoration Grant 42.50
463 B Sullivan – Nov 10 salary, postage 5.76, cards/gifts 7.48 740.27
464 Southern Water – Public Toilets 28 Apr – 19 Oct 10 130.35 465 M English – Public Toilets Nov 10 180.00
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Dec 10 18.99 TFR Harmsworth Trust – 50% BVH car park repairs 1300.00
TOTAL 2701.19
After all cheques cleared
Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 Nov 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £23,570.35 PC Noted

Nb: £502.50 for Edmund Gybbon / Stephen Ginder to be distributed.
Chair PB suggested that the funds could be divided equally between Arnold Cole Tst and Merry & Bright PC Jan 2011

[ii] Charity Commission Annual Return 09/10
Clerk confirmed the completion and submission of the Annual Return 09/10 for:
Benenden Village Green charity no: 1015247
Edmund Gybbon charity no: 238203 PC Noted

82 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report 9 Dec 2010 [attached to original minutes]
Item 9 – Kent High Weald – PB & GR supporting comments forwarded
Item 15 - Street Cruiser Bus – date now 16 Dec 5-7pm suitable for 13-18 yr olds
Item 25 – KHS Survey – Clerk collated responses and completed on-line Item 26 – Kent Fire Rescue – need response by 17 Jan 2011 PC Action

83 Response to Cllr Beattie’s email of 17 Nov 2010:
Chair PB read out a statement in response to Cllr JB email [see below these main minutes]

Cllr JB stated that the email was private and you have now brought this to the public’s attention via this meeting and the noticeboard. I require a copy of your statement and I will respond in full in writing. JB Action

Vice DB thanked the Chairman for his statement. It was time these issues were brought into the open. Having been a parish councillor for many years, many controversial issues, hi-lighting strongly differing views had come before the PC. In all of those years she
could not think of any occasion when differences had not been resolved in an amicable manner.
The PC is right not to enter into any discussion about the accusations that are going on in this Village. I am your Vice Chair and I have total confidence in your Chairmanship. I would not have taken on the role if this was the case. Cllr DB proposed a Vote of Confidence in the Chairman and asked each Cllr if they had any comments.
Cllr JC – Chair PB has carried out good work for many years. Fully support him.
Cllr MK – During my 10 years as Clerk I found you fully supportive and have extreme confidence in you. Fully support him.
Cllr RL – I was Vice Chair and was happy to work alongside you. My full support.
Cllr JHg – I agree with everything already said
Cllr JB – I used to be friendly with PB but since I have been elected I have been treated poorly.
Cllr GR – No comment Vice DB asked for a show of hands in the Vote of Confidence for the Chairman.
5 for 2 abstain and Chairman did not cast a vote. PC Resolved

Cllr JB wished all Cllrs to know that all her life she had acted openly, fairly and civilly. If the rest of the PC is willing to work with me I look forward to working with them. I am not about one issue.

Cllr GR reiterated the school is in a dire mess. It is full to capacity, has excellent staff and as a PC we should do our best to help get a new school built. Site 1 will not be developed. Our existing school will be closed within 5 years if a new school isn’t built. We must work together to get a new school built.

Chair PB outlined that the PC is fully aware of the need for a new school and it has been almost 6 years since the process began. PC does have a difference of opinion with the School Governors about the most appropriate site. The PC has never agreed to give the School Governors carte blanche over the use of HMT land.

Cllr JB proposed that the future of the HMT be a motion for a future meeting.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.45pm

Chair PB opened the meeting to TWBC LH + SH

TWBC LH explained that the opportunity for Benenden to build some affordable housing may arise as Cranbrook is struggling to absorb the 286 allocated by TWBC. The infrastructure is not sufficient. No housing identified for Benenden and there maybe rewards for accepting housing.
Chair PB explained that BPC identified a need following a survey and are pursuing 2 sites with 6-8 homes on each. TWBC SH explained that TWBC Leader of the Council had just lost a No Confidence Vote but he is not obliged to resign; Public Consultation on the fate of the Civic Complex – Assembly Halls, Town Hall, Art Gallery, Library, Police Station are all due to be handed over to the Regeneration Company. Survey is consumer linked and open to misinterpretation.

Chair PB opened the meeting to the Public

KCC RM hi-lighted Ofsted’s report on "Kent – safeguarding children" immediate action to improve; winter service following a large review Swattenden Dept now re-opened. Salt/Sand delivery from KHS is part of the self help approach; ISS new lighting in village – kept away from humps; Localism Bill – a new system for neighbourhoods, gives greater importance to PCs.

KCC RM spoke of the great work all the Councillors undertake but emphasised he did not see a team operating; rumours of manipulation; antagonism and acrimony. Chair PB endorsed that the PC must be fit for purpose, we owe that to the community.
KCC RM confirmed that at this time we are a divided community and we must all take steps to bring the community back together; a change in attitude; and as a PC you will be in a good shape to make use of the powers that will bestow of you in the forthcoming months.
Chair PB advised that the PC had lost working as a united team at present.

DH Chair of Governors expressed sadness to hear that the Primary School site has divided the village. I would love to have thought it wouldn’t arouse great animosity and divisions. The governors’ intention was to handle it in an open, fair, way and clearly none of us wanted it to have worked out like this. I hope the plans will meet any anticipated problems and we will be able to unite and talk over the planning application.
Chair PB confirmed his agreement and that the process needs to be moving on and questioned the 6mth delay

DH advised that the deadline was always going to be difficult and an increasing number of rules and regulations keep arising. Delays re ecological survey and meetings deferred through poor weather but a few months delay in the planning application should not affect the build.

Chair PB thanked everybody for attending.
No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 10.10pm

Next Meeting: Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council
On: Monday 17 January 2011 at 8pm At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman’s response to Cllr Beattie’s e-mail of 17 November 2009

Talking to Parishioners during the run up to the recent bye-election I was disturbed to hear of the misinformation and undercurrent of rumours being spread about the Parish Council and, in particular, the Council’s position regarding the proposed site for the new Primary School. I wish to take this opportunity to clarify the situation and bring a number of matters into the open.
After the May elections for the Parish Council, I and my fellow Councillors received a sixteen page document from Mr Anthony Beattie. It was a general complaint about eight Councillors’ irregular conduct at the election. It also contained various opinions and suggestions setting out how the writer thought a Parish Election should be run. The complaint in effect accused the eight Councillors of Electoral Fraud.
The document was copied to the Acting Returning Officer at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council who shared it with the Borough Solicitor who is also the Standards Board Monitoring Office. As the accusation set out in the papers was of Electoral Fraud their response was that this was outside the jurisdiction of the Borough Council to determine and it was a matter for a Police enquiry.
Having taken advice, the named Councillors were advised that, as this was potentially
a matter for the Police, we should not, either singly or as a group, enter into dialogue with the complainant. I understand the papers were forwarded to the police and we wait to hear from them. Turning now to Cllr Beatty’s e-mail of the 17 th November, which incidentally was not sent the to eight Parish Councillors but given to us by a concerned Parishioner; this repeats the accusation of Electoral Fraud and furthermore, is a mixture of unsubstantiated opinions, full of innuendo, and exposes ignorance of the Harmsworth Trust Constitution. Cllr Beattie is entitled to her opinions, which she sets out clearly in her e-mail and I do not propose to enter into a tit for tat response.
The accusation of Electoral Fraud remains a matter for the police but I wish to take this opportunity to inject some facts into the discussion.
1. The Parish Council The Council has a duty to the Parish as a whole and not to any individual group. The position of the majority of Councillors with regard to the proposed site for a new school has not changed since the County Council opted for site 8. We believe the choice of site is wrong but we have repeatedly said that we will not object for the sake of objecting but will wait and see the final plans that are submitted with the planning application and evaluate what impact they will have on the village, before making any further comment.

2. The Harmsworth Trust
The Trust’s charitable objectives are: " the provision and maintenance of a community centre, playing fields and recreation grounds for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Benenden". The Trustees can only apply the charity’s funds in furtherance of the purposes stated in the trust deeds; any deviation would be a breach of trust. Educational purposes are excluded from the Trustees remit.
Furthermore, the Trustees have been advised that their exclusive focus when considering the proposed new school must be the "Public Interest in the Community Facilities" irrespective of their personal views.
3. Management of the Harmsworth Trust Facilities – playing fields, playgrounds, and the Village Hall
Of all the opinions expressed in the e-mail the remarks about the village hall are the most ill informed. The Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee has already expressed the views of the group who run the hall, which is one of, if not the best village hall in Kent. I fully endorse the Chairman’s comments and in my opinion the playing fields and play grounds are equally well run.
4. The Village Poll
The Parish Council aware of the diverse opinions in the village as to where a new school should be sited sought advice as to how an objective view could be obtained. The advice was a Village Poll.
I mention this because of the lengths that some members of the Parish have gone to "Rubbish" the result which showed clearly a preference for the alternative site 1. The Poll was organised by the Borough Council, the questions were set by the Borough Council and the Poll was conducted by the Borough Council, totally independent of the Parish Council. The result was a majority of 80 in favour of site 1, with a turnout of 36.7%.
The following objections to the result were raised; the wrong questions were asked and costs were not taken into account. In March 2007 we only had concept plans, accurate detailed costs were not known for either site and the Poll only set out to establish which the preferred site was, in the question devised by the Borough Council. What I find difficult to understand is that, as we do not have the new final plans for site 8 and therefore no detailed costs, how can any one say, with certainty, that the alternative site would be more expensive?
We will have the benefit of Cllr Beattie’s knowledge and advice in the coming months and no doubt she will be able to tell us where we have all gone wrong and put us on the right track to recovery.
This statement is made in response to what I believe to be an unwarranted attack on the integrity of seven members of the Parish Council. My hope is that we can now draw a line under past events and start the New Year in the positive mode which Parishioners have a right to expect.

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS

Ordinary Meeting held 13 December 2010

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

131 Apologies:
Cllr JHm [unwell]

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

133 Matters Arising:
None
134 Benenden Village Hall:
JC advised BVHMC had written regarding the comments Cllr JB had made in her email of 17 Nov 2010.
Cllr DB read out a letter to the Chairman from BVHMC. Call JB requested a copy of the letter and explained that her intention was to be a new voice; she has read all the available minutes for BVH and wished to see more activities at the hall.
Cllr JC reiterated various clubs were longstanding hirers of the BVH and the Table Tennis Club had only moved on when the facility was not large enough due to the popularity of the club.
Chair PB confirmed the letter had not been circulated but each member would receive a copy.

135 St Georges: Chair PB advised St Georges building incorporating Benenden Pre-School, St Georges Club and Caretaker Cottage required 7 linked wireless smoke alarms and 1 heat detector in the bar
3 firms contacted and site visits made. 2 quotations received – 1 further quote awaited. HT Action
Call GR spoke of the supervisor’s disappointment at the attitude of PB following a meeting at Benenden Pre School.
Chair PB explained that the Pre-School had requested renovation of the entrance hall which was not cost effective.
Cllr GR said as landlords we should adopt a more caring attitude.

136 Benenden Recreation Ground:
Cllr GR expressed disappointment that the playground was out of action all summer.
Chair PB explained that ROSPA had closed the full playground on 22 July and the report was not issued until the beginning of Sept and the task for obtaining sensible quotes for vast repair works led to further delays.
Call GR felt that with more energy this could have been dealt with earlier.
Cllr DB recalled Cllr GR requesting no more money should be spent on the play equipment because of the plans for the new school.

Re-routing of Right of Way
Call GR proposed that the access across the centre of the recreation ground be changed and moved nearer to BVH Car Park.
Chair PB responded that he had met with a surveyor from Canterbury Dioceses and it had been agreed in principle that the right of way would be rerouted through the village hall car park to the entrance of the Glebe Field. No further action was to be taken until the plans for the new primary school including access had been finalised.
Call GR asked if it had been minuted.

137 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
[i] ¾ HT Accounts 10/11
Clerk reported on the expenditure for ¾ of year 10/11 and the predicted expenditure for the remainder of 10/11 if all works implemented. HMT Noted
1
[ii] Monthly Finance Report
HT resolved to accept the monthly finance report.
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 10 Nov 2010

Income
St Georges Nov 10 rent 158.33 BVH Nov 10 wages 537.80
COIF 3rd Quarter Inv Dividend 3003.78
TFR Rate A/C – 50% BVH Car Park Repairs 1300.00
CHQ I/G Tennis Club – 10/11 Rent 225.00
TOTAL 5224.91

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Aviva - Insurance Nov 10 387.39
113 Ashwood Surfacing – BVH Car Park Repairs 3055.00
114 Southern Water – St Georges waste water 63.18
115 D Dalrymple – Nov 10 salary 449.80
SO Rate Account – BS clerk Oct 10 100.00
TFR Rate A/C – P.Punchard hedge cut 85.00
TOTAL 4140.37
After all cheques cleared

C/A £500 D/A £9,592.49

Reconciled with Bank Statement 30 Nov 2010

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £9,592.49

HT A/C NO 2
Balance in No 2 A/C 1037.81 HT Noted

138 Correspondence
None

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.22pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 17 January 2011 at 8pm
At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden
immediately after PC meeting

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST