The village of Benenden in Kent

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Beattie, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Kellett, Lake,
Reynolds, Clerk, TWBC SH, + some 15 members of the public

84 Apologies:
TWBC L Hall
KCC R Manning

85 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr MK declared a personal interest in planning application TW/10/03948/LBC Dingleden House, Mrs A Thompson as she is an acquaintance and neighbour.

86 Minutes:
Cllr JB asked for a written note to be attached to the minutes at the next meeting as she felt amendments were required.
Parish Council resolved to accept the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 13 Dec 2010, confirmed and signed by the Chairman. JB abstained. PC Resolved

87 **SEE PART AMENDED VERSION AT END OF MINUTES**
Matters Arising:
Chair PB outlined his hope for a clean start to 2011 but following the December meeting, felt a response to Cllr GR comments was required. [Statement attached]
Chair PB asked Vice Chair DB to conduct this part of the meeting.
Cllr JB outlined her actions leading up to the by-election and her reasons for deciding to stand as a candidate.
Cllr PB reiterated that the other candidate stepped in enthusiastically at the last moment when, the day before the closing date for application forms to be submitted, the other interested candidate had failed to complete the forms. Cllr PB stated that the PC does not have an issue with the building of a new school and will deal with the planning application in the normal manner when it is submitted.
Cllr JB reported the candidate, that had decided not to stand, was not aware of the views of the PC on the new school.
Chair DB explained that she had been at a meeting with the PC Chairman and the potential candidate when the controversy concerning the school had been discussed. The potential candidate had been advised this was a matter about which he should form his own opinion.
Cllr JB stated no comment.
Cllr GR emphasized that as we enter a new year it is vital that we all work together for the good of the Council and our parishioners. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
Chair DB thanked Cllr GR for his comments, noted Cllr JB’s comments and advised that no further discussion would take place on this item.
Cllr PB emphasized a fresh start was needed and with little evidence to support some of the comments, the matter should be closed.
Chair DB expressed her view that it was unrealistic that people’s personal opinions and attitudes would change immediately but as a PC it will be our responsibility to do the best for our Parish, we were all elected and we must all work together.

Chair PB thanked Cllr DB for chairing and resumed his role as Chairman.
PC Noted
88 Cllr J Beattie:
Cllr JB read from a statement
Cllr JB proposed that all Cllrs should declare their commitment to the Code of Conduct and read out the 10 general principles.
Chair PB advised he had no intention of asking each Cllr individually to reaffirm their commitment to the Code of Conduct.

89 Parish Council Sub-Committees:
Cllr GR asked the PC to consider electing Cllr JB onto the Finance & General Purpose Committee, as her background in economics could prove useful.
Chair PB confirmed appointments to committees are made at the Annual Meeting and did not propose any changes until the Annual Meeting in May.
Chair PB confirmed that the Youth Forum Committee needed formal minuting. The PC resolved that the YFC would comprise of: Cllr GR, Cllr JHem and Cllr JB PC Resolved

90 Youth Forum:
Cllr GR asked PC to consider joining Kent Youth Membership, to give the group access to practical support and advice. £50 pa + £25 joining fee. PC resolved to join Kent Youth.
PC Resolved
Cllr JC reported that the youth bus had not appeared on the scheduled day. Cllr GR confirmed that the bus had broken down and expected the bus to visit on Weds 26 Jan for 3 consecutive weeks.

Cllr GR reported he had purchased a football net and it is being stored at The Bull Inn and he is researching a new top for the table tennis table.
The next Youth meeting is Mon March 7th. PC resolved to pay for the hall hire and Cllr GR for the purchase of the net. PC Resolved

91 Annual Assembly Date & Speaker:
Chair PB proposed that the Annual Assembly be held on Tues 3rd May to ensure date did not
clash with Easter and Royal Wedding. PC resolved to accept Tues 3rd May PC Resolved
Chair PB asked Cllrs to come forward with names of a good speaker and subject.
PC Action

92 Standing Orders Annual Review 10/11:
Clerk confirmed that, following best practice advice by KALC’s Clive Powell, PC agreed to accept documents by email as long as the Clerk’s signature was added.
PC Resolved

Standing Orders Annual Review: It was resolved that the following changes be incorporated with immediate effect:

Item 1 b) At least 3 clear days public notice [excluding the date of issue; a Sunday; a religious holiday i.e. Christmas or Easter; a bank holiday or any day appointed for a public thanksgiving or mourning] of a meeting of the full Council must be given.

Item 11 g) to appoint members of the following committees: include Youth Forum and amend Church Clock to Church Clock representative

Item 48. Code of Conduct on Complaints
That the following sentence be deleted: except for those complaints which should be properly directed to the Standards Board for consideration.
That the following sentence be added: In the first instance the Chairman should be informed and he/she should inform the person complained of. If no local resolution possible, advice should be sought from the TWBC Monitoring Officer. In the case that the Chairman is complained of, the Vice-Chairman should act.

Item 50. Standing Orders to be given to members
That the following sentence be added: Hard copies of approved amendments will be supplied to each member.
PC Resolved
93 Planning Report:
Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Monthly Planning Report [attached]

Chair PB suggested we research TWBC feelings on Satellite Dishes and solar panels on
buildings including those with LBC
Cllr GR suggested we check for refusals as the number of planning applications of this
nature will probably increase.
Cllr DB reported that a meeting last year on renewable energy, the impression given would
be that solar panels would be encouraged.
Cllr RL outlined the position of the appeal on the Yurt at School Farm, Cranbrook Road. The planning inspectorate had upheld the appeal and the enforcement from TWBC must be
complied with.

94 **SEE AMENDED VERSION AT END OF MINUTES**
Financial Regulations Annual Review 10/11:
Banking Arrangements Review
PC resolved that the Council’s current banking arrangements with Co-Operative Bank should
continue.
Clerk asked for the update to the banking mandate to be postponed until Financial Year end.
Cllr JB & JHem to be added. PC Resolved

Financial Regulations Review:
Chair PB advised a note from Cllr JB had been received on the financial regulations. The
FGP&G committee will meet to discuss the note.
Cllr JB circulated an example draft budget prepared by a Quality Council for PC’s
consideration.

PC resolved to put the Financial Regulations on hold and to report back at either Feb or Mar Meeting. PC Resolved

95 Financial Report:
i. Parish Council resolved to accept monthly finance report
Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 8 December 2010

Income
SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk Dec salary 100.00
TOTAL 100.00

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
466 St Georges Children’s Project TWBC Mayor Toy Appeal 25.00
467 Stationery Express – inks JC, copying, stny, JB docs 56.19
468 M English – Public Toilets Dec 10, bleach 2.19 188.19
469 Bull Inn Benenden – gift voucher M & T English 25.00
470 B.Sullivan – 2 xmas gifts CT & PM, PC xmas cards 50.00
471 B Sullivan – Dec 10 salary 626.83, postage 6.84 633.67
472 Post Office Ltd – Tax/NI BS 1Oct – 31Dec 2010 273.43
473 P. Message – war memorial garden Jul-Dec 2010 120.00
474 Ben Memorial Hall – Hire of 1Sep, 18Oct + 13Dec 27.00
475 Stationery Express – inks JHem, Diary, ink office, copying 61.63
D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Jan 2011 18.99 TOTAL 1479.10

Nb: £502.50 for Edmund Gybbon / Stephen Ginder to be distributed.

After all cheques cleared
Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £22,191.25

Reconciled with Bank Statement 31 Dec 2010 Balance: £23,386.97
Uncleared cheques Total: -£1,195.72
Balance in D/A £22,191.25
PC Noted

ii. Internal Audit Check List

Clerk confirmed Internal Auditor Tom Dawlings had completed an Internal Audit Checklist and was happy to stand as the Honorary Auditor for 10/11 again.
PC resolved to accept Tom Dawlings as Auditor. PC Resolved

iii. £502.50 for Edmund Gybbon / Stephen Ginder for distribution

PC resolved to give funds to Arnold Cole Trust. PC Resolved

[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

96 Correspondence:
Clerk read from the previously circulated report 11 January 2011 [attached]
Clerk confirmed distribution of handout on Personal & Prejudicial Interest.
CPRE Localism Bill Briefing- the Clerk had written to show PC interest in a possible seminar
[Item 32];
Item 23– BHF No to siting a clothing, books and music bank at BVH
Item 39 – RBL Poppy Party Weekend – Clerk had informed Robin Dalton-Holmes
Item 48 – M&N Communications – TWBC consultation on civic complex. Cllrs encouraged to
complete PC Action

Chair PB reported DH had contacted him, to advise KCC had invited the PC, to view the school plan at 10.30am on Friday 25 Feb 2011, venue to be decided. Cllr MK unavailable.

There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Chair PB opened the meeting to TWBC SH

TWBC SH explained that TWBC have selected a new Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Atwood. All the proposed regeneration will be put on hold.

Chair PB opened the meeting to the Public

PD advised TWBC does have a leaflet on satellite dishes.
PD requested that the adopted red telephone kiosk in Iden Green be maintained, it required cleaning and painting.

Chair PB thanked everybody for attending.

No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 9.28pm

Next Meeting: Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council
On: Monday 21 February at 8pm
At: The Pavilion, Iden Green

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Amendments to minutes requested by Cllr JB and agreed by Chair PB.

PC resolved to accept the amendments and the note to the minutes was amended by the clerk and signed by Chair PB at the PC meeting on 21 Feb 2011

87 Matters Arising
Cllr JB outlined her reasons for deciding to stand as a candidate. She emphasised that, in order to save the cost of a by-election to the tax payers of Benenden she had, in close liaison with the Electoral Services team at TWBC, arranged to withdraw her nomination should the Council decide to co-opt one of the runners-up in the May election.

94 Financial Regulations Annual Review 10/11
Financial Regulations Review: “The FGP&G committee will meet to discuss the note and decide what is needed” Cllr JB commented that the Council had to take action or it might be acting unlawfully.

Bonny Sullivan
Clerk 21 Feb 2011

HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS
Ordinary Meeting held 17 January 2011

Present: Cllrs Bailey, Beattie, Blockley Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds,
Clerk
139 Apologies:
None

140 Minutes:
Cllr GR asked for Minute No: 136 last sentence to be amended to read” Cllr GR asked if it had been minuted.” Clerk amended and Chair PB initialed.
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday
13 December 2010 were confirmed and signed. HT resolved to accept the minutes as a true
record. HT Resolved

141 Matters Arising:
Chair PB identified issues raised previously by Cllr GR
Playground – Minute of July superseded by HT meeting held on 1 Sept 2010 re access
St Georges Hall
Access across Recreation Ground – PB read Minute No: 54 / 18 Sept 2006

142 Cllr JB response to letter from BVHMC read by Cllr DB:
Cllr JB advised she did not wish to proceed with this item at the present time.

143 Benenden Village Hall:
Cllr GR reported a broken drain cover in the front car park.
Cllr JC advised this had been replaced on several occasions and it would be wise to invest in a metal cover.
Cllr GR offered help with any car park repairs. Cllr JC explained that the slope to the front car park was in a poor condition. Cllr JHem agreed to meet with Chair PB to discuss further repairs and advised residue plainings currently stored at Iden Green could be utilised for temporary repairs.
Chair PB reported more holes needed filling and Cllr GR advised works should be carried out in the spring once the heavy rains had passed. HT Action

144 St Georges:
Quotations for wireless linked smoke alarms. Minute No: 135 10/11
Chair PB confirmed the Clerk had circulated the 3 quotations received from BMS Electrical; WS Parsons Ltd and M&S Electrical.
Following discussion and a final check to ensure all quotes are for identical works to be carried out, HT resolved to accept the quotation from M&S Electrical. HT Resolved

145 Benenden Recreation Ground – urgent tree work [TPO/19/2006]:
Clerk advised a hawthorn tree on the roadside edge of the Recreation Ground had been reported by Cllr JH and Cllr GR as dangerous. A branch had fallen and the tree appeared damaged. Clerk advised TWBC who gave advice to instruct a tree surgeon. A tree surgeon attended and identified the tree as dead, dying and dangerous. The tree was felled the same day. TWBC had no objection [11/00001/DDDTRE] but advised the tree must be replaced with a similar species. HT Action

Chair PB advised Cllr JH was willing to represent the PC as a tree warden.

146 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust:
i. Charity Commission Annual Return 09/10 Harmsworth Memorial Trust Charity No: 302682

Clerk confirmed the online report had been completed and submitted to the Charity
Commission. HT Noted

ii. Adoption of Harmsworth Memorial Trust Accounts 09/10
Chair PB and Clerk signed the Accounts for the year 09/10. Michael Patrick Treasurer and
Cllr JC Chairman of BVHMC signed the Accounts for BVH for the year 09/10.
Tom Dawlings had audited and prepared the final accounts for the HT for 09/10.
Clerk confirmed the Trustees Report and Accounts to be forwarded to the Charity
Commission. HT resolved to adopt the accounts for 09/10 HT Resolved

iii. Monthly Finance Report
HT resolved to accept the monthly finance report.
Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 08 December 2010

Income
St Georges Dec 10 rent 158.33
BVH Dec 10 wages 537.80
I/G Allotment Field 15 Jan 10 – 14 Jan 11 87.50 TOTAL 783.63

Outgoings
Chq No Supplier
D/D Aviva - Insurance Dec 10 387.39
116 D Dalrymple – Dec 10 salary 449.80
117 Post Office Ltd – DD Tax/NI 1Oct-31Dec 422.26
118 M.T.Austen – St Georges security light replacement 97.25
119 L.Leadbeter – 3 wasp nests 28/6, 14/7 St G, 18/7 BVH 120.00
SO Rate Account – BS clerk Dec 10 100.00
TOTAL 1576.70
After all cheques cleared

Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £8,799.42

Reconciled with Bank Statement 31 Dec 2010 Balance: £8,929.17
Uncleared cheques Total: -£217.25
Balance in D/A £8,799.42

Balance in No 2 A/C 1037.81 HT Noted

147 Correspondence
Chair PB advised a boundary fence and hedge enquiry by the owner of 1 St Georges Place had been received. The PC had written on previous occasions requesting the hedges to be tidied. The property has been rented out to a series of tenants and we had been unable to identify the owner, although we had been advised to keep the hedge high to allow the tenants some privacy from the Pre-School. Peter Punchard had been instructed to tidy the hedges but so far the work had not been carried out. If the hedge is brought back to a maintainable height, David Dalrymple has offered to manage it. Chair PB advised boundary confirmation was required before any further action. HT Action

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.58pm

Chair PB opened the meeting for any further questions;

MP enquired over the legal status of the village hall car park.
Chair PB confirmed the car park is privately owned.
There being no further questions, Chair PB thanked everybody for attending, and closed the
meeting at 10.00pm

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 21 February 2011 at 8pm
At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden immediately after PC meeting

PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST

		Meeting minutes for 17 January 2011 in the Memorial Hall, Benenden Click for minutes for December 2010 These notes are abstracted from the original minutes-for the full and proper copy please contact the Parish Clerk
		Present: Cllrs Bailey, Beattie, Blockley, Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Kellett, Lake, Reynolds, Clerk, TWBC SH, + some 15 members of the public 84 Apologies: TWBC L Hall KCC R Manning 85 Declarations of Interest: Cllr MK declared a personal interest in planning application TW/10/03948/LBC Dingleden House, Mrs A Thompson as she is an acquaintance and neighbour. 86 Minutes: Cllr JB asked for a written note to be attached to the minutes at the next meeting as she felt amendments were required. Parish Council resolved to accept the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 13 Dec 2010, confirmed and signed by the Chairman. JB abstained. PC Resolved 87 SEE PART AMENDED VERSION AT END OF MINUTES Matters Arising: Chair PB outlined his hope for a clean start to 2011 but following the December meeting, felt a response to Cllr GR comments was required. [Statement attached] Chair PB asked Vice Chair DB to conduct this part of the meeting. Cllr JB outlined her actions leading up to the by-election and her reasons for deciding to stand as a candidate. Cllr PB reiterated that the other candidate stepped in enthusiastically at the last moment when, the day before the closing date for application forms to be submitted, the other interested candidate had failed to complete the forms. Cllr PB stated that the PC does not have an issue with the building of a new school and will deal with the planning application in the normal manner when it is submitted. Cllr JB reported the candidate, that had decided not to stand, was not aware of the views of the PC on the new school. Chair DB explained that she had been at a meeting with the PC Chairman and the potential candidate when the controversy concerning the school had been discussed. The potential candidate had been advised this was a matter about which he should form his own opinion. Cllr JB stated no comment. Cllr GR emphasized that as we enter a new year it is vital that we all work together for the good of the Council and our parishioners. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Chair DB thanked Cllr GR for his comments, noted Cllr JB’s comments and advised that no further discussion would take place on this item. Cllr PB emphasized a fresh start was needed and with little evidence to support some of the comments, the matter should be closed. Chair DB expressed her view that it was unrealistic that people’s personal opinions and attitudes would change immediately but as a PC it will be our responsibility to do the best for our Parish, we were all elected and we must all work together. Chair PB thanked Cllr DB for chairing and resumed his role as Chairman. PC Noted 88 Cllr J Beattie: Cllr JB read from a statement Cllr JB proposed that all Cllrs should declare their commitment to the Code of Conduct and read out the 10 general principles. Chair PB advised he had no intention of asking each Cllr individually to reaffirm their commitment to the Code of Conduct. 89 Parish Council Sub-Committees: Cllr GR asked the PC to consider electing Cllr JB onto the Finance & General Purpose Committee, as her background in economics could prove useful. Chair PB confirmed appointments to committees are made at the Annual Meeting and did not propose any changes until the Annual Meeting in May. Chair PB confirmed that the Youth Forum Committee needed formal minuting. The PC resolved that the YFC would comprise of: Cllr GR, Cllr JHem and Cllr JB PC Resolved 90 Youth Forum: Cllr GR asked PC to consider joining Kent Youth Membership, to give the group access to practical support and advice. £50 pa + £25 joining fee. PC resolved to join Kent Youth. PC Resolved Cllr JC reported that the youth bus had not appeared on the scheduled day. Cllr GR confirmed that the bus had broken down and expected the bus to visit on Weds 26 Jan for 3 consecutive weeks. Cllr GR reported he had purchased a football net and it is being stored at The Bull Inn and he is researching a new top for the table tennis table. The next Youth meeting is Mon March 7th. PC resolved to pay for the hall hire and Cllr GR for the purchase of the net. PC Resolved 91 Annual Assembly Date & Speaker: Chair PB proposed that the Annual Assembly be held on Tues 3rd May to ensure date did not clash with Easter and Royal Wedding. PC resolved to accept Tues 3rd May PC Resolved Chair PB asked Cllrs to come forward with names of a good speaker and subject. PC Action 92 Standing Orders Annual Review 10/11: Clerk confirmed that, following best practice advice by KALC’s Clive Powell, PC agreed to accept documents by email as long as the Clerk’s signature was added. PC Resolved Standing Orders Annual Review: It was resolved that the following changes be incorporated with immediate effect: Item 1 b) At least 3 clear days public notice [excluding the date of issue; a Sunday; a religious holiday i.e. Christmas or Easter; a bank holiday or any day appointed for a public thanksgiving or mourning] of a meeting of the full Council must be given. Item 11 g) to appoint members of the following committees: include Youth Forum and amend Church Clock to Church Clock representative Item 48. Code of Conduct on Complaints That the following sentence be deleted: except for those complaints which should be properly directed to the Standards Board for consideration. That the following sentence be added: In the first instance the Chairman should be informed and he/she should inform the person complained of. If no local resolution possible, advice should be sought from the TWBC Monitoring Officer. In the case that the Chairman is complained of, the Vice-Chairman should act. Item 50. Standing Orders to be given to members That the following sentence be added: Hard copies of approved amendments will be supplied to each member. PC Resolved 93 Planning Report: Cllr RL discussed previously circulated Monthly Planning Report [attached] Chair PB suggested we research TWBC feelings on Satellite Dishes and solar panels on buildings including those with LBC Cllr GR suggested we check for refusals as the number of planning applications of this nature will probably increase. Cllr DB reported that a meeting last year on renewable energy, the impression given would be that solar panels would be encouraged. Cllr RL outlined the position of the appeal on the Yurt at School Farm, Cranbrook Road. The planning inspectorate had upheld the appeal and the enforcement from TWBC must be complied with. 94 SEE AMENDED VERSION AT END OF MINUTES Financial Regulations Annual Review 10/11: Banking Arrangements Review PC resolved that the Council’s current banking arrangements with Co-Operative Bank should continue. Clerk asked for the update to the banking mandate to be postponed until Financial Year end. Cllr JB & JHem to be added. PC Resolved Financial Regulations Review: Chair PB advised a note from Cllr JB had been received on the financial regulations. The FGP&G committee will meet to discuss the note. Cllr JB circulated an example draft budget prepared by a Quality Council for PC’s consideration. PC resolved to put the Financial Regulations on hold and to report back at either Feb or Mar Meeting. PC Resolved 95 Financial Report: i. Parish Council resolved to accept monthly finance report Payments made on Parish Council’s behalf since 8 December 2010 Income SO Harmsworth Trust – Clerk Dec salary 100.00 TOTAL 100.00 Outgoings Chq No Supplier 466 St Georges Children’s Project TWBC Mayor Toy Appeal 25.00 467 Stationery Express – inks JC, copying, stny, JB docs 56.19 468 M English – Public Toilets Dec 10, bleach 2.19 188.19 469 Bull Inn Benenden – gift voucher M & T English 25.00 470 B.Sullivan – 2 xmas gifts CT & PM, PC xmas cards 50.00 471 B Sullivan – Dec 10 salary 626.83, postage 6.84 633.67 472 Post Office Ltd – Tax/NI BS 1Oct – 31Dec 2010 273.43 473 P. Message – war memorial garden Jul-Dec 2010 120.00 474 Ben Memorial Hall – Hire of 1Sep, 18Oct + 13Dec 27.00 475 Stationery Express – inks JHem, Diary, ink office, copying 61.63 D/D Waitrose.com – Broadband Jan 2011 18.99 TOTAL 1479.10 Nb: £502.50 for Edmund Gybbon / Stephen Ginder to be distributed. After all cheques cleared Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £22,191.25 Reconciled with Bank Statement 31 Dec 2010 Balance: £23,386.97 Uncleared cheques Total: -£1,195.72 Balance in D/A £22,191.25 PC Noted ii. Internal Audit Check List Clerk confirmed Internal Auditor Tom Dawlings had completed an Internal Audit Checklist and was happy to stand as the Honorary Auditor for 10/11 again. PC resolved to accept Tom Dawlings as Auditor. PC Resolved iii. £502.50 for Edmund Gybbon / Stephen Ginder for distribution PC resolved to give funds to Arnold Cole Trust. PC Resolved [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 96 Correspondence: Clerk read from the previously circulated report 11 January 2011 [attached] Clerk confirmed distribution of handout on Personal & Prejudicial Interest. CPRE Localism Bill Briefing- the Clerk had written to show PC interest in a possible seminar [Item 32]; Item 23– BHF No to siting a clothing, books and music bank at BVH Item 39 – RBL Poppy Party Weekend – Clerk had informed Robin Dalton-Holmes Item 48 – M&N Communications – TWBC consultation on civic complex. Cllrs encouraged to complete PC Action Chair PB reported DH had contacted him, to advise KCC had invited the PC, to view the school plan at 10.30am on Friday 25 Feb 2011, venue to be decided. Cllr MK unavailable. There being no further council business the meeting closed at 9.20pm Chair PB opened the meeting to TWBC SH TWBC SH explained that TWBC have selected a new Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Atwood. All the proposed regeneration will be put on hold. Chair PB opened the meeting to the Public PD advised TWBC does have a leaflet on satellite dishes. PD requested that the adopted red telephone kiosk in Iden Green be maintained, it required cleaning and painting. Chair PB thanked everybody for attending. No further questions from members of the public the meeting closed at 9.28pm Next Meeting: Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council On: Monday 21 February at 8pm At: The Pavilion, Iden Green PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL Amendments to minutes requested by Cllr JB and agreed by Chair PB. PC resolved to accept the amendments and the note to the minutes was amended by the clerk and signed by Chair PB at the PC meeting on 21 Feb 2011 87 Matters Arising Cllr JB outlined her reasons for deciding to stand as a candidate. She emphasised that, in order to save the cost of a by-election to the tax payers of Benenden she had, in close liaison with the Electoral Services team at TWBC, arranged to withdraw her nomination should the Council decide to co-opt one of the runners-up in the May election. 94 Financial Regulations Annual Review 10/11 Financial Regulations Review: “The FGP&G committee will meet to discuss the note and decide what is needed” Cllr JB commented that the Council had to take action or it might be acting unlawfully. Bonny Sullivan Clerk 21 Feb 2011 HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST MATTERS Ordinary Meeting held 17 January 2011 Present: Cllrs Bailey, Beattie, Blockley Clarke, Hagens, Hemsley, Lake, Kellett, Reynolds, Clerk 139 Apologies: None 140 Minutes: Cllr GR asked for Minute No: 136 last sentence to be amended to read” Cllr GR asked if it had been minuted.” Clerk amended and Chair PB initialed. The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Harmsworth Memorial Trust held on Monday 13 December 2010 were confirmed and signed. HT resolved to accept the minutes as a true record. HT Resolved 141 Matters Arising: Chair PB identified issues raised previously by Cllr GR Playground – Minute of July superseded by HT meeting held on 1 Sept 2010 re access St Georges Hall Access across Recreation Ground – PB read Minute No: 54 / 18 Sept 2006 142 Cllr JB response to letter from BVHMC read by Cllr DB: Cllr JB advised she did not wish to proceed with this item at the present time. 143 Benenden Village Hall: Cllr GR reported a broken drain cover in the front car park. Cllr JC advised this had been replaced on several occasions and it would be wise to invest in a metal cover. Cllr GR offered help with any car park repairs. Cllr JC explained that the slope to the front car park was in a poor condition. Cllr JHem agreed to meet with Chair PB to discuss further repairs and advised residue plainings currently stored at Iden Green could be utilised for temporary repairs. Chair PB reported more holes needed filling and Cllr GR advised works should be carried out in the spring once the heavy rains had passed. HT Action 144 St Georges: Quotations for wireless linked smoke alarms. Minute No: 135 10/11 Chair PB confirmed the Clerk had circulated the 3 quotations received from BMS Electrical; WS Parsons Ltd and M&S Electrical. Following discussion and a final check to ensure all quotes are for identical works to be carried out, HT resolved to accept the quotation from M&S Electrical. HT Resolved 145 Benenden Recreation Ground – urgent tree work [TPO/19/2006]: Clerk advised a hawthorn tree on the roadside edge of the Recreation Ground had been reported by Cllr JH and Cllr GR as dangerous. A branch had fallen and the tree appeared damaged. Clerk advised TWBC who gave advice to instruct a tree surgeon. A tree surgeon attended and identified the tree as dead, dying and dangerous. The tree was felled the same day. TWBC had no objection [11/00001/DDDTRE] but advised the tree must be replaced with a similar species. HT Action Chair PB advised Cllr JH was willing to represent the PC as a tree warden. 146 Finance Report Harmsworth Trust: i. Charity Commission Annual Return 09/10 Harmsworth Memorial Trust Charity No: 302682 Clerk confirmed the online report had been completed and submitted to the Charity Commission. HT Noted ii. Adoption of Harmsworth Memorial Trust Accounts 09/10 Chair PB and Clerk signed the Accounts for the year 09/10. Michael Patrick Treasurer and Cllr JC Chairman of BVHMC signed the Accounts for BVH for the year 09/10. Tom Dawlings had audited and prepared the final accounts for the HT for 09/10. Clerk confirmed the Trustees Report and Accounts to be forwarded to the Charity Commission. HT resolved to adopt the accounts for 09/10 HT Resolved iii. Monthly Finance Report HT resolved to accept the monthly finance report. Payments made on Harmsworth Trust’s behalf since 08 December 2010 Income St Georges Dec 10 rent 158.33 BVH Dec 10 wages 537.80 I/G Allotment Field 15 Jan 10 – 14 Jan 11 87.50 TOTAL 783.63 Outgoings Chq No Supplier D/D Aviva - Insurance Dec 10 387.39 116 D Dalrymple – Dec 10 salary 449.80 117 Post Office Ltd – DD Tax/NI 1Oct-31Dec 422.26 118 M.T.Austen – St Georges security light replacement 97.25 119 L.Leadbeter – 3 wasp nests 28/6, 14/7 St G, 18/7 BVH 120.00 SO Rate Account – BS clerk Dec 10 100.00 TOTAL 1576.70 After all cheques cleared Clerk confirmed C/A held £500 and D/A held £8,799.42 Reconciled with Bank Statement 31 Dec 2010 Balance: £8,929.17 Uncleared cheques Total: -£217.25 Balance in D/A £8,799.42 Balance in No 2 A/C 1037.81 HT Noted 147 Correspondence Chair PB advised a boundary fence and hedge enquiry by the owner of 1 St Georges Place had been received. The PC had written on previous occasions requesting the hedges to be tidied. The property has been rented out to a series of tenants and we had been unable to identify the owner, although we had been advised to keep the hedge high to allow the tenants some privacy from the Pre-School. Peter Punchard had been instructed to tidy the hedges but so far the work had not been carried out. If the hedge is brought back to a maintainable height, David Dalrymple has offered to manage it. Chair PB advised boundary confirmation was required before any further action. HT Action There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.58pm Chair PB opened the meeting for any further questions; MP enquired over the legal status of the village hall car park. Chair PB confirmed the car park is privately owned. There being no further questions, Chair PB thanked everybody for attending, and closed the meeting at 10.00pm Date of Next Meeting: Monday 21 February 2011 at 8pm At: The Memorial Hall, Benenden immediately after PC meeting PETER BLOCKLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HARMSWORTH MEMORIAL TRUST