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Covering the villages of Four Elms, Hever & Markbeech

Sevenoaks District Council’s annual Community Grants Scheme

October 10, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Sevenoaks District Council’s annual Community Grants Scheme is now open for voluntary and community groups to apply. Successful applicants will receive their funding in April 2019.

https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20026/community/43/community_funding

Other funding advice

Voluntary and community organisations can contact the following organisations for information and advice about funding:

DRAFT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HEVER PARISH COUNCIL . TUESDAY 18 th September 2018 AT 7.30PM. Held at Hever Village hall.

September 25, 2018 / / 0 Comments

2018 Sept draft minutes

 

Present:  Cllrs., John Hodson (JH) (Chair), Angela Haydon (AH), Bonnie White (BW), Duncan Leslie (DL), Christine Thompson (CT), Stephen Sadler (SS).

 

Also in attendance: Charlotte Cole (CC, Clerk), Peter Lake (PL), Matthew Dickins (MD), and 5 members of the public.  The meeting commenced at 7.30pm.

 

1.To receive apologies – Joanna Wade (JW) working, Stephen Lark (SL) personal, Rick Brookes-Smith (RBS)                  personal.  These apologies were accepted and noted.

2. To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the Agenda. To be specified per item.

3. To approve accuracy of minutes from the previous meetings (Minutes from 25.07.18)). Approved by all and signed by JH.

4.  Public Forum –

PL (Peter.lake@kent.gov.uk) – discussions relating to item 5 on the agenda.  He proposes a traffic survey (April 2019) for Four Elms and then the opportunity to debate options.  Noted recent press coverage of risks of 20mph limits (Daily Telegraph 15.09.18).  Further discussions from HPC and from members of the public around – effectiveness, enforcement, limit vs. zone, signage, physical obstructions.  All noted that driver behaviour paramount. Hever and Markbeech have concerns about national speed limits too.  Cllr. Lake to raise with Highways.

Rural buses and school transport oversubscribed, similar issues to many parts of Kent.

MD updated from Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) – relating to item 12.  No information from Licensing as yet.  A number of people had unsuccessfully tried to contact the landowner by email.

 

6.  SDC Draft Local Plan – comments submitted by HPC noted (attached to this Agenda) as were Clive Pearman’s (Cllr. For Edenbridge Town Council) history of Edenbridge and District War Memorial Hospital.  Since noted that no school has submitted planning proposals for any sites in Edenbridge.

PL and MD left.

 

 7.  Affordable housing – CT proposed to the full Council, the setting up of a “HPC Affordable Housing working party”, which would be;

a)            To research, report and recommend as an advisory body to the full Council (under S102 powers 1972 LGA).  To be task specific and time limited.

b)            To examine an issue in detail, read reports and related materials, examine options, get advice for the Council.

c)            To act as experts and/or liaise with experts, which will include neighbouring parish and town Councils, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Sevenoaks District Council, ACRK (Action with Communities in Rural Kent).

d)            No funding or monies to be spent or committed without delegated authority or prior Full Council endorsement.

e)            Quorate: Minimum of 2 Councillors at each meeting and the proper officer (Clerk).  The core team is SS                        and CT.

f)            A Working Party does not meet in public, therefore Standing Orders are not applicable, although the                      Code of Conduct still applies.

 

The full Council agreed to this proposal.

CT advised that much time had been spent to date meeting with housing associations and further investigative work was required before recommending one if appropriate.  There is no contractual or financial relationship with HPC.

There may be a need to hold an extraordinary meeting of HPC.

 

8.  Elections – Note District and Parish Council elections May 2019.

 

9.  GDPR – CC discussed “gold standard” of GDPR requirements.  Although not legally obliged to instruct a Data Protection Officer, someone with the skills, time, knowledge, professional qualifications, independence and ability and willingness to take on the responsibility would still need to do the required work.  Discussions had regarding this and the option to fund encrypted laptops for each Cllr.

It was resolved for Clerk to; Discuss with other District Town and Parish Councils, undertake data audit and risk assessment within 6 months, item to remain on Agenda.  Cllrs. reminded that any resident communication should initially come via Clerk, otherwise Cllr. Is obliged to register (at a cost) with Information Commissioner Officer.

 

10.  Possible village party – Dates tbc. From Hever Castle (DL) and logistics / organisation.

 

11.  Relaunch of hever.org and The Link (Church magazine) – JW now editor of Link and HPC have changed website and now hosted by 1and1.  New diary and community pages to be publicised.  Council resolved to fund up to £200 for the re launch.

 

12. ? Event on field in Lydens Lane, Edenbridge – Clerk, Hever Residents Association and MD to continue to make contact with landowner (who had contact neighbours as part of consultation).

 

13.  Matters arising from previous minutes – no outstanding actions.

 

14i.  Planning and Licensing – update attached to agenda.

 

14ii.  Gatwick – No report.

15. Financial update – attached to agenda.

16. Urgent / other issues.    SS had a query from a resident in Four Elms regarding playground – why no basket swing.  Clerk advised of the process of equipment selection and why other equipment chosen in preference (less vandalism risk, cheaper etc.).

Resident asked about booking of Parish Rooms – Council advised that via FE school.

 

17.  Other correspondence for noting –attached to agenda.

KCC Household Waste Recycling Centre.  Council wished the Clerk to respond.

Meeting ended 8.45pm

 

 

NEXT MEETING  Wednesday 21st November   FOUR ELMS VILLAGE HALL 7.30 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grab your community grant of up to £5,000

September 25, 2018 / / 0 Comments

 

 

Sevenoaks District Council is now offering grants of up to £5,000 to local voluntary and charity organisations to provide vital services that benefit the most vulnerable residents in the District.

The main aim of the Council’s Community Grant Scheme is to support volunteer-led projects that boost the health and wellbeing of people who live in the District.

Cllr Roddy Hogarth, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member for Community Grants, says: “Our community grants have enabled voluntary and charitable groups the chance to improve the quality of life for many, especially our vulnerable, older and younger residents.”

“I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity. If you are interested, or need extra advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

The deadline for applications for grants between £100 and £5000 is Friday 23 November. Successful applicants will receive their funding in April 2019.

Application packs are available on request by emailing grants@sevenoaks.gov.uk or by calling 01732 227000.

Macmillan coffee morning Friday 28th September 9am – 1pm Hever village Hall

September 20, 2018 / / 0 Comments

THIS SATURDAY BULK REFUSE FREIGHTER

September 18, 2018 / / 0 Comments
 
Saturday 22nd September
 
Four Elms VILLAGE HALL 8 – 9.15am then
MARKBEECH village hall 9.30 – 10.45 am
 
We cannot take Electrical Appliances/ Metal / Hard Core / Large Amounts of Garden Waste / Large Panes of Glass / Oil or Paint.
 
Please DO NOT arrive early or leave items on site, otherwise will be classed as flytipping and information passed to the police, thank you.
 
This is a FREE service to residents of the parish, funded by HPC.
Any queries to clerk@hever.org

Agenda for Hever Parish Council meeting – to be held at HEVER Village Hall. on TUESDAY  18th September 2018 commencing at 7.30pm

September 14, 2018 / / 0 Comments

 

To:    The Members of Hever Parish Council

I hereby summon you to attend the meeting of Hever Parish Council to be held at HEVER Village Hall.

on TUESDAY  18th September 2018 commencing at 7.30pm for the transaction of business as set out below.

Signed; Clerk              Date   10.09.18 *attachment / printed copy

To assist in the speedy and efficient dispatch of business, please contact the Clerk in advance of the meeting if further factual information is required on an item on the Agenda.

  1. To receive apologies.
  2. Declarations of interest in respect of business specified on the agenda
  3. *To approve the accuracy of Minutes of the previous meeting (Chair).
  4. Public Forum (10 minutes)

The Council will receive statements and questions from the public (this is the only opportunity for members of the public to make a contribution during the meeting) and for members with pecuniary interests to speak on items on the Agenda.

Items for discussion / decision;

  1. Four Elms traffic – proposal from Peter Lake (PL) Kent County Councillor (PL) to fund 20mph from KCC Members Grant. Does the Council have a view on a proposal?
  2. *SDC Draft Local Plan– to record the comments sent to SDC as part of the consultation (CC). Attachment of Cllr. Clive Pearman (Edenbridge Town Council) report on history of Edenbridge and District War memorial hospital.
  3. Affordable Housing –
  4. i) CT to propose to the full Council, the setting up of a “HPC Affordable Housing working party”, which would be;
  5. a) To research, report and recommend as an advisory body to the full Council (under S102 powers 1972 LGA). To be task specific and time limited.
  6. b) To examine an issue in detail, read reports and related materials, examine options, get advice for the Council.
  7. c) To act as experts and/or liaise with experts, which will include neighbouring parish and town Councils, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Sevenoaks District Council, ACRK (Action with Communities in Rural Kent).
  8. d) No funding or monies to be spent or committed without delegated authority or prior Full Council endorsement.
  9. e) Quorate: Minimum of 2 Councillors at each meeting and the proper officer (Clerk).
  10. f) A Working Party does not meet in public, therefore Standing Orders are not applicable, although the Code of Conduct still applies. Does the full Council agree to the formation of the Working Party?
  11. ii) SS – To update the Council following the compulsory parish wide housing needs survey and presentations to SS / CT /CC (and SDC) from 2 Housing Associations. Recommendations to be made to the full Council;
  12. Selection of a Housing Association on any emerging local proposals.
  13. To proceed with a second stage housing needs survey (undertaken by the Rural Housing Enabler – ACRK (an independent expert body) with no cost implications to HPC.

Does the Council accept the Recommendations as advised by the working party?

  1. Elections – to note that District and Parish Council elections May 2019 & associated costs. There is a national drive to attract a broad range of demographics to be nominated.  How does HPC wish to address this? (CC).
  2. GDPR update (CC) –
  3. Not legally compulsory, but recommended by KALC to appoint a DPO (Data Protection Officer) who has skills, time, knowledge, professional qualifications independence and ability to take on responsibility. A DPO must be appointed “on the basis of professional qualities”.  Costs between £150 – 500.  If not appointed, the same work must be undertaken by someone else suitable.
  4. HPC to complete in next 12 months a data audit, data risk assessment and accessibility statement.
  5. Personal information is stored by the Clerk in a locked filing cabinet (Chair has spare key) and legal documents in a safe.
  6. “Gold standard” of GDPR is recommended for Cllrs. to have individual HPC laptop (encrypted emails, use of Council licensed Office professional, virus protection etc.) This could be budgeted for over a period of years.  Noting that in the event of a data breach any hardware used for any HPC work can be seized.
  7. Ensure all communications from Cllrs. with residents comes via the Clerk, otherwise individual Cllrs. need to register and pay for registration with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office).

How does HPC wish to consider options for a and d?

  1. Proposal for Summer 2019 local party at Hever Castle (DL).
  2. Proposed re launch of www.hever.org and launch of The Link magazine online. Suggested November 2018 and budget of £200 for event and publicity.
  3. Proposal for Premises Licence for music festival / country fete on field on Hever / Edenbridge border (Between Lydens Lane and Hever Road).
  4. To determine matters arising from the previous minutes for updating / noting (Chair)

Items for updating on / for information;

  1. *Planning and licensing; applications responded to and outcomes – attached to agenda. Including Summer festivals.
  2. *Financial update. (Clerk).
  3. Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting or inclusion on future agenda (not for decision making or with financial implications) (JW)

 

  1. Other correspondence for noting / Consultations. This may include items from the Kent Association of Local Councils / National Association of Local Councils.

 

Kent County Council’s ‘Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Consultation’.

This consultation will help us deliver the Kent Waste Disposal Strategy and seeks views on the proposal to implement a charging policy for non-household waste materials including soil, rubble, hardcore and plasterboard, deposited at Kent HWRCs.  The 8 week consultation is available until Thursday 1 November 2018, and we would like to invite you to comment.   The consultation questionnaire and supporting documents can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/wasteconsultation

Does HPC wish to comment on the consultation?

 

 

HEVER PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE

AGENDA 7.15pm

  • 4 Lodgewood Cottages, Hever Road, Hever TN8 7NP

SE/18/02615/MMA

Amendment to application 17/03407/HOUSE

Deadlines 26.09.18

 

  • The Corn Mill Stables, Ide Hill Road, Four Elms TN8 6NS

SE/18/02632/HOUSE

Single storey home office building within rear garden.

Deadlines 26.09.18

 

  • 1 Hillside Cottages, Four Elms Road TN8 6NQ

SE/18/02711/HOUSE

Removal of existing car port.  Erection of atwo storey side extension and first floor rear extension over existing ground floor.

Deadline 28.09.18

 

  • The Elms Nursery Bough Beech Road Four Elms KENT TN8 6ND

18/02665/FUL

Proposed extensions to existing garden centre to provide enlarge kitchen,

staff facilities, extra retail and storage areas.

FOR INFORMATION;

Brocas Cottage, Brocas Road Hever TN8 7LE SE/18/00681/HOUSE

Appeal – erection of a first floor extension.

Hever Parish Council response to Sevenoaks District Council Draft Local Plan Consultation

September 10, 2018 / / 0 Comments

SDC Local plan draft consultation HPC comments

 

 

Please see link for Hever Parish Council response – mainly relating to options for SDC regarding medical and school facilities in Edenbridge & gypsy and traveller sites.

 

Please contact clerk@hever.org with any queries.

delay the call, not your reactions

September 7, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Kent County Council Road Safety Team Leader Vicky Harvey said: “This campaign aims to highlight to drivers that using your mobile phone hands-free is not as safe as you may think, even though its legal.

“Even an unimpaired driver travelling at 70mph will travel at least 31 metres whilst reacting in an emergency but at the drink-drive limit, due to the impairment, this extends to at least 35 metres.

“However, driving while talking on your hands-free mobile phone means you will travel at least 39 metres, a further eight metres before touching the brake pedal – that’s as long as a double decker bus.

“If it’s a hand-held phone, the impairment is even worse.

“Of course, delaying your reactions will extend your stopping distance so, working with our partners, this campaign seeks to highlight the additional risks drivers who use a mobile phone face.

“My advice is to delay the call, not your reactions.”

Summary of Rural Housing needs survey.

August 10, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Background

 

In a report published in December 2014, the Rural Housing Alliance has stated that ‘For many rural households, finding somewhere affordable in their local community remains a barrier, with homes costing over eight times the average salary in 90% of rural local authority areas. This is an affordability gap which, in many areas, is even more extreme given low paid rural employment.’

 

Small developments of local needs housing schemes can provide affordable housing for local people, thereby enabling them to stay in their community and contribute to village life. This can make a real difference to the vitality of village services. The Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) undertook a parish wide survey to ascertain if there are shortfalls in affordable housing provision within the parish of Hever which includes the villages of Hever, Markbeech and Four Elms. This was funded by Sevenoaks District Council.

 

This report provides overall information as well as analysis of housing need.

A survey was posted to every household within the parish in May 2018.

516 surveys were distributed with 127 surveys being returned, representing a 25% response rate.

 

Results

 

Analysis of the returned survey forms identified that 83% of respondents are owner occupiers.

 

67% of respondents have lived in the parish for over 10 years.

 

High property prices and a predominance of privately owned homes means that some local people are unable to afford a home within the parish.

 

At the time of writing the report the cheapest property for sale in the parish was a 1 bed apartment for £200,000; to afford to buy this home a deposit of approximately £30,000 would be required and an income of £48,571. The cheapest 2 bedroom property was for sale at £399,500; a deposit of £59,925 and income of £97,021 would be required to afford this home. To afford to rent privately an income of approximately £79,800 would be required to rent the cheapest and only property found available to rent in the parish which was a 3 bed house for £1995 pcm.

 

Overall, a need for up to 12 affordable homes, for the following local households was identified:

  • 3 single people
  • 4 couples
  • 5 families
  • 11 households currently live in one of the villages and 1 lives outside and wants to return

 

The 12 respondents in need of affordable housing indicated strong local connections to the villages of Hever, Four Elms and Markbeech.  7 respondents are currently living with relatives, 2 are housing association tenants and 3 are renting privately.

 

In total there are 19 adults and 9 children who have a need for affordable housing.

The survey also identified a requirement for 5 homes for older households, aged 50 years and over:

  • 1 single person
  • 4 couples
  • The 5 households all currently live in one of the villages
  • 2 of the older households need affordable housing. These affordable homes are required in addition to the 12 affordable homes identified above.

 

When asked how many bedrooms respondents sought/preferred, the following answers were given:

 

2 x 1 bed

6 x 2 beds

3 x 3 beds

1 x 4 beds.

 

Actual size of property will depend upon the council’s allocation policy and Help to Buy eligibility, see below.

 

In total, 6 respondents indicated an interest in shared ownership and 7 in a starter home (some respondents indicated more than one option); none of the respondents appeared to be able to afford a starter home. 2 households who indicated starter homes only, were assessed for shared ownership. In total, 7 households indicated that they may be able to afford a shared ownership property. More detailed analysis of their income, amount of deposit they have available and actual cost of the shared ownership property would be required to confirm affordability.

 

The survey has identified a total need for 14 affordable homes.

 

LOCATION OF NEED

 

Affordable general needs housing = Four Elms x 8, Hever x 3, Outside the villages x 1

 

Older Persons = Four Elms x 2, Hever x 1, Markbeech x 2 (the 2 older households needing affordable housing both live in Four Elms).

 

SUPPORT / OBJECTION AND LOCATION SUGGESTIONS FROM QUESTIONNAIRE

 

As expected, wide range of opinion but the vast majority supporting some affordable housing and some interesting suggestions of locations (main ones);

 

6 suggested out of parish in Edenbridge

6 fields in Four Elms

4 Uckfield Lane

4 Four Elms village hall

 

 

 

 

HPC resolved at the meeting on 25.07.18 to form of Committee (2 Four Elms Councillors and the Clerk) to explore further with Sevenoaks District Council and Rural Housing Associations the options for the parish.  This is the first of many steps and more detailed surveys and public consultations would follow.  Noting recent work done by neighbouring parishes (Leigh, Chiddingstone) and time scales (> 2 years).

 

Next HPC meeting is Wednesday 25th September 7.30pm Hever village hall.

 

Please see hever.org for more information and the full survey below….

Hever HNS Report 2018 final

Summary of Parish wide Rural Housing needs survey.

August 10, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Background

 

In a report published in December 2014, the Rural Housing Alliance has stated that ‘For many rural households, finding somewhere affordable in their local community remains a barrier, with homes costing over eight times the average salary in 90% of rural local authority areas. This is an affordability gap which, in many areas, is even more extreme given low paid rural employment.’

 

Small developments of local needs housing schemes can provide affordable housing for local people, thereby enabling them to stay in their community and contribute to village life. This can make a real difference to the vitality of village services. The Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) undertook a parish wide survey to ascertain if there are shortfalls in affordable housing provision within the parish of Hever which includes the villages of Hever, Markbeech and Four Elms. This was funded by Sevenoaks District Council.

 

This report provides overall information as well as analysis of housing need.

A survey was posted to every household within the parish in May 2018.

516 surveys were distributed with 127 surveys being returned, representing a 25% response rate.

 

Results

 

Analysis of the returned survey forms identified that 83% of respondents are owner occupiers.

 

67% of respondents have lived in the parish for over 10 years.

 

High property prices and a predominance of privately owned homes means that some local people are unable to afford a home within the parish.

 

At the time of writing the report the cheapest property for sale in the parish was a 1 bed apartment for £200,000; to afford to buy this home a deposit of approximately £30,000 would be required and an income of £48,571. The cheapest 2 bedroom property was for sale at £399,500; a deposit of £59,925 and income of £97,021 would be required to afford this home. To afford to rent privately an income of approximately £79,800 would be required to rent the cheapest and only property found available to rent in the parish which was a 3 bed house for £1995 pcm.

 

Overall, a need for up to 12 affordable homes, for the following local households was identified:

  • 3 single people
  • 4 couples
  • 5 families
  • 11 households currently live in one of the villages and 1 lives outside and wants to return

 

The 12 respondents in need of affordable housing indicated strong local connections to the villages of Hever, Four Elms and Markbeech.  7 respondents are currently living with relatives, 2 are housing association tenants and 3 are renting privately.

 

In total there are 19 adults and 9 children who have a need for affordable housing.

The survey also identified a requirement for 5 homes for older households, aged 50 years and over:

  • 1 single person
  • 4 couples
  • The 5 households all currently live in one of the villages
  • 2 of the older households need affordable housing. These affordable homes are required in addition to the 12 affordable homes identified above.

 

When asked how many bedrooms respondents sought/preferred, the following answers were given:

 

2 x 1 bed

6 x 2 beds

3 x 3 beds

1 x 4 beds.

 

Actual size of property will depend upon the council’s allocation policy and Help to Buy eligibility, see below.

 

In total, 6 respondents indicated an interest in shared ownership and 7 in a starter home (some respondents indicated more than one option); none of the respondents appeared to be able to afford a starter home. 2 households who indicated starter homes only, were assessed for shared ownership. In total, 7 households indicated that they may be able to afford a shared ownership property. More detailed analysis of their income, amount of deposit they have available and actual cost of the shared ownership property would be required to confirm affordability.

 

The survey has identified a total need for 14 affordable homes.

 

LOCATION OF NEED

 

Affordable general needs housing = Four Elms x 8, Hever x 3, Outside the villages x 1

 

Older Persons = Four Elms x 2, Hever x 1, Markbeech x 2 (the 2 older households needing affordable housing both live in Four Elms).

 

SUPPORT / OBJECTION AND LOCATION SUGGESTIONS FROM QUESTIONNAIRE

 

As expected, wide range of opinion but the vast majority supporting some affordable housing and some interesting suggestions of locations (main ones);

 

6 suggested out of parish in Edenbridge

6 fields in Four Elms

4 Uckfield Lane

4 Four Elms village hall

 

 

 

 

HPC resolved at the meeting on 25.07.18 to form of Committee (2 Four Elms Councillors and the Clerk) to explore further with Sevenoaks District Council and Rural Housing Associations the options for the parish.  This is the first of many steps and more detailed surveys and public consultations would follow.  Noting recent work done by neighbouring parishes (Leigh, Chiddingstone) and time scales (> 2 years).

 

Next HPC meeting is Wednesday 25th September 7.30pm Hever village hall.

 

 the full survey is below.

Hever HNS Report 2018 final

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