Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Meeting Minutes
Tuesday 27 July 2004 at 6.30pm .
Present
W Bates, J Beck, J Blackburn, A Blakey, J Blakey, K Calvert, P Dawe, N Dixon, J Gray, M Jubb,
G Marsden, R Millerchip, L Mitchell, D Morgan, D Quinn, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson,
S Robinson, A Shutt, S Thompson, W Tickell, L Trotter, R Walsh, D Whittaker
In attendance: L Boyd, J Gibson, L Hinton, I Murray
1. Apologies for absence:
F Brettwood, S Millerchip , A Richardson, M Syer, W Temporal, S Thackeray,
C Thompson, J Thompson.
2. Minutes of last meeting, 22-06-04 :
Agreed as a true record.
3. Matters arising:
Mike contacted Gerry Steinberg MP about possible delays by the utility companies. NEDL and
TRANSCO replied that because the properties were being demolished in blocks the
disconnection would be more efficient. Both services would welcome working with the council
both before and during the project to guarantee success.
Paul announced the winners of the logo competition as Ashlagh Walker for the picture and Katie
Roberts for the slogan. The Junior School was presented with £100 towards a play area and the
winners each received a pen and pencil set.
The website for Bowburn Partnership is in hand through George Stoker .
Lyn suggested that a date be set as soon as possible for the walkabout with Fiona Brettwood.
4. Three Rivers Housing Group:
Jonathan Gibson, Development Manager, explained that the Housing Corporation Fund funded
Three Rivers, founded in 1974 through a Government Housing Act. They are based at the
Arnison Centre and are readily available to the public. About 100 homes are constructed per
annum mainly for rent but some are for sale and shared ownership to a wide variety of tenants.
Linda Hinton, Regeneration Officer, co-ordinates the various agencies and is involved with
community development work and training.
In Bowburn there will be 12 two-bed bungalows and 12 two-bed flats each with its own parking
space on the land off Philip Avenue . The bungalows will have their own gardens and will be
linked into the Warden Call System. Negotiations are taking place to build 4 bungalows within
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the first phase on Lawson Road . The rents for all properties will be £54-£55 and will be let
through the Local Housing Authority.
Jonathan Gibson took questions from the Partnership. He explained that there was ‘no right to
buy’ but would make enquiries about other initiatives. A property cannot be part owned in the
first phase but he would see if that were possible on later phases. People had moved from a
transit house into a new home in other areas and it may be possible in Bowburn.
Planning Permission notices would be distributed to those houses concerned through the
Planning department.
Three Rivers is a member of the Considerate Contractors Scheme so the sites will be
supervised.
Three Rivers have an interest in Homes for Life and were already planning for the future in their
buildings.
Three Rivers hope to work with Haslam Homes on all the phases in Bowburn. They could give
an exhibition to clarify what is happening in Bowburn. Henry Avenue is in one of the later
phases and those plans have not been finalised. Three Rivers would not be building flats if
there were no interest in people occupying them. The Partnership was reassured that the flats
would be managed so that there is no anti-social behaviour or vandalism. Members confirmed
that their friends and relations were happy in their flats in other areas. Mr. Gibson offered to
arrange a meeting with Customer Services to explain the vetting procedures. ACTION J.
GIBSON.
Lynn reminded Three Rivers that they had offered financial support for the Partnership and
would they be able to do this. Linda Hinton said there was money for such payments and would
contact the secretary. ACTION L. HINTON
5. Correspondence: None.
6. Reports:
Treasurer: Robin explained that as the Partnership had little opportunity for fund raising they
were filling in the Awards for All grant of £5000. It would pay for start up costs and a Xmas Event
for the children and their parents to publicise the Partnership.
Linda Hinton advised that she could help with grants.
Paul Dawe stepped down as Chair to report on the Regeneration Working Group.
Maureen Robinson acted as Chair.
Regeneration Working Group (24 June 04): Contact telephone numbers will be in the next
Interchange. Go One North East (GONE) would like to claw back profits from schemes. This will
not jeopardise the Philip Ave scheme but may affect future regeneration. A meeting on 1 July
should clarify the issue. A large scale plan showing vacant properties would be available at the
next meeting. Emergency repairs to inhabited properties, which are to be demolished, will be
carried out. The authority cannot redirect mail because identification is required but refunds will
be paid as quickly as possible. Tenants can choose a disturbance allowance of £200 per room
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or a valuation from a loss adjuster. If valuation is chosen tenants cannot then change to the
fixed payment. Expenses for a move to a transit house will be considered. SRB6 community
transport could help to bus children, if necessary. The Lawson Road site may start in August
and the bus turning circle has been approved. Three Rivers are to organise a bus trip to view
other schemes. ACTION L. HINTON.
The playing fields will be retained but the greenfield site near Bowburn Hall could be developed.
Partnership members discussed the number of bungalows in the new scheme to replace the
existing bungalows. This should be indicated in the plan at the Regeneration Working Group.
Dennis Morgan explained that the County Council has not been consulted on the impact of the
regeneration on the existing schools. There is a need for flexibility based on the number of
persons leaving the area and then returning. It was suggested that the need for the County
Council to have some involvement in the regeneration should be put to the Working Group.
ACTION PAUL & MIKE
12 Villages/SRB6: Lyn suggested that the Partnership make arrangements with Lisa, the
graphic artist, concerning displays. ACTION CARRIE, STAN, JAN
The ‘Build your own computer’ course is for 6 weeks from 14 September. There are 12 places
on the course, and 6 go to Bowburn, comprising 3 groups of two members from interested
groups.
Jan Blakey distributed a list of ‘Requested Training Courses for 12 Villages Network’. Residents
can apply for courses in any village. SRB6 is contributing to the local History Group’s visit to
Mansfield . Carl Marshall manager of POW (Play Opportunity Works) will be submitting a bid in
conjunction with Carrie Whitfield and Jan Blakey for funding Christmas activities with 5 to 8 year
olds for the Partnership event.
The Chair introduced Lois Mitchell and Louise Trotter, two young people, who helped to
organise a Disco at the Youth Club for all local children and run by the children to raise funds for
the PARC group. The event had been very successful with only one young person having to be
sent home for smoking. Lois said that 102 children and 28 adults had attended and raised £150.
The chair congratulated Lois and Louise.
Another Disco organised by the Parkhill Residents Group had been held in the Community
Centre for Parkhill Children.
The PARC scheme was discussed in relation to the future of the current park’s facilities and the
actual play area. It was suggested that the chair of PARC be asked to give a full update to the
Partnership. ACTION JANET.
7. Partnership Training: It was noted that the Community, 12 Villages, and the Partnership
should work closely together to work as a team to benefit the residents. A training event is being
formulated by SRB6 for the New Year. ACTION LYN.
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8. Rehousing Course: Paul Dawe asked if any members were interested in a course on
‘Decanting Tenants’ at Manchester which was being offered by the Regeneration Working
Group. The representative would be asked to report back to the Partnership. Nicola Dixon and
Richard Walsh asked for their names to be considered and this was agreed.
9. Partnership Representative for Community Association: As Maureen Jubb was now assistant
secretary of the Community Association another Partnership representative would have to be
chosen as an Individual Committee Member of the Community Association.
Maureen Robinson was proposed by Joan Beck and seconded by Jan Blakey.
The vote was carried unanimously and Maureen Robinson was formally elected.
10. Any other business:
Ian Murray from Halsall Lloyd would like 6 to 12 children from the ages of 11 to 15 years to take
part in the walkabout around the village. The first would be in Bowburn from 16 August onwards
followed be a second in Parkhill to be arranged. Paul Dawe suggested that Lois and Louise
could help to get a group of children together. ACTION JAN
Paul is meeting with Jan Docherty from Durham City Arts to discuss events in Bowburn. It is
hoped that Jan Docherty may be able to come to a Partnership meeting. ACTION PAUL DAWE.
Parkhill Residents Group is selling refreshments in the Town Hall on Saturday 7th August.
A resident was concerned that his garage was being demolished before he was re-housed. It
was decided to email Brian Spears for assistance in this matter. ACTION JANET
Notice was given of a meeting in the Gala Theatre on ‘The State of the City’ and members were
asked to report back at the next meeting. ACTION MAGGIE ROBINSON, KEN CALVERT.
11. Date and time of next meetings: Tuesday 28 September in Bowburn Community Centre.
The Partnership welcomes your attendance at the next meeting, which is open to all.
Please bring a companion. A lot is going on that everyone needs to know about.
Copies of the minutes can be viewed at:
Bowburn.net web site (www.bowburn.net), Community Centre, Lawson Rd, Library, Marlene Ave,
Post Office, Surgery.
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