MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 15 November 2005 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: W Bates, M Bell, R Bellis, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun,
R Cowen, P Dawe, M Dee, N Dixon, J Gray, K Haigh, J Halford, J Lunn, R Millerchip,
S Raine, A Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson, S Robinson, A Shutt,
M Syer, B Tickell, J Thompson, R Walsh, S Walworth, D Whittaker, A Wilson
In Attendance: B Cockburn, G Cowen, J Tindale
1. Apologies for absence: F Brettwood, G Hutchinson, R Jackson, L Kirby,
J Niblo, G Stoker, C Thompson, S Thompson
2. PC Cockburn: George Cowen, Section Sergeant, was introduced. Bruce will put
an emphasis on crime reports and statistics at future meetings. There was not the
expected antisocial behaviour surrounding Bonfire Night this year, possibly due to an
agreement with the council for salvaged wood to be cleared. Crime numbers are low
in the area.
The Parish have organised a Community Safety Walkabout on 16 November.
Members asked Bruce:
>if anyone was on an ASBO. The answer is, ‘No’, but an ‘Acceptable Behaviour
Contract’ is ending.
>for an update on the ‘Charlesworth Close’ fire, and was told that three were
arrested, one has been released and two are on bail.
>about the drug problem in Bowburn, to be told it is no bigger than any other area.
3. Minutes of last meeting – 18 October 2005
The minutes were accepted as a true record by D Whittaker and A Richardson.
4. Matters Arising: Members asked for an update on;
> noticeboard - no response to an email so a letter has been sent to T Punton
> Masterplan - will be addressed under J Tindale.
> bungalows in Horton Crescent - dealt with in Regeneration Working Group.
> bus no. 58 should go on the new link road and Mike is inquiring about this.
> the promised Bowburn calendars are available.
5. Matters to be brought up under Any Other Business:
A member is waiting to hear back about the path in the park.
The Village Stones had been hidden by flowers but Maggie said that the flowers had
been cut back.
Sergeant Cowen and PC Cockburn left at 6.50pm.
6. Treasurer’s Report:
General Fund: Money brought forward - £156.08
Poppy Wreath - £ 16.50
Balance - £139.58
Home Front Recall: Brought forward - £11 410.15
Admission to Eden Camp & Lunch - £ 1 561.25
Hire of 3 Coaches - £ 1 250.00
Balance - £ 8 598.90
1A member asked why disposable cameras were bought when the group has several
photographers. It was pointed that the children were in control of these cameras to
focus their attention on the exhibits.
7. Community Chest: There are 2 new applications and 3 revised applications.
Methodist Chapel: recommended and approved.
Lawson Road Centre: recommended and approved.
Senior Citizens: revised bid recommended and approved.
Crowtrees Football Club: revised bid approved.
Girls and Boys Football Club: revised bid approved.
Applications approved, so far, total £6 798.64.
An invoice will be sent to J Tindale and payment will be made to the Partnership.
8. Correspondence:
> Peter Thorpe, Parish clerk, asked for bank account details to take to a meeting on
2 November, when applications for donation will be considered. (letter 21 Oct 05)
> Mrs. Lyons sent her thanks for the excursion to Eden Camp (letter 20 Oct 05)
> Mrs Ord sent her thanks for the ‘well-run trip’ to Eden Camp (letter 27 Oct 05)
> The secretary thanked Carol Brown, John Tindale and the volunteers for their
assistance on the successful trip to Eden Camp (letters 21/24 Oct 05)
> The secretary wrote to applicants of the Community Chest to explain what
amendments were necessary (letter 3 Nov 05)
9. Reports:
John Tindale (Community Development Officer):
Analysis of the Consultation Event was explained; the eight themes were broken
down into projects, which had been prioritised by the residents at the Themed
Workshops a year ago, and ranked in order.
It would now be possible to categorise the findings into Short, Medium and Long term
schemes. There would be consultation with the County Council to see if they had
plans in place for any the suggested projects. Then costings and a timetable could
be drawn up.
A member said that it would be courteous to consult the Parish Council on its plans
as, for instance, street lighting is part of their remit.
Another added a word of caution that Bowburn should not be spending on something
we could reasonably expect taxes to pay for.
A member suggested we take careful advice to make best use of the money.
It was asked if Bowburn was excluded from the Flourishing Communities Fund and
the answer was “No”.
A discussion took place on the use of the Flourishing Community Funds and a
member felt that voluntary groups should not apply for statutory functions, however
John Tindale felt that voluntary groups can get the opportunity to do this by working
in partnership with the authority.
The issue of a community worker for Bowburn arose and John explained that there
could be a full time worker dedicated to Bowburn as a project manager, or a team of
community development workers for Bowburn and the surrounding area.
When asked about funding a sole worker John put the following three options:
2a) a percentage of the £1.8million allocated to Bowburn plus Flourishing
Community Fund plus City Council;
b) Flourishing Community Fund plus City Council;
c) City Council.
If the consensus of opinion was for ‘b’ or ‘c’ he would have to take guidance.
He was open to suggestions as to whether Bowburn needed a full time officer.
John explained to a member that no area in the Durham District has a full time
officer.
One member thought it might be useful to invite someone to speak from a village
where one project officer had been in place.
It was asked how much these wages would be and for how long.
A member suggested that the existing community officers should do the job.
However another thought that if there were a dedicated worker then there would be
rapid progress in Bowburn.
John will bring an update to the next meeting.
He added that there has been a meeting with Ogden’s about a Supermarket, which is
in line with planning.
Regeneration Working Group – 28 October 05:
Costs to take six apprentices through a three year programme would be
approximately £75 000. Advertising is to commence shortly as Carillian have an
intake in Nov/Dec and information and interviews would have to take place before
this time.
John explained that the apprentice scheme organised by Haslam and Carillian was
limited and other funding, such as SHIP, could widen the scope of training. There is
also a need for Basic Skills courses for the young people in Bowburn to enable them
to gain entry to apprentice schemes.
Members brought up the need for employment after training, and John said that
Carillian and Haslam do take on apprentices.
A query was made about holding a Jobs Fare, and John will come back and report.
Mike explained that the number of demolitions in Bowburn, so far, had reached its
identified target. In Horton Crescent it was agreed, in principle, to relocate tenants
and demolish the odd numbered bungalows along with the identified even numbers.
Tentative assurances have been given that no houses would be considered in this
demolition.
Fiona had reported on the Masterplan as printed in the October minutes.
Maureen had reported on the Community Chest.
Mike had reported on the problem of sewage in Philip Avenue and no development
can take place until plans show the means by which the foul water and surface water
are catered for, and Northumbrian Water are fully aware of the existing problem and
the new system.
Parish: PC Cockburn had not attended the last meeting. Two pillars have been
vandalised in the graveyard and the road to the graveyard needs repairing, an
estimate has gone in. The sub-committee met for donations and these will be
announced on 16 November. There is a vacancy for a Parish Councillor as a Junior
School governor, but there was confusion about eligibility, so no one was appointed.
There is a new Right of Way near Henderson’s Drive. For the Centenary there will
be hanging baskets on selected lamp posts. Mosaic tiles have been inserted into the
path of the Doorstep Green.
3A member asked about the grant for the Garden and was told that £90 000 had come
from Doorstep Green and the Countryside Agency.
Outreach workers: No Representation.
Trustees: Discussed supporting sub groups and decided to defer a decision until
further information was received. Questions were formulated for the Regeneration
Working Group.
12 Villages/SRB6: Jan informed members that a training course is to take place in W
Rainton and an exhibition of the late B Lofthouse, an amateur taxidermist, is being
shown at Ludworth Community Centre.
A member asked, if Stan Robinson could be informed of the next meeting and about
the Cassop computer. Jan replied that Cassop now has a new computer.
Home Front Recall: Janet reported on a successful day out to Eden Camp with Y6
and local residents. The Street Party is on 18 November. Would all volunteers be at
the Centre for 8am? There will be exhibitions; Year 6 ‘evacuees’ walk from school;
party; children’s choir; and tea dance. Evening Boogie Disco 7.30pm – 11pm.
The Bush Big Band Dance night is from 7.30pm to 11pm on Friday 16 December.
Group Noticeboard:
Banner: Judith Murphy Concert is on Friday at 7.30pm in the Club. Application for
funding a children’s banner is being submitted to the Community Chest. Progress is
being made by Chippenham Designs on the new banner.
Boys/Girls Football: the teams have not played for 4 weeks. The younger players are
practicing in the Boy’s Club, where it is warmer.
BVC: Estimates are being obtained for the revised bid to the Community Chest to
include colour editions and a band for the Centenary Remembrance Day Service.
Centenary: with help from Lee and Wendy a bid is almost ready to be submitted to
Awards for All for a Folk Band, Commemorative Song Booklet and Mining Keepsake.
Community Centre: No Representation.
History: The 2006 Calendars are available.
PARC: No Representation.
Youth Centre: Mike reported there will be 3 sessions from January:
Monday–all members; Tuesday–weightlifting; Wednesday–project night.
Jon and Joanne will do the outreach work on Thursday evenings.
Any Other Business: None
Date and time of next meeting:
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting is 20 December at 6.30pm
Future meetings for 2006: 17 Jan, 21 Feb, 21 Mar, 18 April, 16 May, 20 Jun.
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership would like to wish everyone a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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