Present:
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Tuesday 18 January, 2005 at 6.30pm.
W Bates, J Beck, J Blackburn, J Blakey, P Dawe, N Dixon, J Gray, K Haigh,
A Lunn, R Millerchip, D Morgan, J Patterson, Maureen Robinson, M Syer,
W Temporal, W Tickell, C Thompson, J Thompson, R Walsh, C Whitfield,
D Whittaker
In attendance: L Boyd, B Cockburn, M Ridley
Apologies for absence:
F Brettwood, C Brown, K Calvert, R Cowen, M Jubb, L Lyons, G Patterson,
Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, A Shutt, G Stoker.
Minutes of the last meeting, December, 2004
The minutes were agreed as a true record by John Gray and seconded by
J Blakey.
Matters arising:
A member queried the fact that the groups only had one week to submit the
Action Plans. Lyn explained that Fiona had a short time scale to put the draft
together and added that the Partnership secretary had managed to inform many
of the interested groups in the village.
Mike named the demolition firm for Phase 1 as Tyne Tees Demolition Group.
Correspondence:
W Temporal had sent an email querying the use of the Partnership laptop at a
History group meeting. It was explained that its use had been authorised by
officers and the meeting agreed that any group, provided an authorised
representative took responsibility, could in future borrow the laptop. A record of
all such uses would be kept in a register
A discussion followed on the justification of purchasing the laptop. It was
explained that it was part of the Award’s for All bid for start up equipment.
The ‘Build Your Own’ computer had to be kept in the Community Centre which
was not convenient for the daily use of the secretary, including email.
Reports:
Action Plans:
Lyn presented a summary of the Draft Action Plans as a working document,
which represented part of the full report. She recommended that sections should
be selected, looked at in depth, and prioritised. This is the first round of bids that
will act as a guideline for the needs of the village. Further Action Plans can be
submitted but they would go into a future draft.
(6.55pm) PC Cockburn left the meeting for Shincliffe Parish Council meeting.
It was questioned why the Action Plans were being submitted without knowing
the expenditure, and that the City Council might think that these bids were the
only requirements of the village.Lyn replied that £1m was ringfenced for schemes from the Lawson Road
development and she felt it advisable to have plans in place rather than be
accused of not being prepared.
(7.05pm) After Lyn finished her report she was encouraged to leave the meeting,
because she was ill.
A member was surprised that a site was being cleared for building if there
weren’t any plans and he had heard that a large number of houses were to be
built. He felt that the money generated under the individual dwelling payment
scheme should be investigated.
Mike reported that the layout and make up of the site was not decided until the
planning application had been applied and approved. There has been an
illustrative layout of the scheme and the total sum of money would be more from
the Regeneration Fund. The Working Group minutes stated that £1m was
ringfenced for Bowburn but any additional profits would go into, and additional
money for projects would come out of, the Flourishing Communities fund.
Other members expressed their concern over the loss of revenue for Bowburn
and C Thompson proposed that a letter be sent to Brian Spears, which was
seconded by M Ridley. It was agreed to send such a letter.
Treasurer: The two main payments to date are listed as £1928.52 for the
computer, and £613.79 for the children’s party, which leaves a balance of
£2189.01. Future funding is being investigated.
Children’s Party: About 50 children attended the party and both children and
parents enjoyed both the food and the occasion. There was an opportunity to
explain to the parents about the Partnership and cast it as a positive and ongoing
group. Presents left over will be carried forward to the ‘Junior Party’, possibly in
March.
12 Villages/SRB6 Rep:
A Community Fund Bid has been submitted to fund a playwork co-ordinator.
Training in progress: Women’s Forum – County Hall,
Building Confidence Through Music and Involving Women - New Brancepeth.
Digital Photos & Walk and Photo Archives & Image Repair, – Quarrington Hill,
Racial Equality – 14 March at Bowburn Community Centre
Planned Training: Website Design, Dry Stone Walling, ‘Paralegal Course’
Debates: Reorganised Council, POW Project Worker, Ltd Company & Charitable
Status, and Payment of Expenses.
Centenary Celebration: no meeting
Groups Reports:
Banner: The Public Meeting had been well attended and was successful in
accepting a Constitution and to apply for Charitable Status. Trustees were
appointed and an Action Plan formulated. There will be a Brass Band concert on25 February to raise funds. It was pointed out that the press report was incorrect
because the Banner Group has not got funding.
History: (Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month). The first meeting of the year is
for planning. The Group will offer temporary financial support to the Banner
Group. 2005 calendar is in profit and still available. Members have checked the
proposed Heritage Room and the Action Plan includes spending needs to allow
this to be established. There will be a stall at the ‘History Belongs to You’ in
County Hall on 14 May.
Youth Centre: Concerns over Beverley Phillip’s leaving have been eased
because she will be a replaced in March, initially on a temporary basis. Club
nights will continue as usual. Joan requested a letter be sent from the
Partnership to show the appreciation of her services to the youth of the village.
There was general agreement from the floor.
Tsunami Appeal:
Father James proposed having a coffee morning including stalls to raise funds
for the victims of the Tsunami disaster. Bill Temporal spoke on behalf of Richard
Cowen, who had suggested the same idea. It was agreed to hold one Village
Coffee Morning organised through the Partnership. Bill would pass on this
suggestion to R Cowen.
After some discussion it was decided to hold the event on Saturday 26 February
from 10am to 1pm in the Community Centre. Christ the King Church will print
Advertising leaflets, posters and letters, and Businesses would be asked to
contribute. Members in attendance volunteered to help and the Community
Centre Staff will be available. Maureen Robinson would be the contact on
377 0814. It was agreed that the treasurer open a special bank account for
money raised, in the name of ‘BPCP Disaster Fund’.
Any Other Business:
Members expressed serious concerns over the lack of security in the area of
demolition in David Terrace and Phillip Avenue. Guards are scheduled to be on
site from 8am to Midnight on Bank Holidays and at Weekends, and 4pm to
Midnight on Weekdays, but their presence is not obvious. Residents have
reported worrying incidents, which have been addressed by the Council, but
undermined almost immediately. It was agreed to inform PC Cockburn and Brian
Spears of these concerns and ask for their advice.
Date of next meetings:
Future meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month
15 February, 15 March, 19 April.
The Annual General Meeting is planned for 17 May.
The Partnership welcomes your attendance at every meeting, which are open to
all. Bring a companion. A lot is going on that everyone needs to know about.
Copies of the minutes are in: Community Centre, Lawson Rd, Library,
Marlene Ave, PO, Surgery, Village Store