Present: MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 18 October 2005 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
W Bates, R Bellis, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, J Clark,
S Colquhoun, P Dawe, M Dee, N Dixon, J Gray, K Haigh, J Halford, R Jackson,
J Kane, J Lunn, S Raine, A Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson,
S Robinson, A Shutt, M Syer, B Tickell, S Walworth, C Whitfield, D Whittaker,
A Wilson
In Attendance: L Kirby
1. Apologies: J Beck, M Bell, A Blakey, B Cockburn, R Cowen, L Kirby,
G Hutchinson, M Milburn, J Niblo, A Richardson, M Ridley, C Thompson,
J Thompson, S Thompson, R Walsh, D Whitfield
PC Cockburn was unable to attend the meeting.
2. Minutes of the last meeting – 20 September 2005: The typo, 2 x R Bellis, was
corrected and the minutes accepted as a true record by R Jackson and J Blakey.
3. Matters arising: In Section 2 Page 2, Secretary to Local Groups, it was queried
why elected representatives had to come from the area of benefit as the constitution
only provides for individuals to be from the area of benefit. It was suggested that a
group may want to have a representative that lived outside the area of benefit and
should be able to choose to do so. It was agreed to refer this to the trustees to
consider.
4. Treasurer’s Report: General outgoings to 18 October 05 are DCC Gaming
licence, coloured paper and room hire totalled £91.43, leaving a balance of £156.08
Home front Recall to 18 October 05 are disposable cameras and bottled water
totalled £86.85, leaving a balance of £11 410.15
5. Community Chest:
There were nine applications. As there has to be a clear paper trail of spending there
must be the following proviso with each application;
printed evidence of the item(s) and the costs.
Darts: recommended and approved with the above proviso.
Toddlers: approved with the above proviso.
running costs cannot be paid, but otherwise it was recommended and
Junior School: running costs cannot be paid for the Breakfast Club, and they will be
asked to re-submit an alternative bid.
Homing Pigeons: recommended and approved when permission for sighting the
container had been seen by the Partnership, plus the above proviso.
A member asked for the cost of planning permission to be granted if required, and
this was agreed.
BVC: recommended and approved when extra coloured issues of the Interchange
for the Centennial year were added to the bid.
1Senior Citizens: a bus trip could not be recommended as the fund is for visible items
of lasting benefit to the group, they will be asked to re-submit an alternative bid.
Cooperage FC: administrative and travel costs amounting to £110.00 were
excluded from the bid, however the club was asked to add the Partnership logo to the
strips and that extra cost would be added to the bid; and the above proviso.
Boys/Girls FC: the club was asked to add the Partnership logo to the strips
and the extra cost would be added to the bid.
A member asked when the next applications would be put forward and it was
explained it would be as and when they were submitted. There is no running total as
there are so many adjustments to make to this first round of bids.
It was noted that grants from the Community Chest would be paid via the B&PCP
account.
6. Correspondence:
Sylvia Bearpark sent a quotation for stained glass windows in the Community Centre
(letter 10 October 05)
Angela Richardson notified me that she would be the representative for Parkhill
Residents Group
Peter Thorpe informed me that Margaret Robinson was the representative for the
Parish Council.
Request for alternative dates for the proposed meeting with the Parish Council (Peter
Thorpe, email 13 October 05)
Reply to Parish suggesting afternoons and evenings would be available in November
(Secretary, email October 05)
7. Reports:
Lee Kirby, Community Development Co-ordinator: there will be a meeting to outline a
funding application for an evening’s entertainment in July 06. Names of artists are
being sought for the sculpture.
The Unmade Roads Project, with advice from Lee, proposes setting up a group to
improve roads in Lansdowne Crescent, Neville Terrace, and Grangepark Crescent
(see also AOB).
Members brought up the poor state of Lawson Rd, which will be investigated by
Mike, and the park footpath, when Maggie repeated the information given last month.
Lee said that Keith Davis had asked for a consultation on the Teen Shelter.
Maureen Robinson advised Lee that Keith Davis had not attended a consultation
event on 13 October, organised by Jon Niblo. Jon and Maureen suggested that the
Youth Centre and Jon consult in Bowburn about the location of a shelter along with
the Parish and City Councils plus the Police. There had been a suggestion that
funding may come from the Police, and the Partnership had already expressed an
interest in a shelter in the Masterplan. A further meeting will be arranged; Jon will
have photos of Teen Shelters and will take the young people to see examples of
Teen Shelters, and information can circulate through the Interchange, adverts, or by
going directly to the Youth Centre.
Maggie expressed a wish for a Teen Shelter in Parkhill.
Members hoped the shelters would be fireproof and would be sighted sensibly where
the young people wanted them. A member did not agree with having a Teen Shelter.
2Finally, there would be helpers from the City supporting the outing to Eden Camp.
8. Consultation Event: Lee read out an email she had received today from
Fiona Brettwood giving the results of the categories prioritised in the questionnaires.
Two members were impressed by the good quality of the speakers and information at
the event, particularly as one felt that there had not been any focus to the draft
Masterplan.
The first two priorities in each category were:
Environment: Improve Street lights, Tidy main roads plus Create a linear park
Traffic: Potential for western by-pass, Improve traffic flow on A177
Recreation: and (2) the Community Centre
Improve and Upgrade the facilities in (1) the recreation ground
Heart of Village: Attract new shops, Explore community use of empty part of Co-op
Jobs: Info in Community Centre and Library, Improve Transport to work
Housing: Provide Off-street parking, Integrate new houses into village layout
Heritage: Create ‘Heritage centre’, Identify route for Heritage walk
Community: area in Parkhill
Provide Youth shelter, Equip Clubs and Groups plus Create play
There was criticism of the Linear Park as the City Council does not own the land and
it gives a false impression. A member highlighted the long term problem of sewage
backing up in Philip Avenue, which does not appear to have been addressed. Mike
agreed to seek information and report to the next meeting.
Regeneration Working Group: There has been no meeting since the Partnership last
met. The issues of the sewage and Linear Park would be taken to the Group on 28
October along with the situation of the bungalows in Horton Crescent.
Mike felt that a decision was needed quickly as they look as if they are in a clearance
area. The current situation is that today the housing officer asked the opinions of
those in the odd numbers. Mike commented that it is a relatively short term problem,
but for aged people that could be difficult time, however in the long term being
opposite new housing would be a good outcome. A fear was expressed that some
houses in Horton Crescent might also be brought into the development area and
Mike agreed to seek confirmation that this was not being considered.
Trustees: It was decided not to change the voting rights at present, but the
constitution could be changed at the next AGM. John Tindale was to be contacted
concerning the applications to the Community Chest. The trustees were asked to
attend the consultation event and comment on it at the next meeting.
12 Villages/SRB: The computer has been returned and is nearly up and running,
and there is added security at Sherburn Hill. Jan thanked everyone who attended
the AGM where a new Chair, Mike Anderson, was appointed, with Keith James
becoming Vice Chair. There will be a course at West Rainton that involves the
Travellers.
3Home Front Recall: A member was surprised at the initial lack of response for the
trip to Eden Camp. However everything is now organised, with the generous help of
the Development officers and assistants, for 156 visitors including Year Six, and
volunteers to enjoy an interesting day out tomorrow.
The 18 November event includes a Street Party in the afternoon and an evening
Boogie dancing, which are free events but require a ticket for the meal.
9. Group Noticeboard:
Banner: The Fishburn Band Concert performance was good but the attendance was
poor. On 25 November is the Judith Murphy Song and Talk Night about the poet
Tommy Armstrong in Bowburn Club.
The banners will both be with the conservators next week. Next Meeting is 31 Oct.
Boys/Girls FC: All six teams play Saturday morning. The under 10’s girls have been
beaten in their recent games but are still enjoying playing, and keeping up the good
name of Bowburn. You are invited to watch the teams play at Houghall from 9am.
BVC: The secretary thanked the new deliverers for their help. The next issue is
due in December and the next Meeting is 1 November.
Centenary: Meets with Lee and Wendy next week to discuss funding a folk night.
Community Centre: Bill Temporal was away and unable to give a report.
History: The Beamish day had been an excellent event. Shildon Locomotion Centre
has free events in November and you do not have to be a member.
The 2006 Centennial calendar is on sale for £3, and will be brought to the next
meeting.
PARC: In December they will apply to the Flourishing Communities Fund. As
explained by Lee this is money from land sales plus a percentage of housing sales
from the entire district, and not the £1.9 million coming to Bowburn. Carrie said that
PARC does not need a sub-lease and the City Council is responsible for equipment.
There will be updated plans and equipment, and there will be an Open Day with the
Council Planning, and Wickstead for people‘s comments. There will be a re-look at
the area of bio-diversity in the Rec in relation to the playing area.
Youth Centre: No report this month.
10. Any Other Business: Ron Jackson presented a letter asking the Partnership’s
views on setting up an Unmade Roads Group as a sub-group. Discussion took place
on other unmade roads and it was decided to take the issue to the trustees’ meeting.
A member asked if the turning circle in Lawson Road was used and was told the 58
travelled that route every 2 hours. However another member disputed this by saying
it was not happening. This point of information was noted.
11. Date and time of the next meeting:
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting is 15 November at 6.30pm
Future meetings for 2005: 20 Dec. and 2006: 17 Jan, 21 Feb, 21 March
The monthly meetings are open to all. Please bring a friend.
Catch up with what is going on in Bowburn, and have your say.
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