MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 19 July 2005 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: W Bates, J Blackburn, J Blakey, M Bell, K Calvert, P Dawe, M Dee,
N Dixon, K Haigh, R Jackson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson,
S Robinson, A Shutt, M Syer, B Temporal, B Tickell, R Walsh, C Whitfield,
D Whittaker
In Attendance: K Davis, L Kirby, D Whitfield
1. Apologies: A Blakey, B Bellis, F Brettwood, J Gray, J Niblo, R Millerchip,
C Peaden, C Thompson, J Thompson, S Walworth
2. PC Cockburn did not attend the meeting.
3. Minutes of the last meeting, 21 June 2005:
>Fiona asked for the following corrections:
Firstly, 7(b) Fiona commented that the capital receipts for the Council-owned land
developed by the Durham Villages Regeneration Co. would go to the Regeneration
Fund. She did not mention the Flourishing Communities Fund as she is not familiar
with it and would not know how it is funded.
>Secondly 7(b) regarding the Cape site – Nathaniel Litchfield, who are working with
Fiona on the Masterplan in respect of this site and would like to do a presentation,
are the owner’s consultants not the owners of the site themselves. She also
commented that ‘the development’ they wished to see is likely to be for mixed use –
‘the land’ is designated for industrial use.
>Janet corrected the error in 7(d) that there was a tie for number 7; ‘Youth Club (IT
Suite) and Improve traffic flow’, so the numbers 8–11 need changing to 9–12.
4. Matters Arising: Donna Whitfield explained the setting up of the Speed visor, in
possibly Bowburn, Shincliffe or Croxdale. She suggested four regions; at the Library,
Mary Terr. Broadmeadows, or Road Chef, but other roads could be considered.
Members voted as follows.
A 177 at the library = 5 votes
A177 Mary Terrace = 5 votes
C12A at Broadmeadows = 5 votes
Prince Charles Ave = 2 votes
Tail Upon End = 1 vote
A688 Road Chef = 0 votes
However, the Partnership’s first choice may not fit the criteria from the Police and
Highway Officers. Research suggests that the speed visor does affect the behaviour
of drivers and there will be a check after 6 months to see if speed has reduced.
5. Keith Davis – Community Safety Officer:
Keith summarised the ‘Crime, Disorder and Substance Misuse Reduction Strategy
’05–’08 for Chester-le-Street and City of Durham Districts set out by the Community
Safety Partnership’.
The priorities over the next 3 years are to: reduce total crime by targeting the worst
offenders; increase public reassurance and tackle antisocial behaviour which can
affect quality of life; tackle drugs, substance and alcohol misuse to reduce the harm
they cause and the associated crime and disorder; target the perpetrators of
domestic violence to challenge their beliefs and attitudes; and improve the services
for victims of hate crime.Every Agency discusses a case until it is resolved with (i) an ‘Acceptable behaviour
contract’ or (ii) an ASBO which is a powerful weapon and difficult to get through the
courts. If it is broken the perpetrator goes to prison.
The Street Safe Initiative will continue to target young offenders and their carers.
It is possible to bring in close circuit cameras, if necessary.
Asked about gang control, Keith suggested that residents could set up a Community
Safety Compact where they could talk in confidence with the police and Keith on a
regular basis. He emphasised the point that local intelligence is the most effective
weapon against crime and disorder in the community.
Members commented that they felt let down, because information about antisocial
behaviour had not been followed up; the telephone number for Aykley Heads was
ineffective; and they had lost trust in the police to keep information confidential.
It was decided to bring Keith back in September to consider setting up a Compact.
6. Treasurer’s Report:
In Robin’s absence, Janet reported that there had been no expenditure or income
since the last meeting, so the balance remains at £1504.71.
It was agreed that the treasurer’s report be fully explained at each meeting so that it
is clear to all members.
7. Correspondence:
>B&PCP expressed their unease over the planning application for Phase One about
the closure of the footpath at David Terrace; the incorrect ‘key’ for bungalows and
flats; the increase in traffic flow in the estate and onto the A177; and the overflowing
sewage in Philip Avenue. (Letter 12/07/05)
>B&PCP conveyed their concern to Peter Lee about the extent of the biodiversity
project in the cricket/football ground, and in The Rec over the beck. (Letter 12/07/05)
>B&PCP asked Brian Spears to answer the specific question of ‘How the proportion
of money was allocated to Bowburn through the Flourishing Communities Fund,
compared with other areas?’ (Letter 12/07/05)
>John Tindale hoped that representatives of the owners of the Cape Site and their
respective agents could be on the agenda for 16 August (email 15/07/05)
It was agreed that a planning officer, who would be familiar with the planning issues
and case law surrounding the Cape site, should be invited to that same meeting.
8. Amendments to the Constitution:
The amendments were read and explained to the meeting. The voting will take place
at the next meeting on 16 August.
The following typing errors will be corrected in the Constitution:
J6. In line 1, change ‘tome’ to ‘time’.
L1. In line 1, change ‘(ii) to ‘2’.
L2. In line 4, change ‘thrust’ to ‘trust’.
M. In line 1, insert capital ‘M’ for ‘Management Committee’.
It was also agreed that it be recorded that, “There will be a monthly General Meeting
on the third Tuesday of each month, for the time being”, though this does not have to
be recorded in the Constitution.
9. Reports:
Development Co-ordinator; Lee Kirby is taking charge of the Home Front Recall.
She has met the Centennial group to discuss their many ideas and will see them
again this week. Lee has given the group a copy of the F.I.N.E. guide to grants. Lyn
Boyd has compiled a comprehensive list of funders.
Jan Blakey is working with Carl Marshall on a bid for training.Lee is working with the Community Centre on the Coalfields Regeneration grant.
A representative from Nathaniel Litchfield will be contacted to come to the next
Partnership meeting, concerning the Cape site.
Detached Youth Work: Mike reported that Jon and Clare have gained a thorough
knowledge of the area, and from the 13 July will make initial contact with the young
people in the estate. It could be September/October before there are any outcomes.
Trustees: The trustees met to finalise the draft application to the Charities
Commission and to check on any amendments required for the Constitution. The
planning issues surrounding Philip Avenue were discussed. Questions were
formulated for the Community Safety Officer.
Regeneration Working Group: Progress is slow on the £500 000 SHIP fund for
employment and conservation. There are three possible ideas for apprenticeships:
>Advertisement of a programme set up by the City Council could target the youth in
Bowburn, but selection must be based on merit, and made from all young people
who apply.
>A scheme through Haslam Homes and the Regeneration Company, but there are
no precise details.
>An extension to the Esh Group Scheme could adjust the focus of apprenticeships to
Bowburn.
What monies were left from the £500 000 would be spent in the conservation area,
where Mike declared an interest. There should be a quick decision, which should be
publicised.
The last tenants moved out of Phase One today and the two semis will be
demolished as soon as possible.
Brian Spears had said that they could not afford security on Phase Two, which Harry
Lee priced at £1000 per day. Paul had expressed his anxiety to Brian Spears with
the bonfire season coming up. In his experience, Mike Croft thought that security
guards in 28 Horton Crescent could possibly attract trouble. However there may be a
promise that flammable material will be removed as quickly as possible. Demolition
could be ongoing, if done selectively in blocks, with a more flexible re-housing policy.
Fiona had given a report and said that the written Draft Master Plan merely needs
pictures and will be sent by email to Paul and Mike, when it is ready.
Mike announced that there is a Consultation Event on Thursday, 29 September,
in the Community Centre from 3pm – 8pm. It is described as a ‘drop in’ event.
Members at this meeting were concerned that there may not be security in Phase
Two, and if there were, that Bowburn may have to pay for this from the money
ringfenced for the Master Plan.
12 Villages/SRB6 Representative: The theft of the computer equipment has not been
cleared up with the insurance firm. Jan and Carl are working on a bid for training
over 2 1/2 years. Jan Blakey won the Regional award for Outstanding Achievement
over the last 2 years.
10. Group Reports:
Banner: The ‘Racecourse’ banner was displayed at the Junior and Infant schools and
at Crowtrees WM Club on 8 and 12 July. The Junior School will work on possible
design ideas, next term, for the new banner and anyone can come along to a
workshop session to be involved in this design process on 19 September, at 6.30pm
in the Community Centre.
Mike announced that the Fishburn Band will be playing in the Community Centre on
30 September.BVC: The Interchange newspaper goes to print this week for distribution next week.
Centenary: This group will be meeting Lee and Wendy on Thursday to receive their
suggestions and act on them.
Community Centre: The new windows and doors are being fitted to the front of the
building. Coalfield Regeneration grants are being requested for the other windows
and doors. The flooding of the beck is a concern, because the floors in the dining
room and main hall have needed resurfacing again. The Constitution has been
amended and will be adopted at the meeting on 26 September. The Community
Centre will add the Banners and Cases onto their insurance, but the additional cost
will be paid for by the Banner Group, for as long as the arrangement continues.
History: The group did not meet last month.
PARC: No progress.
Youth Centre: The sessions during the first four weeks of the holiday had, so far, not
been well attended. It is difficult to attract the older children from 13-19 years during
the day, in the school holiday.
11. AOB:
>Paul announced that the ‘State of City Debate’ will be held in the Gala Theatre at
6.30pm for 7pm on 27 July. Lee will find out if questions have to be submitted before
the event.
>Paul read out a letter from Ron Jackson asking for assistance to set up a Resident’s
Association in the Landsdowne Crescent/Neville Terrace/Grangepark Crescent area.
Lee has been able to bring the details to this meeting.
>Mike gave the information that DVRC hoped to have the plans for Phase Two and
Henry Avenue ready by the end of the year.
>Richard Cowen informed members that the S. Durham By Pass is probably shelved,
permanently. There may be a start on the liaison committee with the quarry. The
quarry footpath will be put to the new footpaths officer. Paul commented that he had
walked the path recently and it seemed to have been widened.
There being no other business, the meeting ended at approximately 8.45pm.
12. Date of the next meeting:
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting is 16 August at 6.30pm
Future meetings for 2005: 20 Sept, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 20 Dec.
The monthly meetings are open to all. Please bring a friend.
Catch up with what is going on in Bowburn, and have your say.
Minutes can be found in:
Community Centre, Lea’s Village Shop, Library, PO, Surgery.