Present:
MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
ORDINARY MEETING
Tuesday 21 June 2005 at 6.30pm
W Bates, M Bell, R Bellis, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, R Cowen, P Dawe,
M Dee, N Dixon, K Haigh, R Jackson, J Kane, A Lunn, R Millerchip,
Maggie Robinson (from 7.15pm), Maureen Robinson, A Shutt, W Temporal,
B Tickell, S Thompson, R Walsh, S Walworth, A Wilson, C Whitfield,
D Whittaker (from 7.15pm).
In Attendance: F Brettwood, C Brown (7.35pm), J Eden, J Niblo,
M Ridley (from 7.10pm), D Whitfield.
1. Apologies for absence:
J Gray, M Syer, C Thompson, J Thompson
2a. PC Cockburn sent his apology by email. He had hoped to attend the meeting but
was prevented by family commitments.
2b. Donna Whitfield (County Councillor for Durham South): Donna asked the
Partnership to consider where a Speed Visor should be erected, for a limited period,
in Bowburn. It flashes up the speed of a vehicle and should result in vehicles slowing
down in the future. The suggested places are:
(i) A177 near the library,
(ii) Mary Terrace from the garage into the village,
(iii) C12A The Cooperage to Sherburn Road at Broadmeadows,
(iv) A688 Road Chef to Tursdale road which should be a 60mph limit.
3. Minutes of the last meeting – 21 June 2005
J Kane, W Temporal, and B Tickell pointed out that they were at the last meeting but
had not been recorded as present.
(When the secretary checked the attendance record the above members had not
signed the book.)
The minutes were then accepted as a true record by K Calvert and seconded by
Maureen Robinson.
4. Matters Arising:
The Home Front Recall Bid has been sent in thanks to Carol Brown’s hard work.
Every building site must be registered as complying with the Considerate
Constructors Scheme. Jan Blakey was the fourth person to get a special award, for
Personal Achievement.
5. Correspondence:
(i) John Tindale agreed to all the amendments to the Terms of Reference for bids to
be made, for funding, from the Community Chest. One amendment was the
omission of Commercial Businesses being able to bid. Mr. Tindale commented that
the Hearts of the Village fund that covers retail outlets has approximately 18 months
to run, however it may be prudent to leave it in this proposal.
The ‘Community Chest Acceptance Letter’ informing successful applicants would
normally come from the City Council, and can be amended from the ‘Hearts of the
Villages Acceptance letter’ to fit the new criteria and could be countersigned by the
Partnership. (Email 07/06/05)
(ii) Carol Brown explained that Pam Sinclair has been appointed as a part time
Community Development Officer and will be covering Bowburn as part of her zone,
which she shares with Marie Tyler. Carol will be handing over to her in the next
1couple of weeks, but J Tindale and L Kirby will continue to oversee the Regeneration
aspect of work in the village. (Email 09/06/05)
(iii) B&PCP thanked the Youth Club for donating the premises free of charge for the
Junior Disco (Letter 09/06/05)
(iv) B&PCP questioned Brian Spears as to how he arrived at the figure of 2.4m
allocated to Bowburn. (Letter 15/06/05)
6. John Niblo and Joanne Eden (Youth Workers):
B&PCP had identified a need for a Youth Work Team in Bowburn and had discussed
this with John so that it could be put into the Masterplan. In the mean time John has
been relocated to Bowburn from another area because of a change in the Youth
Work since Beverly Phillips left.
John and Claire are in Bowburn on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 9.30pm to
reach out to young people who don’t access other youth provision. They hope to
build up to two nights, but do not work with drunken young people on a Friday
evening for legal reasons. They share information with Joanne Eden who is working
at the Youth Club.
Joanne Eden reported that the Bowburn Youth Project reopened on 9 April 2005 with
herself and three other members of staff. The large number of young people
attending the centre caused problems in the first three weeks, which necessitated
bringing in another Youth Worker, temporarily. Now, the Young people are working
for each other and for the good of the club with 8 of them doing accredited work to
gain an Education in the Community award. Joanne feels that the Bowburn Youth
Project is succeeding, and hopes to open the centre during the first four weeks of the
Summer Holidays, that is on Mondays from 10am until 2pm. In September there
should be two further sessions, and 2 members will join the Area Task Group,
modeled on the ‘12 Villages’.
Members congratulated Joanne and her team for their excellent work, done in such a
short period of time.
7. Reports:
(a) John Tindale and Lee Kirby were not able to attend the meeting.
(b) Fiona Brettwood: Fiona left a CD of the Action Plan and a copy of the Masterplan
Analysis, incorporating the projects identified in the workshops, which can be
displayed in the Community Centre.
When asked, Fiona informed one member that part of the rent paid to Three Rivers
Housing Group would not be allocated to the Flourishing Communities Fund.
The owners of ‘Cape’ are considering new uses of the site and will give a
presentation to the Partnership, because it is in ‘our settlement’ even though it is in
Shincliffe Parish. Fiona explained that the land is for ‘mixed use’, but fears were
expressed, from amongst the members, that the land may be used for housing. This
question will be taken to the Regeneration Working Group. There was also a desire
for a Public Meeting to include Shincliffe over issues concerning the Cape Site.
Concerns over the Planning Application for Phase One were discussed. These
included the closure of the footpath at David Terrace; the key for the bungalows and
flats is incorrect; the increase in traffic converging into the estate and onto the A177.
©Treasurer: Robin asked members to refer to the financial statement he had
prepared, which showed an expenditure of £452.92 on computer equipment,
stationery supplies, room hire and the Junior disco. This leaves a credit of £1 504.71
2(d) Trustees:
One member asked if the length of time could be extended for spending the grant to
6 months and this was agreed.
>The most important items already costed and prioritised for the Community Chest
were separated from the list.
The remaining key proposals for the Masterplan were prioritised at this meeting so
that the members could finalise the list.
>The most important key tasks were read out and the members, who were eligible,
voted as follows:
• Items from the High priority list, in order of preference:
1. Church Hall; 2. PARC; 3. Play area Parkhill; 4. Community Centre;
5. Coop and Safe crossing at Parkhill; 7. Youth Club (IT Suite) and Improve
traffic flow; 8. Youth Club Building; 9. Off Street Parking; 10. Information on
Jobs; 11. Clean up streets by residents.
>The medium priority items are: Landscape perimeter of the village, Improve
street lighting, and Heritage Centre.
>Finally, the low priority items are: adopt unadopted roads, build a Western By-
pass, Training courses, Transport to employment, Childcare, Integrate new
houses, Grants in the conservation area.
(e) Carol Brown: Apologised for being late, thinking that the meeting started at
7.30pm. Pam Sinclair did not come to the meeting because it is planned that
Bowburn would have a dedicated Development Worker. In the meantime Lee Kirby
will be the point of contact. Carol will still be responsible for the Home Front Recall
bid.
Sherburn Hill is now in Zone 3 along with Bowburn and the other villages. A
Horticultural Grant is available from the City Council. Lynn Boyd has information on
funding. The F.I.N.E. CD (NE Guide to grants for Voluntary Groups) and the ‘News
You Can Use’ are available on request from Byland Lodge.
Police Check forms are being sent out to two members.
(f) Regeneration Working Group Meeting – 9June 2005:
>The SHIP Fund can prioritise (i) apprentice and training schemes through
partnership with the Esh Group.
Or part of it can be spent on (ii) Conservation Area improvements.
The Partnership will be consulted, and decide on priorities of above schemes and
have a say in the conservation area improvements.
Maggie Robinson informed the meeting that the Allotment Gardens were not in the
Conservation Area.
>Phase One clearance is ahead of schedule. The one remaining resident is waiting
for an upgrade on his new home before moving. The Planning application for Phase
One is under consultation for 13 weeks. There is encouraging news regarding the
Cape site. John Tindale can enlarge on this.
>All but four of the residents in Phase Two have been contacted regarding re-
housing. It was suggested that the security officers work on site from a bungalow in
Horton Crescent during demolition. This property would then be the last one to be
demolished.
>Fiona Brettwood is still awaiting feedback regarding the matrix. Christ the King has
been reinstated into the plan.
>David Brown squashed the rumour that Three Rivers Housing can buy and let new
properties on the Lawson Road site. Their contract does not allow them to do that.
>Monies for the Community Chest should be released by September at the latest.
3>Update on the sale of properties on the Lawson Road site: there were 19
reservations, 14 of which had exchanged and of those 6 had completed.
(g) 12 Villages/SRB Rep: Computer equipment has been stolen. Photographs of the
Adult Learners Week, organised by Caroline Moralee, were passed round. Jan is to
receive a second award for, Outstanding Achievement and Dedication to Personal
Success. The Adult Taster Day was held in the Community Centre.
8. Group Reports:
(a) Banner: The group has been successful in receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund of
£47 000 to restore two banners and construct a new banner for the 2006 Centenary.
(b) BVC: The next Interchange is scheduled for July and articles for that paper should
reach Mike by the end of June.
© Centenary Group: There is to be a week of celebrations from 30 June to 8 July
2006. The themes for the event are going to be both Historical and Social. Anyone
who can help with information, reminiscences, photographs, maps and memorabilia
about the last 100 Years should contact Janet. All voluntary help would be gratefully
received, as well.
(d) Community Centre: The asbestos check has been done and the lounge floor
repaired. £70.50 was collected for Maggie. 17 July - the windows are being
replaced; 18 July – meeting of the Management Committee; 19 July - the Main Hall
will be closed to repair the floor.
(e) History: The society has a new secretary, Malcolm Bell. A Walkabout is planned
in Quarrington Hill in 2/3 weeks time.
(f) PARC: CISWO is in agreement with the City Council but will not sign the lease.
An independent representative will sign on their behalf.
Martin wanted the members to support a complaint that the Bio Diversity Project has
robbed the cricket pitch of its outfield and was swallowing up young footballers in the
long grass. It was agreed to send a letter to Peter Lee.
(g) Youth Centre: See item 6
9. Contact details:
There were no objections to the addresses being sent to the City Council for
distribution of the minutes.
10. AOB:
A member suggested that there should be a notice board outside the Community
Centre and Paul explained that the Partnership had discussed this subject, and
hoped to provide boards in the village as soon as possible.
The Methodist Minister had emailed to propose that a Welcome Pack giving details of
the Churches and other Organisations would be very helpful to new residents. This
can be discussed further.
A resident sent in a letter expressing his concern that a property in the new Lawson
Road development is being advertised for a rent of £600, which is hardly ‘affordable
accommodation’.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is 19 July 2005
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