MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 19 December 2006 from 6.30pm to 8.00pm
At the start of the meeting the chair paid tribute to Bobby Bellis. Bob was a founder member of the Partnership and dedicated to the interests of the village.
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, P Dawe, M Dee, N Dixon,
R Jackson, J Kane, R Millerchip (Left 7pm), Maggie Robinson, W Stainthorpe, M Syer, S Thompson,
D Whittaker (Left 7pm), S Walworth, A Wilson
In Attendance: G Marsden, M Ridley, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, J Eden, J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, J Halford, G Hutchinson, S Raine, A Richardson, Maureen Robinson, A Shutt, P Sinclair, G Stoker, J Tindale, R Walsh,
2. Sgt D Turner, PC Cockburn: There was no report from the police.
3. Masterplan and Project Leaders’ update of each project plus group news.
In the absence of Julie Anson, the community development worker, the secretary read out her report.
Bowburn & Parkhill Masterplan Consultation Event, 28 November 2006 and feedback:
102 people attended the event and 21 people completed a comment sheet.
There was one more negative remark than positive remarks registered specific to the Park Project, and an even number of positive and negative remarks to areas throughout Bowburn.
Bowburn Park Consultation Event, 13 December 2006 and feedback:
13 people attended the event and 6 people completed a comment sheet.
The majority of attendees lived in Beaumont Close, which overlooks the proposed Toddler & Junior Play Area.
There were more negative remarks than positive ones.
Members living in Lansdowne Crescent and Walker Street said they had not been informed of the Park Event.
Highways: Members were asked to put forward names to form a sub-group; those interested were J Kane, R Cowen, P Dawe and J Blackburn.
Environment: Awaiting information from J Westgarth.
Unadopted Roads: J Wingrove has printed letters and response slips for the residents of Lansdowne Crescent, Neville Terrace and Grangepark Crescent regards the roads being adopted and works being carried out subject to funding. R Jackson will distribute the letters to residents in these streets.
It was asked why the unadopted roads in Parkhill were not being considered along with those in Bowburn. This was because one area was to be tackled at a time. One member noted that the Parkhill members had never asked for these roads to be included in this stage of the project. The secretary will enquire of P Sinclair if residents in the area of the unadopted roads in Parkhill had been asked about their reactions. (Action Janet)
Park Project: A funding plan has been drawn up, and the application form for Park funding to B&PCP Regeneration Fund will be submitted to the next meeting on 16 January 2007. Discussions are taking place with the Parish Council as regards the footpaths in their ownership and the possibility of them being adopted, and footpath works and street lighting being installed. The Parish Council have agreed to consult with the Allotment tenants after Christmas.
Community Centre: The City is currently working on draft plans and costs, which will be taken to the management team in January.
Church: Awaiting further information.
Parkhill: The consultation event on 11 November had a positive response, and further consultation is taking place throughout December.
Youth: The City is working on draft plans and costs which will be taken to a Youth Centre meeting in February.
The Bowburn Youth Project Report (Joanne Eden).
Since the youth centre has been closed, due to health and safety issues, the staff have continued to work with the young people in Bowburn. We have a room in the community Centre on Wednesday evenings for the girls where we have been able to continue our project work as well as fill in funding forms for the youth centre. Cllr Williams has given us contact names and addresses for grant schemes. The young people and staff have all written letters and filled in grant forms outlining the work that needs to be done before the centre can open i.e. the front door and lighting in the sport’s hall. They have also filled in a youth capital fund application for new tables, flooring and general decoration.
Staff have been working on the streets in Bowburn meeting young people on the Store wall with cups of tea; this is proving to be very popular. It has been important for staff to retain contact with young people while the centre is closed and we have been doing that successfully.
Heritage: There will be an update on progress at the Thursday Local History Society meeting on 21 December.
Centenary: Dawn, Maureen, Paul and Janet hope that everyone who has been able to join in the Centenary activities throughout the year has enjoyed themselves. We certainly have. Thanks to everyone who has helped and contributed towards to such a successful year. The last event was the Bush Big Band Night on Friday 15 December, and once again the band did us proud and everyone had a wonderful time.
4. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising: 21 November 2006:
The minutes were taken as a true record by N Dixon and seconded by K Calvert.
Arising from the minutes, it is hoped to have further information on the nature reserve, because there is concern at the removal of gorse from the area.
5. Minutes and matters arising from Trustees: 27 November 2006
The appointment of the development worker and project manager was discussed. B Spears was contacted to confirm that there are going to be two workers in Bowburn. It was agreed to use the Partnership as a conduit for information from the Wildlife and Ecology officer about the Crow Trees LNR. It was decided to leave the proposed crossing at Parkhill in the Masterplan. It was decided to form a ‘Highways’ sub-group. Trustees await clarification from the Parish Council concerning the noticeboards. In the meantime it was decided to find out the cost of insurance for vandalism and public liability. It was agreed to write to OQ, Parkhill and Tursdale representatives asking for confirmation that they do/do not want a noticeboard. It was suggested that other agencies could investigate problematic issues, and Mr D Bottoms will be contacted for advice. (Action Robin)
There was a suggestion to change the six month rule on spending for the Community Chest.
Discussion took place on the Park meeting that day.
6. Items of Any Other Business: Register title of issue for item 12
A member asked about the criteria for renting residential properties.
7. Treasurer’s Report plus quiz results:
At the end of November the balance for the General Fund is £595.97 and for the Centenary Fund is £1958.99.
The results of the ‘Film’ quiz were as follows: 1st H Hill, sold by M Minto; 2nd K Haigh; 3rd S Raine.
The next quiz will be in January 2007.
8. Community Chest:
The following proposal was made to revise clause four of the Grant Offer section in the Bowburn Community Chest Criteria: “If it is anticipated that the grant cannot be spent within the agreed 6 months then the applicant submit with the application the proposed timing of the expenditure, and this must be agreed before the grant is released”.
The motion was proposed by R Cowen and seconded by K Calvert
As there were no objections, the motion was carried.
An application was made to the Community Chest by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalos, but after taking advice it has been refused, because the society has a closed membership.
A member addeded that the Order of Buffalos’ philosophy is to give funds not to take them.
A further application was received from the Bowburn Youth Project – DJ Evans Youth Club to replace the front door, which has been declared dangerous. A covering letter explained that it was for an unspecified sum as the estimates have not been received. There was a request that the application be approved, in principle, subject to satisfactory written estimates being obtained, because it is a matter of urgency that the door is repaired so that the building could re-open as quickly as possible. It is expected that the amount requested would not exceed £2000.00.
A discussion took place about the possibility of jeopardising future funding of the Youth Club if this grant was given towards refurbishment. It was agreed to re-word the application so that it did not include the word ‘refurbishment’.
It was also agreed to fund the application to the maximum amount of £5000.00.
9. Correspondence:
Letter to representatives of OQ, Parkhill and Tursdale, concerning Noticeboards. (29/11/06)
Letter to B. Race, County Hall, concerning the A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link. (01/12/06)
Letter to I. Armstrong, Wildlife Sites & Ecology, concerning Crow Tress LNR. (03/12/06)
Letter to P Thorpe, parish clerk, concerning cost of Noticeboards. (11/12/06)
Letter from OQ rep, explaining that at their last meeting they voted against a noticeboard. (05/12/06)
Letter from Alan Richardson explaining that the residents in Tursdale agreed to a noticeboard. (06/12/06)
Letter from P Thorpe, parish clerk, enquiring about costs of the Noticeboards, and how to arrange a claim from the Community Chest towards the Parish Council’s share of costs. (06/12/06)
Letter from B Race, County Hall, explaining the three stages for financial approval of the funding for the A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link. Full approval is necessary by early April to allow time to initiate CPO notices. Subject to funding being granted, work should start by June 07, with completion taking 12/15 months. (07/12/06)
Letter from Angela Richardson explaining that Park Hill Residents Association decided that a Noticeboard was not required in their area, and suggesting that the Partnership look again at this matter and decide if noticeboards are really necessary. They felt that the money could be put to better use. (18/12/06)
Three members asked for copies of the letter from B Race. (Action Janet).
Councillor Williams hoped that the link roadworks would start earlier than stated.
10. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group: Next meeting is 18 January 2007
There have been site meetings in Philip Avenue area every Monday for the past three weeks. Residents will get a goodwill payment of £50, and compensation will be considered on individual merit. A noticeboard will be put up for site information and general use. There is agreement to partly tarmac Lawson road, but site traffic is still moving between the two sites.
A member suggested that for future sites it could be worth investigating an agreed route for traffic.
Parish Council: No meeting in November. Next meeting is 20 December, the third Wednesday in the month.
Noticeboards: As reported in Correspondence, Item 9, Old Quarrington and Parkhill do not want a noticeboard. There are two types of design. Insurance for public liability would add £20 per board to our existing policy, but there is no insurance available for vandalism.
Quarry Liaison Committee: No meeting.
LSP: There has been a suggestion to have representatives from other agencies to give us advice on problematic issues. (Action Robin)
12 Villages/SRB6 Representative: No report
11. Group Noticeboard:
Banner: Photographic exhibition on 15 December, 1pm to 6pm, in the Community Centre.
BVC: The latest paper is now out. Bowburn Mining Memorial Dedication Service on 16 December at 11 am.
Football Teams: Girls won their game. Xmas party on 22 December. Links with Middlesbrough Football team.
Crowtrees FC in 9th place, but have only had two home games.
History: Meeting this Thursday, 21 December and every Thursday in the month.
Website: November figures remain static, but the message board is well used. New sub-domain for ‘Evasion’ disco nights. History Group information in the New Year. Please keep the web-site updated with recent news of your group.
12. Any Other Business:
A member queried how a resident could get tenancy of a new bungalow when they had recently sold their property in Bowburn.
It was explained that the City Council has 100% Nomination Rights in the first tenancy allocations and 50% after that. Applicants come off the waiting list in date order, and there is no rule that a person cannot have a tenancy if they have sold a property.
13. Date and Time of Meeting: 16 January 2007 at 6.30pm
Dates of meetings in 2007: 20 Feb, 20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May, 19 Jun, 17 Jul.