MINUTES
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 21 March 2006 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: W. Bates, J Blackburn, M Bell, J Blakey, K Calvert, B Cockburn, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, P Dawe,
M Dee, N Dixon, J Gray, K Haigh, J Halford, John Hopper, J Kane, R Millerchip, S Raine, A Richardson,
Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, A Shutt, W Stainthorpe, G Stoker, M Syer, S Thompson, C Whitfield,
D Whittaker, A Wilson, J Wilson
In Attendance: C Brown, M Ridley, P Sinclair
1. Apologies for absence: J Beck, G Hutchinson, Maureen Robinson, J Tindale, R Walsh
2. PC Cockburn: Reported crime for the Parish: Parkhill 0; Cassop 1; Bowburn 1 burglary, 4 arson, 4 theft,
5 criminal damage. The recorded case of arson was 1 incident involving four individuals each recorded as a
statistic. Increased patrols have been set up on Friday and Saturday to cover nuisance.
A member asked for guidance on phoning 999 rather than HQ and Bruce advised that if an individual was
worried dial 999, and if there was no response, complain. All calls are recorded, but 999 will be prioritised. The
Chief Constable is in agreement with the centralisation of 0845 numbers. On the problem of mini motor bikes
Bruce said to ring 0845. 2 children have been served ‘Forms’, official warnings for a first time offence. If
caught again, the bikes are confiscated and a fee has to be paid for their return.
Update on the incident at the Coop; alcohol was taken away from the young people and their parents spoken
to. There is a voluntary agreement with off licences in the area not to sell alcohol to under 21 year olds.
Dispersal orders, where children are asked to leave an area and if they return in 24 hours can be arrested,
have been considered but not taken up. Similarly taking children home at 9pm has not been carried out.
A member asked, if Bruce was not able to attend meetings could he send a representative. Bruce replied that
he hoped to be able to do this. For information, the Parish minutes report incidents of crime.
PC Cockburn left the meeting at 7pm.
3. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising – 21 February 2006:
The minutes were taken as a true record and agreed by K Calvert and W Stainthorpe.
Page 1; no progress on the quarry liaison committee, but there may be a development today.
Page 2; a member asked how long the trustees were aware of the issue of match funding as a city officer had
implied that this matter had been discussed at the Regeneration meetings. It was stated by Paul and Mike that
they were not aware that the matter had come up at the Regeneration Group. However, Janet has now found
a reference to match funding in the last line of the draft masterplan, and a resident said that Parkhill had been
told about match funding by Fiona on their walkabout.
Carol said that it does not mean that groups cannot get 100% funding, but all projects must make every effort
to get match funding before applying to the ‘pot’.
Paul explained that voluntary contributions can count as match funding and it does not mean a 50/50 match.
For information: Bowburn cannot apply to the Flourishing Communities Fund until the £1.8m is spent, and the
£1.8m will not be available until the end of the year.
4. Report and matters arising – Trustees Meeting 2 March 2006:
Janet reported that Fiona attended the trustees meeting to discuss the re-ordered priorities, which Fiona felt
had strayed from the masterplan, but the changed wording for ‘Item 2’ (Environment) would be included. There
is no publication date, as yet, for the masterplan.
Carol explained that the City Council would manage large schemes for an appropriate fee plus VAT. Group
leaders are to be given the key tasks as set out in the masterplan. Carol is available to discuss projects.
Questions were suggested for the Regeneration Working Group.
Maggie commented that Parkhill cannot see Carol, but it was pointed out that Carol coordinates with Pam
Sinclair, the Parkhill community development officer, for an overview of all schemes.
5. Items of Other Business – register title of issue for item 12:
A question concerning the lack of information on the swimming pool at Kelloe.
6. Treasurer’s Report:
Robin reported that two more grants have been paid out of the Community Chest and the General fund was
slowly going down.
17. Community Chest: There are two new applications.
R Millerchip and P Dawe processed this application as J Blackburn declared an interest.
> Bowburn Infant School (Equipment for New Foundation Stage Reception Class) total £4259.38.
The bid was recommended, and after some discussion, approved.
S Raine, Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, A Shutt and M Syer declared an interest in the following application.
> Cassop Cum Quarrington Parish Council (Graveyard path and entrance in need of repair) total £5000.
Paul informed the meeting that as work had already started on this scheme, and the criteria states that bids
cannot be given retrospective funding, it could not be recommended.
Members discussed possible ways of re-submitting the bid, and asked questions on the timing of the
application, but Paul explained that this scheme would have to be turned down, however he was sure that the
Parish would have other good projects which could be applied for in the future.
8. Correspondence:
Janet read out the letter from B Spears explaining the procedure for allocating and administering ringfenced
finances provided by the City Council as part of the regeneration process.
B Spears also clarified the position where some groups feel that there is no need to seek match funding and
they had already been told that their scheme had been allocated funds, by writing that ‘this is certainly not the
case and all applications will need to be assessed subject to the process outlined’.
Carol Brown and Pam Sinclair offered to leave the meeting whilst members discussed the letter from B Spears
but everyone was happy for them to remain in attendance.
Members discussed the fact that they were not aware of match funding, or exactly what that ‘match’ would be.
Carol explained that there is a scoring system for bids in the Flourishing Community Fund and those with
match funding come out higher, but it would be better to leave the amount of match funding flexible. Also,
funding officers will be assisting in the search for grants for each project.
A member agreed that some match funding would leave more money in the pot for other schemes.
Further discussion took place on the application form which has been asked for since last December.
Carol explained that The Community Development Team has taken over the Flourishing Community Fund and
found the form lacking so it is being updated.
Mike said that the new form has gone through scrutiny and will go to cabinet in April. The old form is still being
used at the moment, but Bowburn cannot apply nor can we apply for the £1.8m. He felt that, even though
£1.8m is a major source of guaranteed money, Bowburn is no better off than other areas.
A member felt aggrieved at the amount of money allocated to Bowburn, and that the City was making it more
difficult to access funds.
The partnership has a draft copy of the new form to develop as their own.
9. Reports:
Carol Brown (Community Development Officer and Worker): Carol, along with Carillion, has given the Year 11
presentation for apprenticeships at Durham Johnson School. There was only 1 applicant out of 39; therefore
the scheme cannot go ahead.
This leaves the Esh Group to float their scheme through Connexion in May with a hope to launch the scheme
in July. Apprentices can reach NVQ Level 2 at the end of 6 months, and Esh can accommodate NVQ Level 3.
A member asked if the unaccounted children in Y11 had been tracked down. Carol answered that she has
rang every school and cannot find these other children.
Masterplan Group Funding, Progress Update: As groups gave their reports the ‘key tasks’ were given out.
>Highways: No further update.
>Environment: Have considered and listed improvements in Bowburn, which includes lighting, parking,
footpaths, garage sites, fencing, flooding and sewerage, beck and general environmental improvements.
Maggie exclaimed that Parkhill had been missed out and Mike said that a separate meeting was needed.
Janet will send copies of Parkhill’s requirements to Carol and Pam.
>Unadopted Roads: These plans have been held up by County and a design is needed.
2>Recreation: Carol showed the plans for the play equipment in the Rec. On 30 March the City Council will
meet to discuss these. A multi purpose site for skateboards and ball games could be re-positioned onto the old
tennis courts. The City Council are looking to project manage the scheme and develop the projects for the
football club, bowls, a circular path around the field, seating, and formal gardens in the park.
M Ridley explained that going with the City Council was now the preferred option, but was not happy about
splitting the play areas. He felt it was simply to save costs, and could hinder the plans for the football clubs.
Carol pointed out that PARC had representation on the Management Committee in Byland Lodge and the
plans for the football club would go ahead.
>Community Centre: The City Council will prepare specifications and Carol Brown will give assistance in
preparing funding bids. A management and consultancy fee would be included in the application.
>Church: Plans are in place which must be passed by the Bishop of Durham. Funding required is £75th –
£80th for a portacabin for community use.
>Parkhill: Plans for 2 play areas: redevelop the existing play area and skate park; possibly develop the bull
ring. Maggie said the children wanted a BMX track.
>Youth Shelter: PARC were asked if their plans included a youth shelter as suggested in the Regeneration
Group meeting. Carol agreed it was on the plans and would be taken back to PARC. Mike asked if a member
of PARC could attend the next youth shelter meeting, which wants to find out the views of adults in the first
instance. If there is agreement, investigations into a shelter would go ahead, if not the idea will be squashed.
>Heritage: There is interest in a Heritage Room. Discussion took place concerning Interpretation boards
and/or a Sensory trail.
>Centenary; Bingo and baked potato, 23 March; Quiz and curry, 23 May; Folk and broth & stottie, 5 July. All at
£3 to cover cost of meal.
Pitman’s Picnic in the Park, weekend of 23 July. Janet asked for all groups to take part in this event.
A drawing of a miner with pony was on display for a raffle and will be used to design the children’s medals.
Regeneration Working Group: Issues have been discussed elsewhere in the meeting.
Parish Council: There is a new councillor, Mr. Richardson, making 15 councillors in all. Discussion took place
on lighting, footpaths, plans for the 2006 centenary and budgeting. Voluntary work is done on the graveyard
and reported daily. The money not spent from the Doorstep Green project went on new gates. There was a
plea for more people to enter the Beautiful Flower Awards for more variety. Parish News is on the website.
Outreach Workers: No report given.
12 Villages/SRB6 Representative: 22 March; free course on writing skills at Sherburn Hill.
29 March Brandon, Learning Skills; 1 April for 5 weeks, Mental Health Course; 10 April, 12 Villages Meeting;
24 April QHill, course on Churches; 3 June QHill, unveiling the memorial – put name forward for catering.
10. Safety Issues – CCTV Cameras: Defer till next meeting.
11. Group Noticeboard:
>Banner: There is a full update of the banner in the special Banner edition of the Interchange.
>BVC: Next Interchange will be printed end April/beginning May. There has been a good response to the
colour edition.
>Community Centre: 18/24 April Health & Safety Course; Tai Che Mon 9am-11am & Thur 7pm-9pm.
24 April 6.30pm, AGM followed by Management meeting.
>Football Teams: Boys – no football. Girls – 1 game. Children are now training in Bowburn. Infant School club
is going well; awaiting a decision to start a club in the Junior School; going to teach football in PE lessons at
Cassop School. Alan hopes to start a centre of excellence in the area. Members were shown the new shirts,
which include the Partnership logo purchased from the Community Chest.3>History: 24 June History Day for the area; photos have been chosen for the book; J Beck gave an interesting
talk on schools including excerpts from the School Journal.
>Parkhill Residents: Their issues had already been discussed in the meeting.
>Website: The new format has taken off and there is plenty of space available. There will be an interactive
floor plan for the community centre to find out room sizes, equipment etc. Within the site portal are domains
which can be accessed directly, or through www.bowburn.net.
>Youth Centre: For a 6 week period there is no Monday night drop-in youth club, due to problems with drug
and alcohol abuse, but on Tuesday evenings there is a young men only session; Wednesday afternoons,
drop-in for young people not in education, employment or training; Wednesday evenings, project night for
boys and girls; Sunday afternoon dance sessions for girls only with a qualified instructor.
After 3 weeks of the 6 week trial all these sessions are proving to be successful.
12. Any Other Business: J Blakey had been asked if she was going to a public meeting about the swimming
pool at Kelloe. She knew nothing about the meeting and no one seemed to have been informed. Jan was
wondering what was happening.
Carol suggested contacting either D Morgan or M Tyler on this matter.
Date and Time of Next Meeting:
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month
Next meeting is 18 April 2006 at 6.30pm
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