General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 15 April 2008
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: K Barber, W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, P Dawe, M Dee, J Geyer,
A Gregory, B Gregory, R Jackson, G Kitson, R Millerchip, S Raine, V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen
Robinson, M Syer, S Thompson, S Walworth, J Wilson
In Attendance: J Anson, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: K Calvert, J Eden, K Griffiths, K Haigh, I Hunter Smart, B Jennings, John Kane,
Judith Kane, M Malek, S Millerchip, A Richardson, M Ridley, W Rumney, G Stoker, R Walsh, A Wilson
2. Police Report: None
3. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders
JA informed the meeting that Sirius has offered to make a presentation concerning the clearance of the Cape site.
It was agreed to invite them to the June meeting.
County Cllr MW informed the meeting that children from Bowburn will still be allocated places at Durham Johnston
School. This was to alleviate any rumours that may still be prevalent throughout the area.
The C12a, ‘Sherburn Road’, is expected to open at the end of May.
A County Council officer may be able to discuss Unadopted Road scheme at the May meeting.
PD showed the meeting a map of the proposed route of the Western Bypass which has gained support from the
County Council, and includes a puffin crossing on the A177 road through Bowburn.
Highways: The ‘Schemes’ submitted by the Highways sub-group were endorsed subject to the following changes:
Traffic Calming: Investigate the possibility of chicanes rather than speed bumps in Prince Charles Avenue.
Add Tweddle Terrace to a discussion on safety issues.
Parkhill: Parkhill Park goes to Cabinet for funding on 16 April, and work should start in May.
Heritage Room: Thanks were given from the group for the Community Chest grant and work can now start on
setting up the Heritage Room.
The Heritage Group/History Group has sent an overview of their achievements for 2007 and expectations for the
year 2008.
Community Centre: JA: A revised plan has been agreed at a cost of £916th. There may be up to £283th funding
available so there is very little chance of matching 50/50 with a grant from the Regeneration Pot.
County Cllr MW thought that funding may be possible through the County Council and he would pass this
information onto the JA.
Members discussed the need for matched funding: one felt the goalposts were being moved for the Community
Centre and another felt that ‘match funding’ does not always mean 50/50.
If funding is needed once the Regeneration Pot is paid out Bowburn will be able to apply to the Flourishing
Communities Fund
JA: Will have all the details of possible funders and the limitations of their applications for the next meeting.
Youth Centre: A number of courses have been arranged through the CEDI Fund.
MS was pleased to announce that Joanne is fully recovered from her recent illness and due to start work next week.
Church: DVR have agreed the funding from the Regeneration Pot, and Cabinet meet on 16 April to ratify this.
The Church has 50/50 matched funding, and the building of a new Christ the King is due to start on 21 April.
Centenary – Bowburn School: No further update.
Unadopted Roads: The repair work starts on Lansdowne/Neville/Grangepark at the end of April.
Fundraising continues with a Quiz Night on 25 April and a trip to Leeds on 24 May.
Park Project: The Garfield Weston Fund has granted £5000 to the Park.
The plans have been passed onto GONE because Sport England queries the need for an All Weather pitch. A
decision could be made in 4 to 12 weeks.
Once the plans are passed the Bottom Park can go ahead, but there is not enough work for a paid worker if the
football element does not go ahead.
1Environment/URRI: An updated list of local environmental schemes discussed at the last meeting was circulated.
TH is to arrange a meeting with Grieg Cavey to discuss the Co-op area.
County Cllr MW said that a bus shelter at the Co-op is being reconsidered for construction.
Courses: Members who were able to attend previous courses were thanked and presented with their certificates.
There are still places for the Fire Risk course on 24 April.
JA left the meeting and members thanked her for attending.
4. Minutes of last General meeting and matters arising – 18 March 2008:
The minutes were proposed as a true record by R Jackson, seconded by J Blakey, and the meeting agreed them
unanimously.
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting – 25 March 2008:
Trustees discussed the amendments they felt were necessary to the Executive Summary.
6. Announcement of Annual General Meeting – 20 May 2008: Procedure
• All residents in the area of benefit are welcome to attend the meeting.
• Each individual member having attended two out of the previous three meetings shall have a vote.
• Those who are eligible to vote are eligible to nominate person(s) to the management committee.
• At the AGM the Officers will be elected first, followed by up to 11 trustees.
• If a ballot is necessary the result is determined by a ‘first past the post’ ruling.
• In the case of a tied vote for the final position there will be a re-vote for the particular candidates who have
the tied vote.
7. Correspondence:
> Letter from Garfield Weston enclosing a cheque for £5,000 towards Bowburn Park scheme.
> Email from P Lee thanking the hirers of the football ground for their appreciation of the maintenance.
> County Council asking for views on the Primary Strategy for Change
> Email from GONE confirming receipt of the comments on the RSS proposed changes.
> Notice of Conference on Research & Evaluation for Voluntary/Third Sector organisations
> Notice on a survey of visually impaired people living in County Durham.
8. Items of Any Other Business:
(i) Recycling (ii) Park Hill Woods
County Cllr MW replied to the recycling question as he had to leave early.
A member noted that the Greencycle website were giving out that their collections were a huge success, however
the green bags had not been collected to date from his area of Lansdowne/Neville/Grangepark. When Greencycle
had been contacted only this member’s green bag was emptied.
The City Cllr MR advised that those who had contacted her personally were dealt with.
County Cllr MW informed that there is to be an urgent meeting with Greencycle to solve the problems.
Also their large vehicles have a problem getting into every street.
County Cllr MW left the meeting and members thanked him for attending.
9. Treasurer’s Report:
After payments for the Community Chest, Room Hire and Insurance a balance of £1775.85 remains in the funds;
made up of Restricted £1273.29 and Unrestricted £453.56.
Quiz Winners: First prize – G Swaddle, Second prize – R Henry, Third prize – J Beck.
A discussion took place on raising funds for the running costs of the Partnership and it was agreed to hold a raffle
each month, and for each member to give a donation for the refreshments. JanetB to supply the prize for May.
10. Community Chest:
As the Lazy C Country & Western Club does not have a bank account in the name of the group it was agreed that
the Partnership should pay the supplier direct for the items ordered.
Members enquired about the residue of funds for groups who had already applied to the Community Chest; asked
for an enquiry into equipment ordered for a group which does not now exist. (Action trustees)
211. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group/Walkabout: The Walkabout is at 9am on Wednesday 16 April.
The SHIP apprentice scheme is for two years so the first cohort will complete the scheme in 2008.
The lease for Bowburn Park can be viewed by appointment. The trustees may ask JA to bring the lease to one of
their meetings.
It was requested that the noticeboard in the estate be repaired.
The trees are to be replanted in the Tail-upon-End Lane site ready for relocating.
A closure plan will let the residents get out of David and Robert Terrace when the drainage work begins, which is
due to start in 2/3 weeks time.
The City Council will pass on an explanation of “land protected at Tursdale” for the Road/Rail Freight.
Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: A member was surprised that Northumbrian Water had not objected to the
increase of usage in Horton Crescent.
JanetB replied that they were satisfied that as the site was already designated as a residential site they would not
object.
Tail-upon-End Lane Site: PD has not been able to contact GS to see if the approved plan is in place for the
sewerage and storm water.
City Cllr MR advised that he should have gone through her to contact GS.
A member asked MR to check up on this as the planning office does not always respond to enquiries.
It was agreed to write to planning to add weight to this request. (Action Janet)
Parish Council: No Report.
Regional Spatial Strategy: The protest concerning wind farms on the Limestone escarpment, and query about the
Road/Rail Freight are on the RSS website.
Noticeboard: There is a meeting with P Burns from the Library service on Wednesday 16 April to get written
agreement to install a noticeboard within the library grounds.
Quarry Liaison Committee: The quarry is still not ready to give the presentation.
LSP: the local Community Network is to hold a public information event on Crime and Public Safety in New
Brancepeth. Local organisations are also being asked to voice their concerns.
12 Villages Representative: Next meeting is Monday 28 April at 7pm.
There will be a training event on hearing problems.
12. Group Noticeboard:
Please contact the representatives if you have any questions.
Banner (Mike Syer): AGM is on Monday 21 April at 7pm. (Correction AGM is in June)
BVC (Maureen Robinson): The officers were re-elected at the AGM. The June Interchange is being prepared.
Football Teams (Alan Wilson, Gary Parle, Gary Hutchinson): No reports.
History (Mal Bell): Visitors attended the last monthly meeting, and the next meeting is on Thursday 17 April at 7pm.
Website (George Stoker): No report.
13. Any Other Business:
It was reported to the police that youths were chopping down trees in Park Hill wood. It has been investigated and
for the moment it seems to have stopped. However there is a significant safety issue for the youths carrying out this
activity.
14. Date and Time of Meetings:
General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 20 May 2008 at 6.30pm
AGM followed by GENERAL MEETING
Date of future meetings in 2008: 17 Jun, 15 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sept, 21 Oct, 18 Nov, 16 Dec3