General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 15 January 2008.
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: K Barber, W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun, P Dawe, N Dixon, J Geyer,
A Gregory, B Gregory, K Griffiths, K Haigh, R Jackson, B Jennings, S Jennings, John Kane, Judith Kane, G Kitson,
R Millerchip, S Millerchip, S Raine, A Richardson, V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson,
S Robinson, W Rumney, J Shields, S Sudder, M Syer, S Thompson, R Walsh, S Walworth, D Whittaker, A Wilson,
Jack Wilson
In Attendance:, J Anson, G Marsden, M Ridley, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: B Cockburn, R Cowen, I Hunter Smart, G Hutchinson, J Kelly, P Nixon, G Parle,
P Sinclair, G Stoker,
2. Police Report:
Crime statistics from 19 December: Parkhill Nil, Cassop 1 Burglary, Bowburn 7 Theft, 3 Criminal Damage
3. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders:
Highways: No meeting since 19 December.
Parkhill: There is a start date of May for the park works. The seats are in place around the central green but
unfortunately 4 doggie bins are next to them instead of rubbish bins.
Heritage Room: Support was offered to the group to progress their funding application on 28 November, and the
group informed W Lavelle that they would get back to her, but no reply received to date. The local history society
was meeting on 17 January and would follow this up after that.
Community Centre: No meeting since 19 December.
Youth Centre: A set of emergency doors has been replaced. There is a funding application for the Weights Room.
Other Projects are being worked on.
Church : The plans have been submitted and there is already funding of £70 000.00 in hand and the Diocese have
given an assurance that there will be match funding.
JA informed the Church that a Funding Package would be needed, and will meet with the group to assist in this.
The chair said that there was no response from the Charity Commission regarding the query about Church funding,
but the Charity Commission could see no problem.
Environment: Land searches have been carried out on behalf of the County Council of proposed improvements on
land at Romaine Square and the Co-op area. JA attended at the Co-op to discuss their scheme. Unfortunately the
County Officer was ill and the Manager did not attend. Durham County are to arrange another meeting to discuss
their project. JA was shown plans of the windows at the Co-op and they should not affect the URRI plans.
The Environment Group had met Cllr Williams concerning parking issues in Cambridge Terrace; they updated the
list of ‘Possible Schemes’; next week they meet Cllr Robinson to discuss street furniture.
It was agreed to distribute the updated ‘Possible Schemes’ spreadsheet to members. (Action Janet)
A member asked about a possible problem at the Library concerning the URRI Project. JA answered that the
seating area will be replaced by a bike rack and refuse bins. Seating areas may go elsewhere in the Scheme.
Members were informed that Northumbrian Water Board have not yet done the work on the drainage system from
Burn Street and behind the Community Centre and the Environment Group would be seeking a meeting with NWL
on flooding and drainage problems; Coxhoe Tip prohibits trailers unless they have a permit, which causes fly-
tipping.
It was agreed to ask the County Council about their Permit System. (Action Janet)
A member asked if there was any progress on the flooding of Bowburn Beck.
It was said that there had been no special meeting.
MR informed the meeting that the Parish Council had this in hand.
MW reported that G Lowther would try rodding the pipes, even though they are not County Council property, and
G Wingrove is in touch with the Environment Agency about this.
Members reported that drains were always flooding in Philip Avenue.
Unadopted Roads: No meeting since 19 December, but the Three Streets Group’s next event is a Quiz in Bowburn
Club on 1 February. MW informed the meeting that J Richardson is pursuing policies to make the adoption of the
unadopted roads a priority.
1Park Project: JA has met with D Mitchinson of Sport England and D Holmes of Leisure to discuss the application to
Stage 1; Met P Lee and A Wilson to discuss the arrangements for playing football when the Bowburn pitch is out of
action for one season; Funding has been allocated to each specific piece of equipment or area in the scheme.
A reference has been requested from the Esh Charitable Trust in relation to an application for £25,000.00; the
Awards for All Application has secured funding of £9930.50.
It was said that the PARC group meet with the City in the middle of February.
Centenary – Bowburn School: The events start in September 2008; the Centenary Birthday Party is to be held on
10 July 2009 at Bowburn Infant & Nursery School. Plans are going ahead to make arrangements for that day.
J Anson left the meeting and the Chair thanked her for her attendance.
4. Minutes of last General meeting: 18 December 2007:
Once the correction for the ‘Apology’ of S Walworth had been noted the minutes were proposed as a true record by
R Walsh, seconded by K Calvert, and the meeting agreed them unanimously.
Matters arising:
> Item 4: B Spears replied that –
“The Implementation Orders have not yet been laid and it is likely to be late January before we have some further clarity.
i) Once the Orders are finalised the City Council will not be able to enter into Contracts over certain limits or that have a financial
implication for the new Unitary Authority. At this time we are asking for clarification of these financial limits but it is my view that they
will be fairly small and there are substantial risks to any new schemes. There is no problem in DVRC recommending approval but the
City Council may be unable to give its agreement depending on the financial limits. The new Unitary Authority would have to ratify the
schemes and this would not happen until after the Elections in May 2008.
ii) Land has been transferred into DVRC at this time to ensure that it is not transferred as an asset into the new Unitary Authority, or
is indeed restricted from improvement (ie play area/landscaping) and therefore could not be used for other purposes other than that
outlined in the Master Plan.
iii) The Horton Crescent planning application has been withdrawn and a new scheme is being submitted. The new scheme will be
available for public consultation in the near future“.
Members thought that as the City Council is in existence until 2009 would it not be a case of "business almost as
usual" because the running of the whole county could not come to a stop for over a year.
Also, when our or other projects come forward, if they are over the 'limit', would the City and County councils not
discuss the spend and make a joint decision to come to some agreement?
It was agreed to write again to B Spears for further clarification. It was also agreed to write to Cllr Williams for the County Council’s view on this matter. (Action Janet)
(Action Janet)
5. Correspondence:
> Email from P Nixon regarding the CEDI post: Very probably the scheme will be ending on 31 March 2008.
PN is seeking permission to go ahead with some projects, but they would have to be started before 31 March 2008.
Members were asked if they were interested in the following projects:
(i) Mini bus training – there is potential for at least 3 people to do this. Three members were interested.
(ii) Prince 2 training - "Projects in Controlled Environments", project management and control of projects.
Eight members and one attendee were interested.
> Letter from the County Council, with reference to Footpath 29, enclosing the ‘most recently agreed Statement of
Priorities for definitive map modification order work’. Table A shows ’Applications awaiting determination by this Committee (Rights
of Way Sub-Committee)‘. Footpath 29 is in Table B ‘in which some evidence has been discovered or submitted claiming the
existence of a public right of way but no formal Application has been submitted’.
A member thought that Fp 29 is different from those in these lists. It is a designated footpath so it is not a question
of putting it in Table A – it is enforcing a claimed right, albeit if necessary after correcting a mistake.
A footpath cannot "disappear" as ‘once a highway always a highway’ is a legal maxim.
The member also noted that the footpath through the Wildlife Site is not included in the lists. It was understood that
there was a claim in respect of this path and it has been in use for at least 20 years.
So the member suggested asking the County to enforce the Definitive Map and rectify the problem of Footpath 29;
To note the issues about the claimed path through the Wildlife Site, but this is quite separate and we would look to
enforce any attempt to close it.
A Parish Cllr said that the Parish Council were already in negotiation with the Footpaths’ Officer regarding Fp 29.
After some discussion it was agreed to support the Parish in their efforts to resolve the problem of Fp 29. (Janet)
> Letter from Durham & Darlington PCTs inviting members to an event titled ‘Engaging in Effective Tobacco Control’
on 21 January at Ramside Hall.
6. Items of Any Other Business – Register title of issue for Item 11:
Dog fouling; State of footpaths in David Terrace and Philip Avenue.27. Treasurer’s Report:
After payments to the Junior School from the Community Chest, Big Band Night, Gaming Licence and Tree the
balance of funds is £1861.09.
Quiz Winners: First prize – J Syer, Second prize – P Burnett, Third prize – F Jacques.
8. Community Chest:
Bowburn Junior School have submitted a satisfactory second quotation for the Environment Project, and an
application for the funding has been sent to the City Council.
There were two new applications:
(1) From Bowburn Youth Project (DJ Evans Youth Club) to “Update the Weights Room” asking for part funding of
£1962.67. The group submitted the necessary quotations.
M Syer, J Blackburn and P Dawe declared an interest. R Millerchip and J Anson presented the application.
Funding of £1962.67 was granted without any objection.
(2) From The Three Streets to improve part of their back streets, which are badly deteriorated, using the offer of free
materials from Tarmac. The group is asking for the full costs of £5000.00, and submitted the necessary quotations.
M Williams and J Blackburn declared an interest. R Millerchip and J Anson presented the application.
Funding of £5000.00 was granted without any objection.
9. Reports and matters arising:
> Regeneration Working Group/Walkabout – plus questions for next meeting:
There has been no Regeneration Working Group or Walkabout since the last Partnership meeting. The chair will get
in touch with K Chatterton concerning the next Walkabout.
> Cape Public Enquiry: The Cape owners and Esh are discussing the access route.
> Tail-upon-End Lane Site: A member reported further flooding in the corner of the site.
Another said that there are up to 100 oak trees on the site.
> Parish Council:
Lifestyle Initiative: M Roach, Physical Activities Officer, gave a talk on Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes and exercise
referral. She wishes to set up activity and awareness groups in the region. Contact her if interested.
Miners’ Coal Wagon for Bowburn: MP Roberta Blackman Wood performed the ‘unveiling’ ceremony. In attendance
were Parish Councillors, the Banner Group and former City/Parish Councillor C McCormick. Thanks were extended
to all who attended.
MW added that two local County Councillors were also in attendance.
Footpath Scrutiny Group: Discussion took place with the Footpaths Officer to discuss all footpaths in the Cassop-
cum-Quarrington area, upgrade some paths in need of repair, and see what grants were available. This will be done
in stages as there is not enough money in the Parish pot to cover the whole cost.
Forward planning Budget 2008/09 – To be approved by the full council on 16 January: Increase grass
cutting/routine weeding at the Cemetery, Doorstep Green, and Parkhill BMX track; Flower tubs and hanging baskets
will be the same as last year; Financial Donations to groups; Contingency Fund for Parish Emergencies.
Flooding at Bowburn: Northumbrian Water have now answered a letter from 31 July 07 to say that they were not
responsible for the flooding at the Library. The Parish clerk is to write to the Environment regarding this matter.
> Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS):
It was said that Durham Green was expanding and was the County Councillor aware of this. He was not. It was
suggested that this should be reported to protect the access for the Western Spine road.
> Noticeboard: Ongoing.
> Quarry Liaison Committee: Land has been fenced around Cold Knuckles Quarry and it is anticipated that there
could be an application to remove it. It seems likely that the fields adjoining the Nature Reserve have been sold to
the County meaning that all the unploughed fields are part of the Reserve. In the past there has been concern about
works in the Reserve and it had been hoped that the County would consult on future works.
It was agreed to enquire what the present boundaries of the Reserve are and, if it is extended, what is planned. (JB)
> LSP: 16 January – Education Group; 21 January – Health Group. 6 February AGM followed by a question and
answer session about the proposed Unitary Council.
> 12 Villages Representative: Have been offered the lease at Bearpark; offering a course on managing Community
Development.
310. Group Noticeboard:
> Banner: No meeting since 19 December.
> BVC: The next edition of the Interchange is planned for March – please submit photographs and articles.
> Football Teams:
Juniors: Hope to have Community Club status by the end of January. U12s and U15s are improving and playing
well. All teams feel that there is a greater need for the Environment Wardens to improve the problem of dog fouling.
Seniors: The Hare & Greyhound team are mid-way in the table, won their first game of the New Year, and play a
derby match with the Club next week. Few games have been played over Xmas due to bad weather and the pitch
being unplayable. There are more teams playing on the pitch so it does not have time to recover between games.
> History: Selected school photographs for a County Exhibition and the Junior School. The group put out a request
for as many members as possible to lend school related photographs for copying.
> Website: No update.
> Xmas Event 7 Dec: No update.
11. Any Other Business:
The Friends of Bowburn Infant & Nursery School are now a fully constituted group with a Bank Account. The City
Council will be informed so that the funding can be released for their Garden Project.
There was concern that certain irresponsible residents allowed their dogs to foul footpaths and gardens and did not
clean up the mess.
After some discussion it was decided to inform the Environmental Health Department of the City Council, and an
article be put into the Interchange. (Action JB, MS)
Members were worried about the state of the footpaths in David Terrace where holes have not been filled in even
though this has been reported, the ongoing problem of mud on the road and what seems to be the overuse of plant
vehicles in Philip Avenue.
It was suggested that the County Council should not adopt Griffiths Court until the roads giving access to it were in
an acceptable condition.
There will be further contact with the contractors and Haslam Homes. (Action PD, MW)
12. Date and Time of Future Meetings:
General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 19 February 2008 at 6.30pm
Date of future meetings in 2008: 18 Mar, 15 Apr, 20 May AGM, 17 Jun.
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