Present: General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 15 July 2008
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
K Barber, W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, S Colquhoun, P Dawe, M Dee, N Dixon,
S Featherstone, A Gregory, B Gregory, K Griffiths, K Haigh, J Kane, G Kitson, J Kushnirenko, S Millerchip,
V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson, M Syer, S Thompson, S Walworth,
In Attendance: J Anson, G Marsden, D Pocklington, M Ridley, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: B Cockburn, R Cowen, I Hunter Smart, R Jackson, J Kelly, R Millerchip, S Raine,
A Richardson, R Walsh, D Whittaker
2. Police Report: Bowburn and Cassop beat area shows 17 rowdy incidents and 22 crimes; a large proportion of
these have been detected; these incidents have inflated the normally low figures so there is nothing to worry about.
Figures – 8 theft, 6 damage, 4 burglary, 4 other.
3. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders
Highways: Report from G Wingrove – the A 688 Link bridge, over the road to Old Quarrington, has experienced a
little more settlement than expected – note this is measured in millimetres. As a result a detailed monitoring process
has been set up, which will require several weeks of measurements to establish if any further works need to be
carried out. This could prevent the early completion in August, but it is hoped to complete within the original contract
period of the end of September.
At the Highways meeting there were concerns that the single lane approach to the link roundabout at Parkhill could
cause congestion at the bus stand; that clear signage is necessary for the A177 on the approach to the motorway
roundabout; that the primary school buses will no longer park within Parkhill estate.
It was agreed to put a survey on the C12a road after the A688 link road opens to check: the 30mph speed limit; the
suitability of a 60mph limit.
It was agreed: to begin the process to consider whether there is a need for placing a weight limit on the motorway
bridge on the C12a; to contact Esh, Sirius and Highways to persuade them to use the ‘A’ roads to Shincliffe when
clearing the Cape traffic.
Two of three land owners have agreed to develop the Western Spine Rd but Ogden’s, the third owner, have not.
At this Partnership meeting it was asked for names of those interested in: (i) attending a Bus Forum panel, if one
was set up – S Walworth and P Dawe put forward their names; (ii) training to be a minibus driver – M Ridley, J
Kushnirenko put forward their names.
Noted that the there is felt to be a need for a full scale roundabout at the Jet Garage when the ‘Cape’ site is
occupied.
Noted that it was felt that a review of traffic flow on the A177 could be needed when the A688 link road opens.
It was agreed that the original line of footpath 29 should be drawn on the digital map for accurate publication and
then enforce, if this was necessary.
Parkhill: Phase 1 of the Park is almost complete; they are awaiting a climbing wall. Phase 2 is due to commence in
the week beginning 21 July.
Heritage Room: The room has been cleaned; the security doors and grills have been ordered; decorating is about to
commence.
Community Centre: E Boyd has met with S Hawley to say that he is pleased with the plans for the centre and they
should be eligible for capital funding.
Youth Centre: No update.
Church: The final cheque from the Regeneration Pot has been paid and the church will be a building to be proud of.
Centenary – Bowburn School: No update.
Unadopted Roads: No update.
Park Project: Work on the bottom park should start next month. Service Direct won the tender because they came
in under budget; the Park group are happy to go ahead with this. The City needs to know if R Walsh would want to
look at the process. It was agreed to leave the decision to RW. (Action Janet)1It was asked what guarantee was in place for the play equipment in the Park.
JA explained that SMP gives a 10 year guarantee and their reputation had been tested on other sites in the City and
have proved successful.
A member noted that SMP had guaranteed to repair the equipment and it had been chosen on quality not price.
Environment Group: No update.
URRI: 38 signed into the consultation meeting on 17 June; there were 35 responses to the CCTV at the Co-op with
67% agreement for the camera to be sited there. There is £5K for revenue but no agreement to maintain the
camera by the City.
Comments and a graph of responses were distributed to members.
It was agreed that JA would find out the costs for the CCTV camera.
County Cllr M Williams queried not been informed by the County Council officer of the results of the consultation.
JA explained that she had collated the information and would pass this onto the councillor.
A member was concerned at the unkempt state of the bungalow in the park.
JA explained that because of the delay in the football element of the Park money from Sport England has not been
able to be used to employ a resident Park Keeper. In the present financial situation the solution could be a current
worker already employed by Leisure occupying the tied accommodation. She would report on this at the next
meeting. In the meantime the police and neighbourhood wardens would patrol the Park.
It was asked if the wardens were available after 5pm when most youth collected in the Park.
JA could not guarantee that this would happen on a regular basis.
JA was pleased to announce that CISWO had given a grant of £3000 towards the Park scheme.
9. Community Chest:
(1) Bowburn Athletic – A letter from A Wilson outlined three plans for playing in Bowburn (i) The Junior Pitch in
Bowburn football ground (ii) The County Council ‘Daisy Field’ (iii) The Junior School football field.
The application is delayed until next month until the pitch allocation is known.
A member felt that Bowburn Athletic had already benefited from the Community Chest as they did receive a good
proportion of the equipment already given from the Community Chest in the split from Bowburn Youth FC.
A member of Bowburn Youth FC agreed to make a list of the equipment they had received from A Wilson to inform
the Partnership and a member of Bowburn Athletic FC who was present.
(2) J Anson presented the application on behalf of Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership.
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership requested funding for three noticeboards.
Funding of £5000.00 was granted without any objection.
JA left the meeting and was thanked for her attendance.
4. Minutes of last General meeting and matters arising, 17 June 2008:
When the name of J Wilson was added to those present the minutes were taken as a true record by K Haigh and W
Bates and the meeting agreed them unanimously.
Shincliffe Parish Council apologised for not attending the last Partnership meeting; they thought the Sirius
presentation had taken place two weeks prior to the last Partnership meeting.
A member informed the meeting that Shincliffe had planned to have their own Sirius presentation.
5. Report on Trustees’ meeting – 24 June 2008:
It was decided to have the sub-group meeting on Future plans for B&PCP in September.
Discussed the fact that Footpath 29 is to be shown on the digital map in the same position as on the 1979 map.
Noted that the Partnership can make up to £5000 in trading in relation to the PAT equipment.
It was agreed to complete the questionnaire concerning the proposed building of a new school in Spennymoor.
6. Correspondence:
> Letter from M Thompson in reference to monies from Tail-upon-End Lane site.
“The early provision/ring fencing was to allow early access to funds in the event of community regeneration
schemes being brought forward at that time; however the overall regeneration pot was fixed at the level of £1.9M.
The “quantifiable regeneration benefits” have been achieved by the investment in the improvement works at
Bowburn Park, the upgrading of the sewerage treatment infrastructure and the investment in improving the quality
and range of housing in the area.
There was an additional £500 000 earmarked for the area, although this was from SHIP funding, not land
sale/housing development process.”
City Cllr M Robinson declared an interest.
Discussion took place about all money coming from Lawson Road site only; Whether Tail-upon-End Lane site was
in the original Masterplan; Whether the sewerage has been upgraded.
A member asked that the unsightly top soil mound be moved from the Tail-upon-End site if building was delayed.
It was noted that when six houses were sold on Tail-upon-End building would start on the site.
2> Letter from M Thompson expressing thanks to M Syer for his valued contribution to the work of the Regeneration
Group and he looked forward to Cllr Blakey’s involvement in the future.
> Letter from the Parish Council containing a copy of the invoice to the City Council in respect of the Landscaping
Works on the Group Garage Site, Bowburn, and an expression of thanks from the Parish Council for the funding.
> Letter of thanks from Christ the King Church for the Regeneration Pot funding. A formal invitation will be issued to
representatives of the Partnership to attend the dedication day on 13 September, but the church is open to all; and
the first service is on 14 September at 9.30am.
> Letter of thanks from Christ the King Church for the Community Chest funding for chairs for the church/hall.
> Letter of thanks from the Cooperage FA for the Community Chest funding for kit and equipment.
> Poster (LSP) - A month of cricket in August.
> Application Form (LSP) – Local Community Arrangements in the Unitary Council on 6 August in Bowburn
Community Centre. Members were asked to sign up for this meeting if they were interested.
> Poster – Fun Day in Bowburn Community Centre on 12 August.
7. Items of Any Other Business: Nuisance on George Street.
8. Treasurer’s Report: A Community Chest award was paid to the Community Centre, which will enable them to
produce a costed development plan after they access a professional survey.
After payments for the Community Chest a balance of £2360.20 remains in the funds; made up of Restricted funds
of £1278.64 and Unrestricted funds of £1081.56.
Quiz Winners: First prize – J Kitson, Second prize – P Burnett, Third prize – R Jackson.
Thank you to all those who took part and the next quiz will be in August.
The raffle for fundraising was won by B Gregory. With thanks to M Williams for donating the prize.
9. Community Chest: See above.
10. Future Plans B&PCP – Committee for September:
N Dixon and P Dawe put forward their names to attend the committee.
11. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group:
> Haslam Homes – were informed that the Partnership did not require their noticeboard.
> Apprenticeships – Currently there are four bricklayers in their second year (finishing 2009) and two bricklayers
and three joiners in their first year (finishing 2010). Because of the current economic climate several apprentices
were working out of their area. It was unlikely that Haslam would be able to take on new apprentices for the
foreseeable future, but discussions are taking place with New College to see if apprentices could start with other
companies, but not necessarily in the building trade.
> Horton Crescent – The road closure should be confirmed in six weeks. It was thought that the wagons could use
George Street to access the site, however the site traffic will cross from Prince Charles Avenue to Horton Crescent.
It was asked if the grass could be cut so that the contractors could park on the waste land in Horton Crescent, and
also if the public footpath to the bus stop in Prince Charles Avenue could be kept open, but this will not happen
during the building process.
> Ogden’s is still talking to interested parties for retail units on the site, but there is no news about the operators at
present.
A member reported that when there is a heavy rain shower a large expanse of water stands on Tail-upon-End Lane
at the entrance with Robert Terrace. This was causing problems and a danger to the residents. It was suggested
that the ridge height of the houses should to be checked on the Tail-upon-End site. A number of residents had
complained to PD that delivery wagons are arriving on the Horton Crescent site at 6.20am and leaving their engines
running. It was noted that the former garage site behind Prince Charles Avenue needs to have the grass cut.
> Walkabout – Is planned for Friday 18 July.
3Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: See above.
Tail-upon-End Lane Site: See above.
Parish Council: No report.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): The report is due to be published on 15 July.
Noticeboard: Planning permission is being applied for.
Quarry Liaison Committee: The next meeting is in September.
LSP: See Item 6.
12 Villages Representative: Members attended the Mental Health Conference as volunteers and they will help at
the Fun Day on 12 August.
12. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
Banner (Mike Syer): Thanked everyone who welcomed the Ohio Band during Miners’ Gala week. The missing
bandsman was found safe and sound, thanks to M Ridley.
BVC (Maureen Robinson): The group meet on Thursday.
Football Teams (G Parle, J Kushnirenko):
The Cooperage FC is training twice a week sharing the facilities with Bowburn Youth and Crowtrees WMC; New
members are always welcome; Friendly games are being arranged and the season starts on 10 August.
Bowburn Youth have lots of children playing for them including those from Malaysia and Poland.
History (Mal Bell): A former resident of Bowburn brought photographs for the group to discuss and copy.
Website (George Stoker): No update.
13. Any Other Business:
A member was concerned for her mother living in George Street, near to Dallymore Drive. She explained that the
anti-social behaviour was becoming stressful, and the response from the police had been quite acceptable but the
problem has not been solved. She also felt that the Council could do more for the residents.
City Cllr M Robinson asked the lady's mother to get in touch with her.
A member felt that there should be give way signs on Philip Avenue for safety reasons.
14. Date and Time of Meetings: General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 19 August 2008 at 6.30pm
Date of future meetings in 2008: 16 Sept, 21 Oct, 18 Nov, 16 Dec
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