General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 18 March 2008
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: K Barber, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, M Dee, N Dixon, A Gregory,
B Gregory, K Griffiths, K Haigh, , R Jackson, G Kitson, R Millerchip, G Parle, A Richardson, V Richardson, J Ridley,
Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson, W Rumney, J Shields, A Shutt, M Syer, R Walsh, S Walworth, J Wilson
In Attendance: B Cockburn, I Hunter Smart, G Marsden, M Ridley, P Rutherford, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, W Bates, P Dawe, J Eden, J Geyer, B Jennings, John Kane, Judith Kane,
M Malek, S Raine, G Stoker, I Thompson, S Thompson, C Whitfield, A Wilson D Whittaker
2. Police Report: Crime Statistics To Date: Cassop-None; Parkhill-None; Bowburn 2 Assault – 1 arrest, 6 Thefts.
Alcohol seizure continues but the number of offences is declining. Youth nuisance does exist but is also declining.
3. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders
Environment: The ‘Environment Improvement Schemes’ submitted by the Environmental sub-group was endorsed
subject to the following additions/subtractions:
(3a) Park Hill lighting – Mgt Robinson to supply list.
(25a) Barricade edging round green of Mary Terrace
(28b) Bus shelter between Oak Tree & Church and (28d) Hallgarth and (28c) Opposite Robert Terrace – reinstate
by developer, possibly.
(46a) Footpath along C12a (Sherburn Road)
(64c) Problem of flooding at front of Mary Terrace
URRI: Durham Road Scheme proposed start date is 6 May 2008.
The managing agent for the Co-op is prepared to meet with a representative from the Partnership and the County
Council (Tamsin) to discuss proposals for the area.
Park Project:
The Esh Charitable Trust have approved £12 500 towards the MUGA. More funders are being investigated.
There has been discussion about the Leisure Development Officer Role and Park Keeper Role.
There was a meeting with the Football Foundation, attended by J Blackburn, to discuss the Bowburn Park Football
elements of the project.
At this Partnership meeting players from the local adult teams, coaches of the youth teams and parents of players in
the youth teams voiced their concerns about the future of community football in the Park Project.
B&PCP members wanted to reassure all those concerned with the football teams that they do have the support of
Partnership, but the Park Project had not changed and the current plans would go ahead.
It was said that the planning meeting for the Park is on 10 April
It was asked if the partnership would complement the Parks department on the state of the pitch. (Action Janet)
Unadopted Roads: No meeting. Fundraising continues – a joint Race Night with PARC on 28 March, and a Quiz
Night for the Str3ets on 25 April. The ‘Name the Rabbit’ competition was won by S Dobson.
Centenary – Bowburn School: The children will be involved in activities that take place throughout the year including
a school reunion on 26 March 2009 and a celebration party on 10 July 2009.
Church: Fundraising is ongoing with the Diocese contributing £5000. The builder has been chosen and the project
manager is Paul Baxter. The Church is grateful for the advice from RW throughout the project.
Youth Centre: Gradually areas are being refurbished from the weights room, access and the Sports Hall. There will
be a meeting with a landscape architect to discuss the exterior area.
Community Centre: A meeting has been arranged with the City at the community Centre to display new revised
plans and costs for discussion. The Funding Officer will be attending this meeting.
RC will attend the AGM on 26 March as the B&PCP representative.
Heritage Room: A bid for funds from the Awards for All has been submitted.
Parkhill: Everything has been finalised. The equipment has been ordered and work on the ‘team area’ should start
in May, followed by the Bullring play area.
Parkhill Residents have sent an overview of their achievements for 2007 and hopes for 2008.
Highways: The group would like members to comment on their suggested schemes at the next meeting in April.
(Please bring the printed sheet of Highways schemes to that meeting).
1The Link Road works are on time and the C12a should open at the end of March. The Western Spine Road
scheme should go before County Cabinet in the near future. If there is an expression of interest then they would
promote the construction of the road as part of the planning and development process for major road and transport
infrastructure in the County.
The access to the proposed Supermarket site at Ogden’s is opposite the opening at the Hare & Greyhounds.
Course: Places are available for a Fire Risk course on Thursday 24 April. Note change of date.
4. Minutes of last General meeting, 19 February 2008:
The minutes were proposed as a true record by R Cowen, seconded by R Millerchip, and the meeting agreed them
unanimously.
Matters arising:
> Item 3 Church – There has been no word from the Charity Commission.
> Item 5 Trustees – Minutes of the January meeting were given out as previously agreed.
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting, 26 February 2008:
The trustees had discussed items in the RSS that could affect the area of benefit i.e. Wind Farms and the Road/Rail
development. Members considered these items and agreed:
(i) To ask for a definition of the East Durham limestone area.
(ii) That no wind farms be built on the escarpment.
(iii) To clarify the word ‘protected’ referring to land at Tursdale for the Road/Rail development. (Action Janet)
6. Announcement of Annual General Meeting – 20 May 2008 – Voting Procedure:
Members were given a nomination form for officers and/or trustees to be completed by 6 May for the AGM.
All the current trustees are willing to stand for re-election.
7. Correspondence:
> Trees from Tail-upon-End could be re-located if they transplant successfully.
> Email from Parish Clerk – The environmental works at the garage site near Bowburn PO started on 15 March.
> Poster – Shopmobility is organising coach tours for those with mobility problems.
A B&PCP member included that there was a membership fee of £3.00 to add to the cost.
> Email from County Council Environment – Greencycle Ltd has submitted a draft planning application for a
proposed Material Recycling Facility at Tursdale Business Park.
> Email from County Council Environment – Regarding flooding in Bowburn Beck. The Ecology section of
Countryside Team need to check for water voles and there may be bats in the culvert.
County Cllr Williams having left to attend another meeting left a message to say that a meeting is to be arranged at
the Community Centre about this matter.
8. Items of Any Other Business: None
9. Treasurer’s Report:
After payments for the Community Chest, Room Hire and Insurance a balance of £1775.85 remains in the funds.
Quiz – All Creatures Great and Small – Closing Date 11 April
10. Community Chest: There were two applications.
(1) From the Bowburn Local History Society to buy equipment to help stock the proposed local history resource
centre in Bowburn Community Centre. The group is asking for the full cost of £5000. The group submitted the
necessary quotations.
Funding of £5000.00 was granted without any objection.
(2) From Bowburn Community Centre to pay for an electrical inspection. Two quotations were considered at the
meeting.
As there was a considerable difference between the amounts a third quotation from the Insurance broker was
requested.
The application was agreed on receipt of two satisfactory quotations.
211. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group/Walkabout – plus questions for next meeting:
The next meeting is 10 April when Janet will represent MS who is unable to attend.
Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: Planning consent was granted with the condition that the footpath between 32/34
Horton Crescent remains open.
Tail-upon-End Lane Site: Preliminary signs are being erected on site.
It was agreed to ask what arrangements have been made for the problems of drainage on the site. (Action Janet)
Parish Council: No Report
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): See Item 5
Noticeboard: No Report
Quarry Liaison Committee: No Report
LSP: No Report
12 Villages Representative: No Report
12. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
Banner (MS): The Re-union concert on Friday was very enjoyable and raised £400; Travis Perkins has sponsored
the group for £200; the Bowburn Banner will be marched into this year’s Big Meeting by the Ohio Brass Band.
BVC (Maureen Robinson): The Interchange has gone to press. It continues to be in colour. The AGM is on
Thursday 20 March.
Football Teams (GH): Crowtrees FC will continue to play next year. The team is bottom of their league but still
enjoying their football. The team need new players and a sponsor – anyone who can help should contact
crowtreesfc@aol.com.
History (MB): Meet on Thursday.
Website (GH): The website is increasing. Contact bowburnnews@aol.com to add an article to the website.
13. Any Other Business: None
14. Date and Time of Meetings: General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 15 April 2008 at 6.30pm
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