Present: General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 19 August 2008
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, P Dawe, N Dixon,
S Featherstone, A Gregory, B Gregory, K Griffiths, J Geyer, K Haigh, R Jackson, G Kitson, J Kushnirenko, S Raine,
A Richardson, V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson, S Robinson, J Shields, M Syer, S Thompson,
R Walsh, S Walworth,
In Attendance: R Blackman-Woods MP, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, K Barber, PC Cockburn, I Hunter-Smart, R Millerchip, S Millerchip, M Williams
2. Community Centre: The chair informed members that an emergency meeting had been held in Bowburn
Community Centre on Monday, 18 August where it was reported that the wiring at the Centre was in such a poor
state that the Centre could close, and there has been an ongoing problem with the heating boiler.
With this in mind the Partnership has been asked to release the predicted £500 000.00 immediately for the
refurbishment of the Community Centre with the facility to draw down the monies necessary to rewire the Centre
and replace the boiler (whilst the work is ongoing) with immediate effect.
MS declared an interest. Discussion took place including comments that work has been done to prepare the
application to the Regeneration Pot but this had dragged on until time is running out; If this remedial work was done
it would keep the building open; £500K was not a good expenditure unless the building was manned at all times and
perhaps led by a full time manager; Matched funding was a problem in the current financial situation although S
Hawley had provided a comprehensive list of possible funders; A concern that unspent money from the
regeneration Pot allocated to Bowburn would be lost if it was not spent within the lifetime of the present City
Council; Although the City Council assets do transfer to the Unitary Council new guidelines may be put in place.
With this in mind the members agreed to reserve up to £500 000.00 for the refurbishment of the Community Centre
with the facility to draw down the monies necessary to rewire the Centre and replace the boiler with immediate
effect. There was one abstention. (Action Janet)
A member asked if the Youth Club refurbishment was progressing and if they had applied to the Regeneration Pot
for funding.
In reply it was said that remedial work was being done on a piecemeal basis very successfully, but that an
application was expected to be made soon.
3. Police Report: Cassop 2 Thefts; Parkhill 1 Shed burglary; 1 Criminal damage; Bowburn 4 Burglaries, 5 Thefts,
7 Criminal Damage.
4. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders
Highways: Next meeting 8 September.
Parkhill: Phase 1 has been held up by bad weather; Phase 2 is started; Both play areas will be completed within 4
weeks; The official opening takes place on 20 September from 10am to 1pm when a consultation will be held in
relation to the community building. All are welcome and invitations go out this week.
Heritage Room: City Fabrications have yet to supply the security grills.
Youth Centre: See Community Centre report.
Church: The building work is progressing; The windows will be a tinted bronze colour; 13 September – Dedication
Ceremony; 14 September – First service; All welcome.
An article is being prepared for the City News.
Centenary – Bowburn School: School opens 8 September.
Unadopted Roads: Next meeting 9 September.
Park Project: Site levelling to the lower park is due to start week commencing 18 August; The delay was due to
confirmation of conditions from funders; A list of funders and their contributions amounting to £90,930.00 for the
play equipment in Phase 1 was read out.
It was said at this meeting that the delay to the lower park was because of bad weather.
1Environment and URRI: JA has received the results of the consultation from the County Council re: The Co-op and
Romaine Square. They highlighted that the Co-op area will be Phase 2 and works to this area should commence in
November. The County Council think costs to the Co-op area will rise due to the dilapidated wall which may need to
be re-built. The owners of the Co-op area have asked for the footpath, grassed area and parking area to be adopted
and maintained only on completion of the works. Somal’s parking area will not be adopted on completion.
Depending on the remaining funding the County Council will then look to complete Romaine Square.
SHIP apprentice scheme: 16 letters have been sent out to local companies regarding apprenticeship schemes.
Three companies have responded – PC Henderson Doors for electrical and fitting; RC Builders for bricklaying;
Industrial and Commercial Heating (ICH).
JA will discuss the above with New College in more detail and will report back in due course.
4. Minutes of last General meeting and matters arising 15 July 2008:
When SW’s comment for her possible involvement in the Bus Forum were changed to “Depending on what was
involved”, the minutes were taken as a true record and the meeting agreed them unanimously.
Matters Arising: It was agreed that the signage for the A177 approach to the motorway roundabout is clear and
obvious; There was a reasonable response to the consultation on the Local Community Arrangements for the
Unitary Council; Even though the weather was poor everyone had a good time at the Fun Day organised by the
Racial Equality Council; There was a positive response from the City Council and the Police to the member’s
concern for her mother in George Street.
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting 22 July 2008:
RW had received a satisfactory reply from S Hawley, but was concerned that there was only one quotation – from
Service Direct. It was agreed to express concerns about the tendering process, but to allow the work to go ahead so
that the scheme could begin as quickly as possible.
The trustees agreed to write to M Thompson noting the contents of his letter with disappointment.
6. Correspondence:
> County Council: Giving information on an Anaerobic Digester given planning permission on Old Quarrington
Farm; then referred to GONE, but returned to the County Council where planning conditions are being discussed.
> County Council: Informing that the proposed planning application for composting green waste at Coxhoe Quarry
has been withdrawn.
> City Council: Information on funding to train 2 people to drive a minibus.
Four people have put forward their names to take up the training, but only two of these were at the meeting.
It was agreed to ask the other two people to attend the next meeting to discuss their commitment to driving the
minibus for community groups.
> Invitation from Christ The King church to the dedication service.
> Application Forms: City of Durham Community Citizens Award.
7. Items of Any Other Business:
Uneven paving; Dog muck; Tail-upon-End; Overgrown trees.
8. Treasurer’s Report:
After payments for the Community Chest, money held on behalf of PARC, prize money and planning fees a balance
of £3224.20 remains in the funds; made up of Restricted funds - £1278.64 and Unrestricted funds - £1945.56.
Quiz – “Seaside Items” available at £1.00 for fundraising; Closing date 10 October.
The raffle for fundraising was won by Maggie Robinson. With thanks to S Colquhoun for donating the prize.
9. Community Chest:
As Bowburn Athletic FC do not train or play in Bowburn their application to the Community Chest was ineligible.
Bowburn Toddler Group requested funding for equipment costing £877.00. The application was deferred so that JA
could consider, and a member queried the amount of consumables in the application.
10. Future Plans B&PCP – Sub-Committee:
Meeting Date – It was asked if they could be in the evening on weekdays, and if possible after 20 September.
11. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group: The meeting on 14 August had been cancelled. It was asked that a park keeper is
installed in the bungalow in the park.
PD explained that the City Council were not sure that the bottom park alone would warrant a park keeper.
There is money allocated for a park keeper but it may mean allocating a combined post or transferring someone
into the bungalow as a tied cottage.
2Walkabout: A road closure has been applied for in Horton Crescent, and the contractors are clearing up the mess
as well as they can in the bad conditions. A drain is blocked in Horton Crescent, but there is no point clearing this
until works are complete.
Cape site - Monthly update: 23 June 08 - Work commenced; A traffic management system was established
incorporating a wheel wash for wagons leaving the site; 30 June - Start to remove contents of former ‘tip’ with 65%
being removed in the first month; From 15 June Prep work to ensure the ‘slab’ is free from asbestos; 30 July -
Clearance of dense vegetation for an ecological appraisal; Air monitoring – confirmed that all levels are well below
approved health and safety threshold, Next month – remove material from tip and validation, complete slab prep
and begin removal, clear vegetation; There had been 2 traffic management complaints which had been dealt with.
Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: Wagons had been going up Philip Avenue rather than entering from Prince
Charles Avenue. There should be a compound ready for parking works’ cars, and PD will check with the manager.
A member complained that vans and cars were parked illegally on the footpath.
Work is progressing with the roof trusses on the bungalows. Considering the conditions mess is kept to a minimum.
Tail-u-End Site: A new full planning application has been submitted to update some of the house types.
Parish Council: There is no meeting in August. The next one is on the third Wednesday in September after which
the minutes of the July meeting will be published.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): The MP asked if there was support for the Road Rail Interchange so that the
County Council could make a case for this.
PD said members had discussed this and he had not sensed any objections apart from the loss of ‘green’ space.
A member asked how protected is the land because it was mentioned in the text only.
The MP said a case has to be made and it cannot conflict with Teesport but there was Council support for this.
MP – Roberta Blackman-Woods was thanked for her attendance and left at 8.30pm
Noticeboard: The planning application has to be resubmitted as it had been sent on the wrong forms.
Quarry Liaison Committee: A Taylor is the contact person, but to date he has not replied to correspondence.
LSP/CVS: 27 August - Consultation on the Unitary Council held in Newton Hall community hall from 1pm – 3pm
12 Villages Representative: No update.
12. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
Banner (Mike Syer): 23 August – The banner goes to the Open Day at the Care Centre in Bowburn.
13 September – Heritage Open day from 10am to 4pm hosting a collection of banners of varying ages. This could
be last such HOD as the oldest banners are extremely frail.
BVC (Maureen Robinson): 21 August –meeting at 6pm. The next edition is out in mid September. Please submit
articles as early as possible.
Football Teams (Jayne Kushnirenko): Bowburn Youth FC has permission to play and train in Bowburn. It was asked
if equipment should stay in Bowburn if it was purchased through a grant from the Community Chest because the FA
had asked for the equipment to be halved with Bowburn Athletic.
A member noted that equipment had been given to the Youth FC rather than an individual and if a manager moves
on then the award stays with the club. It was suggested that the same equipment might have been bought from
another funder and a member suggested that they seek professional advice about this.
History (Mal Bell): At the last meeting the group examined local documents. J Milburn had donated an extensive
collection of memorabilia to the society.
Website (George Stoker): None
13. Any Other Business:
There were complaints about: Uneven paving in Durham Road; Dog muck on the playing area of the football field;
Railings at Tail-upon-End Lane works making it difficult to see out of the junction; Trees on Crowtrees Lane are in
need of cutting.
14. Date and Time of Meetings:
General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 16 September 2008 at 6.30pm
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