General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 16 June 2009 From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, K Calvert, S Colquhoun, R Cowen, M Dee, S Featherstone, A Gregory,
K Griffiths, K Haigh, R Millerchip, S Raine, V Richardson, Maureen Robinson, J Shields, M Syer, S Thompson,
R Walsh (Chair), S Walworth
In Attendance: P Henderson, G Marsden, M Ridley, M Williams
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, B Bates, B Cockburn, N Dixon, J Geyer, R Jackson, J Kane, G Kitson,
A Richardson, Maggie Robinson
2. P.C. Cockburn sent the following report for the meeting: Cassop Nil; Park Hill Nil;
Bowburn 2 Assaults – Both persons responsible have been arrested and enquiries are ongoing, 1 Burglary – Stihl
saw taken, 1 Theft – Vehicle stolen when the keys were left in the ignition.
A member reported that, he had reported vandalism at the store on the evening when the wall had been repaired,
20 May, but it did not appear in the crime report.
Another member reminded everyone that, unfortunately, the vandalism at the Co-op wall was classed as anti-social
behaviour and not, therefore, a criminal offence.
3. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leader:
Highways: The next meeting is on Monday 22 June at 6.30pm.
Parkhill: Peter Henderson reported that the consultation for the Community Room should conclude next month.
A member explained that residents were in favour of having a community building but would like organised
activities. The matting under the new swings is to be re-laid.
Heritage Room: Nothing to update.
Community Centre: Julie Anson sent a report saying that she had received a response from a Biffaward Expression
of Interest and the centre has been invited to apply for funding.
It was said that there had been a change of consultant for the heating and electrics. However as the centre is
committed to the project there will be no increase in cost; it would be paid out of the management fee.
A member was concerned that there would be a delay as the tenders are not prepared.
It was thought that works should now start in October/November 2009.1Youth Centre: There is no further news on the funding application.
Church: Maureen Robinson reported that there would be further contact with Hendersons about the sliding doors.
Centenary – Bowburn School: The Birthday Celebrations open at 1.30pm on 10 July with activities for the children
throughout the afternoon.
Unadopted Roads: Cllr Williams reported that D Wafer of Highways should have clarification from ONE about the
loan scheme in the near future.
Members were reminded that the group hope to have a 50% loan from a Council run Equity Share scheme to match
the funding from the Regeneration pot to pay for the upgrade of the Three Streets.
Park Project: Cllrs Blakey and Williams were asked to find out why there was a delay in the tender process for
Phase II of Bowburn Park by the new Council. As Phase II has gone to Derwentside there was concern about
further delays. It was hoped that Phases II & III could proceed as one project. It was also asked if the Partnership
could have a timescale on Phase II. Work also needs to be done on the broken field drain as the bottom path in the
Rec is continually flooded, and there is also running water from the Bowling Green which needs investigating.
(Tenders for Phase 2 of the park project (including drainage works to alleviate flooding problems mentioned) are
due to go out to tender in 3 weeks. I would expect works to commence on site within 4-5 weeks following tender.
SH 18/06/09)
There were complaints about the poor state of the sensory garden (on the former putting green), which has not
been tidied even though Service Direct had promised to do this.
A skip has been dropped by the bungalow and the rubble is being used as missiles to vandalise the bungalow.
The gate into the top park is being opened by Bowburn Youth volunteers.
Environment and URRI: The secretary is to meet with Tamsin Harrison on Thursday about the costs of the Co-op,
the repair of the footpath, and the possible future scheme in Durham Road.
The tree overhanging the beck is to be cut back as soon as possible.
4. AGM – 19 May: The minutes were noted as a correct record by K Calvert and J Blakey. They will be formally
agreed at next year’s AGM.
Minutes of last General Meeting and matters arising: 19 May 2009
The minutes were approved as a true record (proposed – K Calvert; seconded – A Gregory).
Correspondence written by the Secretary in accordance with decisions of the May meeting was noted.
Item 3, URRI: There is to be a meeting on Thursday 18 June. See above.
Item 9, Tail upon End Lane: Richard Bass Regional Managing Director of Keepmoat Homes has forwarded the
concerns to the Construction Director to investigate.
Item 11, AOB: Mr Abrahams has been contacted through Mr White of the chartered surveying firm instructing for
Durham Green, but there has been no reply.
5. Report – Trustees’ meeting: 13 January 2009
> The maintenance of the co-op wall has been handed over to Cavey Commercials and the trustees asked for their
support in maintaining the property as a whole.
> Paul Dawe has been thanked for his services to the Partnership.
> Richard Walsh as chair, and Mike Syer as treasurer, are to become signatories for the Partnership.
> Discussion took place about the Calor Village of the Year in the hope of winning the competition next year.
The next Trustees’ meeting is on Tuesday 7 July 2009.
6. Correspondence:
> Mr. J Wilson Informing that he will not be attending meetings in the future.
> G Woodcock Hopes to have the artwork in the main part of the village depending on planning.
> CVS Directory It was agreed to leave the entry unchanged.
> Fliers from Skillshare.
> CVS Newsletter Issue No 47
> The MP Writing to the Information Commissioner to discover why DVRC is outside the FOI regulations.
> Security Issues: Neighbourhood Watch is giving information at the Gates shopping centre this week.
7. Items of Any Other Business:
Concern about the condition of Kirby’s Drive.
8. Treasurer’s Report and Fundraising:
Accounts: The Treasurer explained that he had just received the audited accounts after the change of treasurer so
gave a verbal report. In May, tea, raffle and quiz monies had been paid in; and a payment for stationery had been
paid out. The end of May statement showed a balance of £4750.82.
2Quiz – ‘Around the North East’ at £1 per entry – closing date 17 July
Raffle for Fundraising: The raffle was won by K Calvert. With thanks to J Blakey for donating the prize.
9. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group/Walkabout:
No walkabouts have been organised but Cllr Blakey has regular discussions with the site manager.
There is concern about the flooding from the hard standing where the bricks are delivered, and there is a problem
with a drain in David Terrace.
The newly constructed traffic calming ‘table’ in Philip Avenue is very effective.
Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: See above
Tail-upon-End Lane site: See Item 4.
Mabey housing: The site has outline planning permission. Cllr Williams had asked that there was a check for gas as
the site is over a former mining area, and that the pumping station is updated by the time the buildings are
occupied.
Cape Site: The sales office is now open at the front of the site.
Parish Council:
Sylvia Raine reported that at the AGM A Richardson was elected as chair, and S Raine was elected Vice Chair.
At the General Meeting the clerk reported that the new ‘collapsible’ lighting columns cannot support flower baskets
at Parkhill so Cllrs Morgan and Plews have donated flower basket ‘trees’ to support the baskets. Repairs will be
made to the beck side to prevent the path from falling away. Mrs Richardson is the second non-parish member on
the parish plan committee.
East Durham Rural Corridor(AAP): Short listing will take place this week for a member of public to sit on the AAP
Board. One member of those present at the Partnership had shown an interest.
Area Action Plans: Cllr Williams will enquire how these fit into the former Planning Acts. (Action Cllr Williams)
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): Nothing to report.
Quarry Liaison Committee: There are four planning applications concerning the Quarry –Old Quarrington and Cold
Knuckles: MRA/4/1(1), CMA/4/47, CMA/4/48, and CMA/4/49.
They may cause concern on three points (i) An over restoration of limestone grassland, (ii) The Bridle Path
diversion which has been used for 20 years and is therefore already a separate right of way, (iii) The very efficient
water pressure could be affected.
12 Villages Representative: Jan Blakey reported that there is to be a Food Hygiene course at Brandon.
10. Group Noticeboard:
Banner (Mike Syer): 10 July ‘Eve of Gala Concert’ is a free evening of entertainment starting at 8pm with singer
Helen Brown. There will also be a Quiz - gala related, Bingo and Raffle.
11 July is Gala Day when three banners will be paraded through Bowburn from Dallymore Drive to the War
Memorial. The banners are the Bowburn 2006, Children’s, and Tursdale Mechanics which has been found recently.
BVC The next edition of the Interchange is at the printers and will be ready for distribution at the end of the week.
Poetry Competition with prizes, closing date 31 August. The subject is ‘Changes in Bowburn’ covering any event.
Church (Maureen Robinson): The Fayre is on Saturday 20 June. Garden top soil is laid and seeded. The shrubs are
planted and the area in front of the church will be done as soon as possible.
Football Teams (J Kushnirenco, G Parle, G Hutchinson, A Wilson):
At the Bowburn Youth FC AGM the existing officials were elected. There is a funding bid going to the Park.
History (Mal Bell): No update.
Website (George Stoker): No Update.
11. Any Other Business: A member informed the meeting that the make shift ramp in Kirby’s Drive has collapsed
and cannot be used by a motorised scooter. Also there is a need for a drop kerb in David Terrace. (Action J Blackburn)
(Action J Blakey)
12. Date and Time of Meetings: General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is on 21 July 2009 at 6.30pm
Date of future meetings in 2009: 18 Aug, 15 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
3