General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 15 August 2009 From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, R Jackson, G Kitson,
L Maconochie, V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, R Walsh, S Walworth,
In Attendance: J Anson, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: PC Cockburn, N Dixon, S Featherstone, G Marsden, R Millerchip, S Raine, A
Richardson, M Syer, D Whittaker, M Williams
2. P.C. Cockburn: There was no report for last month.
PC Cockburn had emailed to say that the level of crime is not a worrying increase when ‘peaks and troughs’ are
taken into account, and the area is being patrolled whenever possible. Residents need to report anything they
deem suspicious and out of the ordinary.
This level of crime does not warrant a Street Safe initiative due to resource implications.
3. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders:
Highways: The Highways Group met with Mr and Mrs Hepplewhite who explained that two members of the B&PCP
would join with the Action Group in Coxhoe to work alongside them and give them their support. It was agreed that
R Cowen would be the representative and S Raine would be asked to act as sub if RC could not go.
Parkhill: P Henderson is to be contacted about the report for the community room. (Action Julie)
Heritage Room: The security cupboard is installed in preparation for the opening of the room, which will not be fully
furnished until the renovation of the Community Centre is complete.
Community Centre: The committee made minor changes to the DESCO specs for the heating and electrics, with a
view to works starting in October. There will be a phased programme of work to keep the Centre open.
A statement from the secretary of the Community Centre informed users that some activities are likely to be moved
temporarily to different rooms; there will be no weekend work, and the large hall is expected to be in use every
weekend throughout the process. However every effort is being made to keep the disruption to a minimum and
request everyone’s patience throughout this time to make the transition period as easy as possible.
1A member asked if the windows at the back of the centre are to be replaced and Julie replied that this is being done
as a separate project through a different funding application.
A decision on the Awards for All application for the kitchen equipment should be through in about 4 weeks.
It was asked if the there was any progress on the CSEP funding, and Julie said that this was being dealt with by
Ken Bradshaw and to date there was no progress on this.
Youth Centre: Refurbishment works have started on the centre.
Church: No update.
Unadopted Roads: D Wafer has been contacted about the Equity Share Scheme which was no further forward
since the report by David Warburton and Anna Tankerville in November 2008.
At the meeting with Glyn Hall, head of housing, [See Item 9(i)] in relation to funding the Unadopted Roads project
for the Three Streets in Bowburn, it was stated that the Unitary Council has the legal powers to proceed with the
Equity Share Scheme whereby the Council are able to lend money to householders secured against the
householders agreeing to pay back the loan. It is hoped that this scheme can be used to fund works to upgrade the
standard of unadopted roads.
Park Project: Brownfield Contracts Limited won the contract for Phase 2 of the Park, being the lowest tender.
This week signboards will be erected at the entrance to the bottom entrance and at the Junior School footpath;
contractor’s cabins will be in place; and trial holes will be bored ready for work to start on Monday 25 August.
The sensory garden will be officially opened at the end of September when the interpretation boards are ready.
There was concern that the repairs in the Park had not been carried out on the broken surface and swings, which
could encourage further vandalism.
Julie said that officers had inspected the damage immediately, and found that there may be a problem with the
surface material and have asked for a quotation, but there is a delay.
The maintenance of the Park will be taken on by the County Council.
It was asked if there is to be a Park Working Group meeting.
Julie is inviting officers of the new unitary council to meetings, which could be organised by the first week in
September.
It was agreed that K Haigh and J Blackburn would represent the Partnership.
The Football Foundation are indicating that there is a possible grant contribution of £175 000. However, for this
amount of funding their priorities must be carried out. The options will be discussed with the Park Working Group.
Environment and URRI:
> Durham Road: Work has started at the Cooperage and no problems have been reported.
It was said that the licensee of the Cooperage had thought there was to be a lay-by for the dray wagons.
Julie informed that there was parking at either gable end of the Cooperage which was agreed with Paul Middleton.
Tamsin confirmed that bollards are intended for the top of Durham Road, but there are no plans to install extra
bollards as it would undermine the quality of the scheme, and bollards along the whole length of the street
undermine the principles of URRI. (Action Julie)
> Somal/China Delight: Work is now complete on the car park and a check will be made on the question of
maintenance of the properties before handing over to the owners.
Ogden’s site: No further update.
> > Items 9(i) and 9(vi) were brought forward as they involve Julie Anson.
9(i) Regeneration Working Group:
The meeting on 14 August with Cllr N Foster and G Hall, head of housing, discussed the Regeneration Fund from
the former City of Durham Council and DVRC, and future Regeneration Working Groups.
J Blackburn, K Haigh, S Raine and M Syer represented B&PCP. Cllr Blakey and Julie Anson were present and Cllr
Williams sent his apologies.
The following items were discussed.
> Regeneration Board under the new Unitary Council: DCC – Cllrs Foster, Morgan and Southwell, and I Thompson;
Keepmoat – E Jaruga, R Bass, P Hindley and C Bovis.
>Management Group: DCC – G Hall, G Wood and a member from planning (to be decided); Keepmoat – E Jaruga,
R Bass, D Brandon and M Hodgson.
> Assurances were given from both G Hall and N Foster that the total £1.9M, would be allocated to projects in
Bowburn. G Hall and J Anson will liaise to update the spend and progress of the projects. It was agreed that
meetings will be held regularly with members of the Partnership for updates, which may also include any
appropriate specialists. It was agreed to discuss the Bowburn Masterplan alongside the emerging Local
Development Framework within future meetings.
2> G Hall and N Foster were informed that the former park keeper’s cottage in the lower park at Bowburn was now
the responsibility of the Unitary Council and decisions need to be taken about its future use as it is in a state of
disrepair, and being vandalised on a regular basis.
Both Cllr Blakey and Julie Anson were in agreement that the meeting went well and that the County Council were
going to fulfil their responsibilities.
A member was concerned that there was no promise of the expected money from Tail-upon-End Lane.
Other members thought that as the only promise was made verbally by Brian Spears, and as GONE did not allocate
any monies it was unlikely that this would happen.
It was asked if £300 000 paid in the apprentice scheme was coming out of the £1.9M.
This is not the case as the £500 000 SHIP money was on top of the £1.9M.
The apprentice scheme is going extremely well; funding was originally committed to train 19 apprentices on an NVQ
Level 2 Scheme. Currently there are 11 apprentices, with some of them being enrolled on NVQ Level 3.
Julie meets regularly with New College for an update.
Walkabout:
It was said that the invitation to the Walkabout for the Parish Council had not been received. (Action J Anson)
J Anson, J Blackburn and Cllr Blakey met with Kevin Chatterton to view the progress of the sites on Tail-upon-End
Lane, and Horton Crescent/Prince Charles. No major problems were reported and there will be regular contact in
the future as issues arise.
In future Julie will update The Grange estate on the former Cape site, and Durham Green Business Park.
9 (vi) East Durham Rural Corridor (AAP):
The first Board meeting was held on 29 July in Bowburn Community Centre. Cllr B Stephens welcomed everyone,
and Cllr M Plews is Chair. The first 30 minutes of each Board meeting will consider neighbourhood issues that have
been registered with the Co-ordinator; the next hour will consider the action plans; the final 30 minutes will be for
Countywide issues that affect the AAP. Three Priorities were agreed for 2009/10 which combined the top five
priorities chosen at the forum meeting. The budgets available to the AAP and Councillors were explained. D Wafer
gave a report on winter gritting and R Goodes reported on the City of Culture bid.
Future Board meetings are bi-monthly: In 2009 – 16 September, 18 November; In 2010 – 20 January, 17 March.
A member queried if there is to be a standard format for passing on questions to the Board? (Action Julie)
At the moment it is by email or telephone: jane.bellis@durham.gov.uk Tel 01388 816166
Julie was thanked for her attendance, and left the meeting.
4. Minutes of last General Meeting and: 21 July 2009
The minutes were approved as a true record.
Correspondence written by the Secretary in accordance with decisions of the June meeting were noted.
> Item 3 Highways: Cllr Blakey declared an interest in the following item.
To planning objecting to the plans for the Cape site, which are detrimental to the Industrial Highway.
From R M Hope explaining that ‘the County Council has considered the application and has resolved to grant
planning permission subject to conditions’. (Action Janet – re Conditions)
> Item 3 Park – Pigeon Club Container: The Pigeon Club has agreed to handover ownership of the Container,
bought with a grant from the Community Chest, to The Cooperage FC and Bowburn Youth FC.
The Cooperage and Bowburn Youth FC affirmed that they will pay to Move and Maintain the Container. If and when
the clubs have no further use of the container they will inform B&PCP to ensure usage is in the Area of Benefit.
> Item 9 Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: PC Cockburn requested that members of the public report concerns and
registration numbers of vehicles if they are involved in fly tipping.
> Item 11 AOB: Concerns about the county criteria for admissions to Durham Johnston Comprehensive School.
R Reid, case officer, wrote that the decision released on 15 July is final and binding, and the only challenge would
be by judicial review.
Matters arising:
> Item 2 Re Co-op works: PC Cockburn did not think that the damage at the Co-op was reported by Service Direct
to the Control Room, but attention was given at the time.
> AOB: The discarded flower pots have not been removed from the Coxhoe Wildlife Site. (Action Cllr Blakey)
5. Report – Trustees’ meeting: 4 August 2009
Items discussed at the trustees’ meeting have been reported within the items of this meeting.
There was a request for a copy of the trustees’ report at the next meeting.
The next Trustees’ meeting is on Tuesday 1 September 2009.
36. Correspondence:
See Item 4.
7. Items of Any Other Business:
(i) Trustees meetings (ii) Update on Ogden’s site (iii) Bus Trips (iv) Residents Group
8. Treasurer’s Report and Fundraising:
Accounts: Treasurers update: Signatories now include M Syer and R Walsh.
A list of transactions to 31/07/09, with balances, were noted.
Quiz – Summertime: The latest quiz is available for £1. All answers and questions relate to summer.
Raffle for Fundraising: The raffle was won by V Richardson. With thanks to the J Blackburn for donating the prize.
9. Reports and matters arising:
Prince Charles/Horton Crescent: There are still concerns about antisocial behaviour. Tail-upon-End Lane: There were concerns about the site lines on the corner of Tail-upon-End Lane from the drive to
Bowburn Hall, and flooding along the Lane. (Action Janet)
(Action Janet)
The seat will be replaced but on the opposite corner from its original position.
Mabey housing: Nothing new to report.
Cape Site: See Item 4 re planning consent.
Parish Council:
No meeting since July.
Parish Cllr Maggie Robinson explained that a Parish Plan is going ahead with a grant of £4000 plus a payment of
£1000 from the Parish.
It was asked why such a plan was needed when we have the Masterplan. Parish Cllr Robinson explained it will
include information from Park Hill, Cassop and Tursdale.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): No updates.
Quarry Liaison Committee: Cllr Blakey declared an interest.
Claire Teasdale the officer in charge of the application has no date for the report going to committee.
12 Villages Representative: No meeting to report on.
10. Group Noticeboard:
Banner (Mike Syer): The AGM took place on 23 July with the same committee being elected.
The Heritage Open Day of banners takes place in Bowburn Community Centre on 12 Sept from 10am to 4pm.
BVC The AGM took place on 23 July with the same committee being elected.
The next edition goes to press in September and articles along with Poetry entries should be submitted to M Syer,
the editor, by the end of August.
Church: Coffee mornings take place on the first Thursday of the month; 29 August - BBQ at 3pm in the Church
grounds; 6 October - Pie and Pea supper; 28 November - Church Fayre.
Football Teams:
> Bowburn Athletic (A Wilson): The season starts on 12 September. U13 girls play at Coxhoe Saturday a.m, U13
boys play at Kelloe Sunday pm, U15 boys play at Q Hill; Mainsforth pitches are also available. The club has a wide
range of sponsors.
> History (Mal Bell): There was a general meeting.
> Website (G Hutchinson): No report this month.
11. Any Other Business:
(i) It was asked if a report of the trustees’ meetings could be available at the general meetings.
(ii) It was asked for the new outline plan of the Ogden’s site. (Action Cllr Blakey)
(iii) L Maconochie is interested in starting an activities group for older people. She is a volunteer at the centre in
Waddington Street, and interested in training for a minibus licence.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month is 15 September 2009 at 6.30pm:
Future meetings. Please make a note of the following dates:
In 2009: 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec. In 2010: 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 16 Mar
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