General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership: Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 April 2009
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: W Bates, J Blackburn, M Bell, J Blakey, K Calvert, S. Colquhoun, S Featherstone, K Griffiths, K Haigh,
R Jackson, J Kane, G. Kitson, L Maconochie, R. Millerchip, S Raine, A Richardson, Mgt Robinson, S Robinson,
M Syer, S Thompson, R Walsh (Chair), S Walworth
In Attendance: J. Anson, G. Marsden, M Williams, G Woodcock
1. Apologies for absence: M Coultas, R Cowen M Dee, J Geyer, I Hunter Smart, V Richardson, M. Ridley,
M Robinson, J Shields, D Whittaker
2. Police Report: No report.
3. Cape Factory Site Update and Consultation
Geoff Woodcock, Operations Director, Esh Developments Ltd introduced himself.
The former Cape site is now free of contamination and the final validation process will be completed within 2/3
weeks which will mean that the site is officially suitable for a residential development. Community consultation will
be held prior to submitting the 'Reserved Matters Planning Application'.
Geoff gave a detailed explanation of the plans which can be viewed in the foyer of the Community Centre. There
are ‘Aged Miners’ bungalows; affordable homes that will be administered by “Riverside” Housing Association; the
intermediate rental properties qualify for rent at 80% of the market rent but ultimately these houses are intended for
sale; the Swedish designed Trivselhüs around the ‘village green’; there are 10 detached houses built by Dunelm
Homes; a pedestrian crossing is to be built across the A177 prior to building; the bus lay-by will be built once the
houses are finished.
There is keen interest in the commercial site for office space, and there is an agreement with NEDL to drop the
overhead cables on the site and all the way through the estate to Tail-upon-End Lane.
A question and answer session followed.
Member: What is the size of the 2/3 bedroom houses?
GW: They have a floor area of 600ft2 – 900ft2
Member: How would the ‘office area’ exit the site?
GW: Through the existing Industrial Estate.
Member: What screening will be put in place?
GW: There is a landscape buffer of 8-10m. Hendersons have concerns if it is to be fenced.
Member: Would a section of the proposed new industrial estate access road be built along the western edge of the
site?
GW: A 30m strip has been reserved for Durham County Council to build such a road, if it took up that option, but the
Esh Group would not be building it.
6.50pm: As there were no more questions, the members thanked Geoff for his attendance and he left the meeting.
4. Masterplan Updates – Community Development Officer and Project Leaders
Highways: Meeting to be arranged
Parkhill: No meeting this month.
Heritage Room : The security room is now finished and equipment is being purchased.
Community Centre: Julie Anson and Stephen Hawley have met with the subgroup to discuss funding. Applications
are being sent to Awards for All and Biffaward when 3 quotations are received from Stephen. The electrical
specifications and tender documents should be ready in 2/3 weeks time.
The Community Centre had submitted invoices to the meeting for the Community Chest grants of emergency
electrical works and part payment of the environmental consultation to a total of £1707.50.
A member asked if the balance of the full £500 000 for the refurbishment of the Centre had been agreed?
JA replied that remaining £274 000 would be ringfenced through the DVRC - in effect the sum had been granted.
The member asked if there was any danger that if this money was not available would the £226 000 be enough for
the work being planned?
JA answered that there was sufficient for the planned emergency elements of the refurbishment.
Youth Centre: The Awards for All application failed. The refurbishment work has been split and alternative
applications have been made for smaller amounts.
Church: Funding applications are with Maureen who is still looking for quotes for the sliding doors.
A member enquired about the problem and suggested that Maureen make further requests to Hendersons.
2Centenary – Bowburn School: The school reunion had gone very well with a good number of past pupils and staff
attending. The next event will be the Birthday Party on 10 July – information to follow in due course.
Unadopted Roads: Julie Anson said that the cabinet report had gone to Ian Thompson, Corporate Director of
Regeneration, in the County Council. Mike Thompson and Ian Thompson will meet to discuss the capital projects.
A member also hoped that the Equity Share Scheme was progressing.
Cllrs Blakey and Williams said that the Three Streets group had not been forgotten as far as that scheme was
concerned.
Park Project: The Park Working group met to discuss costs for Phases II and III.
Phase II consists of the main footpath from the Community Centre to the Junior School including Street Lighting;
drainage to lower park to take drainage from the new pitch; a perimeter footpath reduced to 1.2m wide to match the
existing paths and cut costs; clean the beck area; make good the small pitch adjacent to the park cottage and install
new goal posts; install CCTV to the Park; install signage to the Park entrances.
Work is to start in the summer on the footpaths and CCTV.
The above works come to a total of £288 848.00.
Funding of £2000.00 has been secured leaving a contribution of £286 848.00 from the Regeneration Fund.
A member asked about the bungalow and was told that it had been removed from Phase III and will be pursued
through departmental budgets as originally planned.
A member was concerned about the standing water in the Park – Stephen Hawley thought a field drain may be
damaged and causing the problem.
The chair asked that B&PCP be involved in observing the tender process as agreed, and Julie said that this would
definitely be done.
Janet informed members that she had asked for the rubble from the play area to be cleared from the Park as it is
being used as missiles to damage property in the allotments.
> Phase III consists of Fence and Gate to perimeter of football pitch adjacent to roadway in the park; Lay new
Football Pitches and New Drainage; Install new Tennis Court with High Level Fence; Additional Car Parking at the
bowling green; Toilet and Changing Block; Landscape Upper and Lower Parks.
These works come to a total of £411 320.00.
Funding of £215 574.00 has been applied for, leaving a contribution of £195746.00 from the Regeneration Fund.
At the subgroup it was agreed that there would be no Third Generation Pitch or grasscrete parking behind
Broadmeadows estate. The FA supported the application and it will be considered in May for funding with a decision
made in the summer.
Members queried (i) the inconvenience of a locked gate in the Park; (ii) if the teams would be able to play football
next season; (iii) dog fouling.
Julie replied that (i) the users will be key-holders; (ii) the football teams have been consulted on alternative pitches
and are happy with those offered; (iii) irresponsible dog-owners should be reported.
Environment and URRI: The cabinet report for the environment projects has been submitted to Ian Thompson.
Janet sent an email to Tamsin saying that Service Direct had spent £58K on the Co-op area and asked her for the
rest of the breakdown figures so that we can make progress on the car park at Somal’s and Romaine Square; also
did she have ideas for the consultation process for the new URRI monies. There has been no reply.
Cllr Blakey reported that Service Direct was repairing the damage to the Co-op wall for a fifth and last time.
It was thought that the contractor had the responsibility to make the site secure until the work was completed.
A member thought that metal railing would help to stop the vandalism but it was not in place.
A member asked for further information from Tamsin. (Action Janet)
Julie was thanked for her attendance and left the meeting at 7.30pm
5. Minutes of last General meeting and matters arising from 17 March 2009:
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a true record.
> Action point 1, Item 3 URRI: Tamsin Harrison has not contacted Janet. See above.
> Action point 2/3, Item 5 February Minutes and Item 11 Cape site: G Woodcock sent an email explaining that the
Lumsden & Carroll wagons were carrying clean concrete and not going to Hartlepool. They were going to Coxhoe
where the concrete would be crushed and recycled.
Members agreed that Sirius had done an excellent job in clearing the site.
> Action point 4, Item 11 Cape site: Suggestions for the Art work to be commissioned by the Esh Group were - a
Stained Glass window for Christ the King church; a piece of play equipment in the Park mimicking the ‘coal forming’
tree; steel sculptures.
> Action point 5, Item 11 Unitary Council: The following names have been suggested for the AAP – Durham Scarp,
East Mid Durham, Quarringtonshire, R.E.D. Isle, Sedgeburn, and Skerneside.
36. Report - Trustees’ meeting: 7 April 2009:
The trustees met with Roberta Blackman Wood MP who was concerned about the lack of funds to provide all the
projects in the Regeneration Projects from the Masterplan. She was willing to lend assistance and agreed with the
suggestion to contact the Freedom of Information Office for answers to questions on the monies amassed.
A member asked if there was a time limit for the Freedom of Information Office to reply.
It was thought that there would be a reply within 20 days and a decision within six months.
A member asked if there was a cost for this service.
There could be a cost but it is hoped that there will not be; and the trustees would not commit B&PBP to any debt.
7. Correspondence:
The following correspondence was received from:
> T Harrison with the requested costs from Service Direct, but not the full costs.
> P Herbert informing that the unitary council will hold a ‘major’ applications meeting every three weeks beginning
14 April. It is not known when the Durham Green application will be ready for formal consideration, but the
Partnership will be informed in good time to attend the appropriate meeting, if we choose to.
> A Wilson updating on Bowburn Athletic FC.
> Cllr Blakey updating on Service Direct re the Co-op.
> P Henry giving thanks for the Community Chest grant to the Judo Club.
> A Neville informing that for three years the Johnston School would use a ‘feeder school’ admission system.
Thanks were extended to the councillors for their support and advice in this successful outcome.
> A flyer advertising ‘free’ distance learning.
The following correspondence was sent to:
> The Freedom of Information Office enquiring into the income from the house building in Bowburn.
> J Anson and J Tindale to close the Community Chest.
> P Herbert suggesting planning issues for the Industrial Highway.
> N Foster asking for representatives of the Partnership to be invited onto the Regeneration Working Group within
the Unitary Council.
8. Items of Any Other Business:
(i) Bus Shelter in the estate; (ii) Tail upon End site; (iii) AGM
9. Treasurer’s Report and Fundraising:
The Treasurer tabled a written summary of transactions and balances.
In March expenditures amounted to £3109.00; income totalled £3351.00.
This left £5593.12 in the funds, made up of Restricted Funds - £3236.92, and Unrestricted Funds - £2356.20.
Thanks were extended to Julie Anson for her contribution to the running costs.
Raffle for Fundraising: The raffle was won by R. Jackson. With thanks to M. Syer for donating the prize.
Quiz – ‘Islands’ Winners of the quiz were First Prize J Syer, Second Prize P Burnett, Third Prize J Taylor
Thanks to everyone who took part in this fundraising event.
Community Chest – Account closed.
10. Reports and matters arising:
Regeneration Working Group/Walkabout – 12 March 2009: Julie Anson met with New College who are very happy
with the apprentices and hope that two will progress to NVQ Level 3.
C&A Pumps are in talks with the Community Centre regarding the electrical and mechanical needs. The paving has
been done at the Co-op and the railings are to be installed shortly. The costs are up to £80K – this is being queried,
and it is unlikely that the Romaine Square works will be carried out.
It was asked if lorries could be discouraged from the OQ lay-by – but enforcement action may not be possible.
An application to tanker sewage from Tail upon End is in progress and distribution is subject to a decision by NWA.
Clearing of the Beck could start after the Parish section and Julie was to discuss with Stephen Hawley.
The first housing handover from the Tail upon End site will be in September. 3 further properties have been sold on
Tail upon End , and 4 on Horton Crescent where residents will be moving in at the end of March.
The damage to the roadside in tail upon End Lane, and in Prince Charles Avenue will be investigated. Horton
Crescent will reopen when the site is finished.
J Tindale informed the meeting that there was nothing to report concerning the Ogden’s site.
An allocation breakdown of the £1.9M is in the Cabinet Report which has already been circulated. M Thompson is
unable to give a breakdown of how the monies came in.
Prince Charles Avenue/Horton Crescent: See above
Tail-upon-End Lane Site: There were concerns regarding the footpath closure adjacent to the site. The meeting was
informed that the diversion is down Kirby’s Drive.
Cape Site – Vehicle Access, Update and Art work: See Item 5 Action Point 5.
4Cllr Williams provided the following information. Mabey site – application number 09/00062/OUT: An outline
application for 36 dwellings was granted planning permission on 21 April 2009.
Parish Council 15 April: Presentation of Beautiful Durham plaques. Janet Blackburn has been accepted onto the
Parish Plan Steering Group. A councillor was critical of the works at the Beck and the County Ecologist is to come
and inspect the work.
A member agreed that the beck was in a poor state – there were concrete blocks in it and the large drain needs
clearing behind the grille.
For information the clearance of the Beck can only take place during the months of November and March.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS): No update.
Bowburn Beck: See Item 10; Parish Report.
Quarry Liaison Committee: No update.
LSP: Comes to a close this month.
12 Villages Representative: Bearpark Parish Plan is progressing; Brandon Masterplan and Park in abeyance,
Stoneacre road survey to be redone; Cassop Community Centre is getting ramps new steps and railings; Esh
Winning Masterplan is ongoing; Ludworth antisocial behaviour is on the increase; New Brancepeth will have new
housing built by Three Rivers; QH Traffic is, officially, not speeding through the village, the banner will be unfurled in
late July, the Youth Club is closed because the leader has resigned; Sherburn Hill must raise the money
themselves for the new Community Centre; Ushaw Moor are to promote work with young people; West Rainton has
dreadful vandalism.
Unitary Council – Area Action Partnership Meeting 29 April: Meet at 5.15pm in the Community Centre car park for a
lift to Sedgefield. There will be information at this meeting about applying to be on the AAP Board.
11. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
Banner (Mike Syer): The Fishburn Band evening has been cancelled. Two banners were taken to Beamish where
everyone got wet but came away happy.
BVC (Mike Syer): Please send your stories and pictures for the June Issue of the Interchange.
Football Teams (G Parle, G Hutchinson, M Ridley, A Wilson): Bowburn Athletic FC Development Tots team are
getting stronger and enjoying the game; U12 Boys Team has won the last 2 games and play at Mainsforth; U12
Girls Team could win their second trophy; U 14 Boys Team won the derby game against Bowburn Youth.
Bowburn Youth U9 Tigers, a new team, won their first match; there are two U9 Teams with the increase in numbers.
History (Mal Bell): The society organised speakers and trips for the following year.
Website (George Stoker): No report
12. Any Other Business:
(i) Bus Shelter in the estate opposite Somals has been openly vandalised. The County is to be informed.
A member said that the County had refused to repair the shelter at Parkhill.
(ii) Tail upon End site: See Item 10.
(iii) The AGM is next month and nomination forms should be returned by 5 May.
13. Date and Time of Meetings: General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting is the AGM on 19 May 2009 at 6.30pm
Followed by the GENERAL MEETING
Date of future meetings in 2009: 16 Jun, 21 July, 18 Aug, 15 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
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