General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 16 November 2010 From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, S Colquhoun, R Cowen (Chair), K Griffiths, K Haigh, B Jennings, S Jennings, S Raine, A Richardson, M Syer, W Temporal, S Thompson, S Walworth
In Attendance: A Elliott, L Hall, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies: B Bates, B Cockburn, G Kitson, D Paget, Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, J Shields, M Williams
Item 3 Flooding:
The meeting welcomed Mr Les Hall, New Development Manager, Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL).
Discussion took place on improvement works to the sewerage network in the Bowburn area as follows:
Mabey yard to Bowburn South Industrial Estate: NWL will be carrying out essential work, over three months, to upgrade the sewerage network in Bowburn to reduce the risk of flooding to properties in Runcie Road. The work will involve installing new sewer pipe at Bowburn South Industrial Estate which connects to the main sewer.
Improvement to the sewage works Bowburn to Tursdale:
The increase in developments and the timescale of these works in Bowburn has caused concern for NWL, which is why they sought conditions on the development at Tail-upon-End (TuE), and why the sewage works will be upgraded in the New Year. The work will be done in sections to keep the flow going. There are no restrictions on wagon movements as the bulk of the traffic will come off the motorway.
Other planned works: There are no other planned works for the area but NWL have duties as and when new development comes along.
New developments:
LH asked what works have been done in Bowburn and if there was involvement in the multi-agency meeting.
It was said that members had been involved in the meetings and extensive works had been done to clean out Bowburn Beck and surface water drainage from around Bow Street and replace broken pipes.
LH informed that – NWL works with Durham County Council (DCC) when a housing development is planned; any site over half a hectare must have a flood assessment; an upgrade in sewerage or surface water works is done when needed.
Water supply in Bowburn is pretty regular and no problems are anticipated.
Up to the late 1960’s the system was a combined system of foul and surface water; highways were responsible for drains; and there are several owners of pieces of sewerage systems.
NWL is responsible for foul surface and old combined sewers and some surface water sewers are adopted.
After significant flooding in 2007 in Tewksbury it was found that no single agency was responsible for surface water, the ‘Pitt Review’ required local councils to take the lead to investigate flooding along with Highways.
NWL is working with DCC to identify areas at risk of flooding.
In Bowburn the community centre is at risk of surface water flooding, but this is not the responsibility of NWL, and there is no data of flooding since 2003. It was advised that incidents of flooding should be reported.
LH suggests that we should check if our area is listed as a susceptible area in the County Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, and NWL will provide data. (Action Janet)
Tail-upon-End Lane (TuE) site: Originally NWL had said that no development could take place, but the Council made the case that there was a need for extra housing and asked if NWL could be flexible with conditions, which they were by restricting the number of houses occupied and making use of tankering sewage from the site.
TuE was connected to the main sewer by the developer with the approval of a clerk of works who was not made aware of the planning conditions. When NWL became aware of this the developer could have been forced to comply with the conditions by the planning authority. However it was decided that this would be counter-productive as the system is coping; it is better that the site is connected to the main sewer; there is no environmental problem; residents upstream would have to endure tankering. It would cause development costs and NWL is dealing with Haslam Homes at a company level.
A wish was expressed that sanctions should be put on the developer as they had flouted a legal document.
LH advised that a developer with planning permission had a duty to connect to the public sewers unless restricted by conditions in the planning permission. In this case in view of the above NWL had decided not to ask the local planning authority to enforce the condition. However NWL were concerned about what had happened and were unlikely to agree to such a condition in the future in view of the experience in this case.
A member asked if once the upgrade was complete, would NWL be satisfied that Bowburn was risk free of flooding?
LH replied ‘No’. Flooding events from 2005 are significantly different in their frequency and localisation. Also ‘urban creep’ adds to the problem e.g. extensions, patios, block paving etc.
However in the past planning did not consider surface water, but now there is a duty to take this seriously.
Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the County Council is now the lead Local Flood Authority, though other agencies are required to work together.
It was suggested that we canvas for a Surface Water Management Plan to be carried out, which would investigate critical drainage; plan for emergencies and new developments; and build in investment. (Action Janet)
LH agreed that NWL is responsible for all public sewers even if they are surface water only. However not all surface water drains are in fact adopted by NWL as public sewers, including surface water drains from new developments. As mentioned above, responsibility for surface water has been confusing and the local authority has a major role. This whole situation is currently being reviewed by the Government and it is likely that the Government will decide all surface water drains should in fact be the responsibility of NWL. NWL however is not responsible for say flooding from the stream – this is the responsibility of the local authority and flood risk is something they must now assess when determining planning permissions above half a hectare.
Mr Hall was willing to attend a joint meeting with the Partnership and Council to discuss the responsibilities of the various bodies.
Mr Hall was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting at 7.50pm.
2. Police: PC Cockburn kindly sent an update by email so as to leave time for the above discussion - crime statistics for the last 5 weeks as follows: Cassop 1 assault (person arrested); Parkhill 0: Bowburn 1 burglary (other) partially constructed house; 5 theft, 7 criminal damage.
Member were warned that three young men cold-called a homeowner at Parkhill as industrial cleaners, but stole from the house.
3. Masterplan Updates – Economic Regeneration Team Leader and Project Leaders:
(i) Highways: The next meeting is 25 November.
Members were given a contact for the consultation of the Local Transport Plan 3, and there was a suggestion to include support for an industrial highway from the Jet garage to the motorway service station, as there are 300 homes proposed for the ‘Durham Green’ area.
(ii) Parkhill: No update.
(iii)Community Centre:
Once the costs for this first stage of the refurbishment are paid, it will be possible to make decisions on future plans.
The Open night to celebrate the refurbishment was a great success. The final accounts are not ready, but the refurbishment should come in on budget. The back windows are vulnerable to vandalism and grills are being considered to protect them.
(iv) Youth Centre: The AGM was on 10 November and there were no changes to the management committee.
The young people are fundraising for Children in Need between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Friday 19 November.
(v) Unadopted Roads, Environment and URRI: Funding has come through for the footpath and lighting columns in Parkhill, and to upgrade the lamps for Newburn Avenue in Bowburn. The order has gone in for the lighting in the cul-de-sacs at Parkhill and the lamps in Newburn and works will start within the next two weeks, followed by up to 30 days for connection by BT. The footpath at Parkhill with its two lighting columns is still under discussion.
(vi) Park Project: The new fencing, with gates, has gone up at the football ground and looks good. It is a pity that there are still some finishing touches to be done when the work has been of such a high standard to date.
At the litter-pick a manhole cover was found in the new gulley.
(vii) (a) Regeneration Working Group: No update.
(b) Walkabout and Housing issues: The 5 new council houses in Robson Crescent have been let and it was asked if the 5 houses which were left unconnected to the mains are they to be connected? (Action Cllr Blakey)
(viii) East Durham Rural Corridor (AAP):
The Forum meeting is in Bowburn Community Centre, on Wednesday 17 Nov with an open event of information stands followed by the Forum from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. The main priorities for 2010/2011 are a cycle/walkway and a small grants scheme for up to £2000, but decisions will be taken on possible new priorities at the Forum.
Meetings in 2011 will be on the first Wednesday of every other month starting on 5 January at Cassop Centre.
(ix) Future Plans of Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership (B&PCP)
The following suggestions were proposed with a request for further ideas from the members.
> 4a Identify Open Spaces: It was agreed to use the Haslam Homes Open Spaces assessment in relation to the Tail upon End Lane site as a starting point to define open spaces.
> 7b Lighting from Broadmeadows to Hallgarth estate: The local representatives are to allocate part of their Neighbourhood Budget to continue the lighting along the C12a possibly with sodium lamps.
> C13 Small grants: The AAP will allocate one off grants of up to £2000 – application forms are ready.
> D14 Integrate new residents: Enquire if housing groups would distribute information pack/card about the local area plus the Partnership, and if they would give financial help with this scheme; Contact other agents such as the Council, Private Landlords and Estate Agents, with reference to the Noticeboards and the Bowburn website
4. Minutes of last General Meeting: 19 October 2010
The minutes of the October meeting were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: Item 3(vi) Park Project: the resident living next to the CCTV had no complaints about the camera – she felt safer with its presence.
It was said that the police had complemented the surveillance of the camera.
A member asked if the camera could be moved to survey the allotments. (Action Park Working Group members)
Item 4 (10i) Parish Council: There had been no immediate plans for a special meeting to discuss Footpath 29 with the Rights of Way Officer because the council had installed two stiles. However one has since then been removed and barbed wire put across the path.
It was agreed to contact the Ramblers Association for advice. (Action Janet)
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting on 2 November 2010:
Trustees suggested how to take the priorities forward in the ‘Future Plans’ to bring to the general meeting.
It was agreed to contact Mr Les Hall, NWL, to prepare him for the meeting on 16 November.
Richard C agreed to lay the wreath at the Remembrance service on 14 November.
The Partnership will put up a display of photographs showing the spend of the Regeneration monies with a short explanation.
For information RC has made comments to Highways about the removal of trees from the stretch of road to the Cock of the North that will be used as a bus lane.
For information the Environment Agency has issued the relevant permit for the proposed anaerobic digester at Old Quarrington.
As Ron Jackson had been vice chair until he passed away, it was agreed to recommend that Richard Cowen should act as vice-chair until the AGM.
At this meeting there were no objections to Richard Cowen acting as vice- chair, so he was duly elected to that position until the AGM in May of 2011.
6. Correspondence:
> Community Outreach Advice: Students from St John’s College are offering their time to do volunteer work in the community.
This meeting suggested: Tidying the sensory garden, developing a partnership website. (Action Janet)
> Job opportunity connected with the Census for 2011.
> ‘Operation Winter nights’, a safety leaflet was distributed.
> ‘Outdoor Play Code’, a leaflet about the Do’s and Don’ts for children playing near their home was distributed.
7. Items of Any Other Business: Lack of road markings between Philip Ave and Robert Terr. (Action Cllr Blakey)
8. Treasurers update:
The treasurer gave the following report:
Income: £88.00 - quiz; £29.70 - tea and raffle receipts: £5000 - DCC for the Speedwatch and £15,500 for lighting and footpath; £100 - Parish Council
Expenditure - £124.50 (quiz prizes, room hire, refreshments, wreath and lottery licence)
Current balance - £27.978.46
Raffle Draw: The prize was won by A Richardson with thanks to K Griffiths for the prize.
Quiz: The new quiz, (‘Merry Christmas’) will be out in early December, apologies for the delay from Janet.
9. Reports and matters arising:
(i) Parish Council – The new neighbourhood warden, Sharon Moore, was introduced at the meeting.
18 Grants for financial assistance were approved. A stile on footpath 29 has been newly erected but removed by the landowner who also put up a notice of ‘no access’ to the footpath.
The prize winners for those who took part in the Parish Plan survey were drawn at the Open Night in the community centre and will be made known after the Parish Council meeting tomorrow night.
The next Meetings are: 17 November in Bowburn Community Centre and 15 December in Cassop Community Centre at 7pm. All are welcome.
(ii) County Durham Plan and Big Society related to the area of benefit: The ‘Localism Bill’ may have an affect on the plans for the Big Society. RC is to attend a discussion group on both on 1 December and this may inform us.
(iii)Quarry Liaison Committee: The next meeting will be in December.
(iv) The 12 Villages: No report.
10. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: – The last meeting evaluated the Heritage Open Day and discussed next year’s gala. The Banner has been to the Remembrance Service.
> BVC: Please send stories and photographs to Mike for the December issue – or ideas for stories.
> Church: No report.
> Football Teams:
Bowburn Youth: (M Ridley) – The Halloween Party hosted 300 children in the Community Centre and was a great success.
All teams are doing well, but are tired of travelling. Thanks were expressed to the Parish Council for the £100 grant.
> History: (M Bell) – The Resources Room is now up and running. The 2011 calendar is on sale for £3.
> Website: No report
11. Any Other Business: The road markings are to be investigated at both ends of Phillip Avenue.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month is on 21 December 2010
Dates for your diary in 2011:
18 Jan, 15 Feb, 15 Mar, 19 Apr, 17 May, 21 Jun, 19 Jul, 16 Aug, 20 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 20 Dec