General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 20 April 2010 From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Present: W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, S Colquhoun, S Featherstone, J Geyer, K Griffiths, J Kane,
G Kitson, A Richardson, J Shields, M Syer, S Thompson, R Walsh, S Walworth
In Attendance: J Anson, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: R Cowen, R Jackson, S Raine, Maggie Robinson, S Robinson, M Williams
2. P.C. Cockburn: No report this meeting.
3. Masterplan Updates – Economic Regeneration Team Leader and Project Leaders:
(i) Highways: N Battensby, the officer responsible for the boundary sign, sent a possible position for the sign on the
south side of the motorway bridge at the entrance to Heugh Hall farm.
Repeater signs on A177: In light of the advice from the local PC, explaining that drivers would have a defence if
they were charged with a traffic offence due to the repeater signs being missing on the A177, it was agreed to write
to the council officer in charge to ask for the missing repeater signs to be put in place.
The proposed theme park is not going ahead at Houghall and it was thought unlikely that railway coaches would be
built near Bowburn, so these reasons cannot be used as arguments for constructing the Spine Road.
The digitised footpath map is finished but not yet on line. Footpath 29 on the current definitive map is inaccurate
and the inaccuracy has been transferred to the digitised map. Council officers will discuss a compromise with the
landowners.
Two Speedwatch units will be purchased with AAP funding through the Partnership for use by the police.
The funding for minibus driver training can be considered for other training. (Action All)
(ii) Parkhill: Nothing to report.
(iii) Community Centre: A pre-site meeting with the contractor went well; weekly site meetings will plan the
programme of work; regular fundraising meetings will also be held. Sherburn House gave a grant £2000.
(iv) Youth Centre: The centre has applied for funding for the boiler from the Neighbourhood Budget.
(v) Church: Julie reported that the insulation was an upgrade not a repair.
1(vi) Unadopted Roads and (viii) Environment and URRI: It was agreed to approve the revised applications for the
Unadopted Roads and the Environment schemes to be submitted for approval.
The secretary was asked to check:
(i) The ‘three quote’ ruling for the Regeneration applications for the above projects;
(ii) Who is responsible for the repairs of the motorway fencing in the hope that the cost of the Environment projects
can be reduced. (Action Janet)
Thanks were given to Julie for her work in preparing the applications
Lighting projects in Bowburn and Parkhill will be funded by AAP monies and paid for through the Partnership.
Rubbish was reported at the back of Lawson Road; and in the hedges on the Mabey footpath. (Action Cllr Blakey)
The middle bollard is still needed at the bottom of Durham Rd, and the reflectors on the new bollards. (Cllr Blakey)
(vii) Park Project: Just as the application was about to be submitted to the FA, Bowburn Youth FC expressed
concerns about the conditions put on the funding, and took the decision to withdraw the application. This only
affects the loss of the extra changing rooms and all the other projects will be put in place e.g. high quality drainage,
fence and gate, extra car parking, and landscaping. The cost of maintenance will be reduced by not going with the
FA conditions. The lights and CCTV are not connected; the boggy area will be stripped and levelled.
The next Park meeting will consider the revised costs and the start date.
The clearance of the beck with restart in November. Unfortunately the beck attracts litter causing flooding problems.
It was asked where the silt had been deposited – and that was at Hartlepool.
(ix) (a) Regeneration Working Group: No meeting.
(b) Walkabout: Cllr Blakey reported the following:
The road on Prince Charles Avenue is in a better state, and the rest of the street is marked out ready to do.
(c) Housing:
16/18 Prince Charles Ave have been vandalised and are now boarded up. It has been reported to Glynn Hall.
Julie was thanked for her attendance and left the meeting
(x) East Durham Rural Corridor (AAP):
The Board meeting on 17 March gave a presentation on the consultation on the proposed closure of certain
residential care homes. The meeting reported on the forum from December when funding was decided for the
priority projects. Option 2 was the preferred choice for changes to the Electoral Boundaries. Four applications to the
Neighbourhood Budget with a conflict of interest were considered and supported. Clarification is to be sought on the
process of declaring an interest on funding decisions. A volunteer is needed to be the Board Equality Rep.
Contact: jane.bellis@durham.gov.uk OR Tel 0191 527 4764. Website: www.durham.gov.uk/eastdurhamruralaap
4. Minutes of last General Meeting: 16 March 2009
When ‘contractor for the electrics’ was corrected and changed to ‘contractor for the heating’ in Item 3(iii) Community
Centre, the minutes of the March meeting were approved as a true record.
Matters Arising: 3(ix) Walkabout – The heavy traffic on Tail-upon-End Lane will lessen as work is completed.
The chair apologised for not sending the request to scrutiny to inquire into the missing £100.000 from the
Regeneration Fund. (Action Janet)
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting: 6 April 2010:
Discussion took place on the shortfall of the Regeneration Pot.
Discussion took place as to whether there was a need to:
> Ensure that B&PCP continues - so that when opportunities become available they can be acted on immediately
for the benefit of the village.
> Raise funds for schemes - so that the meetings do not become merely a talking shop.
> Promote the village of Bowburn.
> Have B&PCP as a Forum where everyone can voice their opinions.
> Forge links with Other Partnerships, Parish Council, the AAP, etc.
> Encourage businesses to back projects in the village channelled through B&PCP e.g. help in kind, finance.
> Identify the difference between B&PCP and other groups to identify what it can do e.g. apply for grants.
> Use the Masterplan as a starter for further ideas; note what is missing (businesses, youth, minority groups) etc.
It was agreed that members would discuss ideas to take B&PCP into the future at the next meeting. (ACTION ALL)
26. Announcement of Annual General Meeting – 18 May 2010: Procedure
All residents in the area of benefit are welcome to attend the meeting.
Each individual member having attended two out of the previous three meetings shall have a vote.
Those who are eligible to vote are eligible to nominate person(s) to the management committee.
At the AGM the Officers will be elected first, followed by up to 11 trustees.
If a ballot is necessary the result is determined by a ‘first past the post’ ruling.
In the case of a tied vote for the final position there will be a re-vote for the particular candidates who have
the tied vote.
7. Correspondence:
> Equality Scheme Consultation event on 26 April: either attend or complete a questionnaire at www.durham.gov.uk
> Letter from Keith James clarifying the funding regarding a Broadband installation project carried out by the former
City of Durham Council (City). The contract was given to Derwentside District Council; funding for the project was
controlled by the City; the Twelve Villages Network (12 Villages) updated the villages on its progress.
On the wider issue of funding 12 Villages was only in receipt of financial support for administration and the work of a
community co-ordinator; Council funding totalling £292 000.00 was used for 5 employees and support services for 5
years; but after 2 years the City absorbed the residue into its general community provision.
> Email from the Boundary Commission saying that it is considering Option 2 with the inclusion of the ‘Cape’ site.
> Europe Day application for a sum of £50 to celebrate the European Union.
> Durham Shopmobility have introduced an accessible bus excursion service – contact T Wilson 386 8556
> Saturday activities for young people at Coxhoe Leisure Centre – transport is available.
> GP Patients Forum carried out a mapping exercise and will feedback on 29 April at Lanchester – 01325 327431
> Invitation to sustainability workshop “Where shall we live?” 28 April, 9.00-13.00, Riverside Centre Durham.
> Volunteering and Free courses for those over 19 and those claiming benefit - contact J Heeney - 07887854787
8. Items of Any Other Business: None
9. Treasurers update:
The £5.00 payment was for a quiz prize.
The £11.60 income was from the tea and raffle at the March meeting.
It was agreed that the treasurer prepare the accounts for submission to our independent examiners, (Action MS)
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Raffle Draw The raffle was won by S Walworth. With thanks to V Richardson for donating the prize.
Quiz – “Simply Red” Results - First Prize J Warren, Second Prize V Hutchinson, Third Prize G Ainscough
Thanks to everyone who took part in this fundraising event.
10. Reports and matters arising:
Parish Council – nothing to report but the next meeting is 21 April at 7pm in Bowburn Community centre.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – nothing to report.
Quarry Liaison Committee – nothing to report.
12 Villages Representative – next meeting is in May.
11. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: Mike Syer - The next outing is to Hetton. The Banner will not be stored in the Community Centre whilst
the refurbishment takes place. The Brenda Collins concert goes ahead on 9 July in the Community Centre.
> BVC: Mike Syer - The AGM is on 6 May at 5.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
> Church: Nothing to report
> Football Teams: Martin Ridley - Bowburn Youth are running a World Cup raffle which will be drawn on their
presentation night.
> History: Mal Bell – Nothing to report
> Website: Nothing to report
12. Any Other Business: None
13. Date and Time of Next Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month is 18 May 2010
The Annual General Meeting is at 6.30pm followed by the General Meeting
Future meetings: 15 Jun, 20 Jul, 17 Aug, 21 Sept, 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 21 Dec3