General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Present: Tuesday 20 July 2010 From 6.30pm to 8.10pm
W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, G Kitson, D Paget,
A Richardson, M Syer, S Thompson, R Walsh, S Walworth
In Attendance: PC Cockburn, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, R Jackson, J Kane, S Raine, V Richardson, Maggie Robinson, M Robinson,
J Shields, M Williams
2. P.C. Cockburn: Please find below the stats since the last meeting.
PARKHILL 1 Theft of roadside hanging baskets: CASSOP None: BOWBURN 3 Burglaries with 2 arrests for the
theft of combi-boilers; 6 Thefts with one recovery of a JCB; 2 Assaults one in the park by a teenager and one
alleged on a teenager from a passing car; 8 Criminal Damages with one arrest from an incident in Slater’s Place.
Youth Nuisance has been reported in Griffiths Court from the path leading to Somal’s shop.
A member was surprised that a case of criminal damage at OQ had not been reported in this meeting.
PC Cockburn said that it depended on the coding as to which cases were displayed.
A member raised the issue of racial problems in the colliery rows at Bowburn.
PC Cockburn notified the meeting that Leesa Bennison, the officer for hate crime known officially as a ‘Community
Cohesion Officer’, has already arranged to meet with concerned residents. And once again there have been no
reports of any problems to the police.
It was agreed that Leesa Bennison could come to a Partnership meeting to discuss ways forward.
Members of the Partnership wished to express that they deplore the press reports of racial harassment and any
form of hate crime, because members support everyone in our area living together in harmony.
PC Cockburn was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting at 7.05pm.
3. Masterplan Updates – Economic Regeneration Team Leader and Project Leaders:
The secretary read out updates put together by Julie Anson.
(i) Highways: A resident and parish councillor from Parkhill advised on lighting and a footpath scheme in Parkhill.
After an in-depth discussion it was agreed to: order lights in two cul-de-sacs that would be maintained by DCC;
have one light on a footpath between houses 127 and 129 Parkhill and improve this footpath.
1K Chatterton of Keepmoat replied to a worry that traffic causes vibration in the houses on Henry Avenue is to
instruct site traffic to keep to a minimum speed along Tail-upon-End Lane. He was concerned about the speed of
traffic in general on Tail-upon-End Lane. It was agreed to thank Mr. Chatterton and explain that the speed calming
restrictions are on hold until the housing developments are completed.
It was agreed to contact D Wafer about the concerns the public have about the ‘blind spots’ for vehicles exiting from
Durham Road West onto the A177.
The shortfall in the grant for the lighting scheme at Fishburn community centre was funded through Sedgefield
Borough Homes.
A member felt that a 5 week closure on the road to the tip was unreasonable and a footpath should be made
available for pedestrians and horses.
(ii) Parkhill: No meeting. The residents’ group hope to relocate the roadside hanging baskets to safeguard the
baskets (See item 2).
(ii) Community Centre: Works are progressing well. There have been some minor additions to the original contract
eg toughened glass. The current cost of Phase 1 projects, including additions, is £389,149.60
The proposed Open Day celebration may be postponed. They await the confirmation of the Biffaward. When this is
known, decisions can be made about whether the public areas of the centre can be professionally decorated.
(iv) Youth Centre: The new boiler will be fitted next week. It was hoped that funding would be available for Summer.
(This has now been confirmed).
(v) Unadopted Roads and (viii) Environment: Discussions have taken place regarding the Three Streets Project and
the Environmental Schemes. JA has agreed to update both groups and obtain updated costs, and seek
maintenance and approvals in principal. She will investigate other possible sources of funding via the AAP.
Neighbourhood Services have informed Janet that the Council are currently preparing a report on unadopted roads
across the county which should be ready by September.
The village sign should be ordered next week and be put in within 8weeks.
(vii) Park Project: The Park Working Group met on 6 July to discuss progress. CDENT have visited the Park and
were greatly impressed by the works undertaken at the Sensory Garden and the overall park development.
The CCTV and lighting is installed and operational. One light is faulty and is being looked into. Footpaths and final
surfacing works are complete, and will be inspected this week. Landscape works have started on the bottom park.
Additional topsoil will be brought to the area adjacent to the cottage and the wildflower meadow area, together with
material to make up the levels adjacent to the footpaths to the Junior School. These areas will be seeded and a
general stone pick undertaken over the remainder of the site.
Football pitches: The area of the new senior pitch has had all topsoil graded and levelled, and new drainage is
being installed. The junior pitch area is having the top soil stripped and drainage works have started. Final levelling
and seeding will commence next week. To-date the programme is on schedule and within budget.
Members at this meeting were concerned that protective barriers from previous works had not been removed.
(viii) URRI: The missing bollard and reflectors on the new bollards in Durham Road are on order and should be in
place within the near future.
(ix) (a) Regeneration Working Group: Members had sight of a document from Keepmoat Homes with an analysis of
the sale of houses in Bowburn. (Contact the secretary for a copy)
County is investigating previous agreements by the former City of Durham council as to a review of the Masterplan.
(b) Walkabout: Assurances had been given that a side window in Robson Cresc. would be fitted with opaque glass.
(c) Housing: The road is still in a poor state in Robson Crescent; and issues need to be resolved with an existing
householder in the street.
The following street names chosen for the former Cape site are associated with the pit: Brockwell, Robert More
Close, Harle Oval, Bell Avenue, Grange Way.
A member asked if these names copied others in the area: this can be checked on Google Earth.
It was suggested that the Partnership should consider the proposals of the governments ‘Big Society’.
The chair agreed to begin discussions at the Trustees meeting.
(x) East Durham Rural Corridor (AAP): There will be a presentation on the County Durham Plan at the meeting on
Wednesday 21 July. Copies were made available to our members. To register for the AAP meeting contact
marie.ainscough@durham.gov.uk, Tel 0191 527 4807, Website: www.durham.gov.uk/eastdurhamruralaap
(xi) Future Plans of Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership (B&PCP)
The trustees discussed the suggestions from the meeting on 15 June.
24. Minutes of last General Meeting: 15 June 2010
The minutes of the June meeting were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising: Item 3 (ix) (c) The suspected gas leak at a sub-station off the C12a was a release of pressure.
The use of Tail-upon-End Lane as a site road is being monitored by the site manager – see Item 3 (i) above.
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting on 6 July 2010:
The meeting concentrated on discussing the ‘Future Plans for B&PCP’.
It was agreed to contact Highways to object to the 5 week closure of the road to the tip in Coxhoe. It is hoped that
there could be a partial closure so that cars can travel along that road - as well as pedestrians in this closure period.
7. Correspondence:
> Detail of courses from St John Ambulance.
> NHS Health Trainer Service information.
8. Items of Any Other Business: Dental practice.
9. Treasurers update: The latest bank statement shows a balance of £16,306.84.
£100 from Cllr Blakey’s funding has been transferred to the Senior Citizens’ group via the Partnership.
£6071.76 is restricted to Street lighting and a village entrance sign; tea and raffle (£12.80) at the June meeting.
Raffle Draw: The prize was won by S Thompson, with thanks to B Bates for the prize.
Quiz – “Transport” Results - First Prize M Minto, Second Prize J Hughes, Third Prize P Hutchinson.
10. Reports and matters arising:
(i) Parish Council – At the AGM in May, Andrew Shutt was appointed Chair, Sylvia Raine Vice-chair.
The clerk, Peter Thorpe, has successfully completed his Certificate in Local Council Administration: certain options
(eg applying for Quality Parish Council status) were only available to those Councils with qualified clerks, so now
Peter is qualified we may be able to consider new initiatives. Work has finally started on repairs to the West
Bowburn Way, and should be almost complete by now.
Meetings: 21 July in Bowburn Community Centre, 18 August in Cassop Community Centre, 7pm.
(ii) Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – This scheme no longer exists, but it is thought that councils may still work
together in our region, and it could be incorporated in the County Durham Plan which is under consultation.
(iii) Quarry Liaison Committee – The next meeting will be in December.
A member notified the meeting that the Environment Agency is close to granting permissions for the Anaerobic
Digester, and the residents of Old Quarrington may invite the planners to a meeting.
(iv) The 12 Villages – No meeting. Bearpark Club is hosting an event on 29 July to unveil the restored banner.
11. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: Mike Syer – Next meeting is 26 August when there will be a debriefing of the Gala Day arrangements.
There was a great reception for Brenda Collins and thanks were expressed for the success of the Gala Day.
> BVC: Mike Syer – The deadline for the next edition is 31 August.
> Church: The front car park should be upgraded in the next two weeks. Work on the overflow car park will follow
when funds allow – it looks tidy but it would help if locals did not use it for fly tipping.
On Saturday Fr. John Livesley will be inducted. In attendance there will be many dignitaries. Fr Livesley is a young
man who is very interested in the youth, and should make contact with the schools.
Football Teams:
Bowburn Athletic: A Wilson – The U8’s team will play on grass this season and are sponsored by Guardian Care.
The 11-a-side teams will play at Q Hill, where they had a presentation event. Some of the girls’ team represented
Durham in the Coalfields Regeneration Trust Midnight Leagues Finals played at the Keepmoat Stadium Doncaster.
Bowburn Youth: M Ridley – The local schools were thanked for allowing their fields to be used until the new pitch is
ready. The presentation night went well and all the children will have a new strip. I Lowry’s twins won the
competition for the new badge. Next season the U18’s play at Neville’s Cross; Men play at Belmont.
A member reported litter in the hedge in the new training area.
> History: No meeting. It was reported that the History Room should be ready by the end of the month.
12. Any Other Business: An NHS dentist, contact 01740 651124, will be practicing in the Wellsprings building.
13. Date and Time of Next Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month is 17 August Future meetings: 21 September, 19 October, 16 November, 21 December
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2010