General Meeting
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 September 2010 From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
The Partnership paid their respects and thanks for the life of Ronnie Jackson who died on 16 September. He
was a valued vice chair of the partnership and will be greatly missed.
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, B Jennings, G Kitson,
D Paget, S Raine, A Richardson, Maggie Robinson, Maureen Robinson, S Robinson, J Shields, S Thompson,
R Walsh, S Walworth
In Attendance: B Cockburn, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, W Bates, L Bennison, S Colquhoun, M Syer, M Williams
2. Police: PC Cockburn apologised for L Bennison, Community Cohesion Officer saying that she had been
called to another meeting, and then he presented crime statistics for the last 5 weeks as follows: Cassop 0;
Parkhill 0;
Bowburn 1 alleged assault followed by an arrest, 5 theft including 1 arrest for theft of petrol from the motorway
services, 10 minor criminal damage including 5 vehicle related offences, and 1 major incident of damage to
machinery and vehicles at the quarry.
Speedwatch equipment will be in use by PCSO’s in the area to detect and inform drivers of speeding.
A ‘Not in my neighbourhood week’ begins 27 September, involving the police, other agencies and communities
working together to solve local problems relating to Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour and Environmental issues.
PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meetings will alternate between Bowburn and Parkhill on the
second Tuesday of each month; the October meeting will be held in Bowburn. Three priorities will be selected
for each area and updated at the next meeting.
Hate crime is being carefully and sensitively monitored in the area.
A member reported a possible fault on the alarm at the Junior School – it was suggested that if such an
incident occurred again then the police and school should be informed.
Other members reported seeing fires at the back of the Southern Industrial Estate and in the Nature Reserve.
At 6.50pm PC Cockburn noted all comments; left the meeting and was thanked for his attendance on his day
off.
13. Masterplan Updates – Economic Regeneration Team Leader and Project Leaders:
(i) Highways: D Battensby has been contacted about monitoring the speed of traffic on Prince Charles Avenue;
the possibility of an extended 30mph limit on the C12a; parked traffic on Prince Charles Avenue at the junction
with the A177 which appears to be cause queuing into the main carriageway.
The group will contact the consultation website for LTP3 (Local Transport Plan) to lobby for the Business Link
Road to exploit the business potential of this area. Others are asked to show their support for this Link Road.
Works have been completed on the Parkhill stretch of the Limestone LinX cycle/walkway.
(ii) Parkhill: The bi-monthly meetings for the residents’ group started in September.
(iii) Community Centre:
Works are progressing very well. The Biffaward claims and Awards for All Monitoring Reports are being
completed.
Additional works currently being organised and undertaken include the following: painting, blinds, and carpets.
Open night to celebrate the refurbishment, 12 November, starts at 7pm and will be opened by the Chair of the
County Council, Mac Williams, and users will publicise their activities with an exhibition or display.
A member asked for “smoking bins” to be placed outside the building.
(iv) Youth Centre: The summer activities involved about 60 young people; trips included paint balling, fishing,
visits and cycling. Sessions have started for the autumn with new staff and timetable as follows: Mon 6.00-8.00
Lads group and Elemore Hall School with gym; Tue 6.00-8.00 mixed session with gym; Wed 1.00-3.00 NEET
group; 4.30-6.30 Girls group; Fri 4.30-6.30 mixed session; Sat 12.00-2.00 mixed session with gym.
Groundwork East have been invited to help plan suitable landscaping.
Everyone is invited to the AGM on 10 November from 6pm. and volunteers for the management committee
would be most welcome.
(v) Unadopted Roads, Environment and URRI: Julie is waiting for information relating to the Unadopted Roads
Report and AAP confirmation of funded projects which can then be deleted from the Environment projects.
A report into unadopted roads across the County will go to Cabinet on 12 November; full council meets on 24
November when residents can ask questions of the council.
A member informed the meeting that the path from Mabey Hire will close temporarily for drainage works.
(vi) Park Project: The Park Working Group meets on Tuesday 28 September when the remaining programme
and budget will be discussed. The Football Pitches are taking very well.
Members reported that: The litter bins needed emptying regularly; Pools of water were forming off the pitch;
The sensory garden is overgrown and it was suggested that a Youth Offending team or residents could do the
work; There was support for ‘sponsored’ seating of the right type with advice from County.
(vii) (a) Regeneration Working Group: No update.
(b) Walkabout and Housing issues: Councillors and partners walked through Bowburn and Parkhill to
note any problems in those areas.
Members highlighted: A problem with drains at Lawson Road bungalows; A tree too close to a house in
Robson Crescent; Mud on the road outside the ‘Cape’ site; Flooding on Tail-upon-End Lane because of the
kerbing; Queried the post code for the Cape site.
Members discussed the problems of the foul and surface water system in the village and reported flooding
from sewage in individual houses over the last few years, as well as flooding on the highways. There were
also serious concerns about flooding at the Community Centre especially when it is being refurbished.
Members felt that these flooding incidents were caused by the inadequate size of the pipework rather than the
size of the sewage works. There were major concerns that the new houses are connected to the sewage
works which was felt to add to the problems, especially when it was thought that the system was at capacity.
It was agreed to: (i) Write to NWL, the Environment Agency, planners and councillors with our concerns;
(ii) Invite a representative of NWL to the next meeting on 19 October to discuss the above. (Action Janet)
(viii) East Durham Rural Corridor (AAP): The Board met on 15 September, at Kelloe Primary School where:
Wendy Bagnall, Statutory Partner – Health, distributed data but explained it was not easy to gather it for the
combined AAP area. It was agreed that the new health regime be included in the Forward Plan for 2011.
It was decided to invite a Road Safety Officer to a future meeting, to discuss traffic and parking problems.
2Jane Bellis, co-ordinator, reported on ”The Way Forward for 2010/11 Funding/Projects and Partner
Commitment”. The Board agreed that: The Sustainable Transport and Traffic Group lead on the development
of a cycle/walkway scheme to cover the whole of the AAP area; The Mobile Youth Provision Project be
included, and that the DERIC bus be used, subject to funding; A Working Group will be established to review
the Terms of Reference of the Funding Appraisal Group for the Small Grants Pot; A Performance
Management Working Group will develop a framework to monitor the performance of the Board and projects.
The Stray Aid charity are looking for support and explained that they deal with stray dogs throughout Co
Durham and hope to involve the probation service as dog walkers as well as re-housing dogs.
Forum meetings are a twice-yearly opportunity for residents and interested organisations to discuss options,
put forward their ideas about how their parts of the AAP area can be improved and to vote on priorities.
The next AAP Forum meeting will be in Bowburn Community Centre, on Wednesday 17 Nov, 3.00pm–8.00pm.
Book a place through Marie Ainscough on 0191-5274807, or marie.ainscough@durham.gov.uk
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 trustees’ suggestions of priorities for future plans from their meeting on 3 August were discussed.
The Key ranged from 1 ‘A strong need or easy to do’ to 3 ‘No wish for or difficult to do’.
The original matrix will be updated to show these additional suggestions:
Item B 10, Youth shelter – suggested in the grounds of the youth club.
Item D 14, Integrate new residents using a Welcome Pack – suggestion of possible funding from the builders.
Item D 15, Planning applications – check suitability for Bowburn.
Item D 16, Conservation Area – colliery rows plus allotments, there is a need to publicise this area.
4. Minutes of last General Meeting: 17 August 2010
The minutes of the August meeting were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: Item 3(ix) Flooding issues – See Item 3(vii) above.
Item 7, Cape site; Previous suggestions for signage will be given to Mr Woodcock (Esh Group). (Action Janet)
Item 7, Green and Playing Fields Unite; The Partnership interest has been expressed on the website.
5. Report - Trustees’ meeting on 7 September 2010:
The meeting added ideas to the ‘Future Plans for B&PCP’ to bring to the general meeting.
R Cowen led on the ‘Big Society’, and reported: Note – to date there is no legislation to implement the idea.
However the government is considering using dormant bank accounts to help finance the Big Society and the
Partnership may wish to take advantage of this funding with early applications for schemes we have identified.
The Open Source Planning is to give local communities more power in respect of planning decisions, which
fits in with the Partnership’s interest in a number of planning issues. And the Big Society may result in the
Partnership having a greater say. The Partnership is concerned about its future role, so it may be worth
placing ourselves in a position where we can take full advantage of the Big Society and associated Open
Source Planning as and when they arise.
7. Correspondence:
> The September issue of LINk was given out to members.
> NETPark, North East Technology Park, would like to invite everyone to an ‘Appliance of Science to Sport’
event on 23 September, 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Freeman’s Quay leisure centre in Durham City.
Register with Emma Bennett, NETPark Community Engagement Officer on 0191 3708692 or 07584 370 690.
8. Items of Any Other Business:
(i) Dentist
(ii) Donation
9. Treasurers update: The treasurer sent a report as follows:
Income of £15.82 tea/raffle in August; quiz receipts of £95 (£85 cash +£10 cheques).
County Council (Cllrs Plewes and Morgan, Neighbourhood Budgets; £1000, restricted funds, for street lighting
and footpath at Parkhill).
Funds: restricted £9431.68; unrestricted £2963.58; Total £12 395.26
Expenditure: £5000, received in May from the AAP, paid to Durham Police Authority for Speedwatch
equipment. The funds were held on behalf of other community partnerships etc and the equipment will not be
our own.
3Raffle Draw: The prize was won by K Haigh, with thanks to R Cowen for the prize.
Quiz: The quiz is “Singing” for fundraising at £1 per entry – closing date 15 October.
10. Reports and matters arising:
(i) Parish Council – The meeting was given a briefing by Leesa Bennison, Community Cohesion Officer. There
was little enthusiasm for the government’s proposal of direct election of police commissioners. There is to be a
meeting with the footpath officer concerning the position of Footpath 29 on the digitised map.
A member at this meeting expressed concerns about other paths which were not on the digitised map.
Next Parish Meetings: 20 October and 17 November in Bowburn Community Centre at 7pm. All are welcome.
(ii) Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – Keep under consideration.
(iii) Quarry Liaison Committee – The next meeting will be in December.
(iv) The 12 Villages – No report.
11. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: (Mike Syer) – The Heritage Open Day was very successful, attracting 53 banners and at least 300
visitors; it included our own banner and two fragments. The Centenary Banner is now in its own case after its
grand tour of Bowburn (churches and schools) during the Community Centre refurbishment.
It was said at this meeting that both the church and schools were pleased to house the banner.
> BVC: (Mike Syer) – The next Interchange should be at the printers this week and back for delivery next
week. Existing volunteer deliverers are thanked for past efforts and invited to join in again. New volunteers are
always welcome and a request was made for deliverers to the Cape site and Tail upon End Lane estate.
> Church: (Maureen Robinson) – Pointing is being done on the side window and roof. Planning permission has
been granted to erect a stone cross outside the church and iron railings around the grounds.
> Football Teams:
Bowburn Cooperage FC: (G Hutchinson) – Paul Carr is now assistant manager to Gary Parle with Gary
Hutchinson as secretary. The team is struggling; winning only 1 game from 4, but hopefully this will improve.
On a good note 3 players from the under 18s have played this season helping the team out and doing well, If
anyone is interested in playing they can contact the secretary on bowburnfc@aol.com. Home games are still at
Belmont which is not very good for recruiting players and hopefully we can get back to Bowburn a.s.a.p.
Bowburn Youth: (M Ridley) – Play is going well and membership of the Under 8s is increasing. All members
have been kitted out with a coat, hat and gloves for the winter. The Halloween Party is on 29 October.
Luke Ridley has been awarded Young Coach of the year.
> History: (M Bell) – Progress was made on preparing the new resource room, the former computer room,
which will be open to the public by the time of the Community Centre’s open evening on 12 November.
> Website: (G Hutchinson) – Total Members: 501 Total Posts: 1031 Total Topics: 131
89 members joined last month alone with 3662 hits in August which I am pleased about as my computer was
not working most of that time. There is an appeal for stories: news and views can be sent to
bowburnnews@aol.com also pool, snooker, bowls, darts and dominoes news as well as what’s on in the
village e.g. community centre, youth club, pubs and clubs.
12. Any Other Business: (i) Bowburn’s dentist is open for registration.
(ii) The Partnership has agreed at a previous meeting not to collect for donations.
13. Date and Time of Next Meeting on the third Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting is on 19 October 2010
Future meetings: 16 November, 21 December
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