GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 20 December 2011 from 6.30pm
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, S Colquhoun, R Cowen (Chair), K Griffiths, K Haigh, D Hindshaw,
J Kane, G Kitson, S Raine, W Rumney, J Sudder, S Sudder, S Thompson R Walsh, S Walworth.
In Attendance: M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, B Bates, PC Cockburn, M Robinson, S Robinson, M Syer, M Williams
2. Police: PC Cockburn emailed the following information for the last five weeks:
Parkhill – Nil; Cassop - 1 Burglary at Dene House Farm, 1 Attempted Burglary at an outbuilding in Dene View;
Bowburn - 4 Burglaries, 2 Criminal Damage, 13 Thefts
The information shows an increase in theft quite substantially over the longer period. These thefts are all
assorted relating to diesel, number plates, exhaust systems and lead.
3. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
i) Highways: The consultation process for the speed calming measures on Tail-upon-End Lane has shown 20
objectors and will go in front of the Highways Committee – a representative can speak at the meeting.
Members who had attended the AAP Forum added the Western Relief Road/Business Link into the list of
priorities.
The Wheels to Work section to Bowburn Community Centre and then to Bowburn North Industrial Estate is
now finished, and the railings are almost complete at the Infant School. The final section takes place on the
footpath to the PO and then moves onto the carriageway afterwards.
Both Speedwatch Units are based with the Sedgefield force. A final report has been submitted to the council to
account for the funding from the AAP. The Parkhill footpath has been designed and ordered, but there is no
construction date.
The blocked footpath from Horton Crescent to Prince Charles Crescent has been re-opened.
Several objections were received by the council about the above footpath and Haslam Homes are not going to
appeal to have it closed.
1At this meeting it was said that the new tarmac on the widened footpath at the Infant School is very slippy
when icy, and needs attention. (Cllr Blakey)
ii) Parkhill: See footpath report above.
iii) Community Centre: An architect is working on plans for the next phase to refurbish the toilets. New tables
have been delivered and a donation will be asked for the old tables. The grills have been fitted to the windows
at the back of the centre.
iv) Youth Centre: The next meeting is on 11 January when all are welcome to attend.
v) Environment: After discussions in the council the Mabey Road lighting scheme will not go ahead. The
monies allocated to this scheme go back into other environment projects.
The 3 Streets scheme required further funding and the members present were asked to allocate monies from
the environment pot to complete this project. After discussion about the residents’ contributions and the
necessity of the scheme to improve the road and enhance this part of the village it was agreed to allocate
£16,800 to the 3 Streets.
vi) Park Project: The scheme is finished and future maintenance will be done by the council. The bungalow is
also being managed by the council. The soakaway is coping with surplus water from the football pitch and also
water running off the C12a road.
vii) Regeneration: Dave Wilcox, Durham County Council, will meet with Northumbrian Water at Marlene
Avenue in the New Year to discuss the problem of flooding in that area. (Cllr Blakey)
viii) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP: Area Action Partnerships Inaugural event showed a willingness to
improve learning between the 14 AAPs. Suggestions for the second annual event would be welcome, also any
thoughts on the question “What will ensure you continue to be involved in your AAP and what will encourage
others to take part”– contact Gordon.elliott@durham.gov.uk
The next Board meeting is on 11 January at 5pm in Trimdon Station.
ix) Future Plans for the Partnership:
Masterplan: It was felt that there was a need for guidance from the council as to the level of Masterplan
required for Bowburn. The secretary has made contact with the chair and clerk of the parish council and there
was a good response to discuss this matter at the parish meeting on 16 December.
Housing:
> Update Open Space plan and protecting open spaces could be considered in a consultation process.
> Response to Planning Applications/Housing Allowance through SHLAA: Notified of the change of use of the
communal building in Lawson Road to a bungalow.
>Integrate new residents: A leaflet would be produced in the New Year.
4. Minutes:
Minutes of the General meeting, 15 November 2011, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising: Cape crossing point – It was asked if there has been an application to work on the road to
construct the puffin crossing in January 2012. (Cllr Blakey)
Item 4 - Brian Stevens is aware of the tipping by Service Direct in the lay-by on Sherburn Road and has asked
that department to clear the lay-by if the soil is not needed for another project. (Cllr Blakey)
Item 6 - Sid Rooke representing the Credit Union service will give information on setting up a scheme at the
beginning of the meeting on 17 January.
Item 7 - Unfortunately the link would not open for the Mabey plans.
Item 11 - The highway engineers are to look at the road in Robson Crescent with a view to parking spaces.
5. Trustees meeting 4 October 2011: Matters arising have been dealt with in this meeting.
6. Correspondence:
2> CVS has made available: A directory of voluntary and community organisations; The Durham City
newsletter; business support services – mail outs, printing/photocopying, examination of accounts,
bookkeeping programme; Training; CRB checks. Contact 09191 384 4801 or admin.cvs@btconnect.com for
details.
> Planning permission was agreed, subject to conditions, for secondary aggregate recycling facility at Old
Quarrington Quarry.
The decision notice can be viewed on http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/dcs/SearchMain.asp
7. Items of Any Other Business:
Photoshop course
8. Treasurer’s Report:
Restricted - £756 tuition from New College for the IT course;
Unrestricted - £35 quiz prizes; £48 room hire
Income - £10.05 Tea/Raffle; £100 parish council
> Raffle prize: D Hindshaw won the prize donated by R Cowen.
> New quiz - ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ with drink related answers. The closing date for entries is 14 January.
9. Reports and matters arising:
i) Parish Council: Discussion took place about the recommendations of the Boundary Commission to put the
former Cape site into the Coxhoe Ward which would mean that the ‘site’ would also move into the parish of
Cassop cum Quarrington, because it is not usual for parish wards to be split ie Shincliffe where the Cape site
lies at present.
The community building in Lawson Road will close and be converted back into a residential bungalow.
At the meeting of the parish council on Wednesday 21 December parish councillors will discuss the charges,
to the public, for plaques in the Memorial Garden.
The first meeting in the New Year is on 18 January 2012 in Bowburn Community Centre.
ii) The County Durham Plan re Localism: The NALC and CPRE event in Bowburn Community Centre
regarding neighbourhood plans under the Localism Bill and draft NPPF encouraged local involvement about
what is needed to be done as far as planning in the area with the help and co-operation of the county council.
There was a reminder that we ‘Can’t plan for less, but can plan for more’. It is assumed that the parish council
would be the lead body.
iii) Quarry Liaison: A meeting took place on 7 December which, amongst other items, discussed the bridleway.
The ‘bottom’ and ‘top’ paths have been closed in turn whilst work is taking place.
10. Group Noticeboard:
>Banner: The AGM took place on 21 November.
>BVC: The December Interchange has been distributed - enjoy.
The resident who may have been added to the memorial is commemorated on a war memorial in
Middlesbrough.
>Football Teams: Bowburn Youth – The Xmas party was well supported by all children from the village.
The teams are doing well with a membership of over 100.
>History: The Bowburn calendar produced by the group is on sale for £3.00
>Website: No report.
11. Any Other Business:
The Photoshop course starts on 11 January from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, please contact Ian Boseley on
ianboseley@hotmail.com - details are in the new December Interchange.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 16 January 2012 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Future Meetings: 21 Feb, 20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May, 19 Jun, 17 Jul, 21 Aug, 18 Sep, 16 Oct, 20 Nov, 18 Dec
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