GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 17 April 2012 from 6.30pm
Present: J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen (Chair), S Featherstone, K Griffiths, K Haigh, D Paget, S Raine, M Robinson, J Sudder, S Sudder, S Walworth.
In Attendance: M Ridley, M Williams
1.Apologies for absence: J Anson, B Bates, M Bell, PC Cockburn, J Geyer, G Kitson, S Robinson, M Syer
2. Police: PH 0; Cassop 0; Bowburn 2 Burglary, 4 Theft, 4 Criminal Damage, 2 Bilking – driving off and not paying for petrol. At the moment anti-social behaviour is at a low level.
Yet more vandalism – a gate has been removed from the permissive bridleway opened by Tarmac.
3. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
ai) Highways: Puffin Crossing: Works to construct the puffin crossing at ‘Cape’ should start this week.
The cycleway has been treated for weeds – the new weedkiller is weaker than those previously used.
The Limestone Linx opening event is postponed because the newt assessment is not complete.
ii) Parkhill: There was no report at this meeting.
iii) Community Centre: Phase three of the refurbishment started this week. The new male and female toilets are being constructed – at present men will use the small toilets opposite the main men’s toilet.
At the AGM it was agreed to hold meetings for representatives every two months, the next one will be 23 May.
iv) Youth Centre: The garden project has gained its funding; a meeting on Wednesday will plan the work.
v) Environment: > Lighting from Broadmeadows: The 5 columns have been lit and this completes this phase.
> The Parkhill footpath has been constructed, but the lights still await connection. (Action Janet)
> Three Streets: The roadworks were finished before the Easter holiday; the lamp heads and minor repairs were done this week. The residents are very happy with the result and have every praise for the 2 machine drivers from Butterfield and the 4 workmen from the County Council. Cllrs will pass on the praise to DCC.
> URRI: The Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative (URRI) to complete the paving scheme on Durham Road West from Hillcrest Guest House to the Methodist Chapel has started.
vi) Park Project: A member of the PARC group asked the meeting about their thoughts on the proposed new gates to the Park and everyone had an opportunity to see a photograph of possible gates.
After some discussion about: the uncertainty about the suitability of design for new style buggies; the openness of the Park; gates being unnecessary because cars don't have access via the allotments, and cannot travel down the Junior School path; local users no longer ask for the 'gates' to be replaced.
It was agreed not to replace the two gates to the park.
Members were made aware that the money would not be available at a later date as the remaining monies from the Park were agreed to provide more lights on the 'Broadmeadows' road.
Julie Anson will be informed of the decision. (Action Janet)
>Bungalow: A member had spoken to a representative from the Council in the park, who was not aware of the Partnership’s decision to recommend that the bungalow be demolished. (Action Janet)
It was thought that CISWO wanted the bungalow repaired. A new fence will be put up around the bungalow.
>The Bowls Group will be given a cost of bringing the green up to standard – they will then decide what to do.
The £2500 external grant will be held by the Partnership on behalf of the Bowls Group until a decision is made.
vii) Regeneration and viii) Housing: Cllr Jan Blakey took no part in this item
Members were informed of the planning application to remove condition 12 of the planning application, for the former Cape site, relating to the provision of 30% affordable housing.
Dunelm Homes find it is no longer viable to allocate 30% of the possible number of houses on The Grange, former Cape site, to affordable housing. There are 59 units constructed for social housing, all for rent, equal to 20% of 293 possible units, and Dunelm Homes want to stop at that number.
To offset this there would be a legal agreement to put £150,000 into social housing for offsite provision, of up to 4 units. This would take the possible total to 21% of 293.
This application would probably go to the Planning Committee Tuesday 12 June.
A discussion took place with these comments: There is a need for social housing; Opposed to the developer agreeing to conditions to win an appeal - then trying to get them changed once the site is underway.
It was agreed to send our concerns about reducing the 30% condition. (Action Richard/Janet)
ix) Integrate new residents: The information leaflet is ongoing.
3b) and 9iii) Masterplan and County Durham Plan:
Gavin Scott, County Durham officer, would be available to give advice on future plans at the May meeting.
The Bowburn Masterplan, the Parish Plan, and County Durham Plan need to be taken into consideration to know what the future plans are for our area – there are some possible large developments e.g. Durham Green, Parkhill housing, Rail/Freight terminal, Supermarket, and the Western Highway, and whether these are being considered by the Council.
A representative of the Parish suggested that each part of the parish should come together to form a committee with Parish Councillors, who should take the lead, to feed information into a future Plan.
It was also proposed that information was needed from the County Council to make an informed decision.
It was agreed that we hold the AGM in May; suspend the following general meeting and have a special meeting on future plans
It was agreed to invite Gavin Scott to the May meeting for information on future plans in our area.
(At the Parish Council meeting it was agreed to hold a joint meeting with other groups in the Parish to discuss future plans for Bowburn and make use of the booking with Gavin Scott on 15 May at 7pm in Bowburn Community Centre.)
4. Minutes:
i) Minutes of the General meeting, 20 March 2012, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising:
>Items 4a(v) Durham Villages Regeneration were testing the land above the Junior School - for housing.
4b) See Item 3b above.
>Item 6 Credit Union Bank There are 2 confirmed volunteers and possibly 5 potential volunteers.
Arrangements will be made to start the training and open a collection point in the Community Centre. (Janet)
ii) Annual General Meeting: 15 May at 6.30pm. Nomination forms for officers and trustees were distributed.
Would all groups please send a report of their activities throughout the year May 2011 to April 2012 – to Janet.
5. Trustees meeting: The next meeting is at Homeside in Marlene Avenue on Tuesday 12 June at 6.30pm.
6. Correspondence:
>Arriva: Apologies were given for any disappointment or inconvenience caused. Arriva are looking into the County Durham network and will add our request to the process (allow the X1 service to stop at Dallymore if the services 56 and 57 are not re-routed past Dallymore during Monday through to Saturday).
>Simon Day (Section Manager Network Planning County Council): He has been in discussion with Arriva about more buses serving the stops on the main road through Bowburn. Arriva are undertaking a review and Simon thinks that this may result in buses serving these stops, Monday to Saturday daytime.
Inadequate capacity in the morning rush hour – smaller buses need to serve Quarrington Hill since the route has been revised. Arriva do not believe there is a problem of leaving passengers behind but are investigating.
The County will do a survey to monitor the situation, but there may not be conclusive evidence as the problem may not happen every day and the sample will be relatively small.
So it would be very helpful to have feedback from the community about any specific incidents when passengers are left behind to supplement our own observations. It is most helpful if any reports can give details of: I) what happened ii) where the problem occurred iii) the date, the time and the service involved
As that will enable us to establish the nature and scale of the problem.
Please send your information to passengertransport@durham.gov.uk OR phone 0191 373 5373
>Fundraising online: For registered charities or organisations with charitable aims and objectives.
Course - in Bowburn Community Centre on 27 April at 2.00pm. Contact 0191 378 6352 localgiving@cdcf.org.uk
>Funders’ Fayre: Tuesday 22 May in Bowburn Community Centre 10.00am to 3.00pm with County Durham Foundation, Lloyds, TB Foundation, Sherburn House Charity, Big lottery fund, Greggs Foundation, Sir James Knott Trust. Each funder will give a presentation; a one-to-one appointment is available through the CVS on 0191 384 4801. During the above event at 11.40am the CVS will hold its AGM.
>Courses through CVS – Handling People & Objects, Dementia, Risk Assessment, Emergency First Aid.
>“Take on the Tyne” with Disability North’s Paddle Sport Challenge: Disability North is looking for teams of 10 to compete in a paddle sport race down the River Tyne, to help raise money for Disability North on 20 May.
Registration is £10 per person and we ask you raise a minimum of £500 sponsorship per team - no experience is necessary. To register for the event and a booking form: contact Clare Savory on 0191 284 0480
7. Items of Any Other Business: Shopmobility
8. Treasurer’s Report:
> Income £50 from 3 Streets + £13.08 tea & raffle on 20/03/12, less £1 refreshments costs.
> Raffle prize: J Sudder won the prize donated by S Raine.
> Quiz winners: First - R Reeves (Derby); Second - N Janes (Derby); Third - E Mudd (Scarborough)
9. Reports and matters arising:
i) East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership:
Participatory Budget event, 21 July, will run to the following times:-
9:30am to 1:30pm Registration; 10am until 2pm Voting; 3pm Announce results.
2pm - 3pm Buffet for Staff, Volunteers and Stall Holders who have been publicising their project.
Other activities such as sports with AAP funded apprentices, Tidy Ted litter pick, planting marigolds (official flower of the Olympics); promotion of other AAP projects will take place throughout the day.
Date and time of next meetings – Wednesday 18 April at ‘livin’ offices at Spennymoor; then 13 June 2012.
ii) Parish Council: Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council Meeting, 21.03.12 at Bowburn.
Plaques were presented to Parish winners in the “Beautiful Durham” competition 2011: 4 plaques were presented to individuals + 1 certificate to Cassop as runner-up in Best Small Village.
The County Council has agreed to conduct a survey on some roads in the Bowburn area following the Parish Council’s request for weight restrictions on certain routes. (Tail-upon-End Lane included)
Discussion re a request for the Parish’s views on Footpath 29 was deferred to a special meeting on 4 April. At this meeting the Council decided to support an application made to add the footpath along the former railway line which joins Bridleway 39 to the definitive map, but to make no judgement about the proposed deletion of FP29, owing to conflicting evidence, and to leave the decision to the County Footpaths Officer.
Next meeting: 18 April at Bowburn Community Centre. The Annual meeting of Parish Electors will be held at 7.00, followed by the normal monthly meeting.
Litter Pick: Saturday 12 May meet at 9.30am in Bowburn Community Centre Car Park.
iii) County Durham Plan/Big Society: See Item 4b.
iv) Quarry Liaison: No update
10. Group Noticeboard:
>Banner: The ‘Edith Cavell’ drama workshop will be held on 21 April from 10am to 12 noon for all the family.
>BVC: Interchange 62 has been delivered. The AGM will be held on 30 April at 3pm in the Youth Club.
>Football Teams:
Bowburn FC: Finished third in the league and will be promoted.
There is now a Bowburn FC radio station on internet with visitors from America to Australia..
Bowburn Youth: U16 are bottom of the league and will move to Coxhoe after losing their coach; U13 won their league; U12 could finish top of their league; U11 have had a good cup run; U10 are playing reasonably well; U9 are looking to win their league; U8 are moving up the league; U7 have played brilliantly; U5 are training.
>History: The Heritage Room should be in use from June.
>www.bowburn.net: Wanted - more information.
>Fun Day: The next meeting is 2 May, 7pm in the Youth Club. The Fun Day could be held on 8 September with a table top sale at £5 per table. Please let Gary know if you want to book a space on bowburnnews@aol.com
>Durham Times Correspondent: Send information and stories, which will also go on Bowburn radio.
>Other Announcements: Richard Cowen has agreed to do the Three Peaks in Yorkshire (Pen-y-gent, Whernside and Ingleborough, a distance of 23 miles) in July to raise money for the Red Cross.
11. Any Other Business: Shopmobility allow all members who pay £5 subscription to access their excursions.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 15 May 2012 AGM at 6.30pm followed by planning for your area at 7pm.
The next General Meeting is Tuesday 19 June at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Future Meetings: 17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October, 20 November, 18 December