GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 19 June 2012 from 6.30pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen (Chair), S Featherstone, J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, G Kitson, S Raine, S Thompson, S Walworth.
In Attendance: M Ridley,
1.Apologies for absence: J Anson, PC Cockburn, D Paget, M Robinson, J Sudder, S Sudder, M Syer, M Williams
2. Police: PCSO’s C Dunn and N Wilkinson gave an update on statistics since the last meeting.
Parkhill Nil; Cassop 2 Criminal damage; Bowburn 2 Burglary from unoccupied houses, 1 Attempted burglary, 6 Theft, 2 Criminal damage.
A member was concerned about the theft of cable from the street lights to Old Quarrington.
The PCSO’s explained that there is a team within the police force who are co-ordinating scrap metal thefts to cross-reference evidence that will lead to a conviction. It will take time, but with the help of the public, progress will be made – please call 101 to give information about such thefts or any other concerns.
An invite was given to the police to attend the Bowburn Fun Day on 8 September.
The PCSO’s left at 6.45pm, and were thanked for their attendance.
3. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
ai) Highways: Works to construct the Puffin Crossing at ‘Cape’ have been completed this week
A resident from the area said the crossing point is now the preferred safe place to cross and is being well used.
ii) Parkhill: The Residents’ Group held their AGM and all officers were re-elected; no meetings will be held in July or August; discussions took place about the proposed housing estate by Redscape linked to a Neighbourhood Plan, but the group were advised to wait until the County’s Local Plan was out for discussion.
iii) Community Centre: The new well-appointed male and female toilets have been constructed; the History Room has been handed over; the Toddler Group will use the room at the back of the stage.
The next Phase of refurbishment will consider a new entrance and frontage, upgrading the small kitchen, and new stage curtains. The next meeting for representatives will be 25 July.
iv) Youth Centre: The garden project is progressing; funding was gained to enlarge the gym; congratulations to Joanne Eden, our dedicated Area Youth Worker, on gaining a degree in Youth & Community and now training to become a qualified gym instructor so that the gym can be used in all sessions by both girls and boys.
v) Environment: > Lighting from Broadmeadows: The final phase to complete the lighting columns has been allocated the remaining funds from the Park project, but could gain funds from a housing development on the C12a.
When a planning application is submitted, it was agreed to consider a pre-planning condition that the developer installs the lighting along the C12a before building works start.
The possibility of the construction of a Primary School on this land would also be discussed alongside such a planning application.
> The Parkhill footpath has been constructed and the lights are connected.
> URRI: The Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative (URRI) has completed the paving scheme on Durham Road West from Hillcrest Guest House to the Methodist Chapel.
A missing litter bin should be replaced at the bus stand on Durham Rd. (Action Cllr Blakey)
> Highway litter: The layby at the junction of the Old Quarrington Road and the C12a appears to be littered with road construction debris e.g. kerbs, palettes and gravel. There is also a road sign tucked into the road name for Lansdowne Crescent that should be removed. (Action Cllr Blakey)
vi) Park Project: A request was made to contact Stephen Hawley at Durham County Council concerning a meeting about the maintenance of the football pitch. (Action Janet)
>Bungalow: A new fence has been put around the bungalow.
>The Bowls Group: No decision has been taken about playing on the green and the ground has not been cut.
vii) Regeneration Fund: The final balance of Regeneration monies has still to be calculated now that the signs have been fitted in the Park.
viii) Housing: Northumbrian Water continues to clear the main drains in Philip/Horton/David Avenues when necessary.
ix) Integrate new residents: All members had sight of the ‘Bowburn Village Information Leaflet’ ready for it going to print to new residents through Dunelm Homes, Durham Aged Miners Homes, Durham City Homes, Estate agents.
And to existing residents by leaving copies in the Community Centre and the Library.
It was agreed to update the leaflet when there was a change of councillors and to print sufficient for 12 months so that amendments can be accommodated easily.
3b) Future Masterplan/County Durham Plan/Big Society:
Gavin Scott, County Durham officer gave advice on future plans at the May meeting.
It was agreed that when County prepares the Local Plan, Bowburn needs take the opportunity to have a say in where specific sites should be located. (All)
Durham Green application is a re-submission and only the ecology report needs to be updated.
Mabey housing development is a re-submission after a time-lapse of 3 years.
4. Minutes:
i) Minutes of the General meeting, 17 April 2012, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising: 4b) Credit Union Bank The training for collectors started on 15 June and the collecting point opens to the public in the Community Centre on 22 June from 11am to noon. (Janet, Ken, Richard, Sylvia)
ii) The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 15 May at 6.30pm were agreed provisionally.
5. Trustees meeting: All items from the meeting on Tuesday 12 June were covered in this agenda.
6. Correspondence:
>Work has been on-going to produce an East Durham Rural Corridor AAP Facebook page. You can receive updates via this quick link – www.facebook.com/edrcaap
> Durham County Council Customer Service Call Centre ‘golden numbers’ have been standardised:
> Customer Services (03000 26 0000); Streetscene (03000 26 1000); Benefits (03000 26 2000); Council Tax (03000 26 4000); Recovery (03000 26 5000).
What you pay for 0300s: The same cost as a normal call; If your calls are free, it’s free; Included in your inclusive minutes on your mobile.
>Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE): Changes to Parking Enforcement could be introduced in either November 2012 or January 2013. The Council will be responsible for enforcing parking regulations instead of the police, and will be able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice of either £70 for a higher level offence eg parking on a yellow line. Or £50 for a lower level offence eg overstaying in a pay and display bay. The charge will be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days from the issue. An increase of 50% applies when a driver fails to pay or fails to unsuccessfully challenge a penalty. Contact 03000 263 589 for further information.
> Limestone Landscapes has gained funding to work on 25 projects in the Tyne-Tees area with some being in our local area eg grassland around Kelloe, Cassop school, Quarrington Hill quarry. For details visit www.limestonelandscapes.info
> Volunteering for All: If you are responsible for volunteers contact CAOS, Spennymoor 01388 811115
> Volunteers for the summer holidays: If your group requires volunteers over the holidays contact Steven Gascoigne now on 0191 384 4801 or durhamvb@btconnect.com
> "Sport and Physical Activity Awards 2012": Nominations can be made on the attached forms or via the County Durham Sport website http://www.countydurhamsport.com/events/award-scheme and the closing date is 31st August 2012. If you require any further information contact Tom Beales pn Thomas/beales@durham.gov.uk
> Fire Safety Training: Durham City District CVS are offering free fire safety training. Contact 0191 384 4801 or admin.cvs@btconnect.com
> Persimmon Homes are 40 and are giving away one of their homes up to the value of £250,000 in today’s market, plus 23 prizes of £6000 to put to their good causes. To entrer go to www.persimmonhomes.com/40
> Youth jobs, Training, and Education: Drop in session at Sherburn Community Centre 26 June 12 -3pm
> LINk news: Members had sight of Issue 12.
7. Items of Any Other Business: Park, Blue bin, Mary Terrace, 12 Villages
8. Treasurer’s Report:
> Expenditure – Computer room rental £150; Quiz prizewinners £20, £15, £10; lottery licence £20; Colour toner cartridges £254.46.
Trustees will hire Homeside, Marlene Avenue for the trustees’ meetings at £5 per hour.
Mr Boseley, who taught the IT courses, was given the remainder of the training monies amounting to £150.00
Income – Tea/Raffle monies £15 and £12.90 - £2 refreshments; Quiz monies £80.
The Partnership will accept dissolution funds from other groups - if purposes specified are compatible with the charitable purposes of the Partnership.
> Raffle prize: M Bell won the prize kindly given by S Walworth and re-donated by J Geyer.
> Quiz: The new quiz is ‘Round Objects’ for £1 with a closing date of 14 July.
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.
There are three projects from Bowburn which would like your votes. They are: a new entrance to the Community Centre, Project 4Bs to encourage pollinators into our area, and Youth Club provision for under 13 year olds.
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 following Board meeting – Wednesday 12 September at Cassop Community Centre.
ii) Parish Council: Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council Meeting, 16 May 2012 in Bowburn
The parish was informed about proposed traffic-calming measures at Tail-upon-End Lane by the County Council, including 3 sets of speed cushions and a chicane. The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council giving full support of the Parish to these measures
The 5 yearly inspection of headstones at the cemetery was due, last carried out in 2007 by Allisons of Bishop Auckland and it was proposed to ask the company to carry out the 2012 inspection
The Clerk had written to Bowburn and Coxhoe medical practices regarding improvements to their appointments systems as requested in the Parish Plane questionnaire. Both had replied that improvements were now in place, including advance booking of appointments and a late evening surgery.
Next meeting: 20 June in Cassop Community Centre at 7.00.
Litter Pick: Saturday 7 July meet at 9.30am in Bowburn Community Centre Car Park.
iii) Quarry Liaison: No meeting to report on.
10. Group Noticeboard:
>Banner: The ‘Edith Cavell’ drama discussions/rehearsals are held at the Youth Club on Saturday s from 10am to 12 noon for all the family. More adults would be welcomed.
>BVC: Interchange 63 has been delivered.
>Football Teams:
“Bowburn FC”: They did gain promotion.
“Bowburn Youth”: All Bowburn Youth teams had a great season; out of 8 teams 4 won their leagues and will be promoted next season. They are – U7s, U9s, U 12s, and U 14s.
The presentation night was well attended and enjoyed by all and everyone is looking forward to the new season.
“Youth Challenge Cup” will be held during the Coxhoe Fun Day at the opening on 23 June of Active Life (former Coxhoe sport’s centre)
>History: The Heritage Room should be in use from June.
>www.bowburn.net: Please keep providing information.
>Fun Day: This is being 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: Beautiful Durham floral competition – closing date for entries is 4 July with judging on 11 and 12 July. To enter contact Peter Lee on peter.lee@durham.gov.uk
11. Any Other Business: >The Park footpath has been flooded at the junction of the Junior School path and back of Broadmeadows – it was thought that this was happening in extreme weather.
>A Blue Bin has been delivered to 2 residents to replace a grey household waste bin. This is causing problems because the council will not empty this second blue bin on a ‘household rubbish’ collection day. (Action Cllr Blakey)
>Mary Terrace: The local councillors and Parish Council are to have the rose beds grassed over at the front of Mary Terrace and install planters in place of the existing bins.
Also a member felt that the grass cutting was poorly carried out.
>12 Villages will close and will be officially dissolved at their next meeting.
>Apology: Cllr Blakey apologised for the party political nature of the presentation for the post of Police Commissioner (held at the end of the meeting on 15 May) - it was expected to be about the role involved.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 17 July 2012 at 6.30pm. in Bowburn Community Centre.