GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 20 March 2012 from 6.30pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen (Chair), J Geyer, K Griffiths, S Johnson, G Kitson, S Raine, M Robinson, S Robinson, J Sudder, S Sudder, M Syer (left 7.10pm), S Thompson, S Walworth.
In Attendance: M Ridley, PC Cockburn
1.Apologies for absence: J Anson, K Haigh, D Paget, M Williams
2. Police: PC Bruce Cockburn presented the following information:
> Parkhill – 1 public order offence followed by an arrest; Cassop - Nil, Bowburn – 3 Burglaries, 4 Thefts with one arrest, 8 Criminal Damage 7 to vehicles - Bruce appealed to members to be aware of vandalism to cars and please report any incidents, 1 public order offence which was dealt with.
Youth nuisance has been reported behind the community centre and in David/Robert Terrace. The PCOs and Bruce are trying to clamp down on these incidents.
Members reported large groups of young people in the area of Philip Avenue who are intimidating, and groups of youths throw missiles at a property near to the park.
And more vandalism - the new fence to the bridle path has 3 rails missing.
3. Treasurer’s Report:
>Total funds amount to £23,473.74 with £20,608.56 being restricted funds for lighting, footpaths, and training.
Income - £200.00 from the local members.
Expenditure - £49.00 to J Blackburn for computer anti-virus protection.
> Raffle prize: K Griffiths won the prize donated by G Kitson.
> Quiz winners – The new quiz is titled ‘It’s a puzzle’ still costing only £1.
The 3 Streets Group presented the Partnership with a £50 ‘thank you’ for all the support given to their project.
4. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
i) Highways: Alternative speed calming measures for Tail-upon-End Lane to be considered. It was suggested that a weight restriction affecting only the W bridge on the C12a could be absolute but it could wrongly suggest that the bridge was weak. A weight restriction on the whole road would need an exception for access and this would need to be monitored to establish whether offences were being committed.
>There is increased traffic flow from the dentist onto the A177, which has a layby down its entire length so that parked cars obstruct the view from this and each exit from Durham Road West and Ash Terrace. Enquiries will be made to see if anything can be done about this. (Action Cllr Blakey and Janet)
>Works to construct the puffin crossing at ‘Cape’ should start in April 2012 because the necessary orders were not received by Highways Operations until 20 February 2012.
>The ’top’ path in the quarry should remain for about a year depending on planning permissions; the bottom path will be constructed from dolomite; there is a concern that the incline to Quarrington Hill will be very steep for cyclists who would probably have to dismount.
ii) Parkhill: Parkhill residents have bought a stone seat to go into the Garden of Remembrance.
iii) Community Centre: The centre is doing well as there are more daytime bookings.
Phase three of the refurbishment is out to tender, closing date 30 March. Work should start shortly afterwards.
The AGM will be held on 28 March when groups which are affiliated should send a representative.
There was a request to respect the disabled parking bay and only park there if you qualify – thank you.
iv) Youth Centre: The garden project’ [no apostrophe] application is awaiting a response. There has been a request for a youth club session from 11 and 12 year olds; at present only 13 year olds have funding for a qualified youth worker, but if a grant became available a session for the younger age group could begin in September.
v) Environment: > Lighting from Broadmeadows: The 5 columns will be lit once the lamp heads arrive.
It was pointed out that there could be housing on the land above the Junior School (Daisy Field) which should contribute to these lights - as it is unlikely that an estate could be built without lighting on the main road.
However a member said that the next phase of lighting should go ahead with the remaining Regeneration money but a request should be sought from the developers to finish the Broadmeadows project.
Another member was concerned that this was the only piece of Durham County Council land left in Bowburn where a primary school could be built, but if housing was approved we should push for some form of agreement to complete the lighting. (Action Janet)
> The Parkhill footpath has been constructed, but the lights are awaiting connection – either across the road or along the footpath.
> Three Streets: Work started on 6 February 2012 and is going well with a very efficient work team. Lansdowne Crescent road and path are finished apart from the top coat of tarmac. Neville/Grangepark needed broken drains repaired causing a delay, but the base coats of road tarmac will be laid by the end of this week.
> 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 will start before the end of March – the work team has been delayed on another project.
vi) Park Project:
The group is waiting for information about possible entrance gates.
There has been no update on the bungalow.
The Bowls Group are to decide on Monday as to how the £2500 should be spent as the season starts in May.
A member was concerned about the poor condition of the bowling green area, but there will be minimal maintenance because the Bowls Group have decided to play at Kelloe.
vii) Regeneration and viii) Housing: Northumbrian Water is to investigate the sewerage problem in Marlene Avenue. However NW have notified residents that surface water systems have had water connections incorrectly made to them, instead if the foul water drains. Such incorrect connections (washing machines, kitchen sinks, bathroom facilities) are polluting the local watercourse and are an offence.
Where they exist it is the property owner’s responsibility to put any wrong connections right.
At the time of this meeting there has been no meeting with NW and the local members.
ix) Integrate new residents: Members were given sight of a draft information leaflet for new residents.
b) Masterplan: A County Durham officer could be available to give advice about future plans. (Action Cllr Blakey)
5. Minutes:
Minutes of the General meeting, 21 February 2012, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising:
>Items 4 and 11 Arriva travel arrangements: A letter has been sent to Arriva regarding the lack of service to Dallymore Drive and the use of a smaller sized bus at peak times – no reply to-date.
6. Trustees meeting:
>It was felt that usage of the community building, Homeside, in Marlene Avenue must increase for the County Council to justify retaining the centre. The Council were looking to Charity Trusts to take over such buildings.
Local members are urging that the centre remains open and it was agreed to support their initiative with a letter to the County Council. (Action Janet)
There is a consultation about community centres re asset transfers in Bowburn on 23 March from 10am.
>With effect from 1 April Durham City Homes will introduce an hourly charge of £5 for all community halls owned and managed on behalf of the County Council – this will apply to Homeside in Marlene Avenue.
>In certain instances planning applications for housing can include ‘Amber land’, a category said to be unsuitable for development on the original SHLAA (Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment) plan.
The trustees suggested that the Partnership should keep a close eye on all such developments and make any appropriate suggestions or comments – which was agreed at this general meeting.
There is a meeting on Neighbourhood Plans on 28 March in Bowburn community centre.
>The Credit Union is in the process of recruiting volunteers to collect money from people in the Bowburn area wishing to save. An article will be published in the next Interchange, March/April.
Homeside in Marlene Avenue may be a collection point as well as the Community Centre.