GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 6.30pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey (Chair), K Griffiths, K Haigh, G Kitson, D Paget, S Raine, J Sudder, S Sudder, M Syer, S Thompson, S Walworth.
In Attendance: M Ridley
1.Apologies for absence: J Anson, PC Cockburn, R Cowen, J Geyer, M Williams
2. Police: PC Cockburn emailed the following information:
> Parkhill – Nil, Cassop - Nil, Bowburn - 4 Thefts, 2 Criminal Damage
In addition to this there has been an increase in diesel thefts from Bowburn Services resulting in 2 attempt thefts and 6 thefts from HGV’s parked up overnight.
There are ongoing enquiries and tactics in relation to these incidents to solve a problem which has been in existence on and off for some time.
3. Masterplan Updates – Project Leaders:
i) Highways: Alternative speed calming measures for Tail-upon-End Lane will be considered and they would go out to a second consultation. Consultations are out about a 40 mph speed limit on the C12a to the Heugh Hall Farm and members had the opportunity to see a plan of the extent of the 40mph limit.
Funding has been made available from the Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative (URRI) to complete the paving scheme on Durham Road West from Hillcrest Guest House to the Methodist Chapel.
The weight limit on the motorway bridge is on-going.
A member suggested that the weight limit should be on the length of road from the motorway bridge to Cassop Moor roundabout.
ii) Parkhill: No update
iii) Community Centre: The plans to refurbish the toilets are going through the tender process as per M Ridley’s architect’s drawings; they will be sent out as soon as the Health & Safety requirements are received. The remaining budget for this element is £76,293.00.
If any funds remain - the next stage would be to look to improve the frontage of the building, paving and access.
The heaters in the lounge are being replaced this week, and the new tables are in use. The centre is busy.
iv) Youth Centre: The garden project’ application is progressing. New funding has just become available which will enable space from the former shower room to be used to extend the gym.
A group of young people from the Prince’s Trust have decorated all areas of the centre apart from the main hall.
v) Environment: >Five lighting columns have been installed from the park along the C12a; two are on the opposite side of the road to light the bend. The lamp heads are on order.
> Parkhill lights on footpath have not as yet been connected.
>The 3 Streets project: In Lansdowne Crescent the kerbs are in place; the gullies have been dug in; a base coat of stone, base road tarmac and base tarmac has been laid. This week the footpath should be finished and, weather permitting, works should start on Grangepark Crescent in the week of 27 February.
>Charity Quiz: The 3 Streets are hosting a Fun Quiz Night, on 9 March in Crowtrees WMC at 7.30pm – charge £1 per team member. All proceeds will be donated to the Partnership.
vi) Park Project:
Two signs are being produced for the main entrances to the park which will include all the funders who have assisted in the Park’s regeneration.
Julie has prepared a draft press release regarding the Outdoor Gym which has been circulated for comments to all members involved in the Park project.
A member was worried about the safety of the Outdoor Gym when young children were near the equipment.
Another member reported that the end of the Broadmeadows path is very muddy and he thought that the area was going to be corrected.
These concerns will be passed onto the County Council who are responsible for the area.
The remaining budget from this scheme is £30 000 The signs above should cost £1658.00 which Julie already has budgeted for, but if there was an increase the £30,000 would decrease slightly.
Two gates are planned for the two main entrances – they would comply with current safety legislation.
The Play Area Regeneration Committee (P.A.R.C.), which campaigned to have Bowburn Play Park regenerated have asked the Partnership to hold an amount of £2500.00 on behalf of the Bowls’ Group until they decide how to spend this amount. P.A.R.C. have also donated £99.45 to the Partnership’s general running costs as a ‘thank you’ for all the help the Partnership has given to the P.A.R.C. over all the years it has taken to complete the project.
The Partnership were happy to hold the Bowls’ Group fund and especially grateful to receive the donation.
The remaining monies need to be re-allocated to other schemes in the Masterplan projects.
It was agreed to put the remaining monies towards the completion of the lighting scheme from Broadmeadows to Hallgarth Estate.
vii) Regeneration and viii) Housing: Northumbrian Water is to investigate the sewerage problem in Marlene Avenue.
ix) Integrate new residents: A list of ideas for services in Bowburn is being prepared in readiness for the information leaflet for new residents.
b) Masterplan: No further updates.
4. Minutes:
Minutes of the General meeting, 16 January 2012, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters Arising: Item 2 Credit Union - The Partnership and Community Association are to trial a collection point in Bowburn Community Centre for a Credit Union Bank.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer in Bowburn do need to become a member of the Credit Union and keep the membership 'live' by being a regular saver.
To be a saver/volunteer send the application form, available from Bowburn Community Centre, to their headquarters in 136 Edge Court, Gilesgate, DH1 2XG along with your £1 membership fee. Your evidence of identification would be returned to you OR you can go into the above office - call 0191 375 7677 for opening times.
The staff would fill in the ‘PROPOSER’ section. Please mark your envelope ‘FAO Mr Sid Rooke’.
Please let Janet Blackburn know if you are interested in becoming a volunteer on 0191 377 0653.
>Item 5 Cape crossing point – Construct of the puffin crossing should start in March 2012. (Cllr Blakey)
A member said that this crossing was vital as residents living on the ‘Cape’ site must cross the A177 twice if they travel by bus to and from Durham before 7pm – no buses stop at the Cape site or Dallymore Drive on the A177 during the day. The only service bus, the X1, travelling along the A177 does not stop at the Cape site.
5. Trustees meeting: There was no meeting in January.
Lawson Road Communal Centre is now closed, and meetings in February and March will be held at Marlene Avenue centre free of charge. However fees will be in operation from April - which would be difficult to fund.
The local members kindly offered to help with these extra payments.
6. Correspondence:
Army Presentation Team: Invite a representative to a reception and briefing at East Durham College, Peterlee Campus on Wednesday 14 March at 6.30pm.
7. Items of Any Other Business: Buses
8. Treasurer’s Report:
Restricted - £2500 has been received from PARC, see Item 3vi.
Unrestricted - £94.45 has been received from PARC, see Item 3vi.
£100 has been received on behalf of, and paid out to the Polka School of Dance; £38 affiliation fees has been paid to the Community Centre.
> Raffle prize: S Sudder won the prize donated by K Haigh.
> Quiz winners – The new quiz is titled ‘It’s a puzzle’ still costing only £1.
9. Reports and matters arising:
i) East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership: The AAP is to release grants of £300 to £3000. Applications go through a Participatory Budget process where successful applicants will promote their project to members of the AAP – to be followed by a vote. The criteria will include Activities for Children and Young People, Community Spirit and Aspirations/Support for the VCS, Employment and Job Prospects.
The next Board meeting is on 7 March at 5pm in Kelloe Primary School.
ii) Parish Council: The Parish proportion of the Council tax will stay at the same level as last year; there is no increase in allotment/garage rents or burial fees. The fee for a plaque on the wall in the Memorial Garden will be £50 for an indefinite period of time. The Parish is enquiring about the possibility of a weight restriction on the C12a through Bowburn and on Tail-upon End Lane. The Parish Plan is now complete except for dotting of I’s and crossing of t’s; and will be printed shortly; it will also be available on disc.
iii) County Durham Plan/Big Society for the area of benefit. No update.
iv) Quarry Liaison: There has not been a meeting. C Teasdale has been contacted about the bridlepaths but there was no update for this meeting.
10. Group Noticeboard:
>Banner: It is hoped that there will be an exciting Eve of Gala night drama project with young people on 13 July. The theme is Edith Cavell and the Pitman Painter who painted a banner before WW1.
You are invited to choose a route in Bowburn for the Gala day march on 14 July – see the next Interchange.
>BVC: The next Interchange is due out in March/April. Please submit your articles and adverts to Mike as soon as possible.
>Football Teams:
Bowburn FC is still doing well in the top four – with games in hand and all to play for. They are looking for an assistant secretary – please contact bowburnnews@aol.com if interested.
Bowburn Youth The U13s, U12s and U8s have all played extremely well this season. The mini soccer season starts 16 March.
Coxhoe Sport’s Centre 5 Aside: The Centre are looking for a new adult 5-aside league for a Monday night. Any teams interested contact bowburnnews@aol.com for more information, or call at the Sport’s Centre and speak to Melanie. Teams will be accepted on a ‘first come first served basis’.
>History: The group is excited about having a new Heritage Room.
>www.bowburn.net: A new computer has enabled updates to go on the site so we need your stories of birthdays, weddings, news, sport, offers – etc.
Fun Day: There is a possible Fun Day in June. There is a meeting on Thursday at the Youth Club which will look at - where, when, and what we can do. The group hope to set up a committee who would look at holding a Fun Day every year. We would be more than happy to listen to anyone interested in sponsoring the event or helping out.
Durham Times Correspondent: Gary Hutchinson is the new correspondent for the area and would like any news, events etc – contact bowburnnews@aol.com a week in advance of the Friday publication date.
11. Any Other Business: At peak times the service buses are full because the 55 has been taken out of service, and a small sized bus is used at these peak times.
It was agreed that the secretary should appeal to Arriva to increase the size of the buses throughout peak times – if the 55 is not going to be put back onto service. (Action Janet)
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 20 March 2012 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Future Meetings: 17 Apr, 15 May (AGM), 19 Jun, 17 Jul, 21 Aug, 18 Sep, 16 Oct, 20 Nov, 18 Dec