GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 19 November 2013 from 6.30pm
Present: W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, R Cowen, K Griffiths, G Kitson, B Little, B Matthews, D Paget, C Parker, S Raine, A Richardson, T Slater, S Walworth
In Attendance: M Ridley
1.Apologies for absence: Cllr Blakey, D Chambers, J Chambers, PC Cockburn, J Geyer, K Haigh, Cllr Plews, M Syer, Cllr Williams
2i. Police: There was no report this month.
2ii. PACT meeting: 13 November
Parking problems on Durham Rd and at the Infant School were reported. The PCSO explained that a case must be made for double yellow lines. The schoolchildren are being involved in a ‘parking ticket’ campaign and the officer has agreed to take photographs of parking problems to collect evidence.
It was mentioned that we are considering an article in the Interchange - awaiting police comment. (Janet)
Neighbourhood Watch: The Safe Durham Partnership is keen to see the scheme grow. Parkhill have used this scheme successfully for some years and Bowburn could be divided into small manageable areas. It is free to join; The British Crime Survey shows fewer crimes are committed in active areas; Most household insurance providers offer a premium reduction. It provides a close link with the local policing team and support from the community liaison officer.
Voice Connect is a police messaging system which allows the police to send out voice messages and emails to homes to keep co-ordinators informed of relevant crime issues/offer impartial crime prevention advice.
For information contact Neil Langthorne on 01325 742755 or Email: neil.langthorne@durham.pnn.police.uk
2iii. Neighbourhood Wardens: Contact Wardens on 03000 26 1000. Report incidents of enviro-crime and anti-social behaviour by contacting the Council on 03000 26 0000, or via the websites for litter and dog fouling.
October report for the Durham area: Anti-social behaviour X50 received and investigated; Dog fouling X11; Littering X143; Failure to comply with litter clearing X1.
Covert cameras are in fly-tipping hot spot area alongside a campaign from 2nd to 20th December.
ASB teams worked with Mental Health Access to make referrals where there is no support in place; helped resolve a neighbourhood dispute; supported the Dog Trust to microchip dogs.
There is a Junior Neighbourhood Watch who liaise with schools.
3. Minutes: The minutes of 15 October were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: Tail-upon-End lane: The consultation to construct more speed humps ended on 18 November.
It was reported that 30mph signage painted on the carriageway will be unnecessary with the speed humps.
Park Hill: J Bellis reported that the lights on the park footpath are in operation on a timer
Yellow lines: See Item 2(ii) PACT.
Service 59: It is hoped that there will be a consultation for the 59 bus and councillors are checking this.
6B(v) Environment: Art work: Paul Armstrong –no report this month.
Benches in park: Enquire where the benches are stored. (Cllr Blakey)
Drainage: The last problem of flooding at the Youth Club occurred on 6 September.
(viii) Housing: The new lights in Horton Crescent have created black spots. No update. (Cllr Blakey)
4. Finances:
Income Parish grant of £100; Parish grant for Polka School of Dance of £100 (restricted funding)
Expenditure: Parish grant to Polka School of Dance £100 (restricted funding); Royal British Legion £20
Fun Day: Takings and donations will be paid into the restricted funds for Fun Day 2014.
Raffle prize: The prize was won by A Richardson and kindly donated by J Blackburn.
Quiz: Winners of the last quiz were 1st S Jones (Derby), 2nd D Balfour (Arbroath), 3rd E Mudd (Scarborough).
The new quiz at £1 for prizes of £20, £10, and £5 is ‘White Christmas’. Please support your Partnership
5. Item for Any Other Business: Garages, Mary Terrace, December meeting, MW Bridge.
6. Current Masterplan:
6A. Regeneration Fund: Project updates submitted by Julie Anson and Gillian Parvin:
Parkhill Play Equipment: DCC owns the land and maintains the existing equipment on this site. Currently Sport and Leisure Services cannot advise whether they will allow new equipment to be installed or take on future maintenance until they receive a decision from Cabinet regarding the fixed play report. We have therefore ring-fenced £3,600 towards this project until the agreement of new equipment and maintenance is confirmed.
DJ Evans Youth Club: Works complete and payment issued.
Improve Access To The Bus Stop Area At Romaine Square: Strategic Highways and Public Transport have agreed to provide additional funding towards the potential Bowburn and Parkhill Regeneration contribution of £3,000 for the proposed works at Romaine Square. New detailed design and estimates have been drawn up and circulated to the members at this meeting. The cost of the works will be approx. £11,500.
A new litter bin is to be installed at a cost of £320 and the Street Scene Team has agreed to maintain it, (a photo was circulated to members at this meeting). The location of the bin will be discussed with shop owners.
Bridleway Numbers 36 and 37 Drainage: A site visit was carried out by Gillian Parvin, Elaine Crow, Owen Shaw and Mike Syer on Friday 25 October. Vegetation has been cut back; choked ditches have been cleared; drainage installed, along with surface improvements to repair and compact the bridleways. The works have made a vast improvement to the bridleways and should have been completed by 15 November.
Positive comments from local walkers and nearby farmers have been received. A further visit will be made upon completion of the works and payment released in the coming weeks.
This meeting thanked Gillian and Julie for negotiating the extra funding for the Romaine Scheme which improves the look of the project, and praise was given for the choice of surface on the bridleways which does not dig into horses’ hooves.
At this meeting it was said that any remaining monies for a possible Community Chest would be calculated when all the previous projects are completed and payments issued.
6B. Reports
(i) Highways: 40 mph C12a: Enquiries were made by Cllr Blakey about a fluorescent backing to the 40mph sign at Heugh Hall Farm but she was told that there is adequate signage in that area.
Cemetery/Old Quarrington Road Resurfacing and Lighting: The Cemetery road lighting and kerbside repairs are still not done and may not be done because of DCC’s policy to reduce street lighting. To date efforts are still being made to complete this scheme.
Pot holes: Cllrs have reported pot holes in the Bowburn area and it was suggested that all residents should report pot holes on www.countydurham.gov.uk/HAL to build up evidence and have them repaired.
The potholes have now been filled along the entire road through Old Quarrington
Water run off onto the C12a has been reported by Cllr Blakey to DCC Highways but no action has been taken.
It was agreed to take photographs when water is running onto the C12a and continue to report the problem.
Cycle lane in Durham at Mount Joy: Local members have invited the University to investigate and the group agreed to request a re-design of the cycle lane and a reduction of the speed to 20mph in this area. (Janet)
Request to cut back the hedges along the path, parallel to the Old Quarrington Road.
ii) Parkhill: See Items 3 and 6A.
A tree to go in the park has been requested via the Tree Week fund. DCC was asked to cut back shrubs after which the residents’ group will maintain them. Clarence Villa pub/restaurant opens on Friday 22 November
iii) Community Centre:
An application to the AAP to refurbish the stage area goes to voting at Sedgefield secondary school on Saturday 23 November – please give them your support.
The Esh Group are donating a Christmas tree to be planted in the lawn at the front of the centre. It will be lit by the child who wins a competition through the schools. There are a few tickets left for the pantomime.
The PCP (Primary Care Partnership) are organising Soup and Sandwiches (£2) at 12 noon on Monday 25 Nov. and a Xmas lunch (£10) at 12 noon Monday 16 Dec – contact S Pinkney 07890 642689; Followed by a game of Kurling.
Check all the activities from the PCP which are getting the centre well used.
iv) Youth Centre:
Bowburn has youth provision from Monday to Thursday and the footballers on a Friday. Sessions are starting to pick up now the dark cold nights are here, and the gym is proving popular with the young people.
We have secured funding for new computers and chairs so the IT suite is starting to take shape and getting lots of use, with young people doing homework at the Centre.
v) Environment: Art work: The secretary will continue to liaise with Mr Paul Armstrong. (J Blackburn)
vii) Planning: None to comment on.
viii) Housing: None to comment on.
6C. County Durham Plan: County Durham Plan Consultation: Local Plan Pre Submission Draft
Thanks were given to R Cowen for researching this information. (R Cowen)
Last year, comments were made on the Preferred Options insofar as we believed it affected Bowburn.
The Pre Submission Draft for consultation is the next stage of the proceedings, which expires on 6 December.
The only scope for consultation is to say whether the Draft is lawful (followed correct procedures) or sound (justified, positively prepared, effective or consistent with national policy).
However there are many new provisions in this document which, if they affect Bowburn, we should be able to comment on as before. Relevant provisions for Bowburn that I have found are as follows:
>Provisions relating to Aykley Heads are largely unchanged.
Agreed to express concerns about this and whether the Plan is being positively prepared to relieve congestion in Durham and protect the Green Belt at Aykley Heads.
>Policy 4 now mentions 470 houses at Bowburn, however no further details are given as to where this should be and no site is shown for housing on the Proposals Map.
Agreed this needs to be clarified.
>Employment land at Cape site is now shown on the Proposals Map but is still not mentioned in Table 10 attached to Policy 23 (Employment Land).
Agreed this should be clarified, as Bowburn N & S Industrial Estates and Durham Green are mentioned.
>There is still no policy to safeguard Education land
>I believe Policy 20 (Green Infrastructure) does address our concerns
>Tursdale has a specific mention as a Specific Use Employment Site which is welcomed by members.
>Bowburn is identified as a Local Centre in retail terms and so should be local in nature and “not perform a wider retail function or become a retail destination in its own right”.
The amendment suggested in our letter has not been accepted and we can only comment on the above lines
(Note: Sedgefield is in the same category as Bowburn but Sainsbury’s has recently been approved there)
>A line is shown on the Proposals Map for the A177 and it is now mentioned in Policy 50 along with the Leamside Line
>Table 27 identifies Safeguarded Waste Sites. Within our area the following are identified
Old Quarrington Farm - Digester (permission now lapsed); Tursdale Industrial - Digester
Old Quarrington Quarry – Landfill; Tursdale Industrial - Metal Recycling ((Van Dalen)
Old Quarrington Quarry – Recycling; Tursdale Industrial - Transfer (Tonks)
In addition, Old Quarrington and Cold Knuckles Quarries are identified as “Safeguarded Mineral Sites” in recognition of the planning permission recently granted.
7.Correspondence:
Illegal tobacco has strong links to organised crime; people smuggling, distributing and selling it are involved in drug dealing, money laundering and other crime. More and more people are giving anonymous information about dealers in their area by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
International Day of Disabled People Evening Performance - 3 December 2013
Disability North in partnership with Sage Gateshead will hold an evening of performances by disabled people and inclusive groups from around the region featuring song, dance, music, drama and film. Tickets cost £10.
Mesothelioma Support Group – The chair and secretary met Tina Parry and Bill Lawrence because a recent press release in The Northern Echo described a case against Cape Universal concerning mesothelioma.
It has been suggested that local people, especially those who worked at or lived by the Cape factory, may like to be part of a group supporting those who could potentially be affected by this condition.
If you are interested please contact Tina Parry on 07970383747 or email t_parry@derwentside.org.uk"
A member at this meeting informed those who had worked at Cape that they may be able to register this fact, as a possible safeguard in the future, through the Cape website.
8. Reports and matters arising:
8(i) AAP: 23 November ‘It’s Up 2 U’: 10.00 – 2.00pm at Sedgefield Community College (the school)
4 votes are allocated to those who live, work, volunteer or study in the AAP area and are aged 10yrs or above.
Various activities will be going on including face painting; Village Hall Hop; selection of info stalls
>Vote on the AAP Priorities for next year.
>Take part in the Council’s Budget Consultation to shape where savings are made within DCC.
Parking is via the Butterwick Road entrance. Bus service Quarrington Hill Community Centre 9.40am & 11.40am, Kelloe Club 9.50am & 11.50am and Coxhoe Village Hall 10.00am & 12.00noon.
Return from Sedgefield Community College at 11.15 am and 2.00 pm.
ii) Parish Council: Meetings are 20 November in Bowburn, and 18 December in Cassop Community Centres.
Litter picks Saturday 7 December weather permitting – meet in Bowburn Community Centre Car Park, 9.30am.
iii) Quarry Liaison Committee 24 October: Members met the new people from Lafarge who are keen to cooperate with the public; discuss the upgrade of the paths; and encourage people to ring in with complaints.
9. Group Noticeboard:
BVC The next issue of the Interchange is out at the beginning of December. Volunteer deliverers welcome.
Quiz Night – The next quiz is on Friday 13 December in Bowburn Club lounge
Football:
Bowburn Athletic is starting to find their feet in the Adults League getting their first win 2 weeks ago beating Kelloe Davey Lamp 2 - 1. We are attracting players from all over the County. Next Season there could be an U18's Saturday team, an Adults and U21's teams on Sundays.
Bowburn FC has now joined with Bowburn Youth hopefully guaranteeing football for years to come.
The squad is almost at our limit and therefore we cannot sign on any more.
Bowburn Youth have gone from strength to strength with 125 children; all teams have new strips;
All teams are doing well in their divisions; We have a new website up and running. www.bowburnyouthfc.co.uk
Durham Times is going well but need more news from Bowburn - please email bowburnnews@aol.com with events, club fixtures etc.
Radio Frosty is still quiet although I’ve had a request to do a weekly show for Durham City AFC but hopefully we can improve the village leading up to Xmas.
Bowburn website is waiting for information but I will try to find out if we can change it.
Credit Union Bank: The collection point is open for banking and information on Fridays from 11am to 12 noon in Bowburn Community Centre, when new members can also join.
Fun Day: A meeting will be held in the New Year to evaluate the Fun Day. The takings will be paid into the Partnership who will be able to claim back the extra cost of the Climbing Wall.
History: The next meeting is on Thursday 20 November.
10. Any Other Business: Garages: Prefabricated DCC garages are to be demolished and those renting them are to be allocated an alternative. Local members will be contacted. (J Blackburn)
Mary Terrace: Cars have been seen driving across the grass in front of the houses. (J Blackburn)
December meeting: It was agreed to cancel the December meeting because of poor attendance in past years.
MW Bridge: Continue to report the water escaping from the ‘join’ in the MW Bridge on the C12a (J Blackburn)
11. Date- and Time of Next Meeting: 21 January 2014 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre
ACTIONABLE ITEMS
2(ii) Yellow lines liaise with PC Cockburn on an article in the Interchange. (J Blackburn, R Cowen)
3 Benches in the park Check where they are stored.
viii) Housing: The new lights in Horton Crescent have created black spots. (Cllr Blakey)
6B (i) Agreed to request a re-design of the cycle lane and a reduction of the speed to 20mph at Mountjoy.
6B v) Environment: Art work: The secretary will continue to liaise with Mr Paul Armstrong. (J Blackburn)
6C. County Durham Plan: County Durham Plan Consultation: Local Plan Pre Submission Draft. (R Cowen)
10. Any Other Business:
> Contact local members about the demolition of the prefabricated garages. (J Blackburn)
> Report that cars have been seen driving across the grass in front of Mary Terrace. (J Blackburn)
> Continue to report the water escaping from the ‘join’ in the MW Bridge on the C12. (J Blackburn)