TRUSTEES’ meeting of Bowburn&PCP; Charity No 1112151.
TUESDAY 3 September 6.30pm. Homeside, Marlene Avenue
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, G. Kitson, S Raine, M Syer
1. Apologies: B Bates, K Haigh
2. a) Minutes of last Trustees’ meeting – 4 June 2013:
The minutes were agreed as a true record, and passed unanimously.
Matters Arising: > Item 3 Finance – M Ridley was informed of the offer of £210 towards an item of entertainment for the Fun Day.
Item 6(i) Project 5 – J Anson has made a site visit to assess BW36 and BW37.
Project 6 – A site visit was made to Romaine Square to assess the steps at the bus stop.
6(ii) – Park bungalow and top footpath – enquiries are still to be made.
6(iv) – Simon Longstaff addressed the Partnership meeting in July.
7 AOB – There is no outside litter bin near the pavilion at the football field but when a match is played the organisers clear up afterwards. No request has been made for a bin because the last one was burnt out.
3. Finance:
Income: The treasurer presented an updated set of accounts to 3 September 2013, which was duly noted.
Donation to Fun Day: >It was agreed to ask that the donation of £210 went towards some kind of attraction for the Fun Day entertainment, and the payment of £5.00 for a stall would be paid when required. (J Blackburn)
>The required road repairs have been done on the hill on the road to Old Quarrington but the rest of the road is not repaired and no cables and lights have been renewed on the cemetery or Old Quarrington road and the lighting monies would only be paid when all the work was complete.
>An independent auditor would be appointed at the end of March 2013.
>It was agreed to pay an hour’s room hire in Homeside for a bi-monthly meeting of the Highways sub-group.
>A lost cheque from the Community Centre for PAT testing has been cancelled and will be re-issued.
>Prize-givers: September:– Bill Bates, October:– Mal Bell, November:– Janet Blackburn
4. Correspondence: None
5. Policies: It is possible that the CVS could be an arbiter for the Appeals process.
Trustees agreed to review the constitution as a matter of good practice and recommend any changes if it was felt essential. (ALL)
6. Future Plans for Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership
(i) MASTERPLAN:
Parish Plan update 3 September 2013:
> Sport, leisure and recreation: Funding for the play equipment at Tursdale has been received from County Cllrs Blakey and Williams. The equipment has been installed and the contractor has been paid £4870.
> Shopping, employment and the economy: The Clerk to Parish and council officers discussed the merits of seeking the Listing as Community Assets of Value for Bowburn and Cassop PO buildings. The Parish had been advised by DCC that this was not the most practical route to safeguard the existing PO services in Bowburn and Cassop as it would allow the Parish to acquire the existing buildings but not the existing franchises. The cheapest purchase of a Post Office/Shop joint franchise costs a minimum of £50,000.
> Education & training: The local Infant, Junior and Primary Schools in the Parish have been contacted seeking information about their Anti-Bullying Policy and project costs incurred. Responses have been received from Bowburn Infant & Nursery School and the Junior School. Financial contributions of £250 have been sent to each of these schools towards the cost of Anti-Bullying Policies and Projects. Notes have also received from Cllr Chambers about various schools' treatment of bullying incidents on school transport.
> Influencing services and community decision making: Copies of the latest monthly meeting agendas are sent to all serving parish Cllrs, the local MP, local county councillors, chairperson of Parkhill Residents' Association, public reps on the Area Action Partnership Board, the AAP Co-ordinator and Support Officer.
Discussions are taking place between Parish Councillors, Local Schools & Colleges and British Telecom seeking means by which free or low cost modernisation of the Parish Council's Website can be achieved.
The DCC's free website modernisation programme for local councils was withdrawn at the end of 2012, however the clerk has no knowledge of any correspondence about this venture from the County Council.
At this meeting it was noted that an investigation into acquiring the PO’s was a precautionary measure only.
> At this meeting it was agreed to complete the consultation into Coxhoe PO re-locating into the LONDIS shop in the Avenue at Coxhoe because Coxhoe post office does have an effect on the residents of Bowburn. Members were encouraged to complete the questionnaire individually. (J Blackburn)
It was noted that the opening hours of a Post Office in the LONDIS shop would be extended but there is no designated parking on the Avenue.
>Masterplan priorities: Artwork – Paul Armstrong, Esh Developments, intended to carry out a public consultation for the construction of a coal seam column on the land on the A1M side of Bowburn prior to making a planning submission. After some investigation he is disappointed to report that there may be insurmountable constraints and costs to carrying out the project as it would require approvals from the Highways Authority which may be unlikely as the column could require significant reinforcements.
In addition the original outline planning approval for the former CAPE site had a condition of lane widening linked to the development of the ‘Durham Green’ development which could hinder the artwork construction.
Paul has asked the Partnership to think about an alternative Percent for Art option considering if the best option would be to propose something on the CAPE site itself although he is aware that the artwork, if sited here, would not be enjoyed by the whole village.
He has contacted Colin Rose, the artist, who may be able to add to a proposal in the POS in the centre of the former CAPE site along similar themes as the column and the mining history of the village.
Paul was sorry to have disappointed everyone with the coal seam column scheme not coming to fruition.
After some discussion trustees did not wish to have any Percent for Art option positioned in the CAPE site, and agreed that Paul Armstrong:
Asks the Highways Authority for a detailed response to siting the proposed column at the A1M site.
Costs the project with a view to a favourable response being received from the Highways Authority.
Positions the column at the filling station, if the A1M site proves to be impossible. (Janet)
>Regeneration Funds
Project 1 Parkhill play equipment: The application is being reviewed; match funding comes from the AAP It’s Up2U fund in November and the Parkhill Residents’ Association.
Project 5 Drainage of footpaths 36 and 37: The Parish has applied for this project supported by matched funding from the Partnership via the Regeneration Fund and the Parish Paths fund.
Julie Anson has agreed to be a referee for the project.
Project 6 Improve access to bus stop at Romaine Square: J Anson is leading on this project, but has not received any suitable plans as yet. It was agreed to ask to see any proposed plans in the future. (Janet)
>Green space update: No update.
>Park benches: After considering moving the picnic benches from the Sensory Garden it was agreed to put to the Partnership members a proposal that the benches should be removed from the park and offered to the Youth Club which has an enclosed area to discourage anti-social behaviour.
(ii) STREET LIGHTING/FOOTPATHS: It was agreed to contact Wilf Newell, street lighting manager DCC, concerning the two lighting columns on the C12a. It was noted that the Partnership had agreed to light the road from Broadmeadows to Bowburn Hall knowing that there could be a housing development on the daisy field, and that the project had cost far less than expected. (Cllr Blakey, J Blackburn)
(iii) PUBLICISE FUNDING: The final time/date for applications to the AAP Participatory Budget is now 12 noon 13 September.
(iv) FLOODING: John Reed, Head of Technical Services DCC, declined to answer the following question, “Where does the County believe legal responsibility lies with flooding issues? Now that they are the Lead Flood Authority - if there is a flooding problem resulting from, say, a planning decision and negligence can be established - would it be appropriate to sue the Council even if they relied on advice from say, NWL?”
J Reed advised that DCC cannot provide legal advice to the Partnership. However he would be pleased to clarify the responsibilities of all parties relating to flood risk management and sent a copy of the Environment Agency guide “Living on the Edge” for information.
The meeting was informed that Fastflow have, once again, been clearing the drains in Philip Avenue.
7. Items of Other Business:
Lamp posts – see item 6(ii) above.
8. Next meeting:
3 December 2013 in Homeside from 6.30pm to 7.30pm