18 February 2014

GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151

Tuesday 18 February 2014 from 6.30pm

Present:        M Bell, J Blackburn, Cllr Blakey, R Cowen, K Griffiths, G Kitson, D Paget, F Salisbury, S Walworth

In Attendance: M Ridley 

1.Apologies for absence: PC Cockburn, D Chambers, K Haigh, Cllr Plews, M Syer, Cllr Williams

2i. Police: PC Cockburn contacted the secretary with the following crime statistics for 15/01/2014 – 16/02/2014

PARKHILL – A common assault with 1 person arrested: CASSOP – 1 Theft of plant machinery. 

BOWBURN – 1 Robbery in Bede Terr; Arson in Durham Rd West 1 person arrested; Shed burglary in Marlene Ave:

5 Theft - 3 diesel theft, bottle of wine from Co-op, sat-nav and case from vehicle at Bowburn Hall Hotel; 2 Damage

PC Cockburn reported that the police have been to the children’s home in Durham Road West a few times recently but it is not always to deal with incidents. There are times when the police pop in just to build up a rapport with staff and residents. As they get some children in there who are rather challenging - on occasions the staff need our help. He has no concerns as to the staffing and incidents in this home.

Cllr Blakey is gathering information about any planning permission if it were needed.                             (Cllr Blakey)

2ii. PACT meeting:

The meetings for 2014 are – 5 March, 14 May, 9 July, 17 Sep, and 12 Nov: 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre.

2iii. Neighbourhood Wardens:

The Public Rights of Way Team is to install a bollard in the footpath opposite the Community Centre to deter vehicles.

The following is this month’s reports on the county investigations:

Dog fouling: 21 reports of dog fouling investigated; 1 fixed penalty notice issued; 10 stray dogs removed.

Free dog micro-chip: The service will take place in Bowburn Community Centre on 25 February from 10am to 2pm.

Littering: 3 reports investigated; 21 fixed penalty notices issued.

Fly-tipping: 132 incidents of fly-tipping were reported. 59 investigations were carried out into these incidents.

3 household duty of care letters were issued and 4 business duty of care letters.

Untidy yards and gardens: No advisory letters or litter clearing notices issued.

Antisocial behaviour: Wardens dealt with 14 incidents of ASB reported directly by members of the public, and 19 incidents which were passed via the Police Airwaves system.

3. Minutes: The minutes of 21 January were approved as a true record and agreed by members.

Matters arising:

> Julie Anson was thanked for assisting in the transfer the remaining grant to the Partnership account.

> Review the Masterplan for Bowburn, commissioned by Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC), to show the achievements of the Partnership.  Ongoing for March meeting.                                                                   (Janet)

>Concerns about hedges on the Junior School land overhanging a member’s property needs further inspection and possibly a representation to the Councils draft Tree Management Policy (RC)

> AAP will be informed about Participatory Budget arrangements at the meeting on 12 March.

4. Finances:  Transactions for the period 03/09/13-04/02/14.

Income of Regeneration Fund moneys - £12,201.50; Tea & raffle income, net of costs for January - £12.25; Payment for insurance premium - £250.15.

Income and expenditure relating to the Fun Day - £219.92 income; £5 stall fee

The Regeneration Fund plus Fun Day moneys are restricted and can only be spent on what was specified by payer.

Raffle prize: R Cowen won the prize, kindly donated by M Bell.

Quiz: Prize winners of White Christmas were First – D Humble; Second – C Gibson; Third – G Marsden

The new quiz, at £1, for prizes of £20, £10, and £5 is ‘It’s Entertainment’. Closing date is 17 May.

5. Item for Any Other Business: None

6. Current Masterplan:

6A. Regeneration Fund: Project updates submitted by Julie Anson and Gillian Parvin:

Bridleway Numbers 36 And 37 Drainage: Works now complete.

Improve Access To The Bus Stop Area At Romaine Square:

Works to improve access to the bus stop area will commence works w/c 17th February (half-term).

A litter bin will also be installed and maintained by the Street Scene team

Bowburn Luncheon Club:

Signed terms and conditions have been received and £1,000 has been released from the Community Economic Development Team Budget to support the running of the luncheon club in Bowburn Community Centre.  

DVRC Remaining Funds: B&PCP have agreed to manage the remaining DVRC funds.  Signed Terms and Conditions have been received and the monies released.

6B

i) 10 Year Celebration: 

It was agreed to start the 10 Year Celebration at 5.30pm on 18 March; to be followed by the General meeting.

ii) Highways: Members had sight of the plans to extend the existing No Waiting/Loading Mon-Fri 8am-6pm restriction on Crow Trees Lane from Wylam St. to Clarence Street. There was a query about the limited parking at Lamb’s Place and a suggestion to leave a parking area at the Junior School when the garages are demolished. Members were also concerned about the continuing problem of parking outside the Infants School on Crowtrees Lane. Members requested that the Chair make representations on behalf of the Partnership to the Council.       (RC)

Anyone wishing to raise an objection to the proposals should submit this in writing to Loraine Holding, Legal Assistant at County Hall, Durham or by email to highways.orders@durham.gov.uk by 20.2.14.

iii) Parkhill: The Parkhill Residents Association considered their future at the March meeting.

iv) Community Centre: There are quotes for the stair lift and quotes for the electrics are being found.                 (MR)

Thanks were given for the new catering equipment which is for all those working in the Centre’s kitchen; users have commented that it is good to have the proper equipment.

The Luncheon Club will be held every fortnight on Monday’s; the next one is 3 March at 12.15pm

Thanks were given to J Blackburn and S Pinkney who helped at the Luncheon Club when a volunteer was ill.

25 April Brenda Collins will give an adult performance on behalf of the Banner Group and the Community Centre.

The Centre was thanked for putting the Partnership Logo ‘mat’ in a prominent place in the foyer.

v) Youth Centre: No report this month.

vi) Environment: Art work – Mr Paul Armstrong had a meeting with Planners, Highways and Landscaping from the Council to conclude what is to be done to the ‘Cape’ site. Once these decisions are complete plans can be discussed for the artwork.  The secretary will continue to liaise with Mr Paul Armstrong every two months.     (Janet)

vii) Planning: Grange Park Estate aka The Daisy Field: 

In July 2013 planning permission was refused for the Grange Park Estate, but an appeal was submitted in January 2014. The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) will make a decision.

The Partnership does not have to do anything and PINS do not want a repeat what we have already said.

If there is anything further to say the Partnership must do so before 28 February.

Further representations were discussed as follows:

The site is still not shown in the Pre Submission draft nor Masterplan so there is no evidence of it being Plan led.>It was not shown on the SHLAA when the application was made but is now shown green (ie suitable) when the SHLAA was redrawn in Oct 2013.

• It was agreed that - If it is now argued that it is suitable, there has been no public consultation about this which does not appear consistent with the Aarhus Convention

• We believe our comments regarding education issues remain valid and we have made representations in respect of the Pre submission draft that there is no Policy for education purposes.

• We believe that if the estate is built and then schools do need rebuilding, construction traffic through the estate will lead to complaints

• Although we did not comment on separation distances, we believe that it does cover new housing from existing housing and the developer’s argument to the contrary appears unattractive.

• We stand by our comments regarding the junction with the C12A

• We remain concerned about the sport/recreation issue 

• We did not comment on flooding in our original letter. If we are to add it now, we will need to be satisfied that if this estate is built, it has the potential to lead to flooding elsewhere.

At this meeting it was said that the pumping station has an increased capacity, but the sewage from the potential Grange Park Estate would flow into the existing sewage system.

However the existing system is already prone to overflowing and not able to take any further capacity.

It was requested that the Chair write to PINS to address these points                                                       (RC)

viii) Housing: None to comment on.

6C. County Durham Plan: An issue has been identified which needs to be clarified.

In the Preferred Options Bowburn was allocated 320 houses. As they had been accounted for, the Pre Submission Draft should have read zero, however it actually reads 470 with no site allocations.

The secretary is in contact with Gavin Scott for clarification.                                                                              (Janet)

Neighbourhood Plan: The designated body is the Parish Council, which has applied to County to have this status. 

At this meeting there was concern that even if there is a Neighbourhood Plan, the County has the final say.

However it was felt that some input was better than none.

7.Correspondence: 

Disability North, along with Age UK Newcastle, is holding a sponsored Haunted Camp Out in the Castle Keep in Newcastle on 29th March between 10pm – 7am. Registration - £34.99 and the fundraising goal is £100.

Disability and Industrial Society is a project, funded by the Wellcome Trust. Focusing on the coal industry, the project investigates how understandings and experiences of disability were affected by industrial development from the 1780s until the end of the Second World War.  To investigate this, the North East team have organised two free focus groups taking place at Disability North, on the 18 and 19 March between 11am-3pm (lunch is provided).

Active life AGM: is on Tuesday, 11 March at 7:00pm at the Active Life Centre @Coxhoe.

Outdoor  alcohol adverts – targeting children:

From: Lesley Thompson [lesley.thompson@balancenortheast.co.uk] On behalf of Colin Shevills
The trade body for outdoor advertising promised not to place alcohol advertisements within 100m of schools. Yet it happens. Balance NE will be asking the Outdoor Media Centre why this is happening, but we'd like more examples.

Next time you are passing a bus stop close to school premises, check to see if there is any alcohol advertising. Then take a photo and share it with us.

LEADER funding  The Launch of the LEADER consultation events take place on Thursday 3 April in the Glebe Centre, Murton.  9.30 sign in for a 10.00 am start till 12.30.  For further information. 01207 529621

8. Reports and matters arising:

i) AAP - East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership Board Meeting 22 January: Key Messages

● Rachael Swales (Chair) welcomed everyone 

● M Houghton, Director of Commissioning & Development, North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group delivered a presentation on an overview of the current/future health & wellbeing needs of County Durham.

● Roger Goodes gave a brief update on the Sustainable Community Strategy.  

● J Chandy, Director of Primary Care Development & Engagement was welcomed as a Board member – NHS

● The Chairman’s Medal - The chosen person/organisation from each AAP area will be receiving a Medal.

● Board members decided to adopt the following AAP priorities for 2014/15 –

Activities for Children and Young People; Health and Wellbeing merged with Older People;

Crime and Community Safety will run alongside both task groups.

● Next meeting – Wednesday 12 March 2014 from 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm at Cassop.

ii) Parish Council: The next meetings are 19 February and 19 March in Bowburn Community Centre.

Litter picks 1 March and 5 April weather permitting – from Bowburn Community Centre at 9.30am.

iii) Quarry Liaison: The quarry has been closed for most of the period since Christmas but has been open on at least one occasion this week.

9. Group Noticeboard:

Banner:  There is a Brenda Collins concert on Friday 25 April, and the Eve of Gala concert is on Friday 11 July.

BVC: The next issue of the Interchange is out in March; please send articles and photos by the end of February.

Quiz Night – The next quiz is on Friday 28 February in Bowburn Club lounge at 7.30pm.

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: The Fun Day is on Saturday 27 September. There are plans for attractions and Joanne Eden, the Youth Leader, is putting in a funding bid.

History: The meeting this month could be cancelled. 

10. Any Other Business: None

11. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 18 March 2014 at 5.30pm to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary 

Followed by a general meeting in Bowburn Community Centre at 6.30pm

Actionable items

2i. Police: Cllr Blakey is researching planning permission for the Children’s Home in Durham Rd West. (Cllr Blakey)

3. Review the Masterplan to show the achievements of the Partnership:  Ongoing for March meeting.            (Janet)

Concerns about hedges on the Junior School land overhanging a member’s property needs further inspection. (RC)

6Biv. Community Centre: There are quotes for the stair lift and quotes for the electrics are being found.             (MR)

6Bvi. Art Work: The secretary will continue to liaise with Mr Paul Armstrong every two months.                       (Janet)

6C County Durham Plan: The secretary is in contact with Gavin Scott to clarify the 470 houses allocated to Bowburn.                                                                                                                                                             (Janet)