Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership – Charity Number 1112151 – met on 20 May 2014 to hold the
Annual General meeting followed by the General Meeting for the month of May
6.00PM to 6.20PM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Minutes
Present: W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, S Featherstone, K Griffiths, G Kitson, B Little, D Paget,
C Parker, S Raine, F Salisbury, M Syer, S Walworth
In Attendance: Cllr M Plews
1.Apologies for absence: D Chambers, J Geyer, K Haigh, M Williams
2. Minutes of last Annual General Meeting 21 May 2013:
Approval of the minutes was proposed by M Syer and seconded by D Paget and approved unanimously by the
members present.
3. Chair’s Annual Report:
The chair welcomed everyone to the 10th Annual General Meeting of Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership.
In 2013/14 further projects were considered for the remaining Bowburn Improvement Fund (Regeneration Pot).
The Youth Club installed gym equipment, upgraded the gym area, and repaired a path
With the help of matched funding from the Parish Council and Parish Paths Partnership, a popular
footpath/bridleway was drained.
With matched funding from the Durham County Council, landscaping to Romaine Square tidied up the area around
the bus stop.
The Community Centre improved the entrance area to make the centre accessible to all comers. Additional funds
will install stage lights and a stair lift to the stage.
Of the other projects considered, £3600 was safeguarded for play equipment at Parkhill until a decision is taken on
the County Council’s Play Policy.
Unfortunately the lighting scheme on the Cemetery Road in Bowburn and the Old Quarrington Road was not carried
out; however our local members will fund the removal of unsightly railings from the entrance to Tail-upon-End Lane
and install bollards in Durham Road, which was in our Masterplan
The remaining funds are allocated to a contingency fund to cover any increase in costs and fund a community
chest.
As well as holding funds for The Fun Day; Bowburn Opencast Action Group and the Bowls Group, we now hold the
remaining monies for the Bowburn Improvement Fund, which is overseen by Durham County Council.
We have supported:
A bus service for the Cape site and a Sunday bus service to the Arniston Centre.
A weekly Credit Union Bank in the Community Centre with volunteers from the Partnership
A member of the County Council attended to discuss:
How the revised Local Plan will affect Bowburn
Another explained how flooding recurs in the village, and gave advice on how to reduce the problem.
Comments were made on the following:
An appeal which was going to an independent planning inspector for the housing at the ‘Daisy Field’ which may
affect future proposals for a Primary School
A proposal by the County Council to reduce the amount of street lighting.
Requested a re-design of the cycle lane into Durham City at Mountjoy.
Concern has been expressed at PACT meetings and to the County Council about the dangerous parking at the
Infant School. Yellow lines have been updated but we feel that the lines should be extended.
A consultation questionnaire was completed on the possible re-location of Bowburn Post Office to a local Filling
Station
Backing was given to the Youth Club leaders in a review of Youth Support in County Durham
Discussions continue with the Esh Group to create a percent? for Art work at the entrance to the village
Support for a community building at the north end of the village
Updates to the Parish Plan
A policy for tree management
A number of issues that may affect Bowburn in the proposed County Durham Local Plan.
The Partnership was pleased to note that the appeal in respect of the Daisy Field was dismissed but only on one
ground that it had mentioned (separation distance of some houses from existing houses). It was also pleased to
note that the appeal for a wind turbine at Heugh Hall (on which it had commented in the previous year) was
dismissed.
1The Partnership had also previously commented on an application for a Fire Training centre on the Industrial estate
and these comments were taken into account when planning permission was granted this year.
Not all our comments to the Local Plan have been incorporated in the latest version but the Partnership is pleased
to note that it does now contain provision for a new road which would take traffic from the existing line of the A177
through the village.
The Partnership is grateful for the support from:
Our locally elected County Councillors who regularly attend Partnership meetings
Members who are represented on the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership and the Parish Council
as well as our local interest groups.
Reports are received every month from each of these groups which keep the Partnership up to date on important
issues in our area. The Partnership then circulates the information to the area of benefit.
The Deputy Mayoress, Councillor Jan Blakey who we are pleased to say is a regular member of the Partnership,
opened the celebrations to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership. The
Partnership welcomed Ashleigh Walker, who along with Katie Roberts, created the art work for the Partnership logo.
Members from the past and today enjoyed reminiscing about the setting up of the Partnership and its continuing
presence in Bowburn.
The chair thanked:
The Trustees who have conscientiously attended meetings throughout the year, especially Ken Haigh who is
standing down this year for health reasons.
The locally elected members for their support
The Parish Council for their information
The advice and support from Julie Anson and the County Council
PC Cockburn for his reports and attendance when he is available.
The Partnership continues to have a strong membership, but took the decision not to have a meeting in December
as the third Tuesday is close to the Christmas holiday period.
In the future the Partnership will continue to support local groups and liaise with statutory bodies to put forward
issues that concern the village of Bowburn and its residents.
4(i). Statement of Financial Affairs:
The treasurer presented a report on the 2013-14 accounts, by the independent examiner, Donna Paget treasurer of
Bowburn Community Centre.
The report was proposed by J Blakey and seconded by S Raine and approved unanimously by the members
present.
4(ii) Independent examiner for 2015:
It was agreed to appoint Donna Paget as the independent examiner for 2015.
5. Election of Officers: The election of the following officials was agreed by the members:
Chair: Richard Cowen Vice Chair: Jan Blakey
Secretary: Janet Blackburn Treasurer: Mike Syer
6. Election of Trustees: The following members were elected as trustees:
W Bates, M Bell, G Kitson, S Raine
7. Close of AGM:
The chair closed the AGM and thanked members for attending and looked forward to seeing them at future
meetings.
26.25PM to 7.30PM GENERAL MEETING – Minutes
Present: W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, S Featherstone, J Geyer, K Griffiths, G Kitson, B Little,
D Paget, C Parker, S Raine, F Salisbury, M Syer, S Walworth
In Attendance: Cllr M Plews
1.Apologies for absence: D Chambers, K Haigh, M Williams
2i. Police PC Cockburn gave his apologies for his absence during this year, but he has been able to send
email statistics – for which the Partnership is grateful.
Parkhill 1 shed broken into and horse equipment stolen; Old Cassop Damage to fence between highway and field;
Bowburn Thefts of fuel and insecure vehicle from Tursdale Business Park; 7 tubs of easy-cement; spare
wheel from Tursdale Road; motorbike which was recovered and 2 persons, not from Bowburn, have been arrested
and charged; from a cherry-picker van in Steavenson Street; Damage to a living room window; At the Services a
Newcastle man was charged firstly charged with taking off without paying a taxi fare and secondly for aggravated
vehicle theft when he drove off in the taxi.
6.45pm PC Cockburn left the meeting and was thanked for his attendance.
2ii. PACT meeting:
The meetings for 2014 are – 9 July, 17 Sep, and 12 Nov: 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
2iii. Neighbourhood Wardens: No report this month.
3. Minutes: The minutes of 15 April were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: > Hedge at the Junior School – a council representative has checked the hedge and as it is the
school’s priority the caretaker will make every effort to clear the area. Bowburn litter-pickers will also help to clear
the area when necessary.
6Bi Highways:
> Dave Battensby, Area Traffic Engineer, will arrange a site visit at the Infant School during term time – re parking.
R Cowen is awaiting a response from D Battensby DCC. (R Cowen)
Damaged verge at Dallymore – has been repaired.
10 Litter adjacent to the beck from the units in Bowburn Industrial South. Check the factories. (Cllr Blakey Janet)
4. Finances:
Income: Tea & raffle income April £13.58, minus £1 costs for refreshments. Entertainment quiz income £70
Payments: Room hire £51.
Income and expenditure relating to the Fun Day: Update in June.
Raffle prize: F Salisbury won the prize, kindly donated by R Cowen.
Quiz: Winners “It’s entertainment” – 1 P Salisbury (Parkhill), 2 J Grey (Bowburn). 3 E Mudd (Scarborough)
The new quiz, at £1, for prizes of £20, £10, and £5 is ‘Jobs’. Closing date is 16 August.
5. Item for Any Other Business: Zip slide.
6. Current Masterplan:
6A. Regeneration Fund:
Community Centre: J Blackburn, J Blakey, D Paget, M Ridley, and M Syer declared an interest but it was not
prejudicial.
M Ridley, chair of the Community Association, thanked the Partnership for the grant and agreed to the terms and
conditions. They aim to complete the work by the end of June 2014.
6B Reports:
6Bi Highways:
>It was agreed that if there is a successful re-application to build on the ‘Daisy Field’ consideration would be given
to reducing the speed limit on the C12a.
> It was suggested that the 40mph speed limit may need to be reduced to 30mph on the A177 south at the Gulf
filling station - if there is an increase of traffic on the A177 because of the new speed humps.
> Bollards on Durham Road: The installation date has not been arranged.
Install flower tubs between the bollards on Durham Road to prevent vehicles driving onto the pavement; to improve
the gateway into the village and to recognise the conservation area.
At this meeting it was thought inappropriate to use the phrase ‘Conservation Area’ as the street did not resemble its
original design. However flower troughs were acceptable with the name ‘Bowburn’ – which discourages theft.
The pot hole in the road to the front of Somal’s has been repaired.
Oxford Terrace south has problems with water ponding near the lay by.
Gulley at the former newsagents in Durham Road West has problems with a blockage.3R Cowen attended a course on “Cycle proofing roads” – the MW roundabout will be looked at for such a scheme.
>Review service 59: there are sufficient funds to run service 59 until early 2015. The Parish Council will review the
situation in January 2015
Bollards opposite the community centre have been installed.
It is not established that reduced lighting has caused a significant increase in accidents but there is some evidence
to this effect. The matter needs to be kept under review.
6Bii Parkhill: Parkhill Residents Association has their AGM in June when they will review their situation.
6Biii Community Centre: The first dance festival in the centre was very well received.
The Brenda Collins charity concert was well attended and enjoyed by all.
The next meeting is on 28 May when committee reps should attend.
6Biv Youth Club: Youth services have been restructured with the youth workers being salaried; one auxiliary has left
but will do a part time session; funds have been raised to refurbish the toilets.
6Bv Environment: The secretary will liaise with Mr Armstrong in June concerning a piece of art for Bowburn. (Janet)
6Bvi Planning applications:
>Heath Close – awaiting a planning application before comments on the parking will be made.
>There has been no planning application for Parkhill housing.
>An application for 24 wind turbines has been submitted for The Isles near the Bradbury Interchange on the A1(M)
and could have an indirect impact on Bowburn.
6Bvii Housing in general: Consultation about the proposed stock transfer will take place throughout the summer.
6C Area Plans:
6Ci Future Masterplan: Members suggested improvements for the Masterplan priorities of Environment, Housing,
Heritage & Culture, Children & Young People, Recreation & Leisure, Traffic & transport, Religion.
6Cii County Durham Plan: The Plan has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
6Ciii Neighbourhood Plan: The designated body is the Parish Council, notice of this status has been made public
and objections can be made up until 30 June.
7.Correspondence:
Deputy Mayoress, Cllr Blakey, thanked the Partnership for the opportunity to attend the 10th Anniversary
Celebrations.
Active Life: Group Exercise Class Timetable; Saturday Afternoon Family Film Club; Membership Rewards; and
some great half term holiday activities for 4-11 year olds.
Northumbrian Water: NW has been fined £30,000 after sewage polluted two streams. The company was taken to
court by the Environment Agency where it admitted two charges of discharging polluted matter into watercourses.
One incident occurred in August in Bowburn Beck and NW was informed about the problem but failed to investigate
for four days, claiming there were difficulties accessing the site. A one kilometre stretch of Bowburn Beck had many
dead and dying invertebrates, with a small number of dead fish. A Northumbrian Water spokesman said the firm
had strict liability for the pollution, even though the problems were not of its making.
8. Reports and matters arising:
8i AAP – The following are the key messages from the Board Meeting held on 12 March 2014
● Councillor Jan Blakey was in the chair
● Roger Goodes, Head of Policy & Communications presented the Council Budget Consultation where it was
expected that funding the voluntary sector was stretched and education/ training was a factor to consider.
● Sue Williams gave a presentation on Community Resilience, enquiries can be made on 03000 264645.
● Phil Jackman gave an update on Digital Durham.
● Young representatives explained their proposal for the Voices Project; Board members allocated £40,000 to
the young people for a participatory budget scheme and Small Grants Pot.
● Bill Lightburn gave a presentation on Healthy Horizons asking for funding of £12,500 from 2014/15 Area
Budget and allocation of £12,500 from 15/16. The Board felt more time was needed to make a decision and the
project would be discussed at a meeting of the Task & Finish Group.
● Louise Harlanderson gave a presentation on the Community Engagement Project. It was noted that 415
members had joined My NHS since January 2014.
● A presentation took place to recognise the nominees from our AAP for the Chairman’s Medal award.
AGM/Next meeting – Wednesday 4 June 2014 from 5.00 pm at Bowburn Community Centre.
8ii Parish Council: Roberta Blackman-Woods MP visited the Parish Council meeting by invitation, and discussions
took place on various subjects, including secondary education provision for Bowburn children. The Parish
councillors discussed the possible compilation of a directory of employers in the Parish, as proposed in the Parish
Plan, but a quotation of £1,000 to produce such a directory was regarded as excessive and not accepted. Progress4on a possible neighbourhood plan was reviewed, and the desirability of such a plan was discussed at length.
Further advice is to be sought from planning experts.
The next meetings are 21 May in Bowburn Community Centre, and 18 June in Cassop Community Centre.
The May litter-pick collected 14 bags from allotment area/beckside, and a bridge across the beck, made from fly-
tipped doors, was reported to the County.
Litter picks 7 June and 5 July weather permitting – from Bowburn Community Centre at 9.30am – all are welcome
8iii Quarry Liaison: Great crested newts have been found in the quarry Ponds on the Crowtrees LNR but this is
within the specified distance from proposed workings for Cold Knuckles and must therefore be addressed.
9. Group Noticeboard:
9i Banner: The Brenda Collins concert on Friday 25 April was very successful and well attended. The eve of gala
concert is a free event with music from “Brassed Off” by Oil Lamp Productions on 11 July, with no age restriction,
and a French band will also play that evening. They will also play at the Infant School, kindly paid for by local
councillors.
9ii BVC: At the AGM on 6 May the officers remained the same.
The next issue of the Interchange is out in June. Please forward articles as soon as possible in May.
Please contact Mike Syer through mike.syer@btinternet.com if you could deliver the Interchange in your area.
The last Quiz Night on Friday 16 May was very enjoyable.
9iii Credit Union Bank: Open on Fridays from 11am to 12 noon in Bowburn Community Centre, when new members
can join. It is hoped to take the CU to the job club for the young people in the Youth Club.
9iv Football
The U9s won at Blackpool for the second year running, a fantastic achievement.
9v Fun Day: The Fun Day is 27 September. Stalls will be £5 as in previous years.
Volunteers needed: If you enjoy and want to see the Fun Day(s) continue please come along to the next meeting on
3 June at 5pm in the Youth Club to help organise this year’s event.
9vi History: The May meeting has been cancelled due to lack of space in the meeting room.
9vii Durham Times: News and events for the paper which must be in by the Monday before the Friday edition. It is
free and helps groups to receive more members. Please send any information to bowburnnews@aol.com.
9viii Website: ‘News’ is now on <www.communigate.co.uk/ne/bowburnnews>. B&PCP, Bowburn Interchange and
the Banner Group are still on <www.bowburn.net>.
Communigate website has picked up and is getting regular hits; also minutes of the Partnership appear on it.
10. Any Other Business: It was asked if the zip- wire in the play park could be replaced (Cllr Blakey)
11. Date and Time of Next Meeting: 6.30pm 17 June
Actionable items
Highways: > R Cowen is awaiting a response from D Battensby DCC. Environment: The secretary will liaise with Mr Armstrong every two months (June) anout a piece of art Llitter on the bank side adjacent to the beck from the units in Bowburn Industrial South. Zip wire at play park (R Cowen)
(Janet)
(Cllr Blakey)
(Cllr Blakey)
5