GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 January 2014 from 6.30pm
Present: W Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, D Chambers, J Geyer, K Griffiths, G Kitson, B Little, D
Paget, C Parker, S Raine, F Salisbury, M Syer (Acting chair), S Walworth
In Attendance: M Ridley, Cllr Plews,
1.Apologies for absence: R Cowen, Cllr Blakey, PC Cockburn, K Haigh, Cllr Williams
2i. Police: PC Cockburn contacted the secretary with the following crime statistics: Parkhill – nil:
Cassop – nil: Bowburn - 2 Burglaries, 1 Theft from vehicle, 1Theft of lead from house, 1 Shoplifting –
Person arrested and dealt with, 1 Common Assault, 1 Damage to vehicle.
A member asked about the burglary from Christ the King church which had not been recorded in the
above statistics. It was said at this meeting that the church ‘silverware’ had been returned but not the
cash.
2ii. PACT meeting: The next meeting is the 5 March at 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre then bimonthly
in Bowburn for the rest of the year.
2iii. Neighbourhood Wardens: December County report: Dog fouling - 10 reports investigated; 8
strays removed.
Littering - 4 reports investigated; 14 fixed penalty notices issued. Civic Pride team attended litter picks
in Bowburn.
In January a new education programme - an alternative to issuing fixed penalty notices to 10 - 18 years
for littering offences, will be trialled at Framwellgate Moor School. If successful, the programme will be
used across the county.
Fly tipping - 84 incidents reported; 46 investigations carried out to link the fly tipping to those who
dumped it. Please provide information in confidence by calling 03000 261000 and help to stop illegal
dumping.
Covert CCTV cameras are in fly-tipping hot spots in the Durham area.
Untidy yards and gardens – 1 litter clearing notice for an untidy garden or yard
Antisocial behaviour - 5 incidents dealt with directly from members of the public and - 23 incidents
passed via the Police Airwaves system.
As a result of the meeting with Ron Hogg, the Police and Crime Commissioner, a new Neighbourhood
Watch is in the early stages in Cavel Drive/Henry Avenue.
3. Minutes: The minutes of 19 November were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: 2(ii) Yellow lines PC Cockburn agreed to an article in the Interchange concerning
inconsiderate parking in the area of the Infant School.
10. > Cllr Blakey, informed about the demolition of the prefabricated garages as follows:
Lawson Road – Demolish 19, refurbish 6, relocate 3 into block 20-25: Tunstal Ave – Demolish 4,
refurbish 14, relocate some tenants in their same block: Edward Avenue – Demolish 7, refurbish 4,
relocate 2 into block 1-4.
Bede Terrace – Demolish 2, refurbish 3: Marlene Avenue – Demolish 3, refurbish 15
After demolition top-soil will be provided to make up the levels.
> The water escaping from the expansion joint in the MW Bridge on the C12a has been reported to
MW maintenance.
4. Finances: Income: November £10.70 - £1, January £11.45 - £1 refreshment costs from tea/raffle;
£72 quiz monies; £12 201.50 (restricted) the remaining funds from the Durham Villages Regeneration
Company (DVRC) grant monies. The grand total, restricted and non-restricted funds, is £20,988.85.
Julie Anson, Community Economic Development Team Leader (North & East), explained in December
2013:
“As we are now approaching the end of the financial year end and we currently hold DVRC grant
monies I am writing on behalf of Durham County Council Community Economic Development Section
to offer a grant of £!2,201.50, being the remaining funds held, to Bowburn & Parkhill Community
Partnership.
Following this an offer letter was sent to the Partnership to request if they would be willing to take on
the responsibility of managing the remaining DVRC funds. This was subject to the following conditions:
Funds must be allocated to schemes in line with the Bowburn and Parkhill Masterplan.
£3,600 to be ring fenced for the Parkhill Play Project scheme as detailed within Bowburn and Parkhill
Regeneration Fund Application Form until a decision regarding the Fixed Play Strategy is made.
Bowburn Community Association to receive financial support towards accessibility improvements to the
stage in the form of a lift – amount as yet to be agreed. Contingency sum to be utilised to support
current ongoing approved schemes.
B&PCP agreed and returned signed Terms and Conditions on 6 January and the monies have been
released.”
• Because there was no general meeting in December, the Trustees agreed to accept the grant
via email.
• At this meeting members supported the decision of the trustees.
• Members also agreed, unanimously, to thank Julie for assisting in the transfer the remaining
grant to the Partnership account.
(Janet)
Expenditure: £5 room hire for meeting at Marlene Avenue; £7.28 for stationery to J Blackburn; £250.15
for the annual insurance to Barrie’s of Durham.
Fun Day: Takings and donations are to be paid into the restricted funds for Fun Day 2014.
Raffle prize: G Kitson won and asked for a re-draw giving M Plews the prize, kindly donated by J Geyer.
Quiz: The new quiz at £1 for prizes of £20, £10, and £5 is ‘White Christmas’. Closing date is 15
February.
5. Item for Any Other Business: Partnership 10 years in March 2014
6. Current Masterplan:
6A. Regeneration Fund: Project updates submitted by Julie Anson and Gillian Parvin:
Community Centre (1)
Julie Anson released a payment of £2110.23 plus £19.20 on proof of payment, for works linked to the
external Community Centre elements, which were eligible and in line with the agreed amount of spend
up to £3,000.00.
With reference to the balance of £870.57 she suggested that this be allocated towards the following:-
D P Supplies - Bins £106.71; D P Supplies – Heavy Duty Shelves £672.00
£91.86 towards the computer upgrades with the association paying £844 towards this element.
As this agreement came after the November meeting the Trustees gave provisional agreement at their
meeting on 3 December.
At this meeting no members objected to the balance being spent on the above items for the Community
Centre.
The Community Centre (2)
The secretary of the Centre wrote to the Partnership asking if it would be possible to apply for extra
funding from the Re-generation Fund for stage lights and a chair lift. At the present time they have
£4000 from the AAP to pay for a new stage floor and fire proof on-stage curtains.
At this meeting the chair of the Centre explained that on-stage lighting was dependent on the new
curtains and there is no ‘disabled’ access to the stage from the main hall.
Members agreed to look favourably on an application for the lights and chair-lift.
Improve Access To The Bus Stop Area At Romaine Square
Works to improve access to the bus stop area will commence works w/c 17 February (half-term). A
litter bin will also be installed and maintained by the Street Scene team
Bridleway Numbers 36 And 37 Drainage
Elaine Crow, Access and Rights of Way Officer, has confirmed works are now complete and the
payment issued. At a November site visit a small problem was identified with a blocked drain under a
path. This has been rectified by replacing the drain with a larger one and building up the path allowing
the water to flow freely. The works have made a vast improvement and positive feedback from local
users has been received.
Bowburn Luncheon Club
Additional funding of £1,000 has been secured from the Community Economic Development Team
Budget. It is to be awarded to support the running of a luncheon club. The monies will purchase
essential kitchen equipment, provide training for volunteers and publicity to advertise future luncheon
club events. To date the Community Association have held two successful Soup and Sandwich events
and a Christmas luncheon event through the assistance of the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) and
volunteers and are keen to establish a regular weekly luncheon club within the community centre.
A member was pleased to see the ‘soup and sandwich’ event attract a vast age-range.
It was asked if the Masterplan for Bowburn, commissioned by Durham Villages Regeneration Company
(DVRC), could be reviewed showing the achievements of the Partnership.
(Janet)
6B. Reports
Traffic calming on Henry Avenue: The scheme will comprise of 11 sets of 2 speed cushions, 2000mm
(w) x 2000mm (l) x 75mm (h) across the width of the carriageway. Full details are available at County
Hall Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; via the council website at http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Statutorynotices and
Bowburn Library during normal opening hours. Submit objections - in writing to Loraine Holding, Legal
Assistant, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL or by email to Highways.Orders@durham.gov.uk (ref: 92685)
by 13/02/14.
Lighting on cemetery road is not going ahead due to the new lighting policy.
The group are to object to this decision as the order was agreed before purdah and the new lighting
policy.
New cycle lane on the A177 at Mountjoy. Adrian J White, Head of Transport and Contract Services
emailed
“Ideally we would have provided a segregated cycle route; however that wasn’t possible.
The installed cycle lane is ‘advisory’ only and as such motorists can drive in the lane. However,
motorists should now be more aware of cyclists using the route and drive more cautiously as a result. It
also dissuades motorists from overtaking when there is insufficient room to do so safely. Further
features are yet to be installed as part of the works, including additional warning signs for motorists; and
the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 30mph on this stretch. On completion of the works a full
safety audit will be carried out.”
Parking on Crowtrees Lane:
An article went into the Interchange to make everyone aware of the problems of parking in school
hours.
Cars crossing Mary Terr 27 Nov 2013 John Reed; Head of Technical Services; Neighbourhood Services
“The grassed area fronting Mary Terr is not part of the adopted public highway, but is land in Council
ownership. The Clean & Green Team who maintain the grassed area are to repair the damage.
(Completed)
Neighbourhood Wardens Team will be made aware of this issue so they can monitor when in the area.
The Police have been made aware so they can monitor and take action as appropriate.”
Unfortunately the area has been damaged again – the police have been made aware of this.
ii) Parkhill: Surveyors have been in the field opposite Parkhill doing what appears to be a detailed
survey.
F Salisbury has asked for Neighbourhood Planning to be put on next month’s agenda.
At this meeting there were no objections to this proposal.
iii) Community Centre: The December pantomime was very well received. This year there will be two
different pantomimes, one for the Infant and Junior Schools, and one for the general public.
The Centre hoped that everyone enjoyed the Christmas tree, donated by The Esh Group.
iv) Youth Centre: All sessions are running well apart from Bowburn lads group on Thursday evenings
which is now temporarily closed – due to very low numbers. The 50th anniversary celebration was a
fantastic night and there was great feedback from all of the young people who all enjoyed it. Funding
has enabled the club to run cookery projects, sports & fitness sessions, as well as enabling trips and
residential visits.
The gym continues to be popular with the young people.
The problems with two pieces of equipment in the gym have been repaired. There is a need for more
volunteers at the general sessions to ease the pressure on the small number of dedicated volunteers –
membership is free to volunteers. The gym opens on Tuesday at 1.30pm for those who want a gentle
introduction to the equipment.
v) Environment: Art work – No progress. The secretary will continue to liaise with Mr Paul Armstrong.
(Janet)
vii) Planning: Marlene Ave: An application has been made to convert the Community Building at
Marlene Avenue into a residential bungalow.
R Cowen suggested, via email, that there has not been sufficient interest shown in this asset in recent
years to consider taking the option of making a bid for it under the Localism Act any further than just
considering the power as it now exists. He proposes that the Partnership makes no objection to this
application.
A member was concerned that there would be no provision for voting.
It was suggested that a demountable building and it wasn’t sustainable to keep it open for occasional
voting.
The Bede Terrace communal house is available because it is too small to convert to a residential
bungalow as it stands.
Members regretted the loss of a communal facility but agreed not to object to the application.
Heugh Hall Farm Wind Turbine – the appeal was dismissed.
Clarification was asked about the need for planning permission at the children’s centre in Durham Rd
W. (Janet)
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 submitting the comments made at the last meeting in November.
7.Correspondence:
Phone scam: A scam offers to stop people receiving unwanted sales calls for a fee, payable by direct
debit or with a bank card. DCC strongly advise people never to give out their bank account details to
anyone over the phone unless they are certain they are dealing with a legitimate company. People can
register with the Telephone Preference Service for free.
Anyone who thinks they have been targeted by such a scam is advised to report it to Action Fraud
either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.
Bowburn Post Office consultation: The PO is expected to close and there may be an interest in a Post
Office Local at the Gulf Garage at the north end of Bowburn. Please express your views by means of
the website www.durham.gov.uk/consultation or by post using an information sheet from Bowburn PO.
Tree consultation - DCC policy will make clear how they will manage trees under their control in a new
policy. Please respond to any concerns about trees which pose a safety risk and the action to take in
relation to trees on private land via www.durham.gov.uk/consultation
A member had concerns about hedges on the Junior School land overhanging her property.
(Janet)
Another member was concerned about mature trees overhanging the roof of her house.
8. Reports and matters arising:
8(i) AAP: There was an excellent response to the Forum held on 23 November. 26 projects were
successful in sharing £85,000 and J Bellis will work with the unsuccessful projects. Bowburn
Community Centre was one of the successful projects for new stage curtains/floor/lighting plus a chair
lift onto the stage.
Several attendees responded to the Council Budget Consultation, and voted on the chosen priorities for
2014/15; the top 5 being Activities for Children & Young People, Crime & Community Safety, Older
People, Employment/Enterprise/Education/Training, and Health & Wellbeing. Please come to the Board
meeting on 22 January from 5pm at Trimdon Station Centre where the priorities will be discussed.
At this meeting a project leader felt that the ‘stalls’ from the north and south of the AAP area should
have been alternated so that projects were viewed in equal measure. The suggestion will be passed
onto the AAP. (Janet)
ii) Parish Council: It was noted with sadness that two parish councillors, Janet Chambers and Muriel
Marsden, had died since the last meeting.
The next meetings are 19 February and 19 March in Bowburn Community Centre.
Litter picks 1 of February and 1 March weather permitting – from Bowburn Community Centre at
9.30am.
iii) Quarry Liaison: The quarry is closed at the moment and does not seem to have opened this year.
9. Group Noticeboard:
Banner: The Centenary Banner is to be repaired and miniature portraits can be added on request for
£30.
There is an appeal for carriers of the banner on Gala Day – please pass on your name to Mike Syer.
There is a Brenda Collins concert on Friday 4 April, and the Eve of Gala concert is on Friday 11 July.
BVC: There was a change of printers for the last edition of the Interchange, but members said that they
had not noticed any difference in the quality of the paper. The next issue of the Interchange is out in
March.
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: A meeting will be held on 3 February to evaluate the Fun Day.
History: The speaker Gary Bankhead gave an excellent talk, and there was a very good attendance.
The March meeting is an open general meeting.
10. Any Other Business:
Celebrate Partnership’s 10th anniversary: It was agreed to hold a celebration event prior to the March
meeting. Some suggestions were: Achievements; Photographs; Open invitation; Supplement in the
Interchange.
11. Date- and Time of Next Meeting: 18 February 2014 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre