GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 15 September 2015 from 6.30pm
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, M Ridley, F Salisbury, T Slater, S Walworth
1.Apologies: K Haigh, M Syer, M Williams In attendance: Cllr M Plews
2. Declarations of interest: Declarations of interests would be made as required throughout this agenda.
3 Security (i) Police: There was no report for this month.
3(ii) PACT meeting 2015: 28 October at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
3(iii) Neighbourhood Wardens: Contact the wardens is 03000 261 000 and report environment offences online to DCC or to your local councillor Jan Blakey 03000 268685.
4. Minutes: General Meeting 15 Sep: The minutes were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising Item 4 Bowling green: Mr Nigel Douthwaite reported that there are two issues; Firstly he needs CISWO approval to remove the hedge as it is their land and this is with Assets currently; Secondly colleagues in Enforcement are looking at measures to avoid a repeat of the Traveller encampment. There needs to be a balance between Traveller deterrent, public access and emergency vehicle access. Keep under review. Janet
Zip wire: Barrie Alderson DCC, explained that Clean and Green have started a program of works repairing equipment across the county. These are being carried out in phased projects: Bowburn Park required substantial repairs; the works should be completed by the end October: Phase 1 High Priority, ‘safety surface’, this work has now been completed: Phase 2 Internal Repairs, this work is done by ‘direct services’ to various items of equipment: Phase 3 External Contractors (specialised work), this includes the cable rider.
5. Finances: Income of £63 for quiz entries, and £11.10 net income for Tea & Raffle on 18/08/15.
Expenditure of £20 to Donna Paget for examining the annual accounts, and £5 the third prize in latest quiz.
The £3600 for play equipment at Parkhill is to be taken out of Restricted monies for the Regeneration Pot, and transferred to the General Regen monies for re-allocation - with the agreement of Partnership members.
Fun Day Meeting: Cheques for the events are held by Janet. Please support the Fun Day on 26 September.
Raffle prize: M Bell won the prize, kindly donated by M Syer. Next month W Bates is to donate a prize. Bill
Quiz: For the Partnership’s income, please take part in ‘Numbers’ at £1; closing date 14 November 2015.
6. Item for Any Other Business: (i) Start time (ii) OQ lighting (iii) Tea prices (iv) Awards (v) Parked cars.
7. Current Masterplan: 7A. Regeneration Fund: Re planters: A Blanckley has been contacted to risk assess the planters for Durham Road – awaiting a response. Janet
7B Reports: 7B(i) Planning: County Durham Plan: To date there is no decision on the judicial review Richard
Parkhill planning application: The second planning application from Hallam Properties for 190 units at Parkhill was given interim planning consent at the Special Committee Meeting on 14 September even though it is substantially the same as the first application apart from an amendment to the ecology section which could enhance the wildlife.
Councillors Blakey, Plews and Williams were thanked for their attendance at the special committee meeting and for fully supporting the views of our community.
A request has been made to the National Planning Casework Unit (NPCU) to call-in the application, hence the ‘interim consent’. If the application is not called in then full permission will be granted and the public enquiry of 29 September would not go ahead.
However the following circumstances are giving concern about this application:
October 2014 Hallam was refused permission; appealed the decision and a public enquiry is set for 29 Sept.
June 2015 Hallam submitted a second application for the same site
14 September at a special committee meeting, DCC recommended to approve the application because none of the saved policies carry any weight; settlement boundaries are drawn too tight; due respect and consideration was not given to the Neighbourhood Plan; this site would help with the rolling programme for the next 5 years supply of housing
14 September each resident was allowed only 2 minutes each to speak to the committee
During the meeting the county solicitor raised the issue of costs incurred if the public enquiry went ahead.
The chamber was cleared for up to 10 minutes whilst the solicitor gave confidential advice; this stopped the flow of responses from the panel and on their return proceedings went straight to a majority vote in favour of the application.
29 Sep is the public enquiry and DCC have not yet submitted its evidence – it was asked for on 1 September.
At this meeting it was agreed to:
Make a Freedom of Information request for the legal advice given to committee Richard
And consider:
Finding out the cost of advice to make a legal challenge if the call-in is unsuccessful, and whether the Partnership would be able to have the protection of the Aarhus convention to limit the costs.
If suitable advice is given, getting a solicitor to send a letter before action to the council who may admit that the decision is flawed.
Land South of Bowburn, Integra61: Discussion took place about the Integra61 application that:
There is employment alongside the 150 houses, which could be seen as preferable to the Parkhill application.
The developers are not house builders and they would sell the land with planning permission. The proposal is to make an application in November 2015 in which the housing will offset the cost of the infrastructure.
There could be a limit on further housing because the farmer will receive a clawback if houses are built on other parts of the site.
Councillors have a meeting with Sheila Palmerley and planners to see what monies can be put into education.
At this meeting it was suggested that the application could bring major employment to the village, and members should be thinking about what Bowburn/Parkhill could gain out of S106 monies on this site. ALL
Keepmoat Community Engagement: Sarah Booth, Community Engagement and Investment Manager at Keepmoat, would like to explore ways in which she can encourage links with Keepmoat within the local community and explore the possibility of working in partnership to deliver a variety of engagement and investment projects. The trustees put forward the following ideas:
Sarah to meet with members of the Partnership at their monthly meetings; Contribution to the Fun Day on 26 September; Contribution to a Xmas Party for older people; Contribution towards the room hire for the Edith Cavell memorial event on 16 October; Contribution towards the planters for Durham Road with a plaque saying ‘Sponsored by Keepmoat’. Other ideas would be welcome. ALL
Members were happy to be involved, but wanted their independence to be recognised opinions in future Keepmoat applications taken into account. Janet
7B(ii) Highways/Environment: Next meeting is Monday 19 October at 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Railings on Tail-Upon-End Lane: A decision needs to be taken about the height of railing. Mr Brian Kitching, DCC, will advise on this in September. Janet
Footpath from Horton Crescent to McCormick Place – proposed closure: The results of the consultation of residents in that area are finished, but no decision has been taken to date. Janet
MW roundabout markings to Coxhoe: As of this meeting date the secretary is still awaiting a response from Colin Mortimer re the Coxhoe road markings. Janet
7Biii Parkhill: Sandra Featherstone is waiting for a final balance from H Dale the former treasurer who lives out of the area. Once the planters and plants for Parkhill are paid for the remaining monies will be transferred to the Partnership account. Sandra
7Biv Community Centre:
Friday 18 September is a Comedy Night; Friday 25 September prior to the Fun Day, the Art Group will hold an opening for ‘The Corridor’ gallery; The Monday lunch club has made a good start and numbers increased from week one to week two – NB no lunch club on 28 September; The centre has a full licence for the bar.
7Bv Youth Club: Tuesday Junior youth club Y6 and Y7, 5pm till 6.30pm and Senior youth club 13-19yrs, 6pm till 8pm plus use of the Community Gym; Wednesday drop-in session 16+ 1pm till 3pm, and Girls’ group13-19 yrs 5pm till 6.30pm, and Mixed group Y8 and Y9, 6.30 till 8pm; Thursday Young mums group 11am till 12 noon, and Lads group 13-19yrs 6 till 7.30pm.
This term the focus is health and wellbeing; awareness of mental health; fitness classes; healthy eating, drug & alcohol awareness, self-esteem & confidence building; the IT room, arts & craft sessions, pool competitions, table tennis, gym sessions; sports hall for football, badminton, indoor cricket, basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, exercise classes and much, much, more.
Community Gym: The Gym is open to the public 6 days a week: Mon to Fri 9am till 11am; and Sat 10am till 12 noon (includes a fitness class); Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri evenings 5.30pm till 8pm. If you wish to be a volunteer helper get in touch with Joanne at the Youth Club.
7Bvi Coal column: Awaiting planning permission for the houses and offices on the Esh site before an application will be considered for the coal column. Janet
7Bvii General housing: None
7Bviii Education: None
8. Correspondence: Email communications were sent out as appropriate.
9. Reports and matters arising:
9a) EDRC AAP Board Meeting:
Improve quality of life for older PEOPLE 60+: Groups can apply for funding between £5,000 and £40,000. Projects must fit one or more of the following criteria: Promote:- existing activities; transport solutions for older & older disabled people to access activities; new activities where there is a need; ensuring older people are safe when attending activities and GP appointments during winter months; projects supporting older people affected by welfare reforms; projects that reduce crime, older peoples fear of crime and improve their community safety.
Health & well-being: Projects must fit one or more of the following criteria: Tackle:- binge drinking & promote alcohol awareness, obesity, risky behaviour in children & young people; Projects supporting people affected by welfare reforms; Projects that reduce crime, fear of crime and improve community safety.
Applications for amounts over £20,000 must demonstrate considerable partnership work, wider AAP coverage and wide beneficiary support.
Employability pit stop: A new free service is now available at Bowburn Community Centre. Thanks to funding from the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and the AAP, the Pioneering Care Partnership now offers free guidance to help you to: Write a CV and/or cover letter; Job search online and use Universal Job Match;
Understand welfare benefit entitlement and the new Universal Credit system, and Set up an email address or online banking. Pop along to the Community Centre for a chat and some advice and guidance, on Thurs 1pm-3pm or call 01325-321234.
The next AAP Board Meeting is on 7 October from 5.00 in Bowburn Community Centre.
9(ii) a) Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council: Next meet 15 September in Bowburn Community Centre.
Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council Meeting, 19th August 2015
Since no election had been requested in relation to the second vacancy on the Parish Council, it was agreed to co-opt two new members. Accordingly, Jackie Richardson of Monteigne Drive and Martin Ridley of Durham Road West were co-opted. This was agreed unanimously.
It was agreed to meet with Nathaniel Lichfield, agents for the Citrus Group, at a mutually convenient date and time to discuss their proposal for "Employment led development on land to the south of Bowburn".
Councillors had no objection to a licence application from the Rendezvous Bistro (at Park Hill garden centre). The Applicant was requesting permission to sell alcohol on the premises with meals served there.
The strimming works on the local footpaths were agreed to be a great success: these were carried out by the Parish, funded by the Parish Paths Partnership. M Syer and A Shutt were thanked for organising and carrying out the work and the Bowburn Walking Group were commended for reporting where work needed to be done.
Litter-pick Saturday 3 October: Meet in Bowburn Community Centre car park at 9.30am.
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee: 6pm on 19 August 2015 an hour before the Parish Council meeting.
If interested in joining the group you are invited to join the meeting when draft policies will be discussed.
9(iii) Quarry Liaison: Next meeting 24 September.
10. Group Noticeboard:
(i)Banner: The Centenary banner was taken to Easington which unfortunately was a non-event. The next outing will be the Fun Day. 16 October there will be a free event to commemorate the life of Nurse Edith Cavell with exhibitions and a presentation and brass band in the evening – at the Bowburn Community Centre.
(ii) BVC Interchange: The next Interchange will be out at the weekend. The next Quiz Night is 18 September.
(iii) Credit Union Bank: The bank is open on Fridays from 11 am to 12 noon in the Community Centre.
(iv) History: The Resources Room is open every Wednesday from 1pm until 4pm.
(v) Facebook/Twitter/Durham Times: Gary will be hoping to meet up with Martin Ridley each Thursday to help promote the Community Centre.
(vi) Bowburn FC: Have started off steadily in the league and have had more interest this season.
11. AOB: (i) It was agreed to start future Partnership meeting at SIX PM - 6.00pm
(ii) Lighting has been restored along the road to Old Quarrington.
(iii) An idea was put forward for an award for children in the area of benefit.
(iv) Parking outside the Infant School on the C12A was causing great concern.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
General Meeting 20 October 2015 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre