GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 17 November 2015 from 6.00pm
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, B Little, C Parker, S Raine, M Ridley, F Salisbury, T Slater, M Stone, M Syer, S Walworth In attendance: Cllr M Williams
1.Apologies: W Bates, S Featherstone, K Haigh, G Kitson, D Paget
It was agreed to send Bill Bates a ‘get well card’ as he recovers in Bishop Auckland hospital. (Janet)
2. Declarations of interest: Declarations of interests would be made as required throughout this agenda.
3 Security (i) Police: The secretary will get the contact for the new local police officer. (Janet)
Report incidents via Parish: Bowburn 1 burglary, 11 theft, 1 criminal damage, 17 antisocial behaviour; Cassop 2 antisocial behaviour; Parkhill 0. A car was seized which was uninsured and the driver charged with drink driving and possession of drugs.
A member referred to an incident on Marlene Ave, which the meeting would like to know the outcome. (Janet)
3(ii) PACT meeting 2015: On 28 October a member reported to the PACT meeting that there were a greater number parked cars at the Infant School during the day and not just at opening/closing times of the school.
The next PACT meeting is 9 December at 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
At this meeting it was noted that the loss of the pavement in front of the Cooperage was a danger to pedestrians, especially at the refuge crossing point. (Cllr Blakey)
3(iii) Neighbourhood Wardens: Contact the wardens is 03000 261000 and report environment offences online to DCC or to your local councillor Jan Blakey 03000 268685.
4. Minutes: General Meeting 20 Oct: The minutes were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising Item 7Bi) Permitted rights for students: Richard sent the following comment: If student development is restricted in the City Centre as a result of an Article 4 Direction, and it is found that this does lead to pressure to change the use of residential accommodation in Bowburn to houses in multiple occupation for student accommodation, then members request that consideration be given to extending the area for an Article 4 Direction to include places such as Bowburn.
Item 7Bii) Fire training tank: Information from Peter Herbert: The tank’s position has been approved, but should a scheme come forward for a western industrial estate relief road, the operators of the site are aware that the tank would have to be relocated. In other words, a permanent structure is not being erected as an incumbrancer to any future use of the protected 30 metre strip for highway purposes.
Members thought that this arrangement was reasonable.
Item 11i) Park bungalow: Paul Irwin confirmed that the council are in advanced discussions with CISWO regarding the demolition of the park bungalow. Any further information will be given to us. (Janet)
5. Finances: i) Expenditure of £40 for room rent; Income of £86 from the Numbers quiz from which there will be payments of £35.
5ii) Legal advice re the Park Hill application: The cost of a letter explaining the decision will be £1260.00
5iii) Fun Day Meeting: There is a net balance of £93.19 to carry forward to next year’s Fun Day.
5iv) Raffle prize: M Stone won the prize, kindly donated by M Bell. Next month J Blackburn is to donate a prize
5v) Quiz: Numbers quiz winners First C Chantler; Second P Salisbury; Third S Raine
For the Partnership’s income – the next quiz is ‘Party time’ at £1; closing date 13 February 2016.
6. Item for Any Other Business: (i) Funding application
7. Current Masterplan: 7A Regeneration Fund: Re planters: Andrew Blanckley, Highways, apologised if the Partnership had misunderstand his previous message and thought that there may be a suitable planter for Durham Road because there cannot be any planters along this stretch of highway – they would be unsafe.
7B Reports:
7B(i) Planning: County Durham Plan: Ongoing. Richard
Parkhill legal advice for a “village extension”: N Allan suggested that it would not be in our interests to take the challenge further. The revised costs will be paid on return of the original cheque for £2400.00
Freedom of Information request was refused by DCC, and is now with the Commissioner.
The chair’s costs are still awaiting determination.
Integra61: Nathaniel Lichfield is to meet the Parish Council on Thursday 20 November prior to submitting a planning application in December. Richard
A member shared information that could ensure that residents in and around our area benefit from future development opportunities in Bowburn. This would be taken to the Parish Council to work in partnership with B&PCP.
Agreed to invite a planner from DCC to a joint meeting of B&PCP and the Parish Council to update on the allocation of housing to Bowburn and the impact on services and Education. (Sylvia, Janet)
Keepmoat: Sarah Booth, Community Engagement and Investment Manager, reported that:
On ‘The Meadows’, on C12A, the show home is open and new residents are moving in weekly. They are working in partnership with Bowburn Junior School, to deliver a health and safety presentation and launch a poster completion; Weather permitting 27 children will visit the site tomorrow (18.11.15); Children officially ‘opened’ the show home with Cllr Neil Foster; gaining coverage in the press and online; They gave a replacement tree to commemorate the school’s 40th anniversary; Gifted the school disposable cameras to document what is important to them in Bowburn; The photographs will be displayed at the school and Bowburn Community Centre.
She thanked us for our list of ideas for projects to ‘get involved in’, all of which will be at Keepmoat’s discretion and following the approval of senior management and discussion at various DVR working group meetings.
7B(ii) Highways/Environment: Next meeting is Monday 18 January at 6pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Railings on Tail-Upon-End Lane: Paul Anderson, DCC, sent a plan detailing what is required with regard to the existing concrete post and tubular rail fencing. Exact dimensions would need to be agreed on site with Highway Services design/estimating team and the work must be completed by Highway Services. A small section of recently installed post and tubular fencing will remain in place; a section opposite Leyland close will be removed and not replaced; and a section opposite Millford Way to The Meadows will be replaced with birdsmouth fencing at 900mm high with 2 rails. (Janet, Mike, Richard)
Railings on MW approach: (Bowburn Exit to A1–150m, Coxhoe Exit to A1 South–75m, A1 North to A688–75m at a total cost of £27,972.00 ex VAT). Keep under review. Janet
Footpath Horton Crescent to McCormick Place – proposed closure: Owen Shaw DCC reported that paths can be closed where they are not needed and/or are not likely to be used. Usage of the path has been adequately demonstrated so these arguments could not be successfully reasoned even where there may be other circumstances for people wanting the path closed. We will therefore not be proceeding with this proposal.
MW roundabout markings to Coxhoe: Colin Mortimer A1+ is chasing several people who can update fully into the outcomes of this situation. He spoke to the Roads Improvement manager and provided him with all of our previous correspondence. He has assured me he will contact you with a result in the near future. Janet
Arriva bus service: Report from Simon Day, DCC: The changes to stops on X12 have been regretted by some users. This is Arriva's own service so not one where DCC is in a position to decide. Arriva has introduced the changes to reduce the stops served by X12 to reflect their wish to restore the more "limited stop” character to the service; preferred by the majority of current and prospective new passengers. It is also true that the service has been tending to struggle with timekeeping. It may be that Arriva is willing to respond to your request to serve the Dallymore Drive stop instead of Mary Terrace. However, it is my understanding that the usage data pointed to more people using X12 at Mary Terrace, and if so they might feel that is still the more rational choice. I think the situation may have been affected by older people from the bungalows in the Dallymore Drive area tending to use services 57/57a and 58 from the stops on Tail upon end Lane, so they do not need to cross the busy A177.
Janet is awaiting a response from Arriva. Janet
7Biii Parkhill: No update this month.
7Biv Community Centre:
28 December ‘Beauty and the Beast’ pantomime at £1 per ticket for all comers; New Years’ Eve Family Celebration with the band Twister £10 adults, £2 children; 14 December Xmas lunch at £5.
7Bv Youth Club: Junior’s on Mondays is a popular session of sport, cooking, arts & crafts; they are keen to learn new things and the recent donation of a Kurling set is such an example. A group of boys played a match with the support of the local Kurling team to teach them the rules and give them tips on the game.
Girls group. This is a small group of around 10 girls who meet every Wednesday for Metafit sessions to raise their self-esteem and confidence; cooking and baking for life skills.
Senior mixed sessions are always busy. The focus has been DIY where staff help the young people to develop skills in woodwork and metal work as well as looking after their community and respecting others.
Lads Group: Pool and football competitions as well as life skills. Afternoon drop in - for all those 16+ to meet for a chat, get information and advice on jobs and further education as well as support completing CVs. We have a lot of young Mam's who come along to meet each other and share advice. Every session is well attended; has a structure/focus aimed at the needs of the young people, who are involved in the planning.
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.
The North East Combined Authority (NECA) devolution agreement explained the proposed agreement and invited answers to four key questions via post or the website http//www.northeastca.gov.uk/devolution
Cllr Williams informed the meeting that DCC will be sending out a poll to every household which will explain NECA and give an opportunity to vote on the proposal.
9. Reports and matters arising:
9(i) EDRC AAP Board Meeting: The autumn Forum date is to be arranged.
Date and time of next BOARD meeting – Wednesday 27 January from 5.00pm at Kelloe Primary School
9(ii) Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council:
Next meet 18 November followed by 16 December in Bowburn Community Centre at 6.30pm. Note new time.
Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council Meeting, 21 October 2015.
Decisions were taken on allocating local community grants of up to £100.
Litter Pick 5 December 9.30am Bowburn Community Centre
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee: 18 November 2015 an hour before the Parish Council.
If interested in joining the group you are invited to join the meeting when draft policies will be discussed.
Decisions are being taken on policies for the NP.
9(iii) Quarry Liaison: The entrance to the ‘top path’ is open at the Quarrington Hill entrance to allow access to the footpath to The Heather Lad.
10. Group Noticeboard:
(i)Banner/History: Unfortunately the windy weather meant that the Centenary Banner could not be on display at the service of Remembrance at the war memorial.
The Resources Room is open every Wednesday from 1pm until 4pm.
(ii) BVC Interchange: Articles are requested for the December issue. If anyone is willing to volunteer as a deliverer of the Interchange newspaper let Mike Syer know.
The next Quiz Night on 13 November was a successful and enjoyable evening. The next quizzes will be held on 29 January and 11 March in Crowtrees Club at 7.30pm.
(iii) Credit Union Bank: The bank is open on Fridays from 11 am to 12 noon in the Community Centre.
(v) Facebook/Twitter/Durham Times: Gary will update news in the future.
(vi) Bowburn FC: No news this month.
11. AOB:
(i) Durham City Homes is offering grants of up to £500 to community groups.
(ii) A query was made about how permanent the digital sign at the northern end of Bowburn would be.
(iii) Footpath at the Cooperage – See Item 3ii
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
General Meeting 19 January 2016 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre