GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 18 April 2017 from 6.00pm
Present B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey (Chair), J Fuller, G Kitson, M McKeon, P Phillips, T Phillips,
S Raine, M Syer
1.Apologies: R Cowen, D Paget, M Ridley, F Salisbury, S Walworth In attendance: M Plews
2. Declarations of interest: Declarations of interests would be made as required throughout this agenda.5
3. Security (i) Police: (No report to-date)
3 (ii) PACT: No future date available
3 (iii) Neighbourhood Wardens: Contact the wardens is 03000 261000 and report environment offences online
to DCC or to your local County Councillor Jan Blakey 03000 268685 and Maria Plews 03000 268760
4. Recycling presentation: Ruth Smith, external project manager for waste management, gave a clear
message to collect clean, dry, quality items that can be recycled into new materials.
Ruth offered to organise a visit to the recycle plant for a small party. JANET
5. Minutes: Meeting 21 March: The minutes were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: All on the agenda.
6. Annual General Meeting 16 May 2017: Trustees’ Nomination Forms were given out – return by 2 May.
7. Finances: Income: March Tea and Raffle money of £6.50.
A list of transactions in the previous 12 months was distributed showing balances of £7074.43 of which
£5343.04 is restricted.
Endowment Fund: The Partnership accepts contributions into the fund for future grant applications. ALL
Co-op Local Community Fund: We will receive our funding of £885.91 via The Charities Aid Foundation.
History book: Decisions will be taken to print the book in due course. MIKE
7ii) Raffle prize: Jan Blakey won the prize kindly donated by R Cowen. G Kitson will donate a prize in May.
7iii) Quiz: The new quiz for fund raising, ‘It’s Spring’ at £1, closes on 13 May 2017.
8. Item for Any Other Business: None
9. Current Masterplan:
9A Regeneration Fund:
Railings along C12A: Based on the timescale (October 2016) of the original estimate of £17,761 and new
rates applying for the 2017/2018 financial year the revised sum will be £18,671, an additional cost of £910.
Councillors Blakey and Plews reluctantly agreed so that the works can start as early as possible. JANET
Even with this decrease of S106 monies from this site, it is hoped that there will be enough money from S106
monies from other sites in Bowburn to fund the Coal Column.
Project Notes
Prince Bishop B&B
corner
Point houses in
Durham Rd
DCC conservation does not recommend raking out pointing which is satisfactory as it could
harm the bricks and allow water to seep in.
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear
Please suggest other environment projects. ALL
9B Reports:
9Bi) Planning: Pub and hotel on land next to Integra61. This application is on the site surrounded by the
Integra61 application, opposite the Durham Services. Agreed to raise concerns about the access from the pub/
hotel onto the busy and dangerous A688, even though there would be no right-hand turns. The entrance
should be via the new road network of Integra61. RICHARD
Bowburn Industrial Relief Road: Prospective buyers, who were paying a premium for an uninterrupted view,
had not been informed that there would be a Relief Road at the back of their property.
Mr David Taylor, Legal Manager DCC, informed Janet that he can confirm that current searches are not
revealing any proposals for a new road, and he is checking with the Highway Development Manager the
current status of this proposal. Awaiting further information. JANET
9Bii) Carlin Close Steps: Agreed to make enquiries why the steps from the C12A to the estate have been left
unfinished and unusable. JANET
Grass strimming and
weed strimming
Check with DCC; Pay Parish Council to do this.
Weeds growing in front houses look unsightly and blight the area; with the help of the Parish
litter pickers it is proposed to strim the weeds.
20/09/16 There was to be a site meeting in Durham Road with Jimmy Bennett and Martin
Briscoe on 21 September to discuss the strimming.
18/10/16 The Partnership was given permission from DCC to strim the grass verge from the
Methodist Chapel to the bus stand opposite the Hare & Greyhound, and advised to write to
Ogden to ask them to cut back the hedges to make the highway safe and tidy up the area.
Awaiting a reply.
15/11/16 Agreed to contact Jimmy Bennet about making the hedges safe as there had been
no response from Ogden’s.
15/11/16 Cllr Blakey informed that there will be a ‘Village Spruce Up’ in April 2017.
15/11/16 Cllr Blakey has requested that the flower beds be removed from the front of Mary
Terr and shrubs be taken out of the corner of Prince Charles Avenue.
17/01/17 First suggestions were made for the ‘Village Spruce Up’ of clearing the pavement of
weeds along the C12A to the Hallgarth Estate; Paint outdoor seating where necessary.
21/02/17 A walkabout has been arranged with DCC on 27 February.
21/03/17 Chris Hindmarch, DCC, with Jan, Janet, Mike and Sylvia covered a large area of
Bowburn and noted areas that were in need of cleaning and clearing in the week of 3 April, or
later if necessary.
18/04/17 Spruce Up works: Opposite Community Centre – Strimmed, raked and
re-seeded. Edged paths in front of Community Centre and Shops; Pruned
shrubs next to library. Grass cut next to Tattoo shop; Pruned shrubs at side of
Chemist. Tided area opposite Slater Place – Cut back verge and strimmed.
Removed tree post next to pit memorial; Weeded Memorial area; Planted 5
Birch either side of the two memorials. General road sweeping of all paths and
channels; General litter pick and cleaning of public open space. Checked and
cleaned DCC bus stops; Pavings washed where required. Replaced/installed
bins at: Bus stop opposite the Hair Hut & Business Centre, Community Centre,
Traffic Lights, Carpet Shop, Mary Terrace , Main road bus stops x2
Gas meter boxes in
Durham Road
After agreeing that the Partnership could contribute a reasonable sum towards improving this
problem, it was agreed to contact all residents in Durham Road to gain ideas as to how to
smarten up the gas boxes.
16/08/16 Three residents from Durham Rd agree with the refurbishment of the gas boxes.
20/09/16 Costing new gas boxes is in progress.
18/10/16 RJL Plumbing gave a quote of £192, including VAT, to replace each gas box after
checking for gas leaks.
It was agreed to contact the residents of houses in Durham Road which have a damaged gas
box about their replacement, and contact all residents in Durham Road to agree to the
painting of the boxes.
15/11/16 There have been no objections to refitting damaged gas boxes; one person does not
want the gas box painted.
17/01/17 It was hoped to paint the gas boxes if suitable quality paint could be found that was
acceptable by DCC and could then be paid for by the Regeneration Pot along with new gas
boxes where needed.
21/02/17 When the weather is drier the gas boxes will be repaired, and painted with Multi
Surface Paint.
21/03/17 and 18/04/17 Agreed to replace the damaged gas boxes immediately
Then paint the boxes black to match the street furniture in Durham Road -
when the weather is suitable, apart from No 4 Durham Road. MARTIN
All householders will be written to and informed of the above. JANET
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear
9B iii)Hill Top View: Awaiting a response from Chris Baxter, DCC planning department, regarding the footpath
from the site to the A177 above Oxford Terrace. JANET
Trief kerbs: The kerbs were being installed in the week beginning 11 April.
Members were pleased to see that a footpath appears to be constructed alongside the trief kerbs.
Unfortunately this has since proved to be untrue; no footpath is being constructed.
9Biv) MW A1(M) junction 61: Awaiting a response to the query about a consultation date for the improvements
to the A1 (M) junction. JANET
9Bv) Operation Spruce Up:
As requested by Chris Hindmarch, agreed to contact with the following comments: Positives: The Clean Up
was 'Good', 'Made a noticeable difference' and 'Left the main road in a pristine condition'.
And the negatives: ‘Thought more would have been done', ''Should have been area intensive', 'Should have
paid some attention to the (former) colliery rows'. JANET
9Bvi) Bowling green hedge: A member will tidy the top of concrete post. To Do MARTIN
9Bvii) Community Centre: The AGM re-elected the officers, but with Jan Blakey as secretary.
The Board agreed to refurbish the Left Hand Games Room by removing the slide bar in the floor and replace
the folding door with a suitable shutter, and agreed to remove the folding doors in the hall and replace with a
wall and a set of double doors to connect the Lounge to the Hall.
9Bviii) Youth Club: The Youth Worker is Joanne Eden, and the Administrator is David Bonarius. Visit any time;
Phone 07788277321; Contact the Youth Club on Facebook; coxhoe&bowburndistrictyouthclubs;
Gym: New members always welcome. Times: Mon to Sat AM 9.15-11.30am; Evenings Tue to Thur 6-8.30pm
9Bix) Coal column (Report by Mike Syer): The Parish Council is to meet with Stephen Reed on Tuesday 25
April at 4.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre, to discuss commissioning the Coal Column. MIKE
9Bx) Primary school: No new information.
School parking: 20mph signs are being installed around the approaches to the Junior School.
20mph signs funding approaching the Infant School is on hold. COUNCILLORS
9B xi) Shops: Andy Hadley does not think that McColl’s is a suitable retailer for Bowburn, being a small
convenience store, but he will have a look at the area in the next few weeks. JANET
10. Correspondence: (a) There is to be a ‘Beat the scammers’ presentation in July to raise the awareness of
telephone scams and fraud. Some people will be eligible for a call blocker, installed free of charge by Age UK.
(b) Talks in future: Members agreed that future talks should be carefully chosen to be of interest to the wider
community, and on that basis agreed that ‘Come eat together’ was more suitable for the Community Centre
11. Reports and matters arising:
11i) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP: Next Meeting 6 June from 5.00 pm, Venue to be arranged.
11ii) County Councillors: It was reported that events are mainly going on in Durham City but because of
purdah, no local projects are being taken forward. CLLRS BLAKEY/PLEWS
11iii) Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council:
Next Meeting: 17 May; Litterpick: 6 May meet at 9.30am in Bowburn Community Centre.
Neighbourhood Plan: The results have been collated and will be discussed tomorrow 19 April.
11iv) Quarry Liaison: It seems that the disputed bridleway will not be in use in the future. SYLVIA/RICHARD
12. Group Noticeboard:
(i)Banner: Clive Lawson is organising a Kelloe Memorial to commemorate 120 men killed in the Kelloe
Disaster. This will be in Kelloe Church at 10.30am on 6 May.
The Bowburn Children’s Banner and the Bowburn Centenary Banner were on parade at the Old King Coal
celebration at Beamish, and the Tursdale Mechanics banner has been on display at Hetton-le-Hole.
(ii) BVC Interchange: No one has yet responded to the appeal for new volunteers.
The next Quiz Night will be held on Friday 9 June 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.
Both schools have opened a Credit Union Bank for children and family members.
(iv) History: The talk on ‘The first families of Bowburn colliery’ was well received.
Lee Brownson will give a talk about Auckland Castle’s future plans on 10 May.
John Davison will give a talk about Passchendaele and the 3rd Battle of Ypres, 1917 on 7 June.
Both meetings, in Bowburn Community Centre, start at 7.00PM. £3 to non History Group members.
The Resources Room is open every Wednesday 1pm till 3pm.
(v) Fun Day: The Fun Day is arranged for Saturday 30 September 2017.
13. AOB: None
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear
14. Date/Time of Next Meeting and AGM: 16 May 2017 at 6.00pm AGM in Bowburn Community Centre
followed by an update by James Taylor on Integra61 then the General Meeting.
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear