GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 February 2017 from 6.00pm
Present M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey (Chair), R Cowen (From 6.30pm), K Griffiths, J Kane, L Kane, D Paget,
C Parker, S Raine, M Ridley, M Syer, S Walworth
1.Apologies: G Kitson, F Salisbury In attendance: Cllr Plews
2. Declarations of interest: Declarations of interests would be made as required throughout this agenda.
3. Security (i) Police: No contact for last month:
3 (ii) PACT: Not 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. Minutes: Meeting 17 January: The minutes were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: All on the agenda.
5. Finances: Income: February Tea/Raffle £10.00; February Quiz income £82. Expenditure: Room hire £40;
Quiz prizes £30; Insurance £105.60; Planters £1375 has been paid via the Parish as they are taking
responsibility for the planters in the future, which leaves a sum of £4837.50 in the Regeneration Pot; the total
balance before transactions at the meeting was £7045.93
Lottery licence: Enquiries about paying for a lottery licence found that it was not necessary especially when the
Community Association has a full licence which can cover raffles taking place in the Centre – it was agreed to
cease paying for a licence through the Partnership.
Regeneration Pot: Payment for the replacement and painting of the gas boxes in Durham Road will be
requested from the Regeneration Pot.
Endowment Fund: The initial fund of £9029.61 has increased to £9217, after a commission payment of £60.61.
Spread the word that the Partnership accepts contributions into the fund for future grant applications. ALL
Co-op Local Community Fund: £344 has been raised through the Co-op Local Community Fund. Co-op
members who have not yet chosen a cause in our community have built up £1056 – the more Co-op members
that choose the Partnership, the larger our share will be of the final total. ALL
5ii) Raffle prize: M Ridley won the prize kindly donated by Mal Bell. In March J Blackburn will donate a prize.
5iii) Quiz: The new quiz for fund raising, ‘It’s magic’ at £1, closes on 18 February 2017.
6. Item for Any Other Business: Lights on the former Cooperage; Park facilities on new developments.
7. Current Masterplan:
7A Regeneration Fund:
Durham Road planters: The planters for the lower end of Durham Road, between numbers 23/24 and 27/28
were delivered on Wednesday 18 January.
Railings along C12A: Brian Kitching DCC is in charge of the ‘railings’ project, but he was not available for an
update when contacted for this meeting. JANET
Project Notes
Tidy Prince Bishop B&B corner
Point houses in Durham Road 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
7B Reports:
7Bi) County Durham Plan (CDP): The government Housing White Paper was published in February 2017;
however it does not give a formula to assess housing. Land banking is being discouraged – a good reason has
to be given if a development is delayed. In future there will be a 2 year default timing to start developing a site.
R Cowen will prepare a response and bring it to the March meeting for discussion. RICHARD
Anaerobic digester: Keep under review. RICHARD
7Bii) Community engagement – Keepmoat reserved matters planning application on the Parkhill site: The
current draft proposal to develop the Parkhill site is for 190 homes - 152 of which are for private sale; 38 (20%)
affordable; Of the 38 affordable homes, 26 are for affordable rent and 12 are for discount market sale (at 70%
of market value). Isos Housing is in discussion regarding the ownership and management of the affordable
rent homes. A public consultation will take place on 2 March between 3pm and 7pm in Coxhoe Village Hall.
At this meeting it was agreed to contact Ian Heginbottom to request a public consultation in Bowburn. JANET
Riverside: Phillip Thompson DCC informed that it is the developer’s intention to complete the works installing
the large Trief kerbs alongside the Hill Top View site on the C12A during the Easter break 10 – 21 April.
7Biii) Highways/Environment:
Bowling green hedge: A member will tidy the top of concrete post. To Do MARTIN
Park Bungalow: Cllr Blakey reported that the possible demolition of the bungalow is a ‘little bit nearer’. JANET
Durham Road: Inform the secretary of B&PCP of any parked vehicles on the pavement of Durham Road with
photographs, date and time. JANET
Old Quarrington/A688 access:
Residents requested that the graffiti is removed from under the MW bridge over the Old Quarrington road.
Agreed to contact A1 Highways with this request. 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.
Gas meter boxes in Durham
Road
19/07/16 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 are in agreement 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 Service Paint.
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear
7Biv) Community Centre: The AGM is in March when all affiliated groups should attend to secure a reduction
in room hire charges. The defibrillator has been used twice by the Nursing Home and returned with new ‘shock
pads’. A new door has been fitted in the foyer with an automated electric system linked to the opening of the
entrance door. It is intended to refurbish the Left Hand games room with a new floor and dividing door.
Discussions are taking place to remove the folding doors in the main hall and replace with a brick wall and an
entrance door to the lounge. These projects are possible by the fundraising in the kitchen and bar.
7Bv) Youth Club: The management committee met the staff to allay fears about the situation in the transition
from DCC funding.
Contact the Youth Club on Facebook; coxhoe&bowburndistrictyouthclubs; Visit any time; Phone 07788277321
Gym: New members are always welcome.
Times: Monday to Saturday AM 9.15 - 11.30am; Evenings Tuesday to Thursday 6.00 - 8.30pm.
7Bvi) Coal column (Report by Mike Syer): The quotation for the Coal Column was £35 000 which is covered by
the S106 monies from the Cape site, but this would not cover the cost of VAT, planning permission and
commission a company e.g. Groundwork to project manage the project. However there are monies from the
Keepmoat site which could cover these costs. It is possible for another group to take on the responsibility.
At the Parish Council meeting on 15 February it was agreed in principle to be responsible for the Column.
7Bvii) New Primary school: Funding for a primary school has been agreed and is proposed to be built in the
next three years. The current source of information is somewhat unsatisfactory and our local councillors will
make enquiries for the next meeting. CLLRS BLAKEY AND PLEWS
The school must be built for purpose and therefore it was agreed to query the Nursery School places
announced as 39, but at present are 52 places. The building of this school may increase the need to build the
Industrial Relief Road. JANET
School parking: A consultation has taken place in the streets approaching the Junior School in Bowburn south
from but not including Prince Charles Avenue.
8. Correspondence: None
9. Reports and matters arising:
9i) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP 24 January:
Terry Collins, Chief Executive (DCC) updated on what is currently happening across the Council. Ron Hogg,
Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner updated the consultation on the Police, Crime and Victims’ Plan, the
new plan can be found on the police website, and updated the proposals for the Police Precept (Police
element of Council Tax). Pauline Walker, Civic Pride Team (DCC) delivered information on Operation Spruce
Up. Board members chose Bowburn as their preferred location within the AAP area. Clair White, Head of
Commissioning – Durham Dales & Sedgefield CCG updated Urgent Care information. Ellie Seed, Investing in
Children, gave an overview on the Connecting Young People via the internet. Neighbourhood Inspector Sarah
Honeyman updated local policing information and neighbourhood issues raised by local residents.
Board members agreed on the following AAP priorities for 2017/18 – Children, Young People & Families; Older
People; Health and Wellbeing. Board members agreed that the Joint Priority Task Group focus on project
development for the Children, Young People & Families AAP priority.
The quarterly project progress report for Quarter 3 (October – December) had been circulated to Board
members which provided an update on the current Area Budget projects.
Next Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 March from 5pm in Cassop Centre.
9ii) Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council: At the January meeting the recommendation of the Finance
Committee, which had met the previous week, it was agreed to set the precept demand for 2017/18 at £56,890
to help fund Youth provision in the Parish. Other savings were made in order to reduce the precept demand,
without significantly affecting the Parish’s provision. A meeting had taken place between local County
Councillors and officers to clarify the position on the proposed Coal Column: eg how much money will be
available and who will be responsible for maintenance and insurance.
At the February meeting the Coal Column was agreed in principle when it was confirmed that funding was
available from both the Cape site and the Keepmoat site. There was a proposal to replace 3 seats at various
sites in Bowburn and install a height restricting barrier at Bowburn Park entrance: the Neighbourhood Budget
contribution from the County Councillors was limited to £2,000, but the barrier alone would cost £1,640, and
the additional funds would not cover replacing the seats (£1,875). It was agreed to re-paint the seats instead of
replacing them.
Next meetings: 15 March, (Bowburn); Litterpick 4 March
Neighbourhood Plan: The results of the questionnaires are being collated.
9iii) Quarry Liaison: Awaiting the next meeting date. SYLVIA/RICHARD
10. Group Noticeboard:
(i)Banner: A meeting on 28 February will decide the route of the gala parade and the eve of gala concert.
(ii) BVC Interchange: The next issue is being prepared for printing in March/April and articles would be
welcome. Volunteers are always welcome for deputy editor and delivering.
The next Quiz Night will be held on Friday 3 February in Crowtrees Club at 7.30pm.
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear
(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: A talk is to take place on Spanish Art in Durham by a speaker from Bowes Museum.
The Resources Room is open every Wednesday 1pm till 3pm.
(v) Fun Day: The Fun Day is arranged for Saturday 30 September 2017.
11. AOB: A member was concerned that the lighting on the former Cooperage building was causing problems
for residents in Stevenson Street.
A member requested that areas of play equipment should be installed within the new developments.
Cllr Plews informed that if new play equipment is installed it would have to be maintained by say the Parish
because County are not taking on the maintenance of new equipment.
12. Date/Time of Next Meeting: 21 March 2017 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear