GENERAL MEETING - Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 March 2017 from 6.00pm
Present M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen (Chair), G Kitson, D Paget, S Raine, M Ridley, M Syer
1.Apologies: F Salisbury, B Little In attendance: None
2. Declarations of interest: Declarations of interests would be made as required throughout this agenda.
3. Security (i) Police: (Via email from the Parish Council)
Bowburn – 1 burglary; 4 Anti-Social Behaviour; 1 theft; 1 criminal damage.
A car was seized in the Bowburn area due to the driver being unsupervised whilst holding a provisional licence
with children on board. The vehicle was also uninsured and had no valid MOT or tax. This information was
provided by members of the public.
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. Minutes: Meeting 21 March: The minutes were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Matters arising: All on the agenda.
5. Finances: Income/Expenditure: There have been no new transactions since the last meeting.
Donna has kindly agreed to do the independent examination of the 2016-17 accounts for the next AGM.
Endowment Fund:
Spread the word that the Partnership accepts contributions into the fund for future grant applications. ALL
Co-op Local Community Fund timetable: 9 April Our fundraising period ends; 13 April We will know how much
funding we have raised; 19 April The Coop will announce the grand total raised for causes across the UK; By
28 April We will receive our funding via The Charities Aid Foundation.
History book: Agreed to cost the publishing of the book, and then charge an appropriate rate per copy when
the Coop grant had been received. MIKE
5ii) Raffle prize: D Paget won the prize kindly donated by J Blackburn In March R Cowen will donate a prize.
5iii) Quiz: The new quiz for fund raising, ‘It’s Spring’ at £1, closes on 13 May 2017.
6. Item for Any Other Business: Shops.
7. Current Masterplan:
7A Regeneration Fund:
Railings along C12A: Brian Kitching DCC is to begin the process to install the railings on the C12A. JANET
Project Notes
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.
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.
JANET
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) Housing White paper: Discussion took place on the notes prepared by Richard and it was agreed that
members should respond individually to the consultation. ALL
7Bii) Community engagement – Keepmoat reserved matters planning application on the Parkhill site: A
consultation was held in Bowburn on 15th March; Carlin Close The steps were being put in place in the week
of 20 March; Litter and old wire fencing in the verge around the site is to be removed; The tarmac footpath at
the entrance to the site will be checked and updated next month. JANET
Hill Top View: Agreed to contact the planning department regarding the footpath from the site to the A177
above Oxford Terrace. JANET
Trief kerbs: Keep under review. JANET
7Biii) Highways/Environment:
MW A1(M) junction 61: £1.85 million for improvements to the A1 (M) junction is supported by additional private
funding and will be delivered by Highways England, in partnership with Durham County Council.
Agreed to check if a consultation date has been planned. JANET
Graffiti on MW bridge: A-one+ has replied to our enquiry by email saying that the issue had been picked up in
routine inspections. Offensive graffiti must be removed within 24 hours but this report does not fall into that
category. Graffiti has been blanked out before but further graffiti has reappeared fairly soon after. Meetings
held with the police suggest that by providing a blank canvas the individuals who commit this act, whilst illegal,
are unnecessarily placed in danger as they are exposed to risk from traffic. This graffiti will be attended to
within their cyclic of maintenance but due to the risk element and the cost of equipment, traffic management
does not place it high their essential works.
Agreed to inform A-one+ there is a wide footpath on both sides of the road under the bridge and neither those
creating the graffiti nor those cleaning off the graffiti would be in danger from going about their work. JANET
Old Quarrington/A688 access: Keep under review
Anaerobic digester: C Teasdale has been contacted because the planting season ends on 31 March when
screening should have been planted around the digester. RICHARD
Bowling green hedge: A member will tidy the top of concrete post. To Do MARTIN
Park Bungalow: Keep under review. 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
7Biv) Community Centre: The AGM will be held on Tuesday 28 March at 6pm when all groups must attend to
keep their affiliation for 2017. A general meeting will follow the AGM.
7Bv) Youth Club: The Youth Worker, Joanne Eden, and Administrator, David Bonarius have been appointed
under the new management system of the Youth Club. Visit any time; Phone 07788277321; Contact the Youth
Club on Facebook; coxhoe&bowburndistrictyouthclubs;
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 Surface Paint.
21/03/17 Agreed to replace the damaged gas boxes immediately.
MARTIN
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
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 Parish Council is to meet with Stephen Reed to discuss
commissioning the Coal Column. MIKE
7Bvii) Primary school: Our local councillors will make enquiries for the next meeting. CLLRS BLAKEY/PLEWS
New school places - Sheila Palmerley is DCC’s lead on pupil place planning who will be carefully planning the
requirements of the new school.
School parking: 20mph signage and road markings will be installed on the entrances to the approach roads to
the Junior School with the Neighbourhood Budget of the local councillors. A consultation on the area of
signage did not have any objections so the order has gone through.
20mph signs approaching the Infant School are on hold but at this meeting it was agreed to urge the
councillors for funding to install the speed limit. COUNCILLORS
8. Correspondence: None
9. Reports and matters arising:
9i) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP 8 March:
Board members received the Summary Report of the It’s Up 2 U - Capital PB Event from 26 November 2016,
and agreed to allocate £40,000 Area Budget towards a PB Event for 2017. A task group will look at the criteria
for the event. Christine Fletcher, Age UK County Durham delivered a presentation on Beat the Scammers,
which received £9,436 from the AAP used to buy call blockers which are free to older people who have the
most need. Clair White, Head of Commissioning CCG, delivered a presentation on The Pocket Guide to
Urgent Care Services which sets out services from 1 April 2017. Neighbourhood Inspector Sarah Honeyman
gave a presentation on Behind Closed Doors and encouraged everyone to contact the Police in relation to
Child Sexual Exploitation, Human Trafficking, Stolen Goods or Counterfeit Goods; and gave an update on
local policing and neighbourhood issues raised by local residents. The AAP has been allocated £10,000
Welfare Assistance monies for 2017/18 which will be included within the Joint Priorities Task and Finish Group,
and Lyndsey Thomason gave an update on the Joint Priorities meeting held on 23 February 2017. A report
gave details on a proposal for a Holiday Activities Provision Fund for 2017/18, which has worked well in 2
other AAPs and Board members were happy to take the project further. Next Meeting 6 June from 5.00 pm.
9ii) County Councillors: Cllr Blakey agreed that the local councillors would give a report on issues relating to
Bowburn and the surrounding area to the Partnership meeting each month – this is done in other areas.
9iii) Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council: At the March meeting the Parish discussed a planning
application by Roadchef for a drive-through kiosk at the front of the existing car park. Members were
concerned by the possibility of lights distracting drivers on the main road, as customers turned towards the
new area, and problems with traffic circulation and possible danger to pedestrians. Members who had been
present at the walkabout about the proposed “Spruce-up” reported back to the Parish. Many items requiring
attention had been recorded, and the project was to begin on 3 April. A member produced photographs of
debris left by BT employees and contractors when working on the BT boxes throughout the village. Lengths of
coloured wire were frequently left around the boxes. These were unsightly, did not either rot down or blow
away, and longer pieces could damage grass cutting equipment. Members agreed that the Clerk should write
to BT requesting that in future all such debris should be removed.
Next Meeting: 19 April; Litterpick: 1 April BIG SPRING CLEAN meet at 9.30am in Bowburn Community Centre.
At this meeting it was agreed to support the Parish concerning the problems with drive-thro kiosk. RICHARD
Neighbourhood Plan: The results of the questionnaires are still being collated.
9iv) Quarry Liaison: Next meeting is 23 March. SYLVIA/RICHARD
10. Group Noticeboard:
(i)Banner: The route for gala parade has been agreed and the eve of gala concert will have the Backroom
Boys band playing during the evening.
(ii) BVC Interchange: The March issue is being distributed. Volunteers are always welcome for deputy editor
and delivering. The next Quiz Night will be held on Friday 31 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.
Both schools have opened a Credit Union Bank for children and family members.
(iv) History: A talk on ‘The first families of Bowburn colliery’ will be held in the Community Centre on 5 April.
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: Shops. Agreed: To contact all supermarkets to encourage them to begin trading in Bowburn. JANET
Recycle presentation 18 April: Reminder to invite residents to the next meeting for the recycle presentation.
Notice that elections applications are due for County Councillors, AAP Reps and Parish Councillors
12. Date/Time of Next Meeting: 18 April 2017 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre
Pick up a weed and a piece of paper every day to keep your pavements clear