General Meeting B&PCP Charity No 1112151 Tuesday 16 April 2019
PRESENT: M Bell, J Blackburn, R Cowen, J Geyer, M McKeon, G Parker, S Raine, J Richardson, M Syer
In Attendance: Cllr Dunn Apologies: None
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS MEETING: Declare interests when appropriate
3. SECURITY: POLICE UPDATE 14/03/2019 – 10/04/2019: Burglary 4 reports: 2 commercial units
from both the North and South Industrial estates; investigation still ongoing. 2 residential including
a caravan lock forced open and a workshop wooden door forced open by a metal crowbar;
investigation now closed. Theft: None. Criminal damage 1 report where a suspect approached a
doorway of the secured Working Men’s Club, put super glue in the lock, and made off;
investigation now closed. Anti-social behaviour 15 reports, 4 involved youths causing a nuisance
at Bowburn Services smashing bottles and throwing objects at each other; visible patrols have
been and will continue to be carried out in the area.
PACT MEETING 10 April - report by PCSO Stephanie Clarke: This month’s PACT meeting was
more positive than last month. It discussed several matters, including police involvement regarding
the troublesome youths and future plans.
There has been a decrease in reported crimes compared to last month, which saw the
atmosphere much more comfortable than March’s meeting.
Next PACT meeting Wednesday 8 May at 3pm, Bowburn Community Centre.
If any residents have any information or anything to report, do not hesitate to contact Stephanie
via the email Stephanie.Clarke@durham.pnn.police.uk or contact 101 and 999 in an emergency.
At this meeting Cllr McKeon said that new people were coming forward to report crimes.
Cllr Dunn reported that the police are meeting with the young people aiming to build a mutual
respect with these youths. Tenants were not aware that they could report incidents to the housing
group, and Believe (Co Durham Housing Group) explained the evidence-based work needed to
follow up on problem tenants. More crimes are being reported on Facebook than to the police, but
they have a more positive tone.
Members at this meeting agreed that reported crime in Bowburn is low but the perception of crime
is high, which happened before the creation of Facebook. Members were asked to support the
police scheme “Young Heroes Award”, to highlight the positive contribution made by under 18’s to
the community in e.g. random acts of kindness, bravery and personal achievement.
However, the colliery rows in Bowburn are owned by private landlords not under the control of a
social housing group and there is a need for a Walkabout in these streets.
4. MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING 19 March 2019 agreed.
MATTERS ARISING: DCC phases on MW roundabout – Craig MacLennan DCC has not
responded to emails.
MAURA, JANET
17 April, Craig emailed the schedule of works for the MW roundabout, which he emphasised are subject to change.
Integra reports to Parish: James Taylor representing Integra 61 is unable to attend the Parish
Council meeting in April; he has arranged to attend the Parish meeting on 15 May 2019 starting at
6.30pm. ALL
Gas box paint: Martin Ridley is to ask for the paint from the decorator.
RICHARD
Scrap computer: Gary was thanked for saving the information from the old laptop and installing it
onto Janet’s new laptop.
Redhills seat: Agreed to ask the Banner Group to place the copy of the seat token for Bowburn
seat number 151 at Redhills on display in one of the banner cases in the Community Centre.
JANET
5. FINANCES: i)Treasurer’s report: Income of £1671.56 Holiday Fund, £250 (Tesco Bags of Help)
and £2500 (DJ Evans Youth Club) Fun Day; £14.50 from Tea/Raffle tonight. Paid £3,222.72 for
trees in Tweddle and Mary Terrace, the remaining £477.28 will be spent on trees in the Autumn,
£11 to J Blackburn for annual refreshments, £40.00 Room Hire, and £1,671.56 to DJ Evans Youth
Club re Holiday Fund; balance to date £10,185.02 of which £8,810.88 is restricted.
Donna is now examining the finances for the AGM.
DONNA
At the end of his report Mike announced that he would not be standing for re-election as treasurer.
ii) Raffle: M Syer won the raffle kindly donated by J Blackburn. R Cowen will bring the prize in May.
iii) Quiz: ‘Performing Arts’ £1 per copy, return by 18 May 2019.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 21 MAY: The following trustees are available for re-election.
M Bell, J Blackburn - secretary, R Cowen - chair, J Geyer, M McKeon, G Parker, S Raine - vice
chair,
J Richardson, M Syer.
7. ITEMS FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Health & Safety
8. LOCAL REPORTS: i) i)PLANNING: The Durham Plan is waiting to be sent to the Secretary of
State.
County Hall: The Secretary of State did not call in the plans. Durham City Parish is preparing a
challenge.
Hill Top View footpath: No progress.
Parkhill site: First houses are occupied. The % for Art monies from this site will be discussed after
there is a decision on the Coal Column.
Nature Trail: Janet to make enquiries about the next meeting.
JANET
‘Old’ Coop area: Building work is taking place.
ii) Speedwatch: Volunteers were encouraged to carry out the scheme. There is a meeting about
the scheme at Sherburn Police station on 5 May for those interested.
ii) Community Centre: The Centre has had a very good year; trading well over the winter period.
Next meeting Tuesday 28 May start time 6.30pm
iii) Youth Centre: The Easter Activities have been successful with almost 100% take-up.
iv) Bowburn Primary School: Awaiting agreement to cross CISWO land.
9. CORRESPONDENCE: None
10. REPORTS IN THE WIDER AREA:
i) AAP Next Board Meeting: Monday 20 May in Bowburn Community Centre
ii) COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROUNDUP:
Cllr Dunn: Gave a further explanation of the matters around reporting crime see Item 3 above.
Cllr McKeon: Bell Estate residents are concerned about the remedial works to the estate e.g.
lighting and highways taking place in preparation for adoption. There are also concerns of gardens
flooding and DCC officers are investigating the problem. The damaged fence at Charlesworth
Close should be repaired by the developer. After fly-tipping in Parkhill the councillors hope to get
cameras installed.
iii) PARISH: Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council, 20 March 2019
The Parish Council placed on record its thanks and appreciation to Peter Thorpe for his 18 years’
service as Parish Clerk. The Parish expressed concerns about 2 planning applications, one on
Cranston Close, and one opposite Esh House, both because of their proximity to the proposed
Bowburn Relief Road. Following discussions at the Partnership meeting, it was suggested that
future updates on the Integra 61 development should be given to the Parish Council, the statutory
body, with an invitation extended to members of the Partnership to attend the meetings. The
Environment sub-committee was proposing changes to the allotment tenancy agreement, with a
view to highlighting environmental issues and encouraging wildlife on the Parish’s sites. The
proposals will be brought to the next meeting.
Since our last Parish meeting, we have received the sad and shocking news of the unexpected
death of Cllr Alan Richardson of Tursdale, a Parish Councillor since March 2006 and a former
Chairman.
Meetings: 17 April and 15 May Next Litter-pick: 4 May meet at 9.30am in the Community Centre
car park.
Neighbourhood Plan: Progressing towards the ‘health check’ stage when DCC officers will oversee
the draft document.
Coal Column: Consultations are being completed and delivered to the box in the Community
Centre – closing date 11 May.
iv) QUARRY LIAISON: The next meeting will be 9 May 2019.
11. GROUP NOTICEBOARD:
i) Banner: There have been invitations to Hetton and the last game of Sunderland for a parade of
banners.
ii) BVC: Issue 90 has been delivered, with a comment that a 12-page Interchange was very heavy
for the deliverers. There is an online addendum to the article about the Coal Column on page 3,
and the ID on the photograph with Peter Thorpe will be corrected in Issue 91.
Quiz night Friday 17 May 2019 from 7.30pm in Crowtrees WM Club.
iii) History: The History Room is open on Wednesday’s between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
The following talks will take place in the Community Centre starting at 7pm.
Tuesday, 14th May: Margaret Hedley: “Women of the Durham Coalfield in the 19th Century”.
12. AOB: Report incidents of Health & Safety affecting the business of the Partnership to Gary.
It was with sadness that the chair announced the death of Bill Bates; he had been a loyal trustee.
13. NEXT GENERAL MEETING: AGM 21 May 2019 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre
Followed immediately by the General Meeting.