General Meeting B&PCP Charity No 1112151 Tuesday 15 February 2019
Present: M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen, J Geyer, M McKeon, D Paget, G Parker,
S Raine, J Richardson, In attendance: D Bend, A Lighton, C
MacLellan, J Taylor
1 Apologies: Cllr Dunn, K Griffiths, F Salisbury M Syer, S Walworth
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS MEETING: Declare interests when appropriate
3. INTEGRA 61: James Taylor confirmed that there would be disruption as the infrastructure for the MW
roundabout and A688 takes place, but there would be a high level of progress over the coming year.
David Bend introduced himself to the meeting as area manager of ACS, the works principal contractor.
Andrew Lighton, with his knowledge of the site, has been employed by ACS as project manager.
Andrew explained that the drainage works did not take as long as expected on an order from the police.
Works will begin to remove trees, build an embankment and construct the roundabouts on the A688
controlled by traffic lights during the day between 9.30am and 3.30pm backed up with a 40mph speed limit
which is the subject of a Traffic Regulation Order. He said that this speed limit will increase to 50mph when
the works are finished, but Cllr Blakey said that she had asked for the 40mph limit to be permanent to the
proposed Tursdale roundabout.
Craig McLellan, DCC highways engineer, described the works on the MW roundabout which consists of ten
phases split into three packages. The capacity of the whole of the roundabout will increase to three lanes,
controlled by full-time signals. To reduce the congestion on the A688 (Tursdale Road) there will be two
lanes from the MW roundabout to the first roundabout past the services and a left turn only from the
services onto the A688. It was anticipated that the traffic going to the motorway would take the outside lane
and that the lights at the motorway junction would mean that suitable gaps would be created in the traffic.
Utility works on the A177 and A688 take place in March and April controlled by two/three-way lights at night.
It was not anticipated that light from the works would significantly impact on the nearest properties in
Durham Road. From June to the beginning of August works are planned to the services which will feature a
temporary haulage road followed by a settlement period. From August to mid-November the dual
carriageway and alternative island to the services will be constructed. By the end of the year the works will
be resurfaced, marked out and signals working to complete the project.
Craig would be happy to send the information of the phases to the secretary. JANET
A member asked that the road is kept clean and David said that ACS scrape off mud etc. and constantly
monitors the state of the road.
It was asked if the lane priority to Peterlee from the A177 had been changed.
Craig was confident that there would not be any problems with congestion under the new scheme but
would check. However, he did say that the proposed lane markings were: MW northbound, nearside lane;
Peterlee, middle lane; Coxhoe/MW south/Tursdale, offside lane. This caused considerable discussion with
comments that this is in effect the current layout which is causing congestion problems.
A member asked if a footpath can be constructed over the HE land south of Oxford Terrace to complete the
footpath from the Hilltop View Estate.
And a member requested that all the rusty and damaged railings leading from this footpath to the
roundabout be replaced.
James asked for details to be forwarded to him.
It was asked why the Bowburn Industrial Estates Access Road ended in the middle of a field on the Integra
61 site.
James said that was correct because Integra would be building up to that point in preparation for the
continuation of the ‘Access Road’.
A member informed that the Partnership would be supporting the Leamside line and suggesting a station
for Integra 61 and asked for comments on this.
James said that he would not consider that the Leamside line would be viable as a purely freight line, but if
it was for passengers as well then it might be possible.
It was asked about the benefits of the Transport for the North.
Craig explained that there will be 10 schemes funded for the whole of the country. DCC will be sending an
application in May.
James asked about contact with the Parish Council and it was agreed that the vice chair of the Parish will
make enquiries at the next Parish meeting. SYLVIA
James also informed that DCC Durham Archaeology Department are investigating a tilery containing 19th
Century pottery and were inviting the Local History Society on site. MAL
James, David, Andrew and Craig were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting at 7.45pm
4 SECURITY: POLICE UPDATE 17/01/2019 to 14/02/2019: Burglary 1 report a bike stolen from an address -
still under investigation; Theft 5 reports including Bowburn Co-op and Shell petrol station - still under investigation;
Criminal damage 3 reports, broken windows on 3 separate locations. Investigation closed.
Youth anti-social behaviour 11 reports which include weather related incidents when there was snow, problems with
youths and issues at Durham Services.
At this meeting members were concerned about the lack of response from the Police when crimes
and anti-social behaviour are reported.
PACT Walkabout: 14 February 2019 – The Walkabout started at the library where there have
been reports of anti-social behaviour, and moved on to the Colliery Rows where there have been
reports of drug dealing. It was said that vehicle crime is not being reported and there has been an
increase in needle finds.
This meeting was informed that the Council are developing information to let the public know what
to do about needle finds. A member felt that proof of crime should be a lever for action.
Future PACT Walkabout: 14 March 2019 6.00pm starting at Bowburn Community Centre.
5. MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING 15 January 2019 agreed.
MATTERS ARISING: Redhill seat – Agree to use the Partnership slogan on the token.
JANET / MIKE
6. FINANCES: i)Treasurer’s report: £8.00 from Tea/Raffle tonight. Paid £108.64 insurance, and 4
months room hire September to January. £10,740.74 balance at the end of January of which
£9283.60 is restricted.
ii) Raffle: M McKeon won the raffle kindly donated by M Syer. M Bell will bring the prize in March.
iii) Quiz prizewinners of ‘All at sea’ were 1st S Raine, 2nd C Chantler, 3rd M Banks.
New quiz ‘Performing Arts’ £1 per copy, return by 18 May 2019.
7. ITEMS FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Old Quarrington, Xmas decorations, Bird boxes
8. LOCAL REPORTS: i)PLANNING: Richard was thanked for preparing a report on Policies
concerning Bowburn in the Durham Plan; it was distributed to the meeting. The reports will be
submitted to the consultation before the closing date of 8 March.
RICHARD
County Hall: A planning application has been lodged.
Hill Top View footpath: See Item 3.
Parkhill site: Ongoing.
Nature Trail: There is to be a meeting in March.
‘Old’ Coop area: Building upstairs is ongoing. The Youth Worker has taken young people to the
site to discourage them from anti-social behaviour and keep them safe.
Old Quarrington barn conversion: There is a suggestion to Tarmac the track and provide passing
places.
ii) Community Centre: AGM Meeting 26 March at 6.00pm followed by a General Meeting which will
include a celebration of the 40th anniversary of becoming an association.
iii) Youth Centre: An application to the AAP Holiday Fund is being prepared for the Easter Holiday,
and a Neighbourhood Budget application has been submitted for the air conditioning and heating
in the sports’ hall. All youth and exercise groups are going well.
iv) Bowburn Primary School: Plans will not be submitted until CISWO sign the agreement.
Mrs Glass is working over the split-site in preparation for September. A class competition has
produced designs for a new school logo, three of which will be combined in the final design.
v) Speedwatch: There should be information at the March meeting.
9. CORRESPONDENCE:
AAP Public Rep Vacancy: eastdurhamruralaap@durham.gov.uk; closing date 12 noon 22
February
There is an application and an interview by a panel before being appointed.
Durham Bus Station: Ideas to be submitted to durhambusstation@durham.gov.uk; closing date 21
March.
An artist’s impression of a possible bus station is on the DCC website, but no plans have been
prepared, because Dave Wafer Strategic Traffic Manager DCC is looking for ideas from the public
for the first design.
Allotment consultation online at durham.gov online; closing date 31 March.
You do not have to own an allotment to put your views forward.
10. REPORTS IN THE WIDER AREA: AAP Key messages from the meeting on 5 February
J Straughan-Hawley chaired the meeting. M Atkinson has replaced R Goodes as the DCC rep on
the board. D Wafer, Strategic Traffic Manager, DCC gave a verbal update on the proposals for
North Rd and the Proposed New Bus Station but wanted to get a general sense of what locals
wanted in the first design.
M Robinson, Spatial Policy Team, DCC delivered a presentation on the County Durham Plan
Consultation at www.durham.gov.uk/future by 4.30 pm on 8 March.
G Davies highlighted that the take up of the Wheels to Work scheme has been slower than
anticipated and she welcomed any suggestions on how to promote the scheme -
www.wheels2workcountydurham.org.uk
Jane Bellis gave an update on the forum voting for; the following decisions were made in principle:
Children/young people/families; older people and health & wellbeing would be the priorities for
2019/20.
Agreed - Task Groups would allocate all pots of funding (subject to confirmation) £60,000 Area
Budget via a project call out on a rolling basis; deadlines would only be imposed if the Board was
concerned that money wasn’t being spent. £16,000 Area Budget ring fenced for Children/young
people/families on a rolling basis. £24,000 Area Budget set aside for a Capital Small Grants Pot.
The other pots i.e. Older Peoples Social Isolation, Welfare Reform and Youth would be allocated
via a call out with staggered deadlines. Criteria will soon be circulated. All projects would be
reported at Board level for final sign off.
Insp A Clarke gave an update on local police information and neighbourhood issues raised by
residents.
J Chandy, NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG gave a report to the meeting.
The following Neighbourhood Budget project; was approved by the Board subject to confirmation.
Scheme: Bowburn Youth Project; Councillor(s): Blakey; Interest Declared: Yes; Amount: £8,336.00
Next Board meeting: Tuesday 7 March from 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm at Cassop Community Centre
ii) COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROUNDUP: Cllr Blakey: Lighting columns on Tursdale Road will be
removed before March. Information of the Wheels to Work scheme has been passed on to the
Youth Club.
Cllr McKeon: DCC have found the leak at Parkhill and NW will repair it. Note that there is no AAP
Participatory Budget this year, funding will be allocated on a rolling programme of applications.
The DCC task group for Holiday Hunger will bid for government funding.
iii) PARISH: Report of Cassop-cum-Quarrington Parish Council, 16 January 2019
Colin Rose, artist of the proposed Coal Column, met with the Parish Council before the meeting,
and Joanne Ashworth of Groundwork NE attended the meeting, where she gave details of
responses to the online survey, which did not close until 18 January. It was agreed to hold a
special meeting on 30 January to review the responses and make a decision.
The Parish supported a planning application by Ogdens, which was a continuation of the previous
application for a supermarket. Concerns were raised about the proposed traffic lights at the
junction with the A177 and it was requested that they should be co-ordinated with the existing
lights to the south. It was also requested that no building should block the line of the planned
Bowburn Relief Road.
The Parish accepted the proposals of the Finance Committee, held 9 January 2019, for various
budget items, and a rise in the Parish Precept of 3%.
At the special meeting on 30 January it was decided to go ahead with the Coal Column.
Neighbourhood Plan: Progressing towards the consultation stage.
Litter pick: Saturday 2 March – meet at 9.30am in the car park of the Community Centre
Coal Column: See above.
At this meeting a member had invited those people putting their objections to the Coal Column on
Facebook to come to this meeting tonight and discuss their opinions – none of the objectors
attended.
iv) QUARRY LIAISON: The next meeting will be in March 2019.
11. GROUP NOTICEBOARD:
i) Banner: Next meeting – 10 June 2019
ii) BVC: Articles and photographs are being accepted for Issue 90 until 7 March.
Quiz night Friday 29 March 2019 from 7.30pm on Crowtrees WM Club.
iii) History: The History Room is open on Wednesday’s between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
12 March in the Community Centre at 7.00pm; Jane Gibson World Heritage Site (WHS)
coordinator will talk about the Durham WHS.
23 February 9.30am The County Durham Forum for History and Heritage is holding its AGM in
Bowburn Community Centre. 10.00am report from the Forum Chair; 10.15 Mike Syer on ‘Bowburn
Colliery’s early years; 11.15am AGM starts.
12. AOB: The Old Quarrington road surface needs urgent repair.
There is to be an application to A4A for the Xmas decorations
The bird camera boxes need to be installed as soon as possible as the nesting season is rapidly
approaching.
13. NEXT GENERAL MEETING: 19 March 2019 at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre