MINUTES: General Meeting B&PCP Charity No 1112151 Tuesday 15 December 2020 – Via Zoom
1 APOLOGIES: Janet explained that, as far as she knew, Joyce Geyer had left the area, but Joyce has not
been in touch. The Partnership hope that she is well and wish her every happiness in her new home.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS MEETING: Declare interests when appropriate
3. SECURITY: POLICE: Crime statistics taken from the police website. There were 38 cases: 9 Anti-social,
3 Burglary, 9 Violent crime, 5 Criminal damage, 5 Drugs, 3 Other theft, 3 Public order, 4 Shoplifting.
It was reported that: A house in Burn Street was burnt out and there was damage to the property next door.
No one died and no one was hurt, and the police are looking into the matter with the help of the local
councillors. There is a planning application with the Council to build a centralised Custody Suite on the
DurhamGate at Thinford.
Members were concerned at the cost of this Suite and the amount of travel involved, which does not
appear to be a green policy. However, it was explained that the existing suites needed refurbishing after an
inspection and therefore had to change.
4. FINANCES:
i) Treasurer: Thanks to Mal for pointing out a mistake which was caused by an extra full stop.
Income is £4,648.86 from the Coop Community Grant for trees in Parkhill, and £119 from Quiz monies.
Expenses of £255.00 from Quiz prizes and the Community Centre donation.
The final balances are: Unrestricted £17,293.20; Restricted £830.12
Cllr Dunn agreed to follow up on the £7,886.10 in the Christmas Lights Fund which should be claimed by
County for the testing of the lampposts prior to fixing the lights last year. CLLR DUNN
Quiz prize money has been reduced to one prize of £10 and there have also been cheques donated back
to the Partnership from prize winners.
Agreed to enquire about replacing distressed trees in Mary Terrace. CLLR McKEON
Agreed that trees should also be planted on the verge at the entrance to Tursdale where the layby is to be
removed. JANET
ii) Quiz for fundraising: The new quiz ‘All dressed up’ should be returned by Saturday 13 February 2021.
5. ITEMS FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Register title of issue for Item 9:
Dog bin and seat at Old Quarrington; Litter bins in Bowburn park
6. LOCAL REPORTS:
i) PLANNING ISSUES: The draft NE Transport Plan covers the region from north of the River Tees to the
Scottish border. The Leamside Line has been given more emphasis in the plan, but members agreed that
there needs to be a station in Bowburn. There is no mention of the Bowburn Access Road which is in the
Durham Plan and members agreed this needs to be in the wider regional transport plan to access funding.
There is an Active Travel Plan available for Netpark Sedgefield, but none for Integra 61. RICHARD
A member informed that there is a bus to Amazon.
Another suggested a service bus for Amazon. RICHARD
Costa lighting and possible litter signage; Richard has written to ask for signs to encourage customers to
take their litter home.
Cochrane’s extension and Lighted sign: No one objected to the replacement building for the old
conservatory but agreed to a cut-off time for the lighting on the signs. RICHARD
Persimmon additional 20 houses has been withdrawn
Ravensworth site for 40 houses has been given planning permission. However, unless the developers can
gain access to the services (e.g. roads and sewers) on the Integra site, it is unlikely to be developed.
The Barn Old Quarrington has been refused planning permission.
ii) Community Centre: Donation monies have been put into a restricted account.
iii) Youth Centre: Report: The Youth Club opened from 7 December open. Free table tennis lessons were
offered though the Association of Boys and Girls Clubs, but they had to cancel, but if the Youth Club is still
interested, they will be delivered next year. The Association bought a new table tennis table for the YC.
With donations from Lenny’s taxis, Believe housing and the AAP the YC have bought selection boxes for
every child in the local schools, including nursery, as well as all Youth Club members. Joanne will also
deliver them to Children and Young People who are currently isolating.
In Partnership with Groundwork and AAP funding, Christmas Hampers are available for vulnerable families.
Joanne has indicated which families are in need of extra support this Xmas.
Joanne is on holiday from Friday 18 December and all Youth provision will be closed but she will continue
to do some online fitness classes over the holidays.
The gym is closed to the community until January but is open to Young People as part of the Youth Club
sessions.
Members expressed gratitude to Joanne for the wonderful work she has done throughout this difficult last
10 months,
iv) Bowburn Primary School; The works at the northern end of the entrance are not causing holdups,
however when the southern end begins there could be some disruption for Broadmeadows Estate and
Grangepark Crescent.
Works traffic is approaching the site by the A688.
Internal works have started on the new school building, and the new Primary School is on track to open in
Easter 2021.
v) Integra site: James Taylor was contacted to ask for a progress report on the Integra site, however there
was no reply. The Partnership were informed that James has left Lichfields and now works for Integra 61.
Further efforts will be made to contact him for an update. RICHARD
7. CORRESPONDENCE sent by email:
Wonderful Village photo competition. 1st & 3rd Gloucester, 2nd Cumbria, 4th Devon, 5th Hampshire
8. REPORTS IN THE WIDER AREA:
i)East Durham Rural Corridor AAP: See website for detailed minutes.
Next meeting 21 January 2021 at 9.30am via Teams.
The Task & Finish Group has allocated funding to the Youth Club to pay for a member of staff to run the
gym and the Community Centre will get an electronic booking system.
The Coxhoe Pantry will organise free food packs to vulnerable families in the local area.
Cllrs Dunn and McKeon have spent Neighbourhood Budget on supporting the Community Centre to buy
fire and flood prevention doors; and resurface the outdoor yard at the Youth Club with artificial grass.
The County Council Dashboard gives useful information and updates on the spread of Covid.
A member said that some people have been notified of vaccinations at Bowburn Community Centre.
A member reported flooding down the grassed area at the bottom of Wylam Street leading to the allotments
and would like the Water Board notified CLLR DUNN
ii) COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROUNDUP: See above
iii) PARISH: Next meeting via Zoom 16 December from 6.30pm.
Discussions are taking place to decide on a new artwork for the top of Mary Terrace.
Neighbourhood Plan: The Final Submission is being checked by the Council ready for a final consultation.
iv) QUARRY LIAISON: There should be a meeting early in 2021 when there should be progress on the
Yellow Route.
Visitors to Old Quarrington using Sat Nav are being directed to the Quarry because the postcodes are the
same. It was suggested that the Quarry be asked to change its postcode at the meeting in the New Year.
9. AOB
A replacement seat for OQ will be delivered shortly; it was asked that it is not placed next to the dog bin.
The track behind the hedge on the same side of the road as Heugh Hall Row is to be upgraded.
Potholes in the road off the roundabout to Red Briar Bank need filling. CLLR McKEON
The insets in the litter bins in Bowburn Park have been removed to make a bridge across the beck to the
boundary of the Infant School. CLLR McKEON
10. It was agreed to meet bimonthly until further notice
PNEXT VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING: 16 February 2021 at 6.00pm via Zoom