MINUTES: For General Meeting B&PCP Charity No 1112151 Tuesday 20 September 2022
PRESENT: M Bell, J Blackburn, R Cowen, A Dolan, N Henderson, G Parker, S Raine, C Styles, M Styles
In Attendance: D Crinion Believe Housing
1 APOLOGIES: J Blakey, G Hutchinson, J Richardson
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS MEETING: Declare interests when appropriate
3. INTRODUCE: Deborah Crinion Believe Housing. New posts have been created to increase customer engagement with tenants of Believe Housing over a sixth month trial period. This could involve Community Investment. Low Level Anti-Social Behaviour, and Low Level Repairs. Deborah has been allocated the Bowburn area with other officers covering the surrounding Believe Housing areas in the Coxhoe Ward.
4. SECURITY: POLICE: Update from May 2022: 49 crimes reported; Crime locations are within a 1mile radius of Durham Road. Violence &Sexual Behaviour 18; Criminal Damage & Arson 6; ASB 6; Shoplifting 4 Other theft 7; Public Order 5; Vehicle 3
The police report was discussed and Cllr McKeon agreed to contact the deputy Crime Commissioner concerning a follow-up meeting. CLLR McKEON
5. MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING 16 August 2022 were agreed
MATTERS ARISING: All covered on the Agenda
6. FINANCES:
i) Treasurer’s report: The finances will be updated next month
ii) Raffle: M Bell won the raffle donated by Mal.
Prize for October Jackie Richardson
iii) Fundraising Quiz: New quiz ‘Hot and Bothered’ to return by Saturday 12 November available from Janet
7. ITEMS FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS: i) Noticeboards ii) Interchange newspaper
8. LOCAL REPORTS:
i) PLANNING ISSUES: KFC - The chair made a site visit to the drive-thrus on Integra to look at evidence of litter for a possible objection or at least a plea for vigilance, however there was no evidence of litter on the approach roads or on site. Richard contacted James Taylor, Regional Director Citrus Group, to let him know that the Partnership was content with the current number of drive-thrus but would object to more.
A member was concerned about the number of outlets encouraging young people to eat the ‘wrong’ food, and the dangers of crossing to the A688.
The outlets are not near housing or a school which is in line with the County Plan.
Bowburn Care Home: This application is catered for in the existing planning permission for the Integra site. There were comments about the three-stories and increase from 60 to 73 residents. Also there were comments about the lack of provision for staff travelling by bicycle, and a sufficient number of charging points for future use of electric vehicles.
Members were asked to comment on a response to the Care Home Application composed by the chair ALL
Non emergency patient transport: There were no objections to this application.
ii) PARKHILL: The committee are to request that the Parish Council buy a noticeboard for Parkhill which requires planning permission to be sited near the post box at Parkhill. The noticeboard must be covered by insurance which Parkhill Residents do not have but could be covered by the Parish insurance.
The bench adjacent to the main road has been painted and the mementoes moved to one side of the bench.
iii) YOUTH CENTRE: Youth Clubs are all back up and running after the Summer. Youth club sessions will be focusing on community cohesion and wellbeing. It’s evident that some year groups have been impacted more as a result of covid and need more support. Sport continues to be a big part of youth club sessions with young people enjoying a wide range of different sports and fitness. We are aware that a lot of families are struggling financially and cooking is a big part of Youth Club session. Being able to offer a youth club session to year 6 Young People has had a positive impact on both Young People and staff. The transition to secondary school and the older youth club sessions is much smoother especially as the young people are now going to five different secondary schools in Durham, the youth club is the way they keep in-touch.
Summer holiday clubs: We secured funding from the AAP / Fun and Food for holiday clubs for Children in the village, it’s been fantastic to have them back in the building doing activities and enjoying lunch, however the AAP / Fun and Food have withdrawn the funding for packed lunches for all Children and Young People which we have been providing for the last two years. This has meant we have had to secure funding from elsewhere, local businesses and members of the community have been fantastic in their support and we managed to continue to offer packed lunches to all Children and Young People over holidays.
Staffing continues to be a challenge and we are always looking for new staff, the turnover is high as people get other jobs who can offer more hours than us. Qualified Youth Workers are in short supply nationally and we only have myself and Brett as qualified workers and with all sessions requiring a minimum level 3 to lead a session we are often stretched. Staffing for holiday clubs during the day has been a big challenge this year as most of our evening staff have day jobs.
The Gym and fitness classes continue to be well attended.
iv) SCHOOLS: a) Bowburn Primary School – no update; b) Former Junior School - is in immediate need of attention; c) Former Junior School – the former area is now a playground and playing field.
v) ENVIRONMENT: Noticeboards: A member has repaired the damage to the outer casing of the ‘legs’ of the noticeboard in Prince Charles Avenue. The internal core of each leg is undamaged and remain safe.
It would be desirable to paint this board and the other two at the library and Tursdale.
Cllr McKeon offered to contact Clean & Green to paint the surrounds of the noticeboards. CLLR McKEON
vii) TRANSPORT LINKS: a) Relief Road – It is hoped that there will be news of the Levelling Up money in the middle of October. b) Leamside Line with station in Bowburn – No update.
viii) UKRAINE: The two families now in Old Quarrington and are settling in well as well as others in the community. They have organised activities, especially to celebrate the Ukrainian Independence Day.
9. CORRESPONDENCE: All via email
10. REPORTS IN THE WIDER AREA:
i) AAP: Next meeting 27 September at 5pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
ii) COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROUNDUP: Cllr McKeon attended the opening of the Queen Elizabeth 11 Garden in the grounds of Christ the King. Funding has been given to the Youth Club for the roof. Planning permission has been given to the battery storage facility at Spennymoor.
The Levelling Up money for the Relief Road should be announced in the Autumn Statement.
A member from Old Quarrington was concerned that there has been no action to clear fly tipping which has been reported. A dead goat which had been abandoned on the road in Old Quarrington has been removed but not by the Council even though there had been indications that it would be.
iii) PARISH: At the meeting on 17 August in Cassop Community Centre discussion took place about the proposed “Opening” ceremony for the Miner’s Lamp artwork. A speaker from Durham Miners Association was to be invited, plus Andy McKeown, the artist, and some children from Bowburn Primary School. It was also hoped to have a local band, or small ensemble, to play on the day, and other possible attendees were suggested. The actual day was to be decided when all relevant parties had been consulted as to availability. “No waiting at any time” restrictions were to be introduced on the entrances to Bowburn North & South Industrial Estates, comments to be made by 29 August; Parish Councillors were advised of upcoming road closures for the Tour of Britain Cycle race on 5 September, which would be passing through part of the Parish. DCC Rights of Way Officer advised it was the responsibility of the Church Commissioners to remove the fallen tree from Bridleway 39. However, it was reported that since the concrete barriers had been removed the removal of the tree had already started.
Notice was given of the CDALC AGM to be held at County Hall on 8 October. Cllrs Raine and Ridley were nominated to attend.
Next Meeting 21 September 2022
iv) QUARRY LIAISON: There was a site meeting to inspect the chicane leading to the cemetery at Quarrington Hill, and to look at the Yellow Route for horse traffic when work is going on at the quarry. This was followed by a meeting in Bowburn Community Centre.
11. GROUP NOTICEBOARD: i) Banner Group: It is hoped to have a banner at the ‘Opening’ ceremony of the Miner’s Lamp artwork.
ii) BVC: Interchange 100 will be prepared during November ready for publication at the end of November.
A member asked why there so many spare papers.
It was said that an exact order is given to Coronation Press but extra papers are printed at no extra cost.
iii) History: Next meeting “The tilery” on Monday 14 November at 7.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
12. AOB: The noticeboards were discussed in 8(v), and the Interchange in 11(ii)
13. NEXT GENERAL MEETING: 18 October at 6.00pm in Bowburn Community Centre