Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 3rd November 2022

1. Attendance
Roger Cornwell (in the Chair): Lesley Aers, Emma Backhouse, Robert Banks, Gillian Banks, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Sheila Knowles, Brendan McKeown, Pat Mussett, Simon Priestley, Jean Rogers, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson,
Cllr Esther Ashby, Cllr Grenville Holland, Cllr Carole Lattin
Roger Cornwell welcomed Kirk Thiis and Antony Waterson, our Neighbourhood Wardens.
2. Apologies for absence
were received from: Joan Adams, Alexis Cleveland, Morag E. Crichton, Vicky Mattless, David Ramsden, Malcolm Reed, Ann Stokes, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Liz Brown,
Cllr Alan Doig.
3. The minutes of the October meeting:
were approved as a correct record.
4. Update from Rushford Court
Last minute events had prevented Jacqui Coffey from attending the meeting; there was therefore no update from Rushford Court
5. Refuse and Recycling Arrangements
The Neighbourhood Wardens explained that when they noticed bins left on the street outside student households, they knocked on doors and educated the residents about proper practice. They were also involved in putting up signs and painting stencils for the 'Shhh' campaign.
They had not previously been aware of the new scheme of only providing communal bins in the 'viaduct area'. Bob Banks pointed out that changes in Allergate had been beneficial, as the street was no linger blocked by bins.
The Wardens emphasised that anyone who had problems with improper disposal of refuse in a particular street or at a particular house number should not hesitate to contact them.
6. Community Residents' Association Forum
Sarah Wilkinson had attended a meeting of CRAF on behalf of the CCP; this had been largely concerned with anto-social behaviour. Inspector Dave Clarke had explained Operation Oak as it operates in Newcastle; in Durham the University has opted out of funding additional police, and instead pays for a Community Response Team provided by a private company. This undertakes to respond within 30 minutes; the police could not match this service level. To do so would require additional funding (perhaps from an increased Parish Council precept, or from Safer Streets funding).
Durham County Council are also consulting on ASB: they have circulated a document which is very long, but light on details. The Parish Council will make a formal response.
Also discussed at the CRAF meeting: ongoing meetings to provide Warm Spaces for the winter; complaints about DCC's Do It Online service (which does not allow for third party reporting).
7. ASB
a) DCC Consultation: Simon Priestley would circulate the paper prepared by the Parish Clerk. There was a problem reconciling the need to precise and specific with DCC's desire to draw up a single policy which was applicable to the entire county.
b) Cars parked on Allergate: correspondence had been received from Ruth Chambers that cars parked on Allergate had been spattered with what might be tomato: Margaret Jefferson was able to clarify that there had been more than one such incident, but beyond this there was no further information.
8. Planning applications
a) General: The meeting welcomed the news that the developers had withdrawn their appeal on the Sniperley site; 2 The Avenue had been refused permission for a rear extension; the planning officer was recommending approval of the application from 50 Hawthorn Terrace for a rear extension, but the City of Durham Trust would oppose.
b) DM/22/03024/FPA for Tower Cottage: The application was for an extension and upper storey, plus a carport with access from the Avenue. The meeting was opposed to this, on the grounds of both appearance (loss of a local asset) and access. It was agreed that an objection should be drawn up on our behalf by the immediate neighbours.
c) DM/22/01148/FPA for Oaklea: The case officer has written to the applicant saying they are minded to refuse conversion to HMO because the property is on a route already heavily used for access by students; since then, the case appears to have stalled.
d) DM/22/01606/FPA for 50 The Avenue: The applicant is looking to replace bay windows, but does not appear to be aware of the constraints imposed by Conservation Area status.
9. Student accommodation problems
There was a genuine but in theory short term shortage of accommodation in the current year, as the high admissions resulting from grade confusion during the pandemic worked through the system. This was being seized on by press and others, and illustrated with pictures of queues which result from the insistence of landlords and agents in releasing vacancies for 2023-24 all at once and too early in the year. Cllr Carole Lattin had seen a recent article in Palatinate on the topic: students argue that the University must a) limit admissions and b) take more responsibility for accommodation. The CCP has in the past supported the Students' Union's campaign urging students not to sign leases too early in the year: we should now write to DSU to express continuing support.
10. The disabled toilets in Riverwalk
The disabled toilets in Riverwalk had been closed for nearly four weeks; they had since reopened, but were dirty and the taps did not work. Cllr Esther Ashby had spoken to the manager of Riverwalk, but not found them very helpful. She would try to persuade the Parish Business Committee to engage with BID, and to consult Access for All.
11. Unscheduled temporary closure of the Market Place Post Office in WH Smith
Ann Evans was asked to draft a letter on this subject which Roger would send on behalf of the CCP.
12. Reports from County Councillors
Written reports were circulated from Cllr Liz Brown and (a joint report) from Cllrs Richard Ormerod and David Freeman.
13. Reports from Parish Councillors
a) Carole endorsed the written report from Cllr Victoria Ashfield, previously circulated: the litter pick had been very successful. She had a supply of 'Shh' stencils for use in appropriate locations (also of dog fouling stencils, if required).
b) Cllr Grenville Holland had been unable to attend the meeting with / about student landlords. He also explained the working of the Parish Planning Committee, and commented on the erratic nature of some decisions of DCC Planning Officers.
c) Esther reported that DCC is currently consulting about the future of AAPs (Area Action Partnerships): these had been introduced to bridge the gap between residents and the (then new) Unitary authority. She felt that for all its faults the AAP is a useful body, and urged those who agree with her to respond to the consultation.
14. Dates of future meetings
The next meeting would take place on Tuesday 6th December 2022.
It was agreed that we should continue to alternate Tuesday and Thursday meetings, and the following dates were approved for 2023:
  • Tuesdays: February 7, April 4, June 6, August 1, October 3, December 5
  • Thursdays: January 12, March 2, May 4, July 6, September 7, November 2
It was noted that the Coronation will take place on Saturday 6th May.