Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 6th July 2023

1. Attendance: Roger Cornwell (in the Chair): Lesley Aers, Emma Backhouse, Robert Banks, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Margaret Jefferson, Vicky Mattless, Brendan McKeown, Pat Mussett, Megan Patterson, Simon Priestley, David Ramsden, Jean Rogers, Nicholas Toes, Rachel Toes, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson.
Cllr Carole Lattin.
Roger welcomed Cllr Liz Brown to the meeting in her new rôle as Deputy Mayor.
2. Apologies for absence: were received from: Joan Adams, Gillian Banks, Morag E. Crichton, Ann Stokes, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Esther Ashby, Cllr Victoria Ashfield, Cllr Alan Doig, Cllr Grenville Holland.
3. The minutes of the June meeting: were approved as a correct record.
4. Survey invitation: Megan Patterson introduced herself, and her academic project: as part of her International Baccalaureate, she is writing a mini-thesis about studentification in Durham and she invited members to participate in a survey. She was in the process of finalising her questionnaire, and it was agreed that Roger should circulate this to the mailing list when it is complete.
5. Noise from The Angel pub: Cllr Liz Brown had mentioned last month's discussion in the course of a conversation with Inspector Dave Clarke; he had informed her that the Angel is not licensed for outdoor music. The consensus among members living in the vicinity was that music from the premises had not stopped, but was now at a more reasonable level. We should, however, continue to monitor it.
6. 4 Nevilledale Terrace and 1 Beechcrest - unauthorised works: a) Liz confirmed that 4 Nevilledale Terrace is subject to a stop notice, and she has seen Planning Enforcement Officer David Chong in the vicinity.; b) The division of 1 Beechcroft: into flats requires planning permission, which it does not have: the property is on the enforcement list. Despite this, it is being advertised to let as two flats. Roger would alert Hannah Shepherd (the University's Community Liaison Officer), so that prospective student tenants could be made aware that this was not legal.
7. 24 Nevilledale Terrace - update: The applicant has engaged a planning consultant, who is arguing that the property should be treated as a PBSA. This has been called to committee by the Parish Council. A letter of objection from the Parish Council is now on the DCC planning portal, and one from the City of Durham Trust will follow shortly. It was agreed that the CCP should also object, and that Simon Priestly would draft a letter. Jean Rogers argued that the changing nature of the application presented objectors with a moving target, and that this was an abuse of process which should not have been permitted by the Planning Department: she would contribute a paragraph to this effect.
8. Livers Out leaflets: Simon reported that leaflets were again being prepared for distribution to students living out; there were no substantial changes to last year's text, though there were some updates, and dates would have to be changed (Liz observed that she would be contributing some factual updates). Simon gave notice that next month, when he has a firm schedule, he will be asking for volunteers to deliver the leaflets to student households.
Brenndan McKeown asked whether we could use the leaflet to publicise the app which students can use to report noise from licensed premises, but since each residents' group has only 100 words in which to promote itself, it was agreed that this could usefully be publicised via social media.
9. Neighbourhood Wardens report: A report from Neighbourhood Wardens had been circulated in advance of the meeting. In addition, Liz noted that she also receives reports from Wardens covering the adjacent area (including the top of the Avenue).
10. Communal Rubbish and Recycling bins: Following last month's discussion of refuse collection problems, Jean reiterated what had been said then, that the policy of not emptying bins which had been incorrectly filled had obvious drawbacks. This was true even when the bin belonged to a single household; it was completely unreasonable in areas where only communal bins were provided. These were areas in which student households dominated, but non-student households were also affected, and had, in effect, seen the withdrawal of the kerbside refuse collection service. When the new system was introduced, allegedly on an "experimental" basis, there had been suggested that a walkabout might be organised with Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet member responsible; there was no sign that this had ever happened. Liz would take the matter up (again) with Mark Wilkes.
11. Green Move Out: Jean continued: the problems of bins not being emptied had been particularly severe, since students had been moving out since early June, but the Green Move Out scheme was not yet in operation. The Neighbourhood Wardens report previously discussed showed the Wardens spending a lot of time dealing with fly-tipping in student areas, in part because students were generating more waste than usual clearing their houses. Discussion established that Green Move Out bags are now being distributed, and they are being used, but they have come too late for a substantial amount if material. Jean had looked back through the minutes, and had circulated evidence that the CCP has been arguing for ten years that the Green Move Out is mistimed.
Simon has written to Hannah Shepherd about the dates of the Green Move Out: he thinks that this will be reconsidered for next year. Members might not be aware of a corresponding Green Move In scheme, which aims to match discarded items with incoming student households.
Sarah Wilkinson had phoned County Hall about the accumulation of rubbish. Initially, the person she spoke to did not seem to be aware of the additional collections for end of term; she was, however, very pleased with the ultimate response.
12. Reports from County Councillors: Liz Brown alerted the meeting to forthcoming meetings about plans for Fowler's Yard and the environs.
She had attended a meeting with Citrus about the Prince Bishops development: they wanted a mix of smaller retail units with students living above, and a hotel. There would be a public consultation on July 14th.
She was looking at plans to improve Peskies Park: it would not be possible to save the boat, which was dangerous, but it might be replaced by some design element making reference to it.
She and Cllr Elizabeth Scott were backing the plans for a Lawson Terrace Community Orchard; they would fund the replacement of the handrail along the path up to the underpass.
Hopper House will be put up for sale.
13. Reports from Parish Councillors: a) It was noted that Cllr Esther Ashby had intended to be at the meeting; she had sent apologies at the last minute as something had come up which prevented this.; b) Cllr Carole Lattin had circulated a written report, which was noted. She told the meeting that she is a member of the Patient Consultation Group for the Claypath medical practice, which she thinks is a very useful organisation. She would be happy to report on it, if members are interested.
14. Other Business: closure of ticket office at Durham Station: Lesley Aers had learned that the ticket office at Durham station was one of those threatened with closure, although it is always busy. She was asked to circulated the e-mail address for feedback, so members could respond individually. In addition, Roger would write on behalf of the group, opposing closure.
9. Date of next meeting: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 1st August 2023.