Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 7th March 2024

1. Attendance: Roger Cornwell (in the Chair): Joan Adams, Robert Banks, Ruth Chambers, Alastair Edge, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Ann Lockhart. Brendan McKeown, Pat Mussett, Simon Priestley, David Ramsden, Jean Rogers, Nick Toes, Rachel Toes, Ann Stokes, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson,
Cllr Esther Ashby, Cllr Alan Doig, Cllr Carole Lattin.
2. Apologies for absence: were received from: Lesley Aers, Emma Backhouse, Gillian Banks, Goshka Bialek, Morag Crichton, Vicky Mattless, Malcolm Reed, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Victoria Ashfield, Cllr Grenville Holland,
Cllr Liz Brown.; The meeting wished Cllrs Grenville Holland and Liz Brown a speedy recovery.
3. The minutes of the February meeting: were approved as a correct record.
4. Waste and Recycling: The Durham City Waste Working Group had now met, but neither of our nominated representatives had been able to attend. Cllr Esther Ashby had also now been added to the Group's membership.
The minutes of that meeting had now been circulated. Members noted that on the basis of the initial meeting, the group appeared to consist of people who were not students making an effort to persuade students to dispose of their waste correctly. Ann Evens pointed out that student landlords should take more responsibility for waste generated by their business; Jean Rogers added that the waste collection system, as it currently operates in the city, is not fit for purpose. Simon Priestley asked how much of the Street Wardens' time is devoted to waste management?
The meeting agreed that, bearing in mind these misgivings, we should discuss our involvement with the Group further after our representatives have been able to attend a meeting. The next scheduled meeting is mid-April, which would bring it back onto the agenda of our May meeting. However, Esther asked for a discussion ahead of the Working Group's meeting, so that she could represent our concerns: Roger would write to Kieran O'Leary and ask for the agenda ahead of our meeting, to enable this. He will also continue to liaise with Liz about the repeated failure to empty communal waste bins.
5. Durham Post Office opening hours: Ann Evans pointed out that the opening hours of the Post Office are variable, and are only publicised a week in advance; they are also very restricted, with the office closing at 3.00 pm.
The Parish Council is aware of this problem: the office is suffering from a staff shortage, but promises that recruitment is in progress. In particular, the manager has resigned, and the PO is seeking a replacement.
It was agreed that Ann should write on our behalf to Mary Foy MP, and also to the local press.
6. St Margaret's Churchyard Project: Ruth Chambers, representing the Friends of St Margaret's spoke about a major project (in addition to the usual tidying and planting in the churchyard). In collaboration with archivist David Butler, they had secured funding to find and log the gravestones which remain in the churchyard: not all of these are still readable or accessible, but many are.
Stage 1 consists in physically locating all the stones, including those concealed by brambles and undergrowth, clearing where possible; stage 2 involves transcription and mapping. The Friends welcome volunteers for both stages. Thereafter, the results would be compared to St Margaret's burial register. It was also hoped that the Archaeology Department would become involved.
Friends of St Margaret's Churchyard FaceBook Group.
7. Retail offer in Durham City: Despite Ann's best efforts to shop local, her limited mobility means that she is running out of places to shop in the City centre: Can BID do anything?
Esther suggested that this item should be placed on the agenda of the Parish Council's Business Committee, and that, the Chair of the Committee permitting, Ann could then raise her concern there.
Plans for the redevelopementredevelopment of the Prince Bishops' shopping centre would further reduce the number of retails premises in the City, and Roger was asked to write to BID asking what it can do to facilitate the transfer of businesses from the Prince Bishops' to elsewhere in the City. Esther pointed out that the end of Riverwalk closest to Framwellgate Bridge had been intended for retail; she was concerned that Arcade was at present very much not as it had been presented to the Planning committee. There was no sign of the promised café / cakeshop, although it seemed that this was still intended.
8.Planning application for HMO at Crestholme, The Avenue: The Planning Portal shows numerous objections to this application from neighbours of the property. The CCP's objection relied heavily on the location, on what is already a major route between student accommodation and University buildings: if members have evidence of this, please submit it to the Council.
9. Appeal at 24 Nevilledale: The appeal against refusal of planning consent for conversion / division of this property had been allowed: the Inspector had not attached much weight to our arguments.
10. Neighbourhood Wardens' report: The written report for February, previously circulated, was discussed. There was much praise for the work of the Wardens. However, it was noted that in item a) which described assistance rendered to the police in finding a missing person, the location referred to as "Millenium Bridge" is presumably Pennyferry Bridge. Jean Rogers, who pointed this out, was asked to draft a note to the Wardens to this effect.; The Wardens' report referred to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO); this was also mentioned in Liz's report, and the Parish Clerk urged the CCP to support it in the proposed consultation. Roger would ensure that it was on our agenda when the consultation happens. He would also make members aware of the consultation and encourage individual responses. It was also suggested that the problem of public urination might be reduced by better provision of public conveniences, and that this could be suggested to Cabinet ahead of the consultation.
11. Report from County Councillor: Because of injury, Liz Brown was unable to attend the meeting, but had circulated a written report which was discussed. Roger had since heard from Adam Shanley that the proposed changes to parking charges will go ahead: he will write to Adam, and to the relevant Council Officer, pointing out that residents' scratchcards will need to be modified to cover Sundays. Members also asked whether the on-street machines would continue to sell tickets, oe whether this will now be pay-by-phone only?
Cllr Alan Doig commented that the plan for a PBSA on Melbury Court will come up at the next Parish Planning committee meeting in two weeks time, and will be a major issue.
12. Reports from Parish Councillors: a) Cllr Carole Lattin had circulated a written report. She added that she was much concerned about the closure of the Leazes Road footbridge, and that there was a major campaign from residents seeking a replacement.; b) Cllrs Toria Ashfield and John Ashby had provided a joint report, which had been circulated.; c) Cllr Esther Ashby praised her colleagues for the provision of written reports.
The proliferation of outsize refuse bins in Fowler's Yard continued to be a problem: some tweaks to the system were being implemented, but the issue was ultimately insoluble.
A replacement had now been appointed for Hannah Shepherd (the University's Community Liaison Officer), who has been promoted.; d) Cllr Alan Doig reported that the City has an increasing rat problem, and that the need to protect wildlife means that poison cannot be used to resolve it within a certain distance of the river.
He spoke in favour of the proposed PSPO to control begging, with the provision of a liaison group to work with vulnerable people.
Durham Community Association, based in Shakespeare Hall on North Road, closed on 29th February. The Hall itself is owned by a landlord who also owns the shops below, and remains viable. The Hall was founded as a temperance hotel, and does not permit the sale of alcohol; accessibility is limited, but some accommodations have been made. Suggestions were invited for how the hall might continue to serve as a community asset.
The Parish would be inviting feedback on a list of Highways issues.
With reference to reports from local residents about AntiSocial Behaviour in the City centre: the Police are aware of groups of quite young people coming in to town from the villages; they have funding until 2025 to deal with ASB (Operation Trailblazer). The Parish is keen that DCC should hold firm on its 2.00 am curfew . They were also seeking a Night Time Levy (by which licensed premises contribute to the cost of policing) which can now be imposed for the City only, without going county-wide.
It was evident that the views of residents were not being taken into account in DCC's "consultation" on parking; Seaham Parish Council were particularly not amused.
13. Date of next meeting: The next meeting would be on Tuesday 2nd April 2024; it was noted that this was the day after Easter Monday, but no objection was raised.