Roger Cornwell (in the Chair) Joan Adams, Max Arnold, Robert Banks, Alistair Edge, Ann Evans, John Knowles, Pat Mussett,
Simon Priestley, Jean Rogers, Alan Shearer, Ann Stokes, Rachel Toes, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Liz Brown,
Cllr Victoria Ashfield.
2. Apologies for absence
were received from: Lesley Aers, Emma Backhouse, Gillian Banks, Morag Crichton, Martin Hiles, Chris Hugill, Margaret Jefferson, Vicky Mattless, David Ramsden, Malcolm Reed
Cllr Alan Doig, Cllr Grenville Holland, Cllr Carole Lattin.
Roger Cornwell had been shown an e-mail from DCC to Parish Councillors about a new virtual parking permit system. He had responded with an invitation to the organiser to address a meeting of the CCP, but they had declined: the intention is to explain the system to residents after it is implemented. Cllr Victoria Ashfield clarified: she had been told that the new system will be introduced alongside the existing scheme, and that residents will be able to continue using scratchcards if they prefer. On this basis, Roger was asked to write to his contact on behalf of the CCP, saying that if residents can continue as at present, using scratchcards throughout the City, we have no objection; but asking the we be informed of the promised drop-in explanatory session.
5. Uber drivers parking on Waddington Street
Complaints were received about taxi drivers, in particular those from outside the Durham area, not exclusively Uber drvers, a) parking on street without a permit, b) leaving engines running while parked and c) using the phone while doing so. This is getting worse: the number of compaints is increasing. Cllr Liz Brown chairs the County Council committee in charge of taxi licensing: she commented that while this gave some leverage with locally licensed drivers, they too were annoyed by the behaviour of out-of-area drivers. She had discussed the position with DCC Licensing Officer Martin Haig, who would be cracking down. Meanwhile, complaints could be sent to
. It was suggested that Operation SNAP (which allows dashcam footage to be uploaded to the Police website) might also be able to help.
6. Access to Bus Station
There were now two working entrances to the Bus Station, but this was still a restriction on full access; meanwhile, reinstatement of the North Road was again on hold until fill access was restored. Ann Evans had been told by a bus driver that the problem arose from the cladding. Liz agreed that communication with the public had been very poor; she would speak to Cllr Elizabeth Scott about issuing a public statement explaining the issue. Roger would circulate the list with any information which reached him, and it was suggested that a notice in the Bus Station itself would also be helpful.
7. Proposed funding of sports facilities at Durham School: for information
Our Parish Councillors had asked for the CCP to be informed about this issue, although it is not something on which the meeting would be asked to take action. There is Section 106 money outstanding from the Aykley Woods development: it is designated to be spent on sports facilities, because the development deprived the community of access to sports facilities at the old Police Headquarters. The Section 106 Board has now received an application from Durham School and Durham City Hockey Club to spend the money on facilities for hockey at the school, to which the public would be granted access at "a reduced rate". Councillors were outraged at the prospect of public funds going to a private school with this minimal committment to community benefit. In addition, the proposal included floodlighting, which would affect not only residents of Archery Rise but also the wildlife corridor.
8. Mud from building works on Waddington Street / Sutton Street
Max Arnold reported that use of the entrance to the Rushford Court site had been spreading mud onto the road for several weeks. Responsibility for keeping the road clear lay with building contractors BRIMS, who were supposed to wash the wheels of lorries leaving the site: he had never observed this happening. The Construction Methods Statement is therefore not being observed. Liz pointed out that this would be in breach of Planning Permission, and she would contact Enforcement about it: Roger would also send her the e-mail contact he had for the site manager.
9. Report from County Councillor
Liz had nothing further to report, and invited questions.
10. Reports from Parish Councillors
a) A written report from Cllr Carole Lattin had been circulated before the meeting.
b) Toria added that in future she and Carole would co-ordinate their reports, rather than repeating each other.
Financial problems at DCC had resulted in a major cutback in formal planting; next year they will plant sustainably, cutting back on watering, which is a major cost. The Parish will make a contribution, within a limited budget.
The Parish had been unable to appoint an assistant to the Clerk, and were looking instead to appoint a fundraiser.
The 'Tidy Gardens' scheme had hit a snag, in that matchmaking gardeners and clients runs into legal obstacles with recommending gardeners. Until this can be resolved, the scheme is limited to advising about looking on Google and how much to pay.
An advance copy of the leaflet on 'what to do if you have an issue in Durham' was circulated.
11. Other Business
The meeting thanked Simon Forrest for organising an alternative venue for the meeting.
12. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 7th November 2024.