Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 1st April 2025

1. Attendance
Roger Cornwell (in the Chair), Lesley Aers, Robert Banks, Goshka Bialek, Alastair Edge, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Andrew Moore, Pat Mussett, Simon Priestley, David Ramsden, Jean Rogers, Ann Stokes, David Toll, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Esther Ashby, Cllr Victoria Ashfield, Cllr Carole Lattin, Cllr Susan Walker
2. Apologies for absence
were received from: Joan Adams, Gillian Banks, Morag Crichton, Martin Hiles, Margaret Jefferson, Paul Jefferson, Brendan McKeon, Malcolm Reed
Dinah Patt (Hild / Bede Liaison Officer),
Cllr Liz Brown
Cllr Alan Doig, Cllr Grenville Holland (for lateness).
3. Minutes
The minutes of the March meeting were approved as a correct record.
4. Hild / Bede College update
In the absence of Dinah Patt, who was unwell and had sent her apologies, there was no update from Hild / Bede College,
5. Planning application DM/24/03297/FPA: 9 HMOs (52 bedroom) at Rowanwood, Clay Lane
The CCP's objection to this planning application had been submitted. There were already over 100 objections on the County Council's Planning Portal: Cllr Susan Walker had prepared a template which had been used at least 20 times. It was noted that some objections coming from addresses outside the immediate neighbourhood were from people who nonetheless had a direct interest as members of the tennis club.
6. Licence application for Mayfair pub and Kitchen at the Riverwalk
Cllr Esther Ashby had asked that we consider this licensing application: she was particularly outraged at the application for late opening to 3.30 am ahead of Bank Holidays (which would often fall on Sundays). Susan (who chairs the Parish Council Licensing Committee) agreed that there were many grounds to oppose the application: she was attempting to liaise with DCC licensing officers about it. Meanwhile Esther had written to the licensing authority in less legalistic, more personal terms, expressing her horror.  The CCP agreed to object to this attempt to stretch the established framework hours; Roger would frame an objection, with Simon's advice.
7. County Durham Plan
Roger explained that Durham County Council had started the process of revising its County Plan: this is a complete rewrite, in the sense that the existing plan is discarded and rewritten from scratch. DCC was currently undertaking an internal scoping exercise, with a view to conducting a public consultation in a year's time. (A schedule was provided to the meeting.) However, the City of Durham Trust is seeking input at an earlier stage, since planning policy will certainly be revisited. Would the Parish Council (and indeed, all of the County's Parishes) get in at the ground floor? The process was expected to be shorter than the previous iteration of the Plan, since the government is expected to lay down more rules.
This item to reappear in next month's agenda.
8. Gala Theatre café opening hours.
Ann Evans had been told that it was proposed not to open the café on Mondays, or before 11.00 am on any day; evening opening would be restricted to the half hour before an evening performance. Ann Stokes added that this closure would hit what was actually a busy time, between 10.00 and 11.00 am, and that if hours had to be lost, 2.00 - 3.00 pm was quieter. The café was alleged to be loss-making, but prices were quite low, and a price rise would be preferable to closure. Roger had raised the matter with Cllr Liz Brown, who explained that the previous hours had necessitated staff working split shifts, and that whenever the building was open there must be 5 staff present: both of these things were expensive. Ann Evans emphasised that the café is a busy community resource, and that a number of groups use it fpr meetings. The meating was not clear where decisions of this kind are actually taken.
Roger and Ann would attempt to find out from Liz what the actual position is, and to follow up as appropriate.
9. Reports from Parish Councillors
a) Esther commented on Cllr Carole Lattin's written report; she thought it possible that this information could be available on the Parish Council website, as the intention was that the Chair of each committee should be asked to summarise its actions.
b) Cllr Victoria Ashfield commented that she continues to collaborate successfully with Cariole.
c) Susan declined to add anything.
d) Carole referred to her written report, but wished also to pay tribute to the hard work of Adam Shanley (Parish Clerk) and of Susan (as Chair).
10. Parish Council Elections
Roger asked all those standing in the election to identify themselves: there would be an opportunity for more extensive discussion after the meeting.
  • He was himself standing as an Independent in the Neville's Cross ward.
  • Susan was standing as a Liberal Democrat in the Neville's Cross ward.
  • Toria was standing for Labour in Elvet and Gilesgate.
  • Joe Witherspoon was standing for Labour in Neville's Cross.
  • Carole was standing as a Liberal Democrat in Elvet and Gilesgate.
Esther confirmed that she would not be standing for re-election. Roger pointed out to the meeting that she had represented the City on one council or another for most of the past 50 years, and thanked her for all her work in that time. This was endorsed by general applause.
10 Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Thursday 1st May 2025 - polling day!