Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 3rd July 2025

1. Attendance: Cllr Roger Cornwell (in the Chair), Joan Adams, Lesley Aers, Max Arnold, Gillian Banks, Robert Banks, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Margaret Jefferson, Pat Mussett, Simon Priestley, Jean Rogers, Alan Shearer, Ann Stokes, Nick Toes, Rachel Toes, Sarah Wilkinson, Joe Witherspoon,
Cllr Liz Brown
Cllr Carole Lattin.
2. Apologies for absence: were received from: Morag Crichton, Malcolm Reed, Judi Webb,
Dinah Patt,
Cllr Toria Ashfield, Cllr Grenville Holland, Cllr Susan Walker.
3. Minutes: The minutes of the June meeting were approved as a correct record (with the exception of a typo, which would be corrected).
4. Hild / Bede College update: Dinah Patt had sent apologies: she had been called away at the last minute. She had, however, ben able to send an update about the development of the old site, which as far as the College had been able to ascertain, was currently on a complete hiatus for at least six months to a year. Rushford Court will therefore continue to be the home of Hild/Bede for the foreseeable future.
5. Maintenance of gardens (and exteriors) in rented properties: Simon Priestley had spoken at a meeting of DURF (Durham University / Residents' Forum) about the discussion at our June meeting, but had not had much response: there was some reference to previous action through the Student Community Wardens.
Cllr Carole Lattin reported on proposals from the Parish Council for a "Rotten Tomatoes" type awards scheme: this was still being fine-tuned, and the Council was keen to get the students on board.
It was agreed that we should write to the Parish Clerk expressing the CCP's support for this initiative.
6. Rubbish and Recycling.: a) No reply had yet been received from James Lee. Ann Evans had, however, had telephone conversations with him about garden waste collections. Cllr Liz Brown confirmed that this issue raised several problems: she would encourage Mr Lee to come and speak to the CCP.; Impact of road closure: the meeeting discussed the likely effect of the planned closure of access to Crossgate Peth: Liz undertook to find out what was planned.; b) Green Move Out: Cllrs Carole Lattin and Toria Ashfiekd had been trying to persuade letting agencies to contribute to the cost of the Green Move Out, and this year had secured £3000, for which the University grants match funding. Members reported seeing very few purple bags around the streetsL it seems that these are no longer being distributed door to door, and that the onus is now on students to collect bags from their colleges in order to participate in the scheme. There will be follow-up about the success of this year's scheme, and the meeting emphasised that the CCP would welcome this feedback.
7. Licensing application: proposed Morrison's Daily.: An application has been submitted for an off-licence allowing 24-hour sales of alcohol at a Morrisons Daily store at 5a North Road (the former Boots branch). Joe Witherspoon had researched the status of this brand: it appeared to be a franchise, normally granted by Morrisons to an established business. This did not appear to be the position with this proposal.
The deadline for objections is Wednesday 9th July. Roger would submit an objection on behalf of the CCP. Members were encouraged to submit individual objections, referring to ways in which this application is not consistent with the licensing objectives. The Parish Council has drawn up guidelines for making representations, and Roger would seek clearance for posting this on our website.
8. Reports from County Councillors: At her first meeting since May's election, Liz thanked everyone who had voted for her. She felt that the dust was still settling, and that no-one really knew what was going on.
She was aware of problems with the communal bins in Back Alexandra Crescent.
She would phone Paul Anderson, Highways Inspection and Maintenance Manager about the closure of Crossgate Peth: members suggested that Highways could use this opportunity to adjust the traffic lights.
Reform had circulated a questionnaire about meeting times, asking whether councillors were willing to meet in the evening, to make it easier for those with day jobs to attend. She had replied that her time was flexible, but that they would of course be costs in officer overtime, extending County Hall opening hours, etc.
9. Reports from Parish Councillors: a) Carole introduced the composite report which had been circulated ahead of this evening's meeting: this was a first step towards merging individual Councillor's reports into a newsletter to be published in the Parish Council website. Jean Rogers expressed her appreciation for the current, informal reports brought to the meeting by councillors, which permit a degree of give and take.
Liz praised the SWAN (Safety of Women at Night) Hub, which does brilliant work on short-term funding, without support from BID and with no guarantee from the University.; b) Roger reported on progress towards a blue plaque for Sam Green.
He was disappointed that despite the efforts of Francis Gotto, it had not proved possible to save the RWD Motors building.
There appeared to be an increase in the Planning Department's requirement for night-time bat surveys to be carried out before planning consent was given: this could be prohibitively expensive.
9 Date of next meeting: Given the number of apologies tendered for our August meeting, it was agreed that the next meeting should be on Thursday 4th September 2025.