Barnburgh Pond is a community asset that following the pit closure was transferred to CISWO (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation) which is sometimes called the Coal Miners charity.
For some time the Parish Council has been concerned with the level of maintenance CISWO have been providing and have attempted to raise the issue with CISWO on numerous occasions.
The concern with the state of the Pond is specifically covered in the draft Neighbourhood Plan and has been raised with CDC Planning regarding what action can be taken.
Recently the Parish Council became aware that a number of residents who contacted CISWO direct about the state of the pond were being told that CISWO had provided the Parish Council with a draft lease, but that the Parish Council were not interested in the lease. This was not true. Consequently the Parish Council wrote to CISWO and asked for details of the discussions which had supposedly taken place between the Parish Council and CISWO.
CISWO have replied and confirmed that no such discussions have taken place. They have described the conversations in which this has been said as a misunderstanding.
Copies of the correspondence are below.
Please would any of the residents who have been involved in discussions with CISWO about taking on responsibility for the pond or possibly purchasing the pond please contact the Parish Council.