Present: Dick Baxter (chair), Barry Higgs (Secretary), Brian Smale-Adams (Treasurer), Rosemary Davidson, Erica Hunter, Luther Phillips and Susan Stobbs. Apologies were received from Nick Levine.

1. Business.

The Chair explained that this was a routine meeting but some of the items to be discussed were in active discussion with the Council. He therefore asked the Secretary to delay circulating the minutes until such time as additional information could be added.

2. Tree Protocol.

The Chair reported on the Council’s Scrutiny Committee discussion of plans to fell some trees on Midsummer Common. These were approved unchallenged but it was decided that a Protocal was to be produced that would be adhered to when major tree works were proposed in Cambridge.

3. Tree Planting.

FoMC had been invited to suggest ways to improve the tree stock on Midsummer Common and had submitted a paper to the Council Tree Team. They used this in preparing an extensive tree planting and transplanting scheme for the Common involving over 100 trees. An early draft was sent to FoMC for quick comment. FoMC’s made a number of comments: new plantings should not obstruct views from houses; the new Victoria Avenue toilets should be screened; the river bank planting should revert to largely Willow and Poplar; planting in the eastern pound should screen the CRC site; and serried ranks and conversion to parkland should be avoided. (Subsequently at the 30th April Area Committee Meeting the outline plan was approved and significant money was allocated but further detailed work and consultation - to include FoMC - was needed.)

4. Cam Clean-up.

FoMC agreed to enlist member support. (12 members assisted.)

5. River Bank Rebuilding and Mooring Rings.

This work was needed and would start in May. (Subsequently, this date drifted to July/August and the possibility of incorporating mooring rings was dismissed as impractical.)

6. Bonfires.

There continued to be problems over the legal position and lack of enforcement. (FoMC attended a specially convened meeting with Council officials on 24th April. There it was agreed that bonfires were illegal but acknowledged that with only 3 Council enforcement officials who required police in attendance, enforcement was difficult, However, the byelaws would be reviewed and signs erected. A new waste bin for Parsonage Street was requested. Councillors wanted efforts made to engage young people in the Common. FoMC was asked to continue reporting bonfire occurrences to the Council and Streetscene.)

7. Management Plan.

FoMC had commented on the draft Management Plan for Midsummer Common prepared by the Wildlife Trust. A follow-up meeting was due. (This was held on 6th May. FoMC attended. A new draft plan would now be circulated with a programme to start in September 2009. Three wildlife meadows would be established on areas of the Common and initially fenced while being prepared and seeded. Streetscene agreed to the general programme. There would be a role for voluntary organisations such as FoMC, especially in regard to the orchard it is hoped to establish in the pound area adjacent to the allotments. The need for more continuous grazing of the Common was acknowledged and serious consideration would therefore be given to use of the area of Common east of Cutter Ferry Bridge. A meeting on this involving FoMC was proposed for 27th May.)

8. Vehicular Access.

Concern persisted over vehicular access to the Fort St George and Midsummer House and parking on the Common. (Progress on the electronic gate was also discussed at the meeting referred to at Item 7 above. No vandal proof, or even vandal resistant, mechanism was available and neither of the commercial establishments have been consulted on the issue of vehicular access. The cost would be at least £20K. Further consideration by officials would take place. FoMC’s proposal that Traffic Wardens might operate on the Common was dismissed: it seems their enforcement powers are confined to the highway.)

B Higgs, Secretary.
Approved: R Baxter, Chair.
6 May 2009