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

1. Chairman's report.

The Chairman reviewed activities on the Common during 2009:

1. Improvements have been made:
   i. Grass and weeds on the Common have been cut.
   ii. The river bank has been reconstructed.
   iii. The railings have been painted.
   iv. Regular meetings have been held with Council officers to progress the Management Plan for the Common.
   v. One of the 3 proposed wildflower meadows has been rotovated and seeded.
   vi. Approval has been given for the establishment of a Community Orchard under FoMC aegis.
   vii. A grant has been paid to FoMC and the first tranche of trees and some tools have been bought.
   viii. A list of volunteers has been compiled.
   ix. The Council has agreed to provide FoMC with secure storage in the toilet block.
   x. The Council has agreed to clear the Orchard site of brambles.
   Actions: FoMC to chase the Council on clearing the Orchard site and gaining secure storage. Chair to arrange pre-planting meeting and BTCV insurance cover for volunteers.
2. Some matters are more problematic:
   i. Agreement to FoMC's request that a more flexible grazing regime be adopted is hampered by the Pindar only being available from 1st April each year.
   ii. The promised replanting of felled trees and the Tree Seminar have been delayed due to protracted officer sick leave.
   Action: FoMC to request that action be taken to replace felled trees even if the more extensive programme to be considered under the Tree Seminar must wait.
3. Events:
   i. Strawberry Fair. Council officers will no longer hold the Premises Licence (covering alcohol sales) and Strawberry Fair organisers have applied in their own right. FoMC has not objected but has asked that the effective measures implemented in 2009 be repeated in 2010.
   Action: FoMC to write emphasising the need for 09 measures (fencing and staffing levels) to be repeated in 2010.
   ii. Midsummer Fair. FoMC had objected to public on-site parking and the Council is considering the matter. There are problems. Parking is long established and significant amounts of money are raised and Fair attendance is encouraged. The possibility of restricting parking to evenings was discussed.
   Action: FoMC to enquire the current situation and to encourage less parking.

2. AGM.

The 17th March was agreed as a suitable date for the AGM.

1. Guest Speaker. The Chair was asked to invite a speaker and either the author of the Management Plan or an expert on Community Orchards were suggested. The event would be advertised by 'flyers' and notices. Cold drinks and biscuits would be provided and a 'Donation Box' made available.
2. Election of Committee. The need to encourage younger people to stand for the committee and as office holders was endorsed but the committee and officers were willing to stand again.

3. FoMC Financial Report.

The Acting Treasurer stated that funds were adequate to meet current running costs and the annual subscription should again be set at £0. However, with AGM costs soon to be incurred, she would apply to the Council for a covering grant.

4. FoMC representation at outside meetings.

Actions: The Secretary was asked to advise the FoMC committee of West/Central Area Committee meetings and other events to encourage broader FoMC representation. Nick Levine is to accompany the Chair to a forthcoming Save our Green Spaces meeting.

B Higgs, Secretary.
Approved: R Baxter, Chair.
15 January 2010