Present: Dick Baxter (chair), Barry Higgs (Secretary), Susan Stobbs (Treasurer), Sarah Green, Erica Hunter, Nick Levine and Andy Rankin.

1. Financial statement.

Outgoings were much as anticipated and within budget and the recruitment campaign had brought useful new member subscriptions. Council grants for insurance and the orchard had money in reserve.

2. Council reorganisation.

Officer changes have to settle down with new appointments still to be made. Cllr Rod Cantrill has assumed Cllr Julie Smith's responsibilities as Executive Councillor and has been briefed by FoMC on Midsummer Common issues. He was receptive and supportive.

3. Management Committee Meeting.

Only one officer attended, which was disappointing, and no change of policy or significant progress on current issues came to light. The next meeting would be held on Midsummer Common.

4. Tree Seminar.

The promised replacement of the 7 trees felled on MSC and the longer-term planting plan had been delayed by staff illness and a Council desire to deal with all tree issues together. FoMC has been invited to a seminar planned for 1st July. The Chair would present a FoMC Position Paper based on: the Conservation and Management Plans; the referred plan by the Arboriculture Team, the promise to replace the already felled trees; and a planting plan that had semi-mature trees in place for when the Chestnut Trees have to be felled. Erica Hunter agreed to attend the seminar with the Chair, as would Susan Stobbs and Andy Rankin if needed.

5. Strawberry Fair.

The unofficial 2010 event had passed off with little incident. The licence application for future events is being amended to control 'ingress' and to restrict alcohol being brought on to the site to 'reasonable' quantities. It was agreed that although this was loose language a total ban on alcohol would be unreasonable and it was believed that those controlling entry would be able to prevent flagrant abuse. FoMC will support the amended application and ask that, where possible, the entry points be kept distant from houses. Action: FoMC would consider having a presence at 2011 Strawberry Fair.

6. Midsummer Fair.

FoMC would attend the initial daily briefing and subsequently if thought necessary.

7. Orchard.

The planted trees were thriving as were the wild-flowers and the hedge. Further trees for the northern area and the eastern espaliered row had been ordered for delivery late in the year. FoMC would continue to work with Streetscene to keep the Orchard grass etc. under control. Action: A FoMC members' 'Bring your Own' picnic would be advertised for Sunday 22nd August to be held on the Orchard site.

8. Trial Wild-flower Meadow.

This was sown with some ceremony earlier in the year but appears not to have thrived possibly because the advice from the Wildlife Trust had not been followed. This would be discussed with Council officers.

B Higgs, Secretary.
Approved: R Baxter, Chair.
21 June 2010