Present: Dick Baxter (Chair), Barry Higgs (Secretary), Susan Stobbs (Treasurer), Simon Bragg, Sarah Green, Erica Hunter, Andy Rankin. Apologies: Anna-Louise Lawrence.

1. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.

The Midsummer Fair wash-up has yet to be held. FoMC will pursue this with the Council.

2. Planning applications relevant to Midsummer Common.

1. New Council Procedures. FoMC was not informed of changed consultation procedures but is now logged into the new computerised warning system. Its effectiveness is as yet unproven.
2. Berkeley Homes Riverside Site. Several minor variations have been sought mainly in relation to access through the site to the Common. FoMC will continue to monitor these.
3. Fort St George. The proposed Pergola has been dropped but there is concern that temporary structures/devices that may not require planning permission may be erected.
4. Synagogue Site Auckland Road. FoMC wants access to the Common to be maintained across the site but will leave it to the allotment holders to establish a legal right of way.
5. Newmarket Road Entrance to Orchard. Having consulted FoMC before granting planning permission, it is now understood that an alternative plan has been prepared without any consultation. FoMC will pursue this with officers and Councillors.
6. Tree Felling/Planting. Further tree planting on Midsummer Common has been listed in a draft Council programme. FoMC will discuss this at a meeting with officers.

3. Driving and parking of vehicles on the Common.

In response to the Chair's complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman regarding the Council's failure to deal with this matter, The Council says that it is planning to install a self-closing gate and restrict usage. However, no details have been made available and doubt remains whether a gate will be satisfactory - the Committee continues to believe that a rising kerb offers the best solution and remains concerned that this option appears to have been arbitrarily dismissed and that after at least five years no costed options to address this problem have been made available. Enforcement procedures remain unclear. The Chair will write to the Council.

4. Improving Midsummer Common - bid for s.106 money.

FoMC had prepared a list of projects for the Common that would use part of the money that Berkeley Homes would release in March to improve open spaces in the local area. These had to go through officers and be presented to the Area Committee for support.

5. Events on the Common in 2011 and 2012.

Concern was expressed that so many non-traditional events are allowed to use the common and that permission appears to be given by different Council departments. FoMC is often not consulted or informed. Also, early morning noise and extensive car parking on the Common is allowed. The Committee would not want to see so many such events held annually especially as some have no real connection to Cambridge.

6. Riverside Conservation Area Proposals.

FoMC has been consulted but the Common, although mentioned, does not feature significantly in the Plan.

7. Cam Conservators.

The Conservators need to raise more money but FoMC had no corporate view to advance as it is not a fee payer.

8. Berkeley Homes public art.

The Chair described what was proposed and chosen. Some money remains and FoMC might suggest ways in which it is spent.

9. FoMC website.

The Treasurer explained the move back to the original design.

10. Preparation for AGM in new year.

Ideas were sought for a guest speaker. The Chair signalled a wish to retire from the post and there was a brief discussion about a replacement and committee membership for 2012.

11. Any other business.

The Secretary was handed a Council offer for gritting materials. There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.30pm.

B Higgs, Secretary.
Approved: R Baxter, Chair.
18 October 2011