Present: Geoffrey King (Chair), Brian Smale-Adams (Treasurer), Barry Higgs (Secretary), Dick Baxter. Apologies for Absence: Michael Craven, Rosemary Davidson, Milo Keynes. Also present: Sarah Tovell, CCC.

1. Previous Minutes.

The minutes of the 17th April 2007 meeting were approved and no points were raised.

2. July Common Walk.

The Chair reported that the walk was most disappointing in that very little, if any, progress had been made on issues previously noted. Sarah Tovell acknowledged the lack of action and explained that in consequence she had been authorised to deal directly with the personnel and organisations involved. She reported on the following issues raised on the walk:

• 'Streetscene'. To get work done Green Spaces Department has to negotiate with 'Streetscene', which has its own budget, and has asked them to address the following:
  • Nettles. Some removal was carried out earlier in the year but they remain a problem and a request for further work has been made.
  • Mowing. Because of manpower shortages it seemed unlikely that the Common would be mown more than twice a year as opposed to the four recommended.
  • Refuse bins. 'Streetscene' is responsible for all aspects of bin management but they had yet to respond to the complaints raised with them.
  • The Pound. 'Streetscene' is also responsible for the state of the Pound and have been informed that it needs clearing of brambles and the like.
• Open Spaces Care regimes. It was hoped that the existing city-wide generic regime could in time be replaced by ones more suited to varying local needs such as, in the case of Midsummer Common, weed control and the frequency of mowing. The Parks and Open Spaces Survey currently underway might contribute to this. (However, the Committee pointed out that the Survey refers to Parks and Gardens and it was completely unclear how the Council, or respondents, should regard Midsummer Common. This would cast doubt on the validity of the survey.)
• Rails. Work was in hand on repainting the rails but rapid progress should not be expected. The Probation Service organises the labour.
• Notice Boards. Authority has been given for two notice-boards. No date was given as to when they might be erected.
• Gates. Progress on the 'Mechanically Controlled Gate' covering road access to Midsummer House and The Fort St George had been held-up because of reported divided responsibilities between City and County Council officials. (The Committee found this excuse unconvincing as these issues were raised a long time ago and should have been resolved by now.) Ian Ross the official concerned has been asked to keep Geoffrey King as chair of FoMC informed of progress. The North Terrace self-closing gate had been re-tensioned. (The Committee felt it needed an additional spring.)
• Paths. The County Council was responsible for some of the paths on the Common and had been asked to address the matter of excessive camber on the path serving Cutter Ferry Bridge about which there had been complaints.
• Events. Those organising the 22 July London to Cambridge Bike-ride had been advised that Barbeques were not allowed.
• Bouncy Castle. The Fort St George management had been advised that they were not authorised to operate a Bouncy Castle on the Common
• Condition of grass. EDF will carry out remedial work and re-sowing of the areas their work disturbed. 'Streetscene' had been instructed to remove the bark chippings used as infill. The need for better drainage in places would be attended to in time.
• Action. The next walk was arranged for 1000 hrs 4th September. 'Streetscene' would be invited to attend as would Kenny Macgregor the tree specialist.

3. Friends' Group Agreement.

An agreement between the Active Communities Department of the Council and FoMC has been drafted which covers points of contact, response times for enquiries and target times for completion of approved work. This will be renewed in April each year. FoMC believes that 'Streetscene' should also be party to this agreement and has requested a meeting to this end. The Committee welcomed and approved the Agreement.

4. FoMC Committee Membership.

Regrettably, Michael Craven had resigned from the Committee due to domestic commitments. The Committee had the authority to co-opt a new member but had no obvious successor in mind. Action. It was agreed that the Chair should express to Michael the Committee's regret at losing his services. Additionally the secretary would invite the membership to propose people from whom the Committee might choose.

5. Events.

The chair, who had been heavily involved in both Strawberry Fair and Midsummer Fair, reported to the Committee:

• Strawberry Fair. The creation of FoMC provided a point of contact for people to voice their opinions. Only one person expressed approval of the event. Eighty others expressed great concern over what had happened on and off the Common. FoMC and BRUNK (Brunswick and North Kite Association) were represented at a pre-event meeting with the organisers. A further meeting was held with the Police.

  The Chair of FoMC also attended and gave evidence at the post-event Safety Advisory Group meeting. Others represented included the Police and Fire Services, Trading Standards and the City and County Councils. FoMC's Chair conveyed to the meeting the many concerns expressed to him including widespread public order violations, rampant drug dealing and taking - both on and off the Common - the lighting of fires and camping, both of which are banned on the Common. He also observed that many Police officers were drafted in from outside Cambridge and were therefore unfamiliar with the lanes and alleyways used by law-breakers. He concluded that the event the organisers put on was no longer acceptable in its present form and should be abolished or moved elsewhere, perhaps to Coldham's Common. FoMC's Chair received considerable support from the Police and Fire Services but is not clear whether the Council will take the advice offered.

  In summary, FoMC's Committee expressed the view that Strawberry Fair has got out of hand in scale, style and content and that the organisers, however well intentioned, will never be able to assert adequate control. The event is 'on the calendar' and its reputation means that it attracts more people each year many of whom are seeking the very activities that cause offence. FoMC fears that any serious effort to better control and police the event could result in public disorder. If the event is to continue in Cambridge an alternative location should be found.

• Midsummer Fair. The bad weather resulted in this year's event being quieter than usual and poorly attended. FoMC and BRUNK were represented at the daily meetings that kept everybody briefed. Ken Rankin, the Council official responsible did a good job controlling vehicle movement and restricting damage.
• Action: The Chair would write to the Council, Liz Bissett, copy to other officials and councillors, expressing these concerns and pointing out the urgent need for the promised strategic review to be undertaken covering both these events.

6. Data Security.

The Blind Cover Copy facility for emailing members lists will be used in future.

7. FoMC Website

Nick Levine's helpful recommendations were discussed and the following decisions taken:

• www.midsummercommon.org.uk would be adopted as the FoMC URL and the 'co.uk 'name would be allowed to lapse.
• Fenweb hosting is paid up to November 2008 and it was judged better not to migrate elsewhere in the short term.
• Dick Baxter agreed to transfer his software onto Fenweb under the new name so that visitors are spared the current redirection procedure. (Nick Levine would be asked to advise on this and on redesign of the home and other pages)
• The current links would be maintained and 'Local Secrets' and, once resurrected, Jesus Green would be added.

8. Any other business.

• Finances. The Treasurer reported that FoMC funds were in a satisfactory state with around £500 in the bank and no outstanding commitments.
• Future Events on The Common. The Committee agreed that there was a need to consider what events might be held on the Common in the future that would attract support from local residents and that would not be onerous to organise. It was too late for any such events in this year.

B Higgs, Secretary.
Approved: G King, Chair.