Minutes of a Committee meeting held on 17 April 2007

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

1. Previous Minutes.

The minutes of the 28th November 2006 meeting were approved and no points were raised.

2. Council Matters.

The Chair noted the smooth introduction of the cattle on to the Common and thanked Sarah Tovell for her help in getting necessary work undertaken and invited her to cover Council matters of interest to FoMC.

• Railings. In the forthcoming months these were due to be repainted in black by those serving Community Service Orders. (Note was taken of the possible need for undercoating).
• Ruts. EDF had provided funds for the proper reinstatement of areas of the common their work had damaged and the contractor engaged would also deal with other areas needing tending.
• Additional Paving. Consideration had given to widening the path in the vicinity of the Fort St George but this would not be done.
• Gate. A self-closing gate controlled by card for entry and buried cable for exit would be installed in the next month or so. Discussions would soon be held with the management of the Fort St George and Midsummer House over access card allocation. (Three per establishment was suggested as reasonable).
• Notice Boards. Money had been allocated but boards not yet selected or purchased. In order of priority locations were informally agreed as being; Maids' Causeway Pedestrian/Bike Crossing; Fort St George area where paths converge; Bottom of Parsonage Street; Four Lamps Roundabout and/or Cutter Ferry Bridge.
• Formal Contract. In the next few weeks a draft document covering relations between groups such as FoMC and the Council would be circulated for comment covering matters such as: Methods of Working; Aims & Objectives; Council Response Times for replies to correspondence or for work to be undertaken; together with a statement of staff commitment.
• Walks. Following the success of the two initial joint walks in identifying and monitoring remedial work these would now be held quarterly.
• Strawberry Fair. There was no news as to whether the Friday film night would take place (ST would investigate). FoMC would take this up at the meeting to be held with officials and SF organisers on 20th April.

3. Encroachment.

Sarah Tovell remained for discussion of the policy position to be adopted by FoMC in regard to encroachment generally and in particular that by Midsummer House Restaurant. Sarah Tovell was asked to convey FoMC's concerns to the Council regarding the lawned area, marker stones and paving together with its request for appropriate action to be taken - legally if necessary.

4. Events Planned for the Common.

• May Fair. (3rd to 7th May) This recently introduced event was poorly supported and FoMC would suggest to the Leader of the Council that thought be given to its future and possible replacement. Creative thought was needed on this issue.
• Strawberry Fair. ( 2nd June) The size, content, purpose, duration and obscure licensing and financial management of this event would be raised at the May meeting with the Leader of the Council. At the 20th April meeting with the organisers and those concerned with policing and parking the avoidance and mitigation of nuisance would be pursued by FoMC and clarification sought on the Friday Film Night. It was noted that over the course of the last of these events over 300 police officers were in attendance at some time or other, 122 formal warnings for the possession of cannabis were issued, 27 arrests for drug offences were made and 10 Notices for Public Order were issued each incurring an £80 fine (these were mostly for urinating in a public place).
• Midsummer Fair. ( 20- 25 June) The trouble caused by this event is evidenced by the fact that many local public houses close and an excessive police presence is needed Vehicles and rides have got larger over the years and there is much illegal and unrelated parking and vehicle use around the Common all with adverse consequences on its condition. Music volume has increased and is now accompanied by amplified 'barking' by competing ride operators. In respect of future (post 2007) Midsummer Fairs it was agreed that:
  • FoMC would support the management of this event (particularly access, pitch allocation and control) being passed to John Thurston (Showman's Guild) for a trial period.
  • FoMC would campaign against the travellers' Pot-Fair element being separated and, or, retained on the Common.
  • FoMC would ask for amplified noise levels to be monitored and reduced.

5. Other Common Events.

FoMC had no points to raise regarding the Bike Ride, Circus or Bonfire Night except that the associated funfair might be better located.

6. Website Management and Other FoMC PR

It was agreed that management of the FoMC Website would be assumed by Dick Baxter but relations with Fenweb with whom FoMC had a contract would need careful handling. It was agreed that FoMC would be represented at the Cambridge Town and Country Fair planned for 9/10th June. Members, in preference to the committee, would be asked to staff the stand for which appropriate banners and furniture such as a canopy, table, chairs, literature and possibly FoMC T-shirts were being sourced by the Chair.

7. Committee Size.

It was decided not to increase the size of the FoMC Committee and not to take further the quest for a member to represent the 'boaters'. However, if current enquiries resulted in a volunteer from that sector coming forward it would be courteous to accept them if meeting times did not preclude their attendance.

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