Present : Councillor A Wilkie – Cotgrave Town Council (Chairman), Councillor E Woolsey – Cotgrave Town Council, Councillor B Tansley – Cotgrave Town Council, Councillor R Butler – Cotgrave Town Council, Ann Ellis – Cotgrave Town Council, Kath Drakes – Resident, Craig Moxham – Head Teacher Cotgrave C of E School,

Matthew Trickett – NCC Youth Service Cotgrave.

Apologies Received: Councillor I Shaw, Catherine Sowter, Steve Gardener, Kevin Mann, Yvonne Wilson, Hiliary Strasburger

The meeting was chaired by Councillor A Wilkie, and was held in Studio 4 of the Leisure Centre and started at 7.30 pm.

278 Resolved : "That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd June 2010 be received and confirmed as a true record".

279 M239 Dog Fouling

Councillor R Butler explained that the Borough’s Dog Wardens are focusing on Cotgrave at the moment due to the comparative high level of dog fouling.

280 M258 Positive Futures

The Chairman had attended the Parish Planting and Painting event held on the Green. He noted that Mark and Ed had done an excellent job encouraging so many young people to get involved and it was well organised. Lord Morris had been in Nottingham that day to see the cricket and had made a slight detour to see Positive Futures in action for himself.

281 The Chairman also attended the Positive Futures presentation at Notts County Council Cricket Ground on September 3^rd. it had been an ‘excellent night’ giving the Positive Futures young people their well earned opportunity to demonstrate their achievements.

282 The Chairman felt optimistic that through the hardwork of Positive Futures and Youth Service staff Cotgrave can look forward to positive changes.

283 Councillor B Tansley passed on the Police reports that there has been a dramatic reduction in youth crime and he is hopeful that Youth Services and Positive Futures can work collaboratively.

284 Councillor B Tansley pointed out that there are many people in Cotgrave who are not aware of what Youth Services do in Cotgrave and they complain that there is nothing for young people to do in Cotgrave – which is not true. Unfortunately Youth Services do not publicise what they do.

285 In response Matthew Trickett explained that he aims to address this gap in people’s perceptions – initially through an article in Cotgrave Connections.

286 Matthew Trickett has also met with Positive Futures staff on a regular basis and together they took eight "hard to reach" young people on a trip. But it was noted that Positive Futures and Youth Services work with different age groups and targets. Youth Services targets the 13 plus age range and Positive Futures from a younger age.

287 Studio 1 is being used as a ‘Youth Club’ on Friday night and Youth Forum on Thursday nights There have been difficulties due to Cotgrave’s reduced staffing but Matthew hopes that the vacancies will be filled soon. In the meantime he is also working with the Leisure Centre Manager to deliver gym sessions for young people.

288 Matthew was pleased to remind the Forum that the funding for the very successful West Bridgford music festival – Bridgefest – held on 13^th August had been achieved through the hard work of Cotgrave Youth Forum.

289 M263 All Saints Flower Festival

The Chairman had been advised by Maureen Gregory that All Saints raised over £2,000 and had been very well attended and received by local people.

290 M266 Flower Baskets

The flower baskets have been very well received this year, despite the need to remove quite a few from unsuitable lamp columns, which has resulted in a break in flower displays and prompts a review for next year’s locations.

291 The Editor of Cotgrave Connections is planning to run a community consultation about the preferred type and location of flower displays in the next issue. In some areas around the country the flower baskets have been fixed to the railings outside schools.

292 M270 East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA)

Councillor B Tansley confirmed that the application for the pit site development is scheduled for consideration by the Borough’s Planning Committee in October.

293 The Chairman advised that Cotgrave Welfare Scheme is hosting Help for Heroes concert on Thursday 23^rd September. There will be a bed push on Friday 17^th September and an auction of commemorative items. The event is being supported by British Legion, TA, Cadets and uniformed clubs will be in attendance and St John Ambulance. A target of £3,000 has been set.

294 Councillor B Tansley advised that Grannies will be hosting an Alpha Course also from Thursday 23^rd September for those people who want to learn more about Christianity.

295 Craig Moxham promoted the school’s community lunch – the next one will be on Wednesday September 15^th and fortnightly thereafter. It is advisable to book and costs £2.50 and 20p for tea or coffee.

296 Craig was pleased to confirm that there has been increased pupil intake at the school and that the Reception Class is full with 15.

297 Finally, members of the Forum noted the sad passing of Nancy Maynes who will be greatly missed by all her Cotgrave ‘bairns’.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.10 pm.