Apologies:  Ms M Aston, Cllr A Rudge
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday, 29^th March 2010, were agreed as a correct record.  Proposed Ms H Pollock, seconded Ms J Glendenning, and carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 29^th March 2010, were agreed as a correct record. Proposed Ms H Pollock, seconded Ms H Willis.
MATTERS ARISING
Banners Gate Schools Merger Update:  The Chairman updated the meeting on the position of the merger.
Consultation with staff and parents had taken place and the merger accepted with no dissenting voice.  The next step was public consultation, but the holding of general and local elections has resulted in a delay and thus the timescale of 1^st September will not be possible and the new school cannot now open until the January 2011 term.  The pupils of both schools have been given the opportunity to propose a name for the new school and to draw up a logo.  There will be a need to form an Interim Governing Body of 12 persons based on Headteacher, Acting Headteacher, 2 LEA officers, 2 parents, and 6 others, but this stage has not yet been reached as the officer-in-charge of the merger has not received permission to proceed.
CORRESPONDENCE
The following papers were tabled:
Birmingham Count Down to 2011 Census: A notice with instantly recognisable logo of a large stylised 'C' would be appearing in all areas of Birmingham drawing attention to the census due on 27^th

March  2011.  During the course of the census over 600 part-time job opportunities will be created with all posts being recruited by Capita on behalf of the Office of National Statistics.  Vacancies will be advertised through the website www.censusjobs.co.uk and anyone seeking part-time employment should make enquiries as many different skills will be needed, some of which have already been identified.
Birmingham Resilience Team:  To strengthen Birmingham's ability to prepare for and respond to emergency incidents, residents, communities, and voluntary and business organisations, are being asked to identify one or two people to act as Birmingham Resilience Champions.  Champions will be supported by the Resilience Team and encourage colleagues, neighbours and groups to become more prepared for emergencies, which could be as simple as passing on information to identifying ways in which help can be provided following an emergency.
Birmingham Community Alert:  This is an 'alert' hi-tech messaging service available to all residents and businesses in Birmingham by providing either text message to mobile, e-mail, voicemail to mobile or landline, pager or fax during an emergency incident which could arise affecting the workplace, home, or the area/home of relatives /friends thus enabling early action to be taken.
City of Culture:  Norwich, Sheffield and Birmingham are all in the running at present.
STANDING ITEMS
Birmingham Association of Neighbourhood Forums:  The last two meetings were cancelled.  The only paid employee is Jimmy who runs the Print Shop which is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and

Thursdays; it is hoped to make the Print Shop self-supporting with work from individuals and organisations.  All other tasks pertaining to BANF are now carried out by volunteers.  Printshop 0121-359-4224 Tues/Weds/Thurs.
Boldmere Neighbourhood Tasking Group/Neighbourhood Watch:
1.  Inconsiderate Parking by Banners Gate Schools.  The lack of signage around the school emphasised at the previous meeting had been looked at.  It was now intended to install a flashing light sign at the corner of George Frederick Road with Rough Road to highlight the presence of the school.  It was hoped that finance for this work could be found from the Constituency Chest. 
2.  Dropped Kerbs.  The Chairman had received calls from residents requesting clarification.
3.  Avery Road - Chester Road Access Lane.  This small lane has steps down to the main road with no handrail.  City engineers have agreed to put handrails and railings at this site when funds are available during the summer.
Community Hall Update:  The Banners Gate Community Hall Annual General Meeting will be held at 7.30 pm on Friday 28^th May 2010; anyone wishing to show support would be welcome to attend.
The Coffee Mornings, providing free drinks, eats and a free raffle ticket, to each resident attending, and held each month on a Tuesday morning 1030-1200 has been very well attended and thanks are due to Police Authority for funding this lively community initiative.  At the last meeting the idea of a cake and biscuit cookbook was enthusiastically received by the ladies (and a couple of gentlemen) so at the next coffee morning on 15^th June members will be providing a home cooked item (for sampling purposes of course) together with

the recipe for inclusion in a cookbook to be printed and sold to enhance funds.  All residents are welcome to take part.
NEW ITEMS
www.gatepost.bannersgate.co.uk  The Chairman always uploaded the most recent newsletter onto the website but finding this was not possible had enquired of the site manager and was told the site was 'time expired' but being understanding had allowed a further time for the Chairman to upload the latest edition.  Unfortunately the sum required to buy the website address is beyond the Forum's means. The Chairman further drew attention to the fact that the 'Gatepost' website, once accessed, would provide further information on many items of interest in the various articles in the issue by means of links to other sites.  In the current website there were almost 60 links.
Deliverers.  The Chairman thanked the band of people who gave up time to deliver 'Gatepost' to their neighbours, however, the holiday season being here the Forum desperately needed residents to provide "holiday cover" for one or two issues only.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
'Warning' Tickets:  The Neighbourhood Tasking Group representative tabled a sample 'Warning' ticket which the Community Police would be using through George Frederick Road and Westwood Road.  Traffic Enforcement Officers can book a motorist right away which could lead to a fine.

RED CROSS TALK
The Chairman said he was indebted to Hazel Pollock for the introduction to the speaker for the evening, Liz Fruer, a senior member of the Red Cross Society, and was sure the meeting would enjoy the presentation.  Liz thanked the assembly for the warm

beautilicious

Lay Assessors

Roads, pavements & streetlights renewal