Apologies:   Cllr S Clarkson, Ms E Foster, Cllr A Rudge
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2008 were agreed as a correct record subject to alteration at Line 4 - 'Greenwood' should read 'Greenway'.  Proposed David Fleming, seconded Joyce Glendenning.
MATTERS ARISING
Following the visit of Dean Watkins, Area Manager, National Express, at the last meeting, a resident had requested that the bus stop in Queslett Rd East opposite Lindens Drive be reinstated; this was now operational although most residents had not yet noticed.
CORRESPONDENCE
NHS Constitution: The Chairman tabled copies of the NHS Constitution.  Sheeba Mir, Birmingham East & North PCT Neighbourhood Health Development Co-ordinator had been invited to attend to explain her role in the organisation but failed to arrive.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The Chairman explained that the unusual step of the Treasurer presenting a report at this time was due to Nicki Turner taking over this office following the demise of Norman Tomes.  The Treasurer reported that the current balance would be depleted by expenses for the paper, ink and printing costs of producing 6 issues annually of 'Gatepost', hire charges for the use of the

Community Hall, and minor expenses e.g., telephone and postage costs.
It was hoped that Birmingham City Council would continue to give an annual grant and hopefully this would be topped up from the Community Chest thus providing enough funds for the Banners Gate Neighbourhood Forum to carry on meeting and to print the newsletter.
STANDING ITEMS
Birmingham Association of Neighbourhood Forums:  The Chairman has been asked to attend a Complaints Committee in October.  Only paid employee is Jimmy in the Print Shop who works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, any other work is done by volunteer members of the Committee and the directors of the Company.
Boldmere Tasking Group:  Sue Atkins reported that (1) Neighbourhood Watch signs had been in position in Hollyhurst Road for 3 months; (2) police hopeful that the dark nights and cold weather would eliminate the problem of motorbikes on the Greenway; (3) youths were using the cover of the bushes in the Greenway Drive gulley to throw eggs at vehicles on Chester Road North also the lighting in this area is atrocious and allows youths to indulge in anti-social behaviour.
Community Hall:  It was reported that the new Chairman had many ideas for the hall and wanted to know what was happening to the empty clinic building attached.  The

Chairman stated that the clinic had been used by the NHS but was a council property.  It was not  known if there were any plans for its use in the future.
Environmental Items:  (1)   It was reported that the telephone/cable box situated on the corner of Westwood Road and Banners Gate Road was covered with graffiti and Chester Road North has trees where shoots are growing from the bottom of the trunks; items referring to trees and hedges should be reported by phoning 464 8728.
(2)  On the corner of Monmouth Drive and Somerville Road there is a football pitch used periodically by groups of week-enders for training and a little farther up a tennis court in serious need of repair and along from that a sub-station covered in graffiti, fenced off and dangerous to enter, but all these areas could be put to good use.  There is money available from section 106 money to be used only for open spaces projects and to develop such sites for community use e.g., a garden, tennis court, or something for the young people such as skateboarding.  Farther down from the football pitch is an area which could be used for a car park.  Youth organisations are to be asked for ideas.  The Council would be interested to have ideas/suggestions so please forward any ideas to Vesey Councillor Malcolm Cornish.
NEW ITEMS
Trades & Consumer Forum 7 October 2008.  The Chairman

will attend this meeting as he wished to speak about mobile phone companies.  A problem had arisen following his agreement to take an upgrade because the present contract was finishing, when he received a completely new instrument which led to further trouble in trying to transfer his details even though it was the same account and identity.  Deciding to ask once more for the promised upgrade he spent 5 hours on the phone speaking to 16 people before getting someone able to comply with his request.  The Chairman asked if anyone had an item which could be raised at this meeting.  No one put forward any other complaint at this time.
Building in Monmouth Drive:  A resident asked if anyone knew what was being built in Monmouth Drive by the Boldmere Gate; this building was likely to be the Sea Cadet's new boathouse.
Common Scams:  The Chairman advised members to be particularly careful of the many scams now in operation, particularly those by phone, text, e-mail, and post.  The Office of Fair Trading was running a campaign to encourage the public to fight back and had released figures which showed that the top 5 mass-marketed scam mailings were: (1) 3570 deceptive sweepstakes ie scratch cards, (2) 1811 misleading prize draws, (3) 523 fake clairvoyants/psychics, (4) 401 bogus foreign lotteries, (5) 151 miracle health cures.  Every year 3M people in the UK lose a total of £3.5bn through scams yet only

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