What's New?

	Bishopmill Litter Disappointingly the newly installed bin at the bridge leading to the entrance of the Morriston Playing fields was vandalised with litter strewn along the paths and the River Lossie.  This was reported to the Environmental Protection Section, at The Moray Council who said they would look into re-installing the bin and programming a regular pick up of litter.  Elgin Academy have agreed to promote the funding they have received (£600.00) from the Anti-Social Behaviour Fund after the school summer holidays.  This will include a press release and photo call which Michelle, Support Worker will help to coordinate.  At the last Elgin North Area Forum on 1st July due to the ongoing challenges of litter and vandalism in this area it was agreed to set up a specific community action group which would look and resolve the issues.
	Lesmurdie Woods An informal meeting was arranged on 12th June with the young people to work out a plan of action towards the official opening of the Lesmurdie Woods Project.  It was agreed to do a litter pick and to mark out the area for the BMX and adventure play area which went very well and was attended by the local press.  Costings are also being looked at for a shelter/bench/picnic structure and signage for the area.  The official launch has been earmarked for Saturday 13th September,  2.00pm.
	Action Group Parking Recent correspondence from NHS Grampian iterating their stance on the car parking issues at Dr Gray's Hospital was forwarded to members of Action Group Parking and the Elgin North Area Forum meeting on Tuesday 20th May.  It was agreed to take the issue up witht he other Community Planning Partners, NHS Grampian Board and the relevant MSPs to try and find a more positive solution.  NHS Grampian has since been in contact and a meeting was arranged for 8th July to discuss these matters further.  A full update of this meeting will be given at the next Action Group Parking meeting on Tuesday 5th August at 7.00pm. The Volunteer Centre Moray and/or Moravia Growers proposed community sensory garden project at Braco Place has been agreed by the Moray Council's Housing Sub Committee on the 20th June 2008, subject to agreement with regard to parking between the Volunteer Centre and the Action Group.  Representatives from the Volunteer Centre and Moravia Growers will be in attendance to discuss this further on Tuesday 5th August. Correspondence has also been sent to the Chief Executive of the Moray Council to discuss how improvements of parking can be resolved in the East End of Elgin in relation to Moray Council employees parking in this area. Elgin North Area Forum has been contacted by the Transportation Section requesting comments on a Traffic Order for various streets in Elgin.  This approach has been a direct result of the positive relationship, which has been set up by the Action Group Parking with the Transportation Section of the Moray Council.
	Victoria Crescent Medical Centre Elgin North Area Forum have invited the Practice Manger at Victoria Crescent Medical Centre to discuss the moving of the centre to the new Springfield Retail Park to New Elgin at the next Area Forum meeting on Tuesday 12th August, 7.00pm at Elgin Community Centre.  Members of Elgin South Area Forum are more than welcome to attend.
	Community Allotments The Elgin Allotment Projects Steering Group have been successful in securing a grant from the Moray Food and Health Group for the sum of £500.00.  This will go towards the investigation costs of setting up community allotments.  Both the Estates Department and the Planning Department at The Moray Council have been very helpful in giving advice.  There is also interest in other areas of Moray in setting up community allotments and Rebecca Kail, Elgin South Area Forum is following up these interests to avoid duplication and to share information and knowledge.  The next planned Allotment meeting will be 6th August which will hopefully involve a trip to Nairn Allotments.
	Pilot Newsletter The Neighbourhood News editorial group has not met, as there is no secure administration budget to fund future editions.  Elgin North Area Forum has reserved £300.00 towards the next edition.
	Elgin Entranceway Beautification Scheme The group taking forward this scheme is still finding it challenging to find someone to take on the coordination role.  Also some of the sites highlighted for possible flowerbeds may be part of the proposed Elgin bypass.  A meeting will be arranged soon once a coordinator is identified.

What's New?

Rapture Tour of Moray 2008 The Elgin Youth Forum has started the Rapture (DJ event), Tour of Moray 2008 and had a highly successful start to their tour in January at the Elgin City Football Club.  Over 200 young people attended from all over Moray, including some travelling in from Speyside.  All the young people enjoyed the music on a Saturday night, without depending on alcohol or drugs.  Partnership working was also achieved with Community Police on the evening to increase the awareness of the risks associated with alcohol use.

The next event is planned to take place in Forres and the Forum members are working on a visual presentation to be projected on a screen on the evening and display graphics associated with alcohol/drug use and other important health/safety issues.  The Rapture tour aims to promote the Elgin Youth Forum and the DJ workshop and to allow young people from all of Moray to have an enjoyable evening listening to music and to pass on vital educational messages.  Furthermore, the Forum hopes that these events will inspire other young people from other areas of Moray to consider starting their own youth forum to provide a voice in their locality.

Gardening Project Approach The Forum has been approached by Anderson’s Care Home to help them develop a gardening project, linking this in with the heritage and culture attached to the building.