On Tuesday 2nd November, opponents of funding cuts to Framework organised a "flash mob" in the Market Square.

Framework is a Nottingham-based "homelessness charity providing housing, support, training, care and resettlement services."When the council announced proposed cuts, Framework were particularly badly hit. The council is planning to cut between £10-15m from its "Supporting People" programme over the next four years. The charity had expected £6.6m next year, a £1m cut, but is now waiting on further details of how much it will lose. Jobs will almost inevitably go at the charity which relies on the programme for 65% of its income.

Framework note that the local cuts are particulalry severe, "Government funding to the Supporting People budget, which funds work with vulnerable people in England, has been reduced by 12% over the next four years; Nottinghamshire County Council is consulting on reductions in the SP budget of between 43% and 67% in that period."

The issue attracted particular attention when John Leighton, a manager at Framework, challenged David Cameron about it during his recent visit to Nottingham. The Prime Minister promised to have his housing minister Grant Shapps look into it.

Aware of all these issues, I had heard about the Market Square "flash mob" on the Notts SOS website and turned up, not quite sure what to expect. Wikipedia defines a flash mob as "a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then disperse." This might have given me some warning - because the website certainly hadn't - that the organisers expected us all to lie on the floor.

There was a sizable crowd already formed by the time I arrived, just before the published start time of 6pm. Organisers, some in fluorescent jackets were distributing leaflets and - for reasons I still don't fully understand - glow sticks. There were people talking through a megaphone, who I couldn't hear properly, presumably telling us why we were there. There wasn't an obvious media presence, but there were video cameras, presumably used to record the event.

Obviously most of the other people there had be forewarned about the lying on the floor and came prepared with waterproof sheets and/or roll mats. Several people, were overeager and sat down early, but the organisers tried to coordinate everybody. People spread out and at a pre-ordained time, we all lay down. Except those of us who just crouched.

After 3 minutes, somebody announced it was all over and after a brief round of applause and cheering, everybody drifted off, as if nothing had ever happened. A strange demonstration, but mercifully short. I have no idea if this can be deemed a success, certainly I can't see Kay Cutts losing any sleep over it. Nevertheless, the turnout wasn't bad and there's plenty of scope to build on it.