Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Harriet J, Naseem H, Lynda S, Paul B, Chris M, Neil W, Sue S
MINUTES
| 1. Agenda item I Welcome and apologies Jim |
Apologies from Tila R, Dan P
| 2. Agenda item II a) Minutes of the last meeting, 07/01/24 b) Matters arising from the last meeting, 07/01/24 Jim |
No comments were received on the minutes of the last meeting.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects since the January meeting were recorded – thanks to everyone for putting in the time. Harriet to ask any core members not at the monthly meeting, for their hours.
Action needed: the annual review of our policies is due with Lynda/Harriet to check we have in place those we need, and that they are fit for purpose.
| 4. Agenda item IV Treasurer’s report (Naseem) |
BCAG central funds still stand at £2,466.
.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Jim |
The meeting congratulated Joe on his excellent Newsletters.
January stats: main Facebook 1,294 followers; Bridge Street CG FB 951 followers. BCAG mailing list 318 for Newsletter of which 236 are members. [Shed 416 FB followers]. It’s great that once again the numbers show an increase on those recorded in January’s meeting.
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG (Tila) |
Tila thanked everyone who has contributed to the life of the Garden this month.
Tila was interviewed for a community study about the Garden which has been featured on the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy website. She also gave a presentation at the Big Conversations event in Oxford.
January was a time for catching up on paperwork and applying for grants.
Workshops included a Kimchi workshop led by Jo from OxCAG 19/01.
A local artist/illustrator, Mat, has generously offered to design a new logo for the Garden.
Monday volunteering sessions continue to be busy and productive.
Fly-tipping has been reported.
February and March are already filling up with planned events.
| 7. Agenda item VII Food Action (Dan) |
Dan is currently away and will pick up on things on his return. There is still money in the CTET budget. Since the project was set up, activity around food surplus has increased within the town, with BCAG being a prominent driver behind many of the initiatives. There is now a staff post (Libby K) at CDC, leading on the District’s food strategy and the Good Food Action Plan. The Banbury Larder has taken up a key role in preventing food waste/ bringing people together round food/ providing a source of affordable groceries. There are other initiatives too, particularly linked to the churches. All this means it is time to re-look at BCAG’s place here, and to identify our new role going forward. Dan to take the lead on this.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Browning Road Orchard BRO Harriet |
The meeting agreed that BCAG should take opportunities to encourage local residents to organise events in the Orchard. We need to make it clear that going forward BCAG will not necessarily be taking the lead in Orchard events. BCAG will, however, continue to care for the orchard itself. Harriet to feed back to Vaughan and Winnie.
| 9. Agenda item IX Banbury Active Travel Supporters group (Paul/Neil) |
At their next meeting, BATS will be looking at progress made on the LCWIP with an update from OCC.
The group is continuing to promote the 20mph speed limits. Thanks to Chris for the list of positive data and stories to support this campaign. Sadly, there has recently been a fatal accident on town centre roads. It occurred on one of the retained 30mph zones and the coroner for the case concluded that in this instance limiting traffic speed to 20mph would have saved lives. BATS is continuing to press for reconsideration of these 30mph zones through the urban areas.
It was noted that the Bath Road / Broughton Road junction is particularly dangerous and an accident hot spot. The speed limit has been reduced to 20mph here, but more could be done to improve safety. BATS to take this up with the County.
Jim continues to attend the Oxfordshire Active Travel meetings. He has signed up to trial an app that promotes alternative means of transport to car travel by offering rewards/points for journeys undertaken via sustainable travel choices. He will report back on how he finds the app.
| 10. Agenda item X Banbury Environment Network Harriet |
Sue has arranged for two visits to Banbury Sewage Treatment Works. Both dates offered rapidly booked up, with Sean W, MP, attending the March trip. Banbury Water Vols are planning a ‘water blitz’ for April both to get a snapshot of water quality across the Banbury area and to raise awareness of water quality issues.
The Group to ask the MP to back the ‘washing machine’ Bill which seeks to have filters fitted to all washing machines to prevent micro-fibres entering the environment.
| 11. Agenda item XI Climate Action Lynda |
Thanks to Paul for his work putting together the BCAG response to the consultation on the draft CDC Local Plan 2025-2042. Thanks also to all those who have contributed sections for the response – great teamwork.
The next G&T, 22nd February, will be held in partnership with the Banbury Larder, at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church. Lynda is taking the lead in the arrangements.
Chris to convene a sub-group to shape the proposed engagement with our MP on climate-related issues.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Group wishes every success to the new Community Garden at Warriner Farm.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held online, 4th March.