Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Lynda S, Harriet J, Paul B, Chris M, Lynne C, James N
MINUTES
| 1. Agenda item I Welcome and apologies Jim |
Apologies from Tila R, Dan P, Naseem H.
| 2. Agenda item II a) Minutes of the last meeting, 04/06/24 b) Matters arising from the last meeting, 04/06/24 Jim |
No comments were received on the minutes of the last meeting.
All matters arising are covered under items in the minutes.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects for June were recorded – thanks to everyone for putting in time. Harriet to ask any core members not at the monthly meeting, for their hours.
| 4. Agenda item IV Treasurer’s report (Naseem)/Jim |
The balance stands at around £18,500 – the great majority of this is grant money for specific projects. BCAG central funds stand at around £2,300.
Naseem, Harriet, Tila and Jim met to confirm spend on all our various projects; last year’s balance has now been closed off and the new spreadsheet is functioning for this year’s spend. Thanks to Jim for handling this.
The accounts are therefore ready for Abi to audit.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Jim |
Sadly, our wonderful Newsletter editor is stepping down from the role: very many thanks to Maria for putting together such lively and informative editions over the last 2.5years. We wish you all the best in your new volunteering roles.
The newsletter is a vital part of BCAG outreach and one of the main means of advertising our events so it’s vital that we find a new editor promptly. A couple of suggestions were offered by those at the meeting.
Stats: main Facebook 1,267 followers; Bridge Street CG FB 861 followers.. BCAG mailing list 286 for Newsletter. [Shed 398 FB followers.]
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG (Tila) |
June was even busier in the Garden than usual, with lots of activities going on.
The Garden volunteers and Aspire visited the Garden each Monday, undertaking numerous gardening tasks such as watering, planting and pruning.
Restore has visited most Fridays completing a range of tasks.
As part of Great Big Green Week, the Garden held an open day distributing seeds and plants; it was great to have CDC’s recycling team present too.
The Peace Festival, with art and music, was very well attended (55+ attendees).
The suite of wellbeing events held in collaboration with Sunrise Multicultural have been very popular (25+ attendees at each event).
The Garden was pleased to be able to donate herbs and vegetables to the Banbury Larder.
Banbury Woodcraft Folk enjoyed a session at the Garden, harvesting berries and playing games.
Home-Start also visited the Garden, participating in gardening tasks and playing games with families.
The Garden will be open as a venue as part of Canal Day 05-06/10.
Jim raised the issue of resilience in management of the Garden: at present Tila takes full and sole responsibility for running the Garden. BCAG should be considering how best to ensure this knowledge is shared to ensure long term stability.
| 7. Agenda item VII Food Action (Dan) |
Attendance at the cooking event, held 12/06 as part of the GBGW events, was disappointing but gave the opportunity to discuss options for moving the project forwards.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Browning Road Orchard BRO Harriet |
No update this month.
| 9. Agenda item IX Banbury Active Travel Supporters group Paul |
Despite the dreadful weather, the stand at the Town Show (15/06) had a steady stream of visitors interested and willing to chat about the provision of, and opportunities for, active travel around the town. Thanks to all those involved with logistics and with manning the stand. Note that BCAG now has an easel-style white board, purchased through the OxCAG GBGW grant for this event.
The Woodgreen Leisure Centre/ Library cycle parking is due to be installed later this month.
The proposed talk and q&a session by Oxfordshire Liveable Streets on Oxford Traffic Filters has been rescheduled for 04/09, 7pm Friends Meeting House. The new traffic filters are due to be introduced in Oxford in November. The event is free but registration will be required.
Banbury Traffic Advisory Committee meets quarterly to review traffic issues in Banbury, with all three levels of local authorities being involved. Members can bring residents’ traffic concerns to the meetings. BCAG has been invited to attend this committee; Jim offered to represent BCAG should no one else come forward for this role.
BATS is taking a local lead on contributions to the Safe Cycling Map being developed for Oxfordshire.
BATS will have a stall at Banbury Canal Day, 05/-06/09.
A sociable bike ride is being planned for 22/09.
20’s Plenty project is still live in Banbury; a modified scheme will be put in place in the autumn.
| 10. Agenda item X Banbury Environment Network Harriet |
Harriet added the main Banbury sites of value for nature recovery, to the draft OCC Local Nature Recovery Strategy map.
Lynne has suggested that BCAG lead in action to encourage a more environmentally friendly management regime for the verges and grass areas across the town. Harriet and Lynne to meet to discuss how best take this forward.
| 11. Agenda item XI Climate Action Lynda |
The next G&T will be put back to September.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Dan from ‘Nothing but Footprints’ is organizing an environment-focused event 27/07 in Lock 29. He would welcome help with children’s activities. James and the CDC recycling team will be attending.
BCAG will be at Playday, 31/07.
Sue S and the WI Climate Ambassadors will be raising the profile of climate issues at Fairport in August.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The August monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th, 7.30pm, online.