Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Lynda S, Harriet J, Tila R, Lynne C, Chris M, Sonia M, Maria H, Maria M, Colin S
MINUTES
| 1. Agenda item I Welcome, introductions and apologies Jim |
Apologies from Zsofi B and Jill O. A warm welcome to Maria M and Sonia M – great to have you both join us.
| 2. Agenda item II Matters arising from Dec meeting, 07/12 Jim |
Still keeping possible project ideas from Cathy’s talk about Low Carbon Hub, Oxford, as an item for a future agenda. All other matters arising are covered under agenda items.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects for December were recorded – thanks to everyone for putting in time. The total hours for 2021 have been submitted to CAG Oxfordshire – thanks, Lynda. Lynda/Harriet to discuss the best method of recording this data going forward.
| 4. Agenda item IV Treasurer’s report Lynda |
Some £14K has gone through the BCAG books this CAG Ox financial year (running 1/12-30/11) primarily project funds for BSCG.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Harriet/Jim |
STATS: Mailchimp: 157 subscribers / 89 voting members; Facebook: BCAG 927 followers 787 likes; BSCG 365 followers, 342 likes.
Jim thanked Harriet for putting together the Newsletter over the past year.
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG Tila/Lynda |
Tila has scheduled in 4 Sunday general Garden sessions, 16th Jan onwards. These are in addition to the ever increasing number of community groups coming in to use the Garden.
Funding of £1K has been secured from CDC for a well-being space to be created at the centre of the Garden to provide sheltered seating.
Thanks to Rachel for the information-filled talk, 11/12 on ‘How to become a Food Grower’. The BCAG “Christmas tree” was assembled and enhanced at The Hill Community Centre as part of their Winter Wishes festival, then returned to BSCG to the delight of the local bird population (and no doubt other wildlife also…).
Fruit trees and bushes have been purchased from Nicholson’s at a generously discounted cost.
Thanks to Julie B for, amongst many other things, sorting out the Garden noticeboard. Agreed it would be nice to maximise use of the board.
Sadly, the sheds were broken into around the Christmas. Nothing was taken. The locks have been replaced – thanks to Mark again for your time.
Almost all the scaffolding boards have now been used for making new hexagons and beds. More needed!
Colin suggested that the link to Incredible Edible be revived – agreed.
| 7. Agenda item VII Browning Road Orchard BRO Colin |
Winter mulching and pruning to be arranged.
Colin/Harriet and Mike S to meet to discuss future plans for the Orchard.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Banbury Active Transport Supporters group Zsofi |
BATS have been focussing on the 20’s Plenty for Us campaign, seeking the opinion of members on restricted speed limits, in order to put proposals forward to the council.
When the – overdue – LCWIP is released, BATS is to be at the heart of the community consultations and has been offered a stand in Castle Quay to help facilitate local engagement.
BATS has started to check relevant planning applications to ensure active travel issues are not overlooked.
| 9. Agenda item IX Biodiversity Harriet |
In response to a request led by Banbury Trees, Oxtrees has drawn up a Banbury Treescapes report to be discussed at an upcoming meeting.
Jim suggested BCAG key in to the calendar of national nature-related ‘days’ / ‘weeks’ to help promote nature connectedness across the town – agreed.
BCAG continues to work closely with Wild Banbury project especially through BSCG and BRO.
| 10. Agenda item X Climate Action COP26 Jill |
Jill continues to be the BCAG link with OxFoE-led climate-related action.
Plans to take part in The Climate Coalition’s February ‘show the love’ campaign – aimed at showing decision makers that we want to see real and rapid action to tackle the climate and nature crisis – include a green heart created and sent from BSCG.
| 11. Agenda item XI Spring Give & Take Lynda |
The meeting discussed possible venues for a spring Give & Take – Lynda to do some research and check out, in particular, The Haven, Calthorpe Street.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 1st February, 7pm, Zoom.