BHNG Monthly Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Time: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Attendees: Fee, Colette, Phil, Eran, Councillor Dave, Councillor Mandy

Apologies: Harvey, Tess 

1: Newsletter

• Status: Currently with the printers; ready tomorrow (Thursday, October 8).
• Distribution: To be distributed across the neighborhood over the next two weekends.
• Actions & Reminders:
• • Eran will arrange the distribution map.
  • Note: next newsletter should include a statement crediting funding from supporting organizations, alongside their logos.
  • Similar funder acknowledgment should also be mentioned in the upcoming AGM introduction speech.

2: Bank Account

• Discussion: Application for a new account with (forgot the name, something Union?) is questionable, Cllrs spoke of recent failed applications and will report back if they know more.
• Alternatives: Potential opportunity to apply to South Manchester Credit Union.
• Action: Phil will continue checking these options.

3: AGM Plan

Budget Overview

• Total Available: ~£1,000 (after bulb planting and newsletter printing)
• Expected Allocation:
• • Food: ~£350
  • Crafts Event (2 Artists): ~£250 and some more for supplies
  • Hall Rent: ~£100
  • Additional / Extra costs?

Schedule & Program

Time	Event / Activity	Details
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM	Lunch Served (menu chosen: jerk chicken, tofu, flatbread…?)	Caterer Vicky to set out desserts and teas at 3 before crafts section.
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Main Group Agenda	• Introduction & Presentation of activities• Election of officers• Small table talks (ask specifically what we could apply for with MCR airport grant, see below)• Feedback to the general group
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM	Guest Speaker & Tech	Talk by a local resident about bees, followed by a short introduction to the iNaturalist app.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Workshop	Crafts event for the Advent Trail.

Photo Display Project

• Considering large photo prints from past events for the 18 available hall windows (either A4 landscape or A3 portrait).
• Action: Need a volunteer/coordinator to collect and print the photos.

4: Sunday Planting Event

• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
• Details: Fee needs one additional person to assist.
• Budget: Involves minor expenditure for refreshments, bulbs already budgeted for.

5: Open Grants

Grant Name	Funding Limit	Focus Area	Deadline	Next Steps
Beautiful South	Up to £800	General community projects	End of October	Submit application before deadline.
In Our Nature	Varies	Greening, planting, and carbon reduction	23 November	Finalize proposal for Climate Ready initiative.
MCR Airport Grant	Up to £3,000	Physical neighborhood additions (benches, planting/library boxes, Swift initiative, water butts)	January	Action: Discuss at AGM open table sessions to gather community ideas.

6: Other

• Fly tipping: suggestion to encourage people to do tip runs for those without transport to reduce it- to be raised at the AGM.