Decision details

The Committee received and considered the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer and confidential correspondence from the Town Clerk circulated prior to the meeting.

Members thanked officers for the reports and discussed a recent Fire Risk Assessment carried out at West Witney Sports & Social Club. Under health and safety, the committee raised concerns regarding the Council’s legal and statutory obligations as the Landlord and landowner. There was also an understanding that residents’ council tax and the Clubs own funds should not be spent on the building while its future was uncertain. Although there was a commitment by the Town Council to invest in this site, the timeframes for significant sports re-development funding were unknown at this stage. The Committee agreed it would be sensible to investigate the possibility of temporary structures for sports teams who may use the site while discussions on further development continued.

The Committee agreed that the Council should engage positively with the Club at an early stage to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome for the site in the short term as well as in the future.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the report be noted; and,

2.       That Witney Town Council, noting the time frame for urgent work to be carried out on high priority items in the recent Fire Risk Assessment, writes to West Witney Sports & Social Club to express serious concern regarding the content and to ask for a constructive meeting to be held with the Council at the earliest opportunity. The meeting to discuss the FRA along with the short, medium and long-term future of the Sports Ground and its facilities; and,

3.       That this matter be delegated to the Town Clerk, Cllr Ashbourne, Cllr Butterfield and Cllr Gwatkin; and

4.       That a progress update on the above meeting or response be presented to the Sport & Play Committee at its meeting on 11 January 2021; and,

5.       That the potential use of temporary toilets and changing rooms be investigated by officers, with a report to the Sport & Play Committee at its meeting on 11 January 2021.