Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee Members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Democratic Services Officer (nicky.cayley@witney-tc.gov.uk) prior to the meeting, stating the reasons for absence.

Standing Order 30 (a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role  ...  view the full agenda text for item H1

Apologies for their absence were received from Cllrs Bolger, Enright and King.

Members are reminded to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in any of the items under consideration at this meeting in accordance with the Town Council’s code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

The meeting will adjourn for this item.         

Members of the public may speak for a maximum of five minutes each during the period of public participation, in line with Standing Order 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The meeting adjourned in line with Standing Order 42 so that Ms Elaine Bellenger and Ms Anna Gattrell could both address the Committee on the hire of the Corn Exchange.

To receive and consider the report of the Venue Manager on operational matters relating to the Corn Exchange and Burwell Hall.

This item was moved up the agenda with the express permission of the Chair, so that the members of the public could listen to the debate.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Venue Manager which had been previously circulated. 

RESOLVED:

1.            that the report be noted;

2.  ...  view the full minutes text for item H4

a)                To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2019;

b)               Matters arising from the minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda (Questions on the progress of any item).

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2019.  There were no matters arising.

To note the updated schedule of works.

The Committee received and considered the updated Officers’ work programme.  A member had a query on the £7, 000 allocated to Park Road Play area, which would be referred to the Town Clerk for clarification.

RESOLVED:         that the report be noted.

To note the Operations & Estates Officer’s update on operational matters since the last meeting.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer.

In addition, the Operations and Estates Officer advised that the one of the Church pillars had been hit again, by a contractor working on behalf of the Church.  Whilst the overall repair would be going through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item H7

To receive and consider the report of the Operations & Estates Officer updating Members on the situation with regard to the sewage disposal into Emma’s Dyke.  Correspondence enclosed from the Environment Agency and Thames Water.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, along with correspondence from the Environment Agency, and Thames Water.  He explained that the Council needed to put up signage and barriers to prevent people from renting the watercourse at the Dyke.

The Chair informed members that  ...  view the full minutes text for item H8

To receive and consider the report of the Operations & Estates Officer following further research on adding an additional plaque to the War Memorial in the town to accommodate further names identified that should be included.

The Committee received and considered an update from Cllr Jones and also the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, who had been tasked to find a way to extend the war memorial’s capacity for additional names.

Cllr Jones advised that further to a letter written advising of other local  ...  view the full minutes text for item H9

To receive and consider the Operations & Estates Officer’s report on the progress of provision of new allotments at the Windrush development, West Witney; and an update on the existing allotments.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, concerning both the conditions of the existing lease with the Allotment Association and the new site at West Witney.

Members wanted to work with the Allotment Association which was made up of volunteers, and it was agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item H10

To receive and consider the minutes of the Corn Exchange Working Party meeting held on 6 January 2020 – to follow

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the Corn Exchange Working Party held on 6 January 2020.

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the Working Party be noted and the recommendations therein be approved.

To receive and consider the report of the Operations & Estates Officer following a request from the Bowls Clubs for the Council to provide disabled ramps in order to make the bowls greens accessible to wheel chair users.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, as the Bowls Clubs had requested ramps to make the greens DDA compliant.

RESOLVED:

1.            that the report be noted;

2.            that provision of disabled ramps at both West Witney and The Leys bowls greens be agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item H12

This matter was deferred from the last meeting of this Committee – minute H446(b) refers. 

To receive and consider the report of the Operations & Estates Officer and supporting documentation in order to consider the future use/maintenance of the Leys Recreation Ground – football pitch one; and any consequential matters arising  ...  view the full agenda text for item H13

Members received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer concerning issues surrounding the use of The Leys, pitch 1 for both football and events.

RESOLVED:

1.            that the report be noted;

2.            that the pitch one side of The Leys recreation ground becomes an events field;

3.  ...  view the full minutes text for item H13

This proposal was deferred from the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee – minute F478(f) of 25 November 2019 refers – for further consideration/debate. 

Members received and considered information on installing a 5k Health Route in Witney, as referred from the Policy Governance and Finance Committee (minute F478(f)) on 25 November 2019.

Whilst members applauded the initiative, there were practical concerns about maintenance of routes as well as the substantive cost.  It was felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item H14