Agenda and draft 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 reason for absence.

Standing Order 30(a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary Councillors at a meeting of a Committee if ordinary Councillors of the Committee have confirmed to the Proper Officer before the meeting that they are unable to attend.

            Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Bolger and License.

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.

There were no members of the public present for this item.

a.       To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 19 March, 9 April, 30 April and 21 May 2019

b.       Matters arising from the above minutes.

RESOLVED:          that the above minutes be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman with the following amendments made to the minutes of 21 May 2019 as follows:-

P197: that ‘To an extent the Committee felt that it ha been “bullied” and that the developer “had them over a barrel”’ be changed to ‘To an extent the Committee felt that the developer had tried to pressure the Town Council into ageing to the removal’.

P198-5, WTC/086/19, 19/00977/FUL to read:

Witney Town Council objects to this application on the grounds of loss of business space and is concerned that the residential parking requirement as proposed may exceed existing provision         

a) There were no matters arising from the minutes to be discussed at the meeting.

b) There were no matters arising from the minutes to be discussed at the meeting.

As per schedule.

The Committee received and considered the schedule of planning applications as previously circulated.

RESOLVED:         that the comments, as per the attached schedule, be forwarded to

West Oxfordshire District Council.

To receive and consider list of Planning Decisions from West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Committee received a schedule of planning decisions notified by West Oxfordshire District Council.

RESOLVED:        that the schedule, as circulated, be noted.

To receive an update from the Chairman if appropriate.

The Chairman asked that this item be moved up the agenda.

The Chairman provided an update on the offer made by the developers which was an offer of £7, 000 to cover two bus stops, cycle racks, bins and art work on the bus shelters.  There followed a lengthy discussion during which members debated whether to accept the offer.

A member proposed that as the sum offered was likely to fall short of that required to purchase the items, the Council made a counter request for £8, 500.  The Chairman and the Town Clerk were given delegated authority to accept the offer if forthcoming, if this was not then the original offer could be accepted.

After deliberation, all members agreed with this.  However, permission would only be given for the removal of the existing bus shelter once the funds had been received into the Council’s bank account.  The Committee was keen to emphasise that whilst it was pleased at the prospect of a positive outcome for the town, this would not set a precedent and all other future similar requests would be judged individually. 

Members discussed where to site the additional bus stop and agreed that the shopping precinct at Burwell would be the best location.

RESOLVED:

1.            that the update from the Chairman be noted;

2.            that the Town Council asks the developers for an increase in the sum offered to

£8, 500 which would cover two new bus shelters, cycle racks, bins and art work for both shelters;

3.            that the Chairman and the Town Clerk were given delegated authority to accept the offer if forthcoming, if this was not then the original offer could be accepted;

4.            that if the offer is accepted this would not set a precedent and all other future similar      requests would be judged individually;

5.            that the additional bus shelter should be sited at the shopping precinct at Burwell.

To note the appeal notification

The Committee received and considered notification of a planning appeal at Land South of Middletown Farm, New Yatt Road, Witney.

RESOLVED:          that the appeal be noted.

To receive and consider he minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2019

The Committee received and considered the Traffic Advisory Minutes of the meeting of 19 March 2019.

RESOLVED:          that the minutes be noted.