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 reason for absence.

Standing Order 30(a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC383

An apology for her absence was received from Cllr Gwatkin.

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

Cllr Collins declared an interest in the final item as he worked for West Oxfordshire Community Transport.

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on  21 September 2020.

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 21 September 2020.

RESOLVED:         that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2020 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

b) Matters Arising

Minute SC289 - The Chair asked for an update  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC385

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 Committee adjourned in line with Standing Order 42, in order to receive public participation.

Mr Adrian Phillips addressed the Council about an on-line pantomime.

Ms Katy Jennison addressed the Council about WW2 Pill Boxes.

Following these addresses the Committee reconvened.

To consider supporting the “gift of the On Line Panto” – communication from Adrian Phillips attached, who will be in attendance to give a short explanation under public participation.

The Committee received and considered correspondence from Mr Phillips who had spoken under public participation.

There followed a discussion about how this might work and a member estimated that in order to give free access to the pantomime to all children in receipt of free school meals, the Council would  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC387

To receive a verbal report from the Chair following correspondence received from social media.

This item was moved up the agenda with the express permission of the Chair so that the member of the public had spoken about it under public participation could hear the debate.

Members discussed the issues that needed to be tackled if the pill box on Langel Common was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC388

To receive and consider the report of the Operations and Estates Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, which included a request for a memorial bench in the town.

RESOLVED:         that the report be noted and that the resident’s request for a memorial bench be granted and this is sited at King George V Field.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC389

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, which included a recommendation on the cracked willows at Queen Emma’s Dyke which the Tree Surgeon had advised were at the end of their lifespan, in terms of management.

RECOMMENDED:             that the report be noted and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC390

To receive and consider the report of the Operations and Estates Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer which advised that the switch on would be a little different to previously advised.  Due to the lockdown in force the actual switch on would now take place a day before the residents had been invited to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC391

To receive and consider the report of the Office Manager and accompanying proposal from Oxfordshire County Council concerning bust stop improvements at Tower Hill, Witney.

The Committee received the report of the Office Manager, updating members on the Tower Hill bus stop improvements.  He advised that Oxfordshire County Council had verbally stated it could source additional funding above and beyond that which was allocated for this project, but written confirmation had not been received.  Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC392a)

To receive and consider the report and accompanying draft Public Transport Infrastructure Strategy for Witney Town Council from the Office Manager.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Office Manager and the draft Public Transport Infrastructure Strategy. Members agreed that it should be adopted with some amendments.

The Office Manager explained that Oxfordshire County Council were trying to realign some of its designated section 106 developer funding to where  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC392b)

To receive and consider the report of the Communications and Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications and Events Officer.

RESOLVED:         that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Communications and Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications and Events Officer.  Members gave thanks to the Officer for her work on the virtual Remembrance Day and also Mr Woodward who had done the filming. 

Members agreed to proceed with an online advent calendar with members and officers contributing  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC394

Members are referred to part a of this agenda item where the actual expenditure to date (1 April to 30 September) against budget can be reviewed.

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/RFO (TO FOLLOW) and the Draft Revised Revenue Budget for 2020/21 and Draft Budget for 2021/22 (ENCLOSED).

The Committee received and considered the report of the Town Clerk on the revised revenue budget 2020/21 and base revenue budget for 2021/22.

The Town Clerk explained that this was the first attempt at the budget for the year but there were still several unknowns that was making it difficult  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC395a)

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/RFO relating to an update on the Capital & Special Revenue Projects Programme for 2020/21.

The Committee received and considered the report on the revised capital and special revenue projects programme 2021/22.

RECOMMENDED:             that the revised Capital and Special Revenue Projects Programme 2021/22 and beyond be noted and referred to the meeting of the Policy, Governance and Finance Committee for approval.

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/RFO (TO FOLLOW) relating to items identified during the course of the year for inclusion as Revenue Growth Items in the Council’s Revenue Budget as well as items for the Capital/Special Revenue Projects Programme 2021/22 and beyond.

The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk on the Revenue Growth Items and Capital/Special Revenue Projects Programme 2021/22 and beyond.

The Town Clerk brought to Members attention the request of the Witney & District Twinning Association for additional funding by way of a grant application form, which the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC395c)

To consider and if appropriate, to pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC396

RESOLVED:         that in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to

Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC396

To receive and consider an update on services at West Witney from the Independent Transport Representative.

The Committee received and considered a confidential report on Witney’s bus services.

RESOLVED:         that the confidential report, as circulated be noted and the report be passed to the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee for consideration.