Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Deputy Town Clerk (adam.clapton@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 SC463

An apology for absence was received from Councillor H Eaglestone, he was substituted by Councillor P Hiles.

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.

Councillor A Prosser declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 16 by virtue of knowing the event organiser.

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2022.

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

The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 11 July 2022 were received.

SC363 – The Deputy Town Clerk advised that a letter of thanks had been received from Witney Voicebox choir in relation to a recent grant of £100

S365 - The committee considered the potential wording  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC465

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 for this item.

The committee received representations from Got2B, Home-Start Oxford, Aspire Oxfordshire, APCAM and The Parish of Witney concerning Agenda Item 8.

Further representation was made by Mr E Marshall concerning Agenda Item 16.

The Committee reconvened at 19:41pm

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members welcomed all the applications which totalled more than £60,000 over the allocated budget. The committee agreed the town council was a small grass roots authority and needed to recognise its limitations. Members discussed what the current youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC467

Participants for the Youth Services Item left the meeting at 20:10

To receive a partnership presentation from Witney Music Festival.

Following public participation members discussed the proposal put forward in respect of the council providing financial support as part of a wider partnership scheme.

The committee agreed that a partnership would secure the festival for future years and were supportive of measures to ensure this. These included subsidised use of  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC468

Councillor R Smith left the meeting at 20:30 with the remaining public.

To receive the report of the Town Clerk & C.E.O.

The committee received and considered the report of the Town Clerk/CEO.

Members received income and expenditure statements under its remit for period 5, 1April 2022 – 1 August 2022.

The committee were grateful for the opportunity to consider Capital and Special revenue projects for the 2023-24 budget.

Recommended:

1.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC469

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

Members received updates on a blue plaque for Alice Batt, Citizen of the year Awards, Christmas Light Switch on, a potential charity calendar and In Bloom.

Recommended:

1.      That the report be noted and,

2.      That, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC470

Resolved:

That, as the meeting had now reached two hours in length, standing order 48 be suspended in order to allow the meeting to continue.

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Community Engagement officer.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members considered the proposed candidates against the criteria passed on by Witney Town Charity.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted, and

2.      That, the Town Council nominated trustees be Barry Beadle and Rachel Crouch.

To receive the notes of the Witney Forum held on 6 July 2022.

The committee received the notes of the Witney Forum meeting held 6 July 2022.

Resolved:

That, the updates be noted

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The committee received and considered the report of The Deputy Town Clerk.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted, and

2.      That, the administration should remain with West Oxfordshire District Council

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Project Officer.

Members were disappointed the bike stands had been subjected to continued vandalism so discussed their merits and locations. The stands had been initially welcomed by residents but the use of them since was undetermined so it was agreed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC476

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Project Officer.

Officers advised the issue had already been brought before the Council’s Parks & Recreation Committee and agreement had been reached to allocate funds in the 2023/24 budget. However, members agreed there should be one last attempt with football clubs and the Football  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC477

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members agreed that a salt bin be sited at Rissington Drive. There were no further requests provided at the meeting for any other winter preparations.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted, and

2.      That, a salt bin  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC478

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Project Officer.

Members were grateful to officers for compiling such a comprehensive review of the Council’s infrastructure, including bins, benches, bus shelters etc. It had put the Council in a good position to develop a replacement and upgrade programme in line  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC479

To receive the following update of this task and finish group which met on 6 September 2022.

That, members attend site visits at Church Green and The Leys to finalise the memorial position. It was re-affirmed the memorial should consist of two halves; one to commemorate those who lost their  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC480

The Committee received a verbal update from the Chair concerning a recent meeting of the group and confirmed a further site visit would be taking place the following week. No firm decisions had taken place but there was hope a plan would be formulated in the near future.

Resolved:

That,  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC480