Agenda and draft minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Committee Clerk derek.mackenzie@witney-tc.gov.uk prior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 8(e)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC643

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Bailey & A Mubin, Councillors D Newcombe & D Temple attended respectively as substitutes.

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 R Smith declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 12 owing to her connection with the provider of the detached Youth Services provision through the church she attended.

Councillor J Treloar declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 19 due to his relationship with the individuals that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC644

a)      To receive and consider the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee held on 15 September 2025.

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 Stronger Communities committee held on 15 September 2025 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities committee held 15 September 2025 be approved as a correct record of the meeting and be signed by the chair.

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 25.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

Two Members of the public with an interest in Agenda item 19 were present however there was no public participation from them at this time.

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and the Draft Revised Revenue Budget for 2025/26 and Draft Budget for 2026/27.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) detailing income and expenditure for budgets which were the responsibility of the committee.

Members also received a verbal summary of the main points from the RFO outlining the changes to allocation of staffing costs away from this  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC647

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) with an update on the current year’s work programme relating to Capital and Special Revenue Projects; as well as projects identified during the course of the year for inclusion as Revenue Growth Items or Special Revenue Projects in  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC648

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) along with a verbal explanation of its content which indicated the need for a £13,600 increase in support of Community projects.

Members heard that further details on the proposed revenue growth items were featured in the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC648

The RFO left the meeting at 6:17pm.

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

With the permission of the Chair the item was moved up the agenda to allow the members of the public present to hear the discussion.

The Committee received the report of the Venue & Events Officer which provided a report back to the Committee on the 2025 Witney Musical Festival (WMF)  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC649

The Venue & Event Officer left the meeting at 6:30pm

along with both members of the public.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

The C&CEO also provided a verbal summary of the report which provided an update to Members on the progress of the review of the Communications Strategy, which was welcomed however, it was agreed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC650

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

Again, the C&CEO gave a verbal summary of the report which provided Members with an update on the current activity and engagement within the community which included details of the Citizen of the Year  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC651

Cllr D Edwards-Hughes left the meeting briefly from 7:05pm to 7:07pm.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 2 October 2025.

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 2 October 2025. The Chair highlighted the Witney Volunteer Recruitment Fair which would be held in January 2026.

Though not included in the Minutes, Members were pleased to hear the news that Volunteer Link Up had  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC652

Cllr J Treloar left the meeting briefly from 7:08 to 7:10pm.

To receive a verbal updatefrom officers following the inaugural meeting of the National Pride Working Party held on 13 November 2025 and consider its recommendations.

Members received a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk as well as the Chair of the National Pride Working Party following it inaugural meeting on 13 November 2025.

Members heard that the working party group had discussed and agreed a change of name more befitting with its objectives settling  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC653

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

Members welcomed the proposals to improve the area around Unterhaching Park which it was believed would complement the improvement works and changes being made by West Oxfordshire District Council to the Marriotts Close Shopping Area  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC654

The Communications & Community Engagement Officer left the meeting at 7:12pm

To receive the report of the Admin Assistant – Communications & Engagement.

The Committee received the report of the Communications & Engagement Administration Assistant outlining the activity of the Youth Council.

Members heard that the Youth Council has received new impetus with the recruitment of four new members, it was hoped that this would be a catalyst to further activity.

The Deputy Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC655

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk which provided an update on Youth Services being funded by the Town Council.

Members welcomed the details in the report that provided confirmation of the budgets proposed for the 2026/27 fiscal year. Members agreed that amounts budgeted provided exceptional value  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC656

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk with an accompanying updated Flag Flying Policy.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk in respect of the Council flag flying policy and were unanimously in agreement with its adoption.

Members also agreed to the purchase of an Oxfordshire Flag, it was agreed that even with the proposed changes to Council Governance  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC657

To Formally endorse support for an application for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would prohibit the use of the A40 for Pony & Trap racing - (Minute 353 Full Council 23.06.25 Refers)

The Committee formally received notification of a Public Spaces Protection Order from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) to prohibit Pony & Trap racing on a section of the A40 dual carriageway.

Members agreed that the following response be submitted.

Witney Town Council welcomes and fully supports this proposed Public Space Protection  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC658

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received a verbal report from the Deputy Town Clerk regarding the need to replace the bus stop at the junction of Church Lane and Oxford Hill.

Members heard that following a number of acts of vandalism the proposal was to replace the existing shelter with a new vandal  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC659

Cllr D Temple left the meeting at 7:52pm.

Resolved

That, Standing Order 5(w) be suspended in order to allow the meeting to continue as it had now lasted for two hours.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk following a request for consideration of the installation of Vehicle Activated Signs or Speed Indicator Devices.

Members raised the existing 30mph signs which were not situated in 20 mph zones and asked that the Council write to Oxfordshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC661

To recevie and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk following a request for community voluntary litter picking stations.

Members considered the units illustrated in the report and agreed that they were better suited to parks or enclosed areas. An additional design option was presented by the Chair,  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC662

To receive and consider a communication from West Oxfordshire District Council concerning a street furniture request in Witney High Street.

To receive and consider a further communication from Oxfordshire County Council’s High Street project scheme concerning the installation of street furniture.

Officers are mindful of the Oxfordshire County Council High  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC663

The Committee received and considered the proposed street furniture for the High Street redevelopment.

Proposals had been received from both West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire Country Council for consideration. Prior to discussion the Chair advised that he had already written to WODC and OCC to request further information and  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC663