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 SC33

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.

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

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 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 16 November 2020. 

RESOLVED:          that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2020 be agreed as a correct record and 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 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned to receive public participation from Mr Eric Marshall who addressed members on thoughts for a collaborative community summer celebration in 2021 between the Town Council and the Music Festival.

Following his address, the Committee reconvened.

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

This item was moved up the agenda with the express permission of the Chair so that the member of the public present could hear the debate.

Members discussed the proposal for a summer celebration by Witney Music Festival and  were generally in favour of the event. The Committee heard that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC37

To discuss the Committee’s aims and objectives for inclusion in the Council’s Corporate Strategic Plan and agree its priorities for 2021/22, 2022/23 and beyond.

This Committee’s immediate/top priorities have been identified by the Task & Finish Group as being:-

a)      Rebranding.

b)     Christmas Lights Re-tender, fitting of timers and more environmentally  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC38

The Committee discussed the aims of the Council’s Corporate Strategic Plan as discussed by the  Task & Finish Group set up for this purpose. 

Rebranding was discussed as only one logo design has been received. There was a capacity issue as it needed to be decided where the new logo will  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC38

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.

RESOLVED:          that the report be noted and the tender to be put out for the Christmas Lights Contract to include two trees from Real Christmas Trees – for the duration of the contract.

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.

Recommendations had been received following a scheduled tree survey  to fell two of the Council’s trees and replace them with two new ones. The Operations & Estates Officer advised the committee that felling of trees was understandably never  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC40

The Council agreed to fund and maintain the planting of 6 wooden planters at its meeting on 12 October 2020 – minute no 334 refers.

WODC Officers have requested that the Town Council considers funding a further 8 planters so that unsightly barriers can be removed and replaced with planters,  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC41

The Town Council had been approached by the District Council to fund the planting and maintenance of a further eight planters to assist with the covid related road closures in the High Street. Members accepted that the Town Council had expertise in planting across the town, but with its limited  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC41

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, concerning delivery of the newsletter and the content of the Annual satisfaction survey.

RESOLVED:          that the report be noted and: -

1.            that the quote from Push- Start to print and deliver the newsletter be

accepted; in  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC42

To discuss communications in emergency situations in order to consider if the Council should have a policy document – if so the Town Clerk would suggest that this is referred to the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee.

The Committee was asked by the Town Clerk to discuss communications in emergency situations in order to consider if the Council should have a policy document.  The Communications Officers suggested a Community Resilience page on the website signposting the public to various agencies and services.  Members discussed what it should  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC43

To receive and consider the correspondance from the Rural Market Town Network regarding membership to the Rural Market Town Group.

The Committee received and considered correspondence received from the Rural Market Town Group inviting the town to become a member.  Members were unsure exactly what the benefits would be but were in favour of accepting the free trial period until the end of July 2021 and asking a member of  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC44