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 SC127

Cllr L Ashbourne advised she would be leaving the meeting early and was being substituted by Cllr L Duncan. Cllr D Enright would be joining the meeting later.

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 interests declared by members at the meeting.

To receive and consider the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 25 January 2021.

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the Stronger Communities meeting held on 25 January 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2021 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 25 January 2021.

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.

David Inman from the Rural/Market Group and Beth Sherlock from Witney Pride to address the committee on agenda items 5 and 12 respectively.

The Committee reconvened following public participation.

To consider the following requests from the Witney Pride group:

1.       That Witney Town Council supports the Witney Pride event (due to be held online this year) on 29th May by asking Cllrs to share video messages or photos that can be used as part of the event and also  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC133

The Committee received and considered requests from the Witney Pride Group concerning the international day of homophobia, transphobia on 17^th May, as well as its planned event on 22^nd May 2021.

Members were supportive of both causes and welcomed the opportunity to be able to promote the events  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC133

To consider if Witney Town Council should become an official subscripted member of the Rural/Market Town Group following a presentation from its representative.

The Committee had heard from the representative of the Rural/Market Town Group under public participation and were encouraged to hear of its increasing membership and the benefits membership would bring.

As the free membership had been extended until September 2021 due to the pandemic, members were happy to defer the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC134

To receive a verbal update from the Chair on this initiative along with the following recommendations:

1.       Creation of a 'Belonging in Witney' page on our website - this will have a statement about the endeavour, and a webform for people to share their experiences and stories with the Town  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC135

The Committee received and considered a verbal update from the Chair who presented recommendations from the panel following a recent meeting.

Members heard that a ‘Belonging in Witney’ page would be beneficial on the website which could include a form where people could share their experiences and stories anonymously. These  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC135

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations & Estates Advisor which provided updates on the Christmas Lights Tender, floral displays and hedge maintenance at Curbridge Road/Thorney Leys.

RESOLVED:

That the Operations Report and its contents be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Operations & Estates Advisor providing an update on trees within the Council’s estate.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations & Estates Advisor concerning Wychwood Project tree planting and required remedial work on trees at Pensclose and Cogges Hill Road.

Members heard that Wychwood Project had unfortunately not been able to complete their planting work so it would be finished in  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC137

To receive and consider the report of the Project Officer concerning recent litter and dog waste bin requests.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Project Officer which concerned several new litter and dog bin requests across the town.

Members were sympathetic to the requests made by members of the public but were aware of the associated costs and the strain on the Council’s budgets now  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC138

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 concerning upcoming events and initiatives.

Members welcomed community engagement regarding In Bloom planting at the flowerbed near to Langdale Hall and a town-wide Heritage Open Day event post Covid-19. There was also agreement on running the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC139

To receive a verbal update from the Chair on the meeting held on 4 March 2021 and consider a request to support Witney Carnival, subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

It should be noted that the Council has set aside £1,000 in its 2021/22 budget to assist the Carnival Committee with the  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC140

The Committee received and considered a request from the Witney Carnival Committee for a grant of £4000 towards the 2021 event.

Members were supportive of the event and recognised that the community would be looking forward to such events this summer. There was, however, still uncertainty on the Covid-19 pandemic  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC140

To consider a request by Guideposts to support National Autism Awareness month in April by sharing a purpose made video on the Council’s communication platforms.

The Committee received and considered a request from Guideposts for the Town Council to support National Autism Awareness month in April.

Members welcomed the initiative and agreed the Council should support the Awareness month in April.

RESOLVED:

That Witney Town Council supports National Autism Awareness month in April by sharing  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC141