Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Democratic & Legal Services Officer ( democracy@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  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC569

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Ashbourne, R Bolger and V Gwatkin.

Councillor L Duncan attended for Councillor L Ashbourne

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.

Councillors Aitman, Collins & Duncan declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No. 11 – Grant Aid to Local Organisations by virtue of involvement in the Witney Twinning Association.

Councillor Collins declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No. 12 – Budget by virtue of being a volunteer with West Oxfordshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC570

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021;

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021 were adopted and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

Min No. SC475 – The Town Clerk advised that Historic England had not supported the old Pill Box at Langel Common being used as a planter. This did not  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC571

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.

There was no public participation.

To receive and consider additional town centre public bench requests from West Oxfordshire District Council, funded by the Welcome Back Fund.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk regarding the Council accepting ownership and ongoing maintenance for public benches being proposed by West Oxfordshire District Council.

Consideration was given to suggested locations for the benches being proposed. Members agreed that the siting of a bench on Bridge Street,  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC573

To consider the report of the Maintenance & Environmental Services Officer.

The Committee received an update on progress with the Action Plan associated with the adopted Open Spaces Strategy. In addition ratification of updated Memorial Bench and Tree policies was sought.

Members considered whether thresholds should be established for bins in Witney. During discussion it was considered that it would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC574

To consider the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received an update report from the Project Officer updating on progress with the provision of a bus stop in connection with the Kingfisher Meadows development.

Members noted that further discussions had been held between interested parties. Consideration was given to the recommendation in the report and it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC575

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Town Clerk updating on the Oxfordshire County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan submitted in October 2021. A response from the Department for Transport’s assessment and what funds it will be awarded under the Strategy was awaited.

Members noted the evaluation by  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC576

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

The committee considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer in respect of future participation in the Britain In Bloom competition.

Members expressed support for continued participation and highlighted the success of this years entry in engaging with interested groups in the town. The committee indicated support for schemes  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC577

To consider the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer. Appended to the report are the minutes of the Witney Forum held on 14 September 2021.

An update report on communications and community engagement activity was received and considered.

Members agreed with the suggestion for various coffee mornings and it was acknowledged that the timing of such events, particularly Councillor surgeries, may be dependent on ongoing discussions about future operation of the 1863 café bar.

It  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC578

To consider a grant application from Witney Twinning Association.

An application for grant aid from Witney Twinning Association was received and considered.

The Committee expressed support for continuing to fund the association and noted the excellent work being undertaken.

Recommended:

That. the application for grant aid submitted by Witney Twinning Association be approved.

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk

The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk updating on budget issues. Additional papers regarding grant aid for Witney Carnival were also received.

Clarification was given, in light of earlier discussions regarding bin provision, that £4k was allocated for bin collections with capital costs coming from other budget headings.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC580