Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Committees Clerk derek.mackenzie@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 to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC566

An apology for absence was received from Councillor H Eaglestone.

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 from members or officers.

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 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 Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 26 September 2022 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 26 September 2022 be approved as a correct record  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 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

There was no public participation.

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer

The Committee received the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

Members received updates on improvements to the council website, a draft rebranded newsletter, and recent council press coverage activity and discussed how the coverage spreadsheet could be improved.

The Chair expressed his dissatisfaction with other Town and District Councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC570

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (CCEO) regarding the proposal to hold winter get together events and also to commence planning for the King’s Coronation in May 2023.

The members discussed the two proposed “Jo Cox Winter Get Together” events to be held  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC571

To receive the notes of the Witney Forum Meeting 13 September 2022

The committee received the minutes of the Witney Forum meeting held 13 September 2022.

Resolved:

That, the minutes be noted

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer

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

Members considered and agreed with the suggestion received from Witney Rotary Club to carry out Schools in Bloom judging and awarding of prizes to school at the Witney Carnival in July.

The Committee discussed the use of  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC573

To receive a letter of thanks from Home Start Oxford in relation to it’s recent Youth Service grant.

The Committee received a letter of thanks from Home Start Oxford in relation to the recent Youth Service Grant that the council awarded to them.

The Deputy Town Clerk also provided a verbal update to confirm that the council had also received more letters and emails of thanks from recipients  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC574

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

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

Members were surprised by the requirement for planning should the council wish to paint words ‘Happy to Chat’ on the bench. In consideration of this members agreed that the white plastic sign with a speech bubble in the reports  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC575

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Project Officer

Members agreed that the proposed concept of a Covid-19 memorial and garden was beautiful, ‘Together, but Apart’ incorporating rocks situated two metres apart. One rock would symbolise those lost while the other recognised those who went above and beyond  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC576

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/CEO and the Draft Revised Revenue Budget for 2022/23 and Draft Budget for 2023/24

The Committee received and considered the report and verbal update of the Town Clerk/CEO.

Members were concerned to hear the CCTV system in Witney had needed to have urgent repairs and that there still appeared to be vague plans over its future improvement and replacement. Members however did agree to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC577

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/CEO 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 the Council’s  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC578

The Committee received and considered the report and verbal update of the Town Clerk/CEO.

Members discussed items that they would like to see in the 2023/24 budget which included commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the NHS possibly with planting around the town. Councillor Ashbourne offered a NHS “Thank You” flag  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC578