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 30(d)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC143

An apology for absence was received from Cllr J Aitman.

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  29 January 2024.

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 29 January 2024 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 29 January 2024 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 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The committee received representations from The Station, Witney concerning Agenda Item 10, Youth Services.

As the detached youth service being funded by the Town Council under Bright Futures Oxfordshire Ltd, the Committee welcomed the update; they were pleased to hear the initiative had launched  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC146

To receive the report of the Responsible Financial Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted.

2.      That, the management accounts of the Committee’s services to 31 January 2024 be approved.

To receive 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 an update on the Council’s website and agreed it needed updating as previously resolved. They noted the cost of an external supplier but felt more detail was needed on what the quote covered  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC148

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

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

Members were pleased to hear plans to mark the Council’s 50^th Anniversary were underway which included a young person’s Virtual Reality event and that communications regarding voter engagement and the Great British Clean Up  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC149

Cllr A Bailey left the meeting at 7:12pm

To receive the notes of the Witney Forum held on 5 February 2024.

Members are invited to note the formation of a Witney Community Profile Steering Group. A maximum of two Councillors may be nominated to this Steering Group if the Committee feels it is appropriate.

The Committee received the notes of the Witney Forum Meeting held on 6 February 2024.

Through this group an Oxfordshire County Council initiative on creating a Witney Community Profile Steering Group had been established. Members were invited to nominate two Council representatives who may like to attend and feedback information.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC150

To receive a verbal update from officers, if appropriate.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members were advised a recruitment video had been recorded, draft terms of reference had been created and work was underway on posters, forms and information. Regrettably, other projects and tasks had meant there was no further update at this  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC151

To receive a verbal update from the Leader of the Council.

The Committee received a verbal update from The Leader of the Council.

Unfortunately, time had not allowed for a meeting to take place, but it was hoped this happen before the next meeting of the Committee.

Resolved:

That, the verbal update be noted.

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

There was an update on The Station Youth project, which outlined their plans for the summer and which had already peen provided during public participation.

Members also agreed the Council should reform the Youth Services Forum which had  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC153

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

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

The Leader, as Chair of the task and finish group also offered a verbal update and went through the proposed timetable of the day on 6 June. The Deputy Town Clerk added that the RAF Cadets  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC154

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members were in agreement that subsidised hire of the Leys should be provided to Witney Pride, Witney Carnival and Witney Music Festival due to the social and economic value they provided to the community.

Recommended:

1.      That, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC155