Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Committee for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Due to the resignation of the former member for Central Ward who had previously sat as Chair, Members discussed whether a replacement Chair should be appointed for the remainder of the municipal year.

It was proposed by Councillor O Collins and seconded by Councillor J Aitman that no election for  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC634

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 SC635

No apologies for absence were received.

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.

Councillor R Smith declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 as she was a member of the church which provided the Detached Youth Service.

During the discussion of Agenda Item 10, Councillor O Collins declared a personal interest due to APCAM being one of the nominated charities for his  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC636

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 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 23 September 2024 were received.

SC528 – Officers advised that Witney Music Festival had only forwarded the requested financial statements within the past few days, therefore these would be presented to the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee on 25  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC637

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 the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and the Draft Revised Revenue Budget for 2024/25 and Draft Budget for 2025/26.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) concerning the base revenue budget, draft estimates on budget parameters for 2024/25 and the revenue budget summary.

For the benefit of Members, the RFO outlined the contents of the report and explained that although monitoring took place  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC639

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC640

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) along with a verbal explanation of its content which indicated the need for a £67,000 - £76,000 increase in support of Community projects.

Many of the proposals discussed at this point of the meeting were featured in  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC640

(Councillor G Meadows left the meeting at 6:40pm, returning at 6:43pm)

(The Member of the public left at 6:45pm during the discussion of Item 8 – Communication Report)

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 the progress of current and proposed communication projects.

Members were pleased to hear work assessing the Council’s website in order to ensure that it was compliant and followed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines was underway

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC641

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

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

Members were pleased to see the multitude of activities  Officers were engaged in to promote and provide activity for the community. They received updates on Citizen of  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC642

(Councillor Collins left the meeting at 7.06pm rejoining at 7.10pm during the item on Youth Services)

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

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk which provided details of youth service spending for 2024/25 and proposed amendments for 2025/26.

Members had earlier reviewed the proposals in the report and had agreed to:

·        Continue the support of Home Start Oxford (£11,000) and The Station Detached Youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC643

To receive a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk following the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Youth Council that afternoon.

Ten of the Thirteen members had been in attendance and all Committee positions had been filled. The Council would now be working on a 12-month plan which  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC644

Due to time commitments this item will now be presented to the Policy, Governance and Finance Committee on 25 November 2024.

Due to time constraints, it had not been possible for this report to be submitted for discussion at the meeting.

Resolved:

That, the report be presented to the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee on 25 November 2024.

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager which outlined the proposal to introduce a Bleed Kit cabinet.

Members had mixed thoughts on the need for this; although the kit could be used for other serious injuries its primary function was to provide support in response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC646