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 SC157

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D Temple with Cllr J Doughty attending as substitute.

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 8 as she was a member of the church which provided the Detached Youth Service.

During the discussion of Agenda Item 8, 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 SC158

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025.

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 27 January 2025 were received.

There were no matters arising from the minutes which were not covered in items on the agenda.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee held 27 January 2025 be approved as  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC159

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 Detached Youth concerning Agenda Item 8. Representatives provided a report outlining the work of the group, funded by the Town Council, during the last year and answered questions from Members.

The Committee reconvened.

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

With the permission of the Chair, the Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk next in the meeting concerning the provision of youth services by the town council.

As members of The Station were in attendance, Members thanked them for the service provided during the last  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC161

Cllr G Meadows left the meeting briefly during the following item, between 6.45 – 6.50pm

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

With the permission of the Chair, the Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager next in the meeting concerning a request to create a community garden at Queen Emma’s Dyke amenity spaces.

A Member provided a verbal update on the request and advised a change of location  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC162

Cllr R Crouch left the meeting at 6.53pm

Cllr A Bailey left the meeting briefly during the following item between 6.56 – 6.59pm

To receive the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on 10^th March 2025.

With the permission of the Chair, the Committee received the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on 10 March 2025 next in the meeting.

Members were pleased the group had become established, but agreed it needed to facilitate a successful event or project soon and that further training and  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC163

To receive and consider the report of the R.F.O concerning the financial position of items under the remit of this Committee in 2024/25 and the upcoming 2025/26 period.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) detailing income and expenditure for budgets which were the responsibility of the Committee.

Members welcomed the report and noted spending was within parameters and straight forward at this point in the year.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC164

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 (C&CEO).

Members received an update on the delivery of the Council’s annual newsletter and were disappointed to learn there had been issues with delivery which could warrant a partial refund request. They were pleased to hear  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC165

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 (C&CEO).

Members were provided with updates on Great Big Green Week, the resident’s satisfaction survey and Witney Carnival, the latter for which they were asked to consider a musical theme for this year’s float entry.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC166

To receive the notes of the Task & Finish Group meeting held on 13 March 2025.

The Committee received the notes of the VE & VJ Day 80^th Anniversary task and finish group meeting held on 13 March 2025.

Members were pleased plans had progressed and to hear the local BBC news team would be attending during the day. It promised to be another successful community  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC167

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 28 January 2025.

The Committee received the notes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 28 January 2025.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 28 January be noted.

To receive notice that the Witney Central Community Insight Profile has now been published. The profile includes three reports:

·        Witney Central Community Insight Report (Produced by Community First Oxfordshire) and related appendices

·        Witney Central Data Profile

·        Witney Central Community Profile Summary of Findings

The last of these reports is included  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC169

The Committee received notice of the Witney Central Community Insight Profile, produced by Community First Oxfordshire in association with Oxfordshire County & West Oxfordshire District Councils.

Members welcomed such a comprehensive report which clearly set out social issues, concerns and solutions in the Witney central ward. It was comforting to know  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC169

The attached document was presented to the Full Council on 17 February 2025 as a summary of a meeting attended by Officers and the Chamber of Commerce.

While the council may not have direct control over some of the issues raised, most of the items in the summary fall within  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC170

The Committee received the report of the Town Clerk/C.E.O concerning items raised by Witney Chamber of Commerce during a meeting in February.

Members welcomed the collaboration with Witney Chamber of Commerce and that the majority of items were already being progressed by officers.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager concerning misuse of amenity land in Manor Road.

Members were disappointed amenity land was being parked on in this area and discussed various ways to prevent it. A sign would likely be ineffective, leaving the suggestion of bollards, knee  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC171

To consider and if appropriate, to pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC172

Resolved:

That in accordance with section (1(2) of the Public Bodies (admission to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC172

To receive and consider the confidential verbal update of the Town Clerk/CEO.

The Deputy Town Clerk provided a confidential verbal update concerning negotiations with Wilson’s Funfairs on a renewal of their letting agreement.

Members welcomed the update and were pleased negotiations were proceeding well, recommending endorsement of the proposal presented which appeared to be acceptable to both parties.

Recommended:

1.      That, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC173