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 SC298

There were no apologies for absence.

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 Stronger Communities Committee held on 24 March 2025;

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

The minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 24 March 2025 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee meeting held on 24 March 2025 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 Chair welcomed Councillor Simon Watson from Carterton Town Council who was attended the meeting with a particular interest in Agenda Item 10 – Youth Council.

The Committee reconvened.

To receive and note the minutes of the Witney Youth Council meeting held on 28^th April 2025.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda to allow the visiting Councillor from Carterton to hear the discussions.

The Deputy Town Clerk  and Leader of the Council outlined the progress of the Youth Council to date explaining in brief how the Council has approached  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC302

To elect a Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

The Chair called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr J Treloar and seconded by Cllr T Ashby that Councillor D Edwards-Hughes be elected.

An additional proposal was made for the election of Cllr G Meadows by Cllr D Enright which was  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC303

To review the report of the Deputy Town Clerk in respect of the Committee Terms of Reference (TOR).

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the terms of reference for the Committee.

Members welcomed the suggested amendments and additions in the report which highlighted the Council’s commitment to equality and engagement.

Recommended:

That, the Committee terms of reference be updated to include all suggestions  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC304

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/C.E.O concerning the priorities of this Committee during 2025/26.

The Committee received the detailed report of the Town Clerk/CEO along with a verbal update concerning the Committee Objectives & Work Plan for 2025/26

The Deputy Town Clerk advised clarity would be provided to Members in respect of the quoted £40,000 at a later date.

In response to a question, Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC305

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, with the points in the report being summarised by the Chair.

Members agreed that West Oxfordshire District Council be contacted in respect of the Welcome to Witney guide so that the Town Council could help promote the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC306

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, again the points in the report were summarised by the Chair following thanks and pride in the management and facilitation of the excellent VE Day 80^th anniversary events in Witney.

Members welcomed the news that The  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC307

To receive the final draft of a Community Engagement Strategy for the Town Council, prepared by the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

Members received and considered the updated Community Engagement Strategy.

Members suggested some minor amendments and agreed to provide any final comments to the Community & Communications Officer ahead of the meeting of the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee on 9 June.

However, Members were unanimous in agreement with its recommendation for adoption.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC308

To receive analysis of the 2025 resident’s annual satisfaction survey, prepared by the Administrative Support Assistant – Communities & Planning.

The Committee received and considered the results of the annual residents’ satisfaction survey.

Members were pleased to see that the highest percentage of responses had been from the under 17 age group, Officers advised they believed this to be due to push on social media to local schools and also  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC309

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 25 March 2025.

The Committee received the notes of the Witney Forum Meeting held on 25 March 2025.

The Chair confirmed his intention to attend the next meeting of the Forum on 24 June 2025 in order to find out more about the groups that were working hard to provide assistance to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC310