Agenda and 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 SC406

An apology for absence was received from Councillor A Bailey with Councillor J Aitman attending as a substitute.

Additionally, Councillor A Mubin advised he would have to leave the meeting after a short period at which point Councillor G Doughty would become his 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 T Ashby declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in the grant application submitted by Witney Buttercross Scout Group by virtue of his participation with the group as a volunteer.

Later in the meeting Councillor R Smith declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in the grant application of Bright Futures owing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC407

a)            To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 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 2 June 2025 were received.

SC305 – The Chair confirmed that the amount of the Youth Services grant pot had been confirmed by Officers at £20,000.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee held on 2  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC408

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.

At 6:10pm Cllr A Mubin left the meeting with Cllr G Doughty becoming his substitute as previously advised.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the results of the 2025 annual residents satisfaction survey for this Committee.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the results of the resident’s annual satisfaction survey which was carried out at the beginning of the year.

Members were advised that the report represented the survey results for the services under the remit of this Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC410

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

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

A Member raised that the draft Social Media Policy did not include items that were in the previous version which he felt were important and should be carried over. The Deputy  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC411

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 welcomed the news that the Army & Air Cadets would be involved with the tidying of war memorials and thanked Officers for the notification of flag raising events which they were able to attend.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC412

To receive the notes of the Witney Forum held on 24 June 2025..

The Committee received the minutes of the Witney Forum which had been attended by the Chair who expressed his enjoyment at meeting all the various organisations that participate.

Resolved:

That, the notes of the Witney Forum meeting on 24 June 2025 be noted.

To receive the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on 19 June 2025 along with a verbal update of the meeting held 8 July 2025.

The Committee received the notes of the Youth Council meeting held on 19 June 2025.

A meeting had been scheduled for 8 July 2025 to include the attendance from Le Touquet Youth Council Members; however, the meeting did not take place due to time constraints with the other activities on  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC414

During the follow item – Cllr J Treloar left the meeting briefly between 6:55pm and 6:58pm

To receive and consider the report of Witney Chamber of Commerce which was facilitated by the Council earlier this year.

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk which outlined the results of a report provided to the Council by Witney Chamber of Commerce (WCoC).

It was agreed that the Chair should extend an invitation personally to the Chair of WCoC in order that the Committee hear first-hand  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC415

To receive an verbal update from Officers.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Committee Clerk outlining that Officers were awaiting a response from the individual(s) looking to establish a community garden. Design of planters and a location had been agreed by the Operations Manager and it was now left with the community to agree responsibility  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC416

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager relating to grit bins across the town.

It was agreed unanimously that a bin be requested to be introduced at Springfield Oval, Members were encouraged to consider other locations within their wards so that any additional requests could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC417

The Meeting took a short adjournment from 7:15 – 7:20pm

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 SC418

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 SC418

During the following Agenda item the following took place:

Cllr J Treloar left the meeting at 7:27pm and did not return.

Cllr D Edwards-Hughes left the meeting briefly between 7:50-7:53pm

Resolved:

That, Standing Order 5(w) be suspended in order to allow the meeting to continue as it had now lasted for two hours.

To receive and consider the applications received for the Youth Services Grant Fund.

The Committee received and considered the applications for the Youth Services Grant. Applications totalling £54,342 had been received from fourteen organisations. However, there was an allocated budget of £20,000.

It was agreed early in the discussions that the Committee would review the applications prior to a decision being taken by  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC420