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 8(e)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC39

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 receive and consider the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee held on 17^th November 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 17 November 2025 were received.

SC659 – The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the Town Council had been notified of its successful application for a £1,000 Community Resilience Grant towards the replacement bus shelter at Oxford Hill.  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC41

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 25.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The Committee received representations from a resident of Farmers Close, Witney, who spoke in support of the installation of a bollard under agenda item 11, and from a representative of the Oxford for Europe Group, who attended in relation to agenda item 6.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC42

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Estates & Operations.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was raised up the agenda.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Estates & Operations concerning the installation of a bollard at Farmers Close, Witney.

Members welcomed the request, noting that it would provide greater protection to well-used amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC43

Cllr D Edward-Hughes briefly left the meeting from 6:41 to 6:44pm during the next item.

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

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

Members agreed that the residents’ communication preferences survey and the annual satisfaction survey should be included in the spring newsletter, and that a quotation be sought from a local leaflet delivery company to improve delivery  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC44

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 Witney: Past, Present and Future Working Party, together with the notes of the previous meeting. The Committee noted some apprehension expressed by young people about the event and reiterated  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC45

To receive the notes and recommendations contained therein from the meeting held on 14 January 2026.

The Committee received and considered the notes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January be noted and the recommendations therein approved.

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).

It was confirmed that the Council would not be entering the Thames in Chiltern Bloom competition in 2026 as resources would be diverted to improving Unterhaching Park and preparing it for future planting.

In relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC47

To receive an update on the work of the Witney Youth Council and notes from their meeting held on 8 January 2026.

The Committee received the report of the Administrative Assistant – Communications & Engagement, which provided an update on their recent activities and notes of their meeting held on 8^th January 2026.

Details were provided on meeting frequency, discussions, daily school slides, elected roles, a visit to the House of Commons  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC48

During the Following item Cllr J Treloar left the meeting briefly between 7:11pm and 7:13pm

Cllr A Bailey left the meeting between 7:17 pm and 7:20pm

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk on youth services in Witney and matters currently being addressed by the Town Council.

Members discussed the Youth Services Grant Scheme, as requested by the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee, and agreed that the criteria and timeframe should remain  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC49

To receive the report of the Town Clerk/CEO.

The Committee received an update on the Forum and delay in the process of holding the first meeting. Invitations had been sent to relevant stakeholders asking for their nominations to the group.

Members welcomed the update and expressed their enthusiasm to take forward this collaborative opportunity.

Resolved:

That, the update  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC50

To receive and consider correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council concerning seating for an area at Witney Market Square. Note: This is not part of the Oxfordshire County Council High Street Scheme, but is intended to be funded from the UK Prosperity Fund.

The Committee received and considered correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council concerning the installation of seating in the High Street, Witney.

Members were advised that the proposal had been under consideration at District Council level for some time and would be funded from a specified grant and was therefore entirely  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC51

To receive and consider a request from West Oxfordshire District Council to facilitate the placing of a bin store facility in Market Square.

The Committee received and considered correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council concerning a request to remove bike racks to allow the installation of a bin store in Market Square, Witney.

Members supported the proposal, noting that it would improve the appearance of this area of Market Square, but confirmed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC52

Initial discussion on potential infrastructure improvement priorities pending confirmation of available S106 funds, currently pledged or held by WODC.

The Committee received and considered correspondence from the Infrastructure Delivery Team at West Oxfordshire District Council concerning unspent Section 106 developer funding for town centre improvements.

Members were advised that a proportion of the funding had been allocated to two other District Council projects, including wayfinding, which was agreed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC53