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 SC142

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Mubin and A Bailey, Councillor O Collins attended as a substitute for the latter.

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 26 January 2026.

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 26 January 2026 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities committee held on 26 January 2026 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 25.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The Committee received representations from James Edney, Youth Development Officer for West Oxfordshire District Council concerning Agenda Item 10

James provided the Committee with an update on actions being taken following the 2022 Youth Needs Assessment, which highlighted ongoing gaps in local youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC145

Following his contribution James Edney left the meeting at 6:32pm

To receive and consider the report of the R.F.O concerning the financial position of items under the remit of this Committee.

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.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, the management accounts of the Stronger Communities Committee for the period 31 December 2025  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC146

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

The Committee received the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

Members noted the apparent disappointing delivery rate of the spring newsletter and heard that Officers would follow this up further with the distributor. The Committee looked forward to receiving the results of the annual survey in due course, acknowledging  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC147

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).

The Committee welcomed the plans for the St George’s Day event and considered the Council’s participation in the Great British Spring Clean. Members agreed unanimously that while the latter initiative should be supported, this should  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC148

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 29 January 2026.

The Committee received the notes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 29 January 2026.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 29 January 2026 be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Administrative Support Assistant – Communities & Engagement and accompanying minutes from the Youth Council meeting held on 11March 2026.

The Committee received the report of the Communications & Engagement Administration Assistant along with the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on 11 March 2026

Members received an update from a Youth Council Mentor on the recent activity of the Witney Youth Council and were pleased to note that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC150

To receive the notes and recommendations contained therein from the meeting held on 18 February 2026.

The Committee received the report of the minutes of the working party meeting held on 18 February 2026.

Members welcomed confirmation of the events to be held on St Georges Day and the weekend to follow and thanked officers for their work and the posters advertising the event. Additionally, they  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC151

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

During the public participation item earlier in the meeting the committee had verbal update from James Edney, Youth Development Officer at WODC regarding his work which built on the findings of the Youth Needs Assessment carried out in 2022.

James had outlined the key issues identified in the assessment, particularly  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC152

To receive a verbal update from Officer on the progress of the Forum.

The Committee received an update from the Deputy Town Clerk advising that invitations to relevant stakeholders had been issued in order to reestablish the Town Centre Forum.

Members were informed that a provisional date of 7 April had been set for the first meeting.

Resolved:

That, the update on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC153

To receive and consider a response to the current consultation regarding the proposal to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

Consultation closes 7 April 2026.

The Committee received a verbal update from Officers confirming that the forthcoming consultation had been postponed by West Oxfordshire District Council due to the upcoming election period.

Resolved:

That, the update on the postponement of the consultation by West Oxfordshire District Council be noted.

To receive a verbal update from officers on District Council schemes presented at the previous meeting. 

The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk on the progress of West Oxfordshire District Council regarding town centre improvement matters.

Members were advised that proposals from WODC for a bench outside the Shake Shop and additional bin stores were progressing, with the town councils Head of  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC155

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Venue & Events Officer which provided details of the past and upcoming events held on the Council’s land.

Resolved

That, the report be noted and updates be welcomed.