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 SC449

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Bailey & J Doughty, Councillors R Crouch and J Treloar attended as substitutes respectively.

Apologies for absence were also received from Councillors A Mubin & T Ashby.

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.

a)       To receive and consider the minutes of the Stronger Communities Committee held on 15 June 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 15 June 2026 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Stronger Communities committee held on 15 June 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 a resident of Kingfisher Meadows concerning Agenda Item 15 (Burford Road – Replacement Bus Shelter Request)

The Committee reconvened.

To consider the request for replacement bus shelter at Burford Road.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the member of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee considered a request relating to the replacement of the existing bus shelter on Burford Road to include a sedum roof and received an update  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC453

Cllr J Treloar left the meeting between 6:11pm and 6:14pm – and therefore did not participate in the vote regarding the replacement bus shelter.

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) concerning the financial position of items under the remit of the Committee.

Members noted that expenditure remained broadly in line with expectations for this stage of the financial year and considered matters that may require inclusion within  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC454

The Responsible Financial Officer left the meeting at 6:20pm

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.

Members considered the suggestion of developing a Town Council podcast as an additional communications channel. Whilst recognising the potential opportunities to promote Council activity and community initiatives, Members felt that podcasting generally achieved limited engagement for local  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC455

To receive details of Press coverage prepared by the Administrative Assistant – Communities & Engagement.

The Committee received details of recent press coverage relating to the activities of the Town Council.

Members welcomed the breadth of positive media coverage achieved during the reporting period and noted the continuing efforts of officers to promote Council services, community events and local initiatives.

Resolved:

That, the report be  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC456

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) which provided updates on Heritage Open Day, Christmas activities, the Eco Fair, World Mental Health Day and the forthcoming Citizen of the Year Awards.

The Committee was pleased to hear of the success of Heritage  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC457

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Witney Forum held on 30 June 2026.

As the document contains a significant amount of personal information, named individuals, and content not directly relevant to the Committee's decision-making, public access to the document has been restricted to protect privacy and comply  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC458

Resolved:

The Committee received the minutes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 30 June 2026.

That, the minutes of the Witney Forum meeting held on 30 June 2026 be noted.

To recevie the notes of the Working Party meetings held 26 May and 17 July 2026.

The Committee received the notes of the Witney: Past, Present & Future Working Party meetings held on 26 May and 15 July 2026 from the Chair of the Working Party.

Members noted the ongoing discussions regarding plans to mark the 50th Anniversary of the granting of the Freedom of Witney to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC459

To receive and consider the report of the Administrative Assistant – Communities & Engagement and to note the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2026.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Administrative Assistant - Communities & Engagement together with the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on 3 September 2026.

Members welcomed the continued enthusiasm shown by Youth Councillors and were pleased to note that two additional members had joined. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC460

Cllr R Crouch left the meeting between 7:13pm and 7:16pm.

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

The Committee received and considered the report along with a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk concerning youth services within Witney.

Members noted that all 2026/27 Youth Services Grant agreements had been completed and that a sum of £3,500 remained ringfenced for any further youth related grant applications. Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC461

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 regarding In Bloom initiatives for 2027.

Members welcomed proposals marking the tenth anniversary of wheelbarrows being used for the Schools In Bloom Challenge and supported the continuation of existing arrangements which have proven successful in encouraging participation  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC462

To receive verbal update from the Committee Clerk on the WODC PSPO Dog Fouling Consultation.

The Committee Clerk provided a verbal update regarding the consultation that was undertaken by West Oxfordshire District Council on proposed Public Space Protection Order controls relating to dog fouling.

Members were reminded that the consultation document had been circulated to the Committee during the consultation period to allow comments and  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC463

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

Members welcomed updates relating to events held during the summer including Witney Pride, Witney Music Festival, Witney Carnival, Oxfordshire Play Associations Play Day and other community events facilitated on Town Council land.

Particular praise was expressed for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC464

To receive and consider the report of the Committee Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report concerning winter preparations and the provision of grit bins.

Members reviewed existing grit bin provision across the town and identified two locations where additional bins may improve public safety. The Member suggesting he would send location specifics to officers for submission and consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC465

To review and formalise a policy for Litter and Dog Waste Bin requests. The attached policy being agreed in 2022 and reviewed in 2023 and to consider current requests for bins not on Town Council land.

The Committee received and considered the proposed Public Bins Policy.

Members discussed several requests received from residents and acknowledged continuing concerns regarding litter and dog fouling across parts of the town. Whilst recognising public expectations, Members reiterated that responsibility for the provision and maintenance of bins on land outside the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC466

To receive correspondence from WODC regarding the wayfinding project.

The Committee received correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council regarding the proposed wayfinding scheme. Proposed illustrations of potential signage, together with a draft Memorandum of Understanding relating to an archway project, had been received from West Oxfordshire District Council, circulated to Members and tabled for consideration at the meeting.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC467