Agenda

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 Councillors at a meeting of a Committee if ordinary Councillors of the Committee have confirmed to the Proper Officer before the meeting that they are unable to attend.

Members are reminded to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in any of the items under consideration at this meeting in accordance with the Town Council’s code of conduct.

To approve and adopt the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 13 July 2026 in accordance with Standing Order 26 including questions on the minutes as to the progress of any item.

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.

To receive an update from the Witney Police Team (if appropriate).

To receive a short verbal update from Oxfordshire County Councillors representing Witney Wards and West Oxfordshire District Councillors.

To receive a short verbal update from councillors who sit on external bodies where they serve as the Town Council’s nominated representative.

To receive and NOTE the RESOLUTIONS in the minutes of the meetings held between 14 July and 6 October 2026, and agree the RECOMMENDATIONS contained therein.

As the meeting of the Full Planning & Development Committee held on 6 October was inquorate and therefore proceeded on an advisory basis when an additional Member was available online, the attached minutes have not yet been formally approved or signed by the Chair. They will be submitted for approval to the next Full meeting scheduled for 17 November 2026.

At the 6 October meeting, the Advisory Committee also resolved to recommend an Infrastructure Funding Statement be approved subject to further work and that the Council should write to Oxfordshire County Council, supporting Witney Infrastructure Neighbourhood Group’s (WING) stance on the West End Link Road and Northern Distributor Road delivery as part of the North Witney Strategic Development.

To note minute no. F478 which recommended Cllr G Doughty be co-opted to the Community Governance Working Party to ensure representation from all current town council wards.

To receive the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (R.F.O).

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

To receive the finalised draft of the Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan.

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/CEO.

To note that, following a Government decision announced on 16 July 2026, Witney was proposed to form part of the new Northern Oxfordshire Council, one of three new unitary authorities for Oxfordshire from 1 April 2028. Members are further advised that, on 7 September 2026, the Government announced a pause to the implementation of these proposals to allow a review of local government reorganisation decisions across England, following the receipt of legal advice.

Further details from Witney’s Principal Authorities can be found here:

Local government reorganisation (LGR) and devolution | Oxfordshire County Council

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution: What you need to know - West Oxfordshire District Council

To consider and approve the Council’s response to the statutory consultation on the Draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2043, as deferred from the previous meeting.

Further information about the consultation, supporting documents and how to make a representation is available at www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2043

To receive the report of the Town Clerk/C.E.O. in relation to this policy, which was approved for adoption by the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee on 28 September, subject to an addition contained within.

To receive and consider a request from OCC for feedback on the 20mph scheme.

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

To receive a verbal update from the leader of the Council regarding the High Street Benches & Planter Schemes.

To receive the report of the Mayor & Mayor’s Secretary.

To receive the report of the Compliance and Health & Safety Officer.

To receive an update showing the latest vandalism to Council property and reported Anti-Social Behaviour.

To receive such communications as the Leader of the Council may wish to bring before the Council and to consider the recommendation of the Leader on how such communications should be dealt with.

To receive any correspondence received (if applicable).

To note the response to the Leader’s letter to OCC regarding the High Street/Mark Place works. (FC 13.07.2026 Minute 383 Refers)

To receive notification that Oxfordshire County Council will be issuing a 4-week consultation on bus services in the county, called OxBus2040, commencing 13 October.  

To receive notification that OCC Road Traffic Collisions Casualty Data Summary 2025 is available via its website. The information will also be referred to the next meeting of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee.

To receive the August update from the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner.

To receive the correspondence including Terms of Reference from WODC regarding the upcoming Community Governance Review and consider the submission of the Town Council’s proposal.

To receive a response from Oxfordshire County Council to a letter issued concerning feedback in the Witney Town Council annual resident’s survey.

To receive a response from West Oxfordshire District Council to a letter issued concerning feedback in the Witney Town Council annual resident’s survey.

To receive correspondence from BRTA regarding support for rail travel.

Questions to the Leader of the Council concerning the business of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 22.

To receive details of documents sealed by the Council (If applicable).