Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Sub Committee for the municipal year.

Cllr J Aitman was elected as Chair of this Sub-Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

To elect a Vice Chairman for the municipal year.

Cllr L Duncan was elected Vice Chair of this Sub Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Eaglestone and McMahon and Tamsyn Wymer from Witney Fairtrade Group.

Members are reminded they should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

a)       To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2019 (enclosed).

b)      Matters arising from the minutes.

a) Minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2019    The minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2019 were agreed as a correct  record and signed by the Chairman.   

b) Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018

Lyn Jones queried why there was a banner reading “In Bloom” behind the St.  Mary’s roundel bed and not one reading “St. Mary’s Church”.  Officers explained that the Town Council was the facilitator  

To receive and consider the report of the Cemeteries and Projects Officer.

Members received and considered the report of the Cemeteries and Projects Officer.  For the benefit of new members, it was explained hoe In Bloom worked, and it was emphasised that it was the community’s competition rather than the Town Council’s.  

The route was agreed early due to planning around road closures and this year the route would start at the other end of the town to last year.  The route needed to start somewhere with a car park and toilets and this year it would be the Windrush Cemetery.

The Committee also heard that:

• The Leys was entered as a separate item this year

• The schools’ wheelbarrows were going to be put in front of the Corn Exchange on display before the carnival

• Judging day was 25 July.

Rob Steere who was the new manager of the Woolgate Centre reported that the centre had all its planters in place so the judges were welcome to include it on their tour.  

The representative from the Allotment Association did not understand why Newland was going to be visited when she felt that Hailey Road had a hub and not just allotments. Officer explained that the judges were interested in the actual plots and there were plans for a hub at Newland.  The issue with Hailey Road site was getting the judges to it without driving them through some less well-kept parts of the town that the Town Council had no control over.  The representative understood the issues and volunteered to meet with the judges at Newland Allotment.

Members discussed ideas for next year, including the idea of a sculpture in the idle of Welch Way Roundabout. The Operations and Estates Officer advised that new ideas could be raised at the Wash Up Meeting following the results of this year’s entry.  

The Operations and Estates Officer asked if anyone would like to join the judges on the tour.  Cllr Duncan agreed that she would join them.

There was also a short discussion on running some activities for children on The Leys on the results day.  

Councillors confirmed that they would be happy to go into schools and present prizes to children.  

There was also a proposal via e-mail from Edible Gardens that next year the Town Should not enter In Bloom but should concentrate on perennials and sustainable planting instead.

RECOMMENDED:             that the report be noted.

The next meeting would be a wash up meeting in mid September.