Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee Members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Deputy Town Clerk (adam.clapton@witney-tc.gov.uk) prior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 309a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is  ...  view the full agenda text for item P204

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs L Ashbourne, R Bolger and A McMahon.

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.

There were no interests declared by members at the meeting.

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

There were no members of public present at the meeting.

To receive and consider the schedule of applications as provided by West Oxfordshire District Council for consultation.

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning applications received from West Oxfordshire District Council.

RESOLVED:         

That the comments, as per the attached schedule, be forwarded to West Oxfordshire District Council.

To receive and consider a resident request to purchase land owned by Witney Town Council at the rear of 25 Vanner Road, Witney.

The Committee received and considered a resident request to purchase land at the rear of 25 Vanner Road, Witney.

The request was to purchase land which was a mix of grass/shrubland and hardstanding and while members were understanding of the request, similar requests had already been declined in other areas.  ...  view the full minutes text for item P208

To receive and consider a Premises Licence Application for TTD20 Ltd at 33 Stanley Court, Richard Jones Road, Witney.

The Committee received and considered an application for a Premises Licence at TTD20 Ltd, 33 Stanley Court, Richard Jones Road, Witney.

Members were concerned at the prospect of 24-hour alcohol delivery and were disappointed that the information provided did not provide clarity on what the applicants business model was.

RESOLVED:  ...  view the full minutes text for item P209

With the express permission of the Chair, the Committee received an additional premises licence application for U.S.A Fried Chicken, Corn Street, Witney.

RESOLVED:

That Witney Town Council has no objections to this application.

To receive notification of planning appeal APP/D3125/D/21/3268933 for 21 Cogges Hill Road, Witney.

The Committee received notification of Planning Appeal APP/D3125/D/21/13268933 concerning 21 Cogges Hill Road, Witney.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Appeal Notification be noted.

To receive notification of a pavement licence application for the Fleece, Church Green, Witney.

The Committee received a pavement licence consultation concerning The Fleece, Church Green, Witney.

It was noted that due to the statutory District Council consultation period, the licence had been granted. Members were concerned about the extension of the outdoor seating area in front of a neighbouring property and were hopeful  ...  view the full minutes text for item P212

The Committee is asked to consider how the Town Council formulates future responses to Pavement Licence applications from West Oxfordshire District Council, given their limited consultation timescales.

The Committee were advised by the Deputy Town Clerk that the District Council’s seven-day consultation for Pavement Licence applications did not fit with the Town Council’s three-weekly cycle of meetings, and an alternative method of consulting members should be sought.

To ensure the Town Council’s responses would be heard members  ...  view the full minutes text for item P212a

To receive and consider the report of the Maintenance & Environmental Services Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Maintenance & Environmental Services Officer, providing updates concerning the Lake & Country Park.

Members welcomed news that new signage, provided by the Lower Windrush Valley Project would be installed imminently and progress had been made on a vegetation survey of the Lake. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item P213

To receive and consider the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer concerning Car Free Day in September 2021.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications and Community Engagement Officer regarding Car Free Day 2021.

The Council’s Stronger Communities Committee had already agreed this event, but as the Committee most concerned with active travel, suggestions on what the event should comprise of were being sought.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item P214

At the meeting of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee held on 23 March 2020, the 20’s Plenty for Oxfordshire initiative was referred to this Committee for consideration, WTAC having agreed to offer its support.

The Committee received a verbal update on the 20’s Plenty for Oxfordshire campaign from the Chair, Cllr Smith and Cllr Duncan.

The proposed outcome of the campaign was to introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit across Oxfordshire on roads largely shared by cycles and cars – it would result in  ...  view the full minutes text for item P215

To consider supporting the ‘Plantlife’ wildflowers on road verges campaign, ‘No Mow May’ – further information here:

https://plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk/roadvergecampaign

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/nomowmay

The Committee discussed the merits of supporting Plantlife’s ‘No Mow May’ Campaign to promote wildflower planting and sustain biodiversity.

Members agreed that the Town Council should support the campaign through its Social Media outlets, protecting and enhancing biodiversity was a key aim of the Committee and the Council. There was  ...  view the full minutes text for item P216

To consider promoting Walk to School Week 17-21 May 2021. Further information at: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/products-and-services/projects/walk-to-school-week

The Committee were advised of the Living Streets, Walk to School Week campaign, 17 – 21 May 2021.

The Town Council was an enthusiastic supporter of active travel and members agreed that the scheme should be promoted on the Town Council’s media outlets to make residents aware of it.

RESOLVED:  ...  view the full minutes text for item P217

To receive an Oxfordshire County Council briefing note concerning the School Streets initiative, including potential sites in Witney.

The Committee received a briefing note from Oxfordshire County Council concerning Phase 1b of the School Streets Initiative.

Members were pleased to see that proposals included School Streets for Henry Box and Tower Hill Schools and looked forward to them developing in the coming months.

RESOLVED:

That the briefing note  ...  view the full minutes text for item P217a

To note the update and initiatives contained within the West Oxfordshire District Council Climate Action Winter Bulletin

The Committee was advised that West Oxfordshire District Council had issued a Climate Bulletin which contained latest news and promoted climate initiatives.

Members were encouraged to sign up to this e-bulletin through the Council’s website and think about how and where the Town Council could work more with the District  ...  view the full minutes text for item P218