Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee Members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Democratic Services Officer (nicky.cayley@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  ...  view the full agenda text for item P45

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Bolger and Cllr V Gwatkin.

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.

Cllr R Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda items 7, 12 and 13 as some of the proposals, in part were near to where she lived.

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.

No members of the public present wished to speak on any item at the meeting.

To receive and consider the minutes of the meetings held on 24 November 2020, 15 December 2020 and 5 January 2021 and any matters arising from them.

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity and Planning Committee meetings held on 24 November 2020, 15 December 2020 and 5 January 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity and Planning Committee meetings held on 24 November 2020, 15 December 2020 and 5 January  ...  view the full minutes text for item P48

With the express permission of the Chair, agenda items 7, 12 and 13 were grouped together and brought up the agenda so the member of public attending could hear the discussion.

To receive and consider correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council and to consider if the Town Council wishes to confirm that it would be supportive of further discussions about these aspects of the East Witney development that affect Town Council land and equally to let West Oxfordshire District Council know  ...  view the full agenda text for item P49

The committee received and considered correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council, asking if the Town Council agreed to the use of several areas under its ownership to facilitate new cycle and footpath connectivity from the Witney East Development at Cogges.

Members welcomed this request and discussed the merits of each  ...  view the full minutes text for item P49

To receive and consider a consulation on active travel proposals from Oxfordshire County Council and formulate a response.

The Committee received and considered consultation documents from Oxfordshire County Council concerning an active travel corridor route between Tower Hill and Madley Park, Witney.

As an enthusiastic supporter of active travel, members welcomed this report and were pleased that previous suggestions and lobbying on this issue had been heard.

Overall,  ...  view the full minutes text for item P50

To receive and consider a consultation from Oxfordshire County Council on a proposed 20mph speed limit and active travel measures and formulate a response.

The Committee received and considered consultation documents from Oxfordshire County Council proposing 20mph zones and active travel measures in Witney.

Members welcomed these proposals but noted some obvious absences in the scheme which would have been beneficial. The Committee did, however, understand that the additions were the roads most shared  ...  view the full minutes text for item P51

To receive and consider a schedule of Planning decisions from West Oxfordshire District Council.

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

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the planning decisions and were interested in the decision for WTC/109/20 which appeared to have been refused due to its modern design, contrary to the Town Council’s response.

To receive and consider a schedule of planning applications from West Oxfordshire District Council.

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 consultation from Oxfordshire County Council on disabled parking – members should note that the Committee only needs to respond to those within Witney.

Members received and considered a consultation from Oxfordshire County Council on proposed disabled persons parking places at Ashcombe Close and Woodgreen, Witney.

RESOLVED:

That Witney Town Council welcomes and supports the proposed disabled persons parking places in Witney.

To receive and consider correspondence from Cllr Constance – Cabinet Member for Environment – on  initiatives being taken by Oxfordshire County Council in response to climate change.

The Committee received and considered a communication from Oxfordshire County Council regarding local climate initiatives.

The Chair noted that Zero Carbon targets were broadly the same as the Town Councils, with a date of 2050 set for the whole of Oxfordshire. The committee discussed initiatives concerning the piloting of community,  ...  view the full minutes text for item P55

To receive and consider the report of the Compliance and Environment Officer.

The committee received and considered the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer which was in response to a resident request for the planting of a Community Orchard.

Members agreed that since initial discussions on tree planting in 2019, the Town Council had developed a more measured approach to the positioning  ...  view the full minutes text for item P56

RESOLVED:         

That Standing Order 48 (a) be suspended to allow the meeting to continue as it had now passed two hours in length.

To discuss flooding which took place in Witney over the Christmas period. Although the Town Council has no responsibilities for flooding in respect of the Civil Contingencies Act, discussion on working with other authorities and formulating a Town Council strategy on this matter in the future should be given consideration.  ...  view the full agenda text for item P58

The committee received a verbal update from the Chair who advised that the flooding which occurred in the town over the Christmas period had shown shortcomings in the response for those affected. The worst hit areas were Central, North and East Witney but surface water from other wards feed directly  ...  view the full minutes text for item P58