Agenda and 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.ukprior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 309a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item P303

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors O Collins & D Temple.

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 declarations of interest from members or officers.

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.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The Committee heard from two representatives of an organisation looking to run Forest School training sessions to be discussed at part of Agenda Item 15. This was followed by questions from Members.

At the discretion of the Chair, the Forest School item was moved  ...  view the full minutes text for item P305

To receive the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer.

Members received the report from the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer along with information provided verbally via Public Participation.

Members asked questions of the members of the public in order to fully understand the proposal and what it would offer to Witney residents, where sessions would be held and the benefits  ...  view the full minutes text for item P306

18:27 pm - The members of the public left along with Councillor Aitman.

a) To adopt and sign as correct the minutes of the committee held on 28 March, 18 April, 2 May and 23 May 2023.

b) Matters arising from the minutes of the above meetings.

The minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 28 March, 18 April, 2 May, and 23 May were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 28 March, 18 April, 2 May and 23 May be approved as a correct record  ...  view the full minutes text for item P307

18:29 pm - Councillor Aitman returned.

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk and review the Committee Terms of Reference (TORs).

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk along with the Committee’s current terms of reference.

Members asked that the terms include the importance of water and air pollution and asked that this be added to point (j).

The Chair also raised at this time his  ...  view the full minutes text for item P308

To receive the report of the Town Clerk/C.E.O.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Town Clerk/C.E.O. concerning its objectives and work programme for the forthcoming year.

A member raised a point of clarification on the ownership of the river and the riverbank that runs through the Country Park and Snipe Meadow and therefore who was  ...  view the full minutes text for item P309

The Town Clerk left the meeting following conclusion of the above item.

To receive the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).

The Committee received and considered the financial report of the Responsible Financial Officer showing figures for aspects under its remit. 

No questions arose from members.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted and,

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

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

In addition, the Committee also discussed planning applications 23/01371/LBC and 23/01372/ADV for signage at the town council’s town centre reception and administration office for which they provided no comment.

Resolved:

That, the comments, as per  ...  view the full minutes text for item P311

At the express permission of the Chair the Committee discussed an application for a new pavement licence from Smarts Fish & Chip Shop, 50 Market Square, for a renewal of a pavement licence under the Business and Planning Act 2020 due to the short timescale of the consultation.

Members had no  ...  view the full minutes text for item P312

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

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning decisions received from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC).

Resolved:

That, the list circulated advising of WODC planning decisions be noted.

To receive notice of Planning Appeal Decision APP/D3125/W/22/3293742 for 141 Queen Emma’s Dyke, Witney.

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3293742 141 Queen Emmas Dyke, Witney, OX28 4DT

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To receive notice of Planning Appeal Decision APP/D3125/W/22/3307358 for Land South West of Downs Road, Curbridge Business Park.

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3307358 Land at Colwell Green, Witney.

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To consider an application for a Minor Variation of Premises Licence for Shell Waitrose Ducklington, Ducklington Lane, Witney, OX28 4TT, under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Committee received the application from Shell (Waitrose Ducklington), Ducklington Lane, Witney, OX28 4TT for a minor variation of a premises licence under the Licencing Act 2003.

Resolved:

That, the Council makes no objection to this application.

To receive notification from West Oxfordshire District Council, that the proposed Street Name ‘Norreys Avenue’ has been approved. As per Street Name Application SNN2022173.

The Committee received correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council’s address management team confirming the approval of “Norreys Avenue” as a new street name.

Resolved:

That, the correspondence be noted.

To receive the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Biodiversity and Green Spaces Officer following a request from Witney Angling Society to extend the fishing season at Witney Lake.

The Deputy Town Clerk corrected the report as to the level of the current fishing rights charge, which was £917 including VAT and  ...  view the full minutes text for item P318

To receive the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Biodiversity and Green Spaces Officer regarding joining the Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust’s (BBOWT’s) Water Vole Recovery Project.

Members were already aware of the problematic impact of  invasive American Mink on wildlife populations and therefore all supported the recommendations to control their population  ...  view the full minutes text for item P319

To receive the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received the report of the Operation Manager regarding the potential reintroduction of the use of pesticides.

Members understood the significant labour impact the decision to cease the use of pesticides had caused on the council and asked that the policy be drafted by officers. Weeds and overgrown vegetation  ...  view the full minutes text for item P320