Agenda and draft 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 30(d)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item P292

An apology for absence was received from Councillor O Collins.

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.

To elect a Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

The Chair called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Committee.

There being no other nominations, it was proposed and seconded that Councillor G Meadows be elected.

The Chair advised a request had been received from Cllr O Collins to step back from the Committee in his Ex-Offico  ...  view the full minutes text for item P294

a) To adopt and sign as correct the minutes of the committee held on 15 April, 23 April & 14 May 2024

b) Matters arising from the minutes of committee held on 15 April, 23 April & 14 May 2024.

The minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 15 April, 23 April and 14 May 2024 were received.

There were no matters arising

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 15 April, 23 April and 14 May 2024 be approved as  ...  view the full minutes text for item P295

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 was no public participation.

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

The Committee received the Operational Update of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer (B&GSO) detailing the work completed since April 2024 along with a verbal update.

The B&GSO thanked members for agreeing the appointment of the Green Spaces Operative as this had allowed for work that could not be  ...  view the full minutes text for item P297

(Cllr S Simpson joined the meeting at 6:20pm)

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

The Committee received and considered a request from Witney Angling Society via the Biodiversity & Green Space Officer (B&GSO) to apply to formalise the Lake as a fishery.

The B&GSO outlined the advantages of which included being able to create a working party of anglers to help improve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item P298

To receive the updated Management Plan from the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer.

The Committee received the updated Management plan of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer (B&GSO) detailing the plans for the short, medium and long term.

Members were pleased to see the advances made already after just one year of the plan and thanked all council staff that had helped implement  ...  view the full minutes text for item P299

(The Biodiversity & Green Space Officer left  the meeting at 6:36pm)

To receive the report of the Town Clerk/CEO concerning the priorities of this Committee during 2024/25.

The Committee received the report of the Town Clerk/CEO concerning the Committee Objectives & Work Plan for 2024/25.

The Town Clerk advised Members that the comprehensive 10 Year Lake & Country Park Management Plan would feed into many of the objectives in order to provide results.

Resolved:

That, the Committee Objectives & Work  ...  view the full minutes text for item P300

To receive and consider the report of the R.F.O concerning the financial position of items under the remit of this Committee in 2024/25.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) detailing income and expenditure for budgets which were the responsibility of the committee.

Members were pleased to see that the spending was 6.5% under budget for the year.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

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 (WODC).

With the express permission of the Chair, owing to WODC not being able to offer an extension of time to respond to application 24/00655/FUL – 111 Manor Road, Witney the following response was formulated  ...  view the full minutes text for item P302

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

The Committee may wish to view the approved Decision Notice for 23/01206/FUL | Erection of seventy four dwellings and associated infrastructure (amended plans) | Land West Of Witney North Of A40 And East Of Downs Road  ...  view the full agenda text for item P303

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 the report of the Deputy Town Clerk regarding an event to inform residents of the details of the Oxford Traffic Filters scheme.

Information on the OCC traffic scheme can be found here

Information on CoHSAT, the group who will facilitate the information event can be found here  ...  view the full agenda text for item P304

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk relating to the information evening to be held to inform residents about the new Oxford Traffic Filter scheme being introduced by Oxfordshire County Council.

Members were happy to proceed with the event even though it would fall within  ...  view the full minutes text for item P304

To consider a consultation from Oxfordshire County Council in respect of an application for works associated with the construction of the A40 Shores Green Junction.

Application Documents can be found at:

https://myeplanning2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/R3.0062/24/#undefined

The deadline for a response is 18 June 2024.

The Committee received and considered the Signage plan ref R3.0142/23 in respect of the works at the Shores Green Junction of the A40.

Resolved:

That, the following comment be submitted to Oxfordshire County Council

Witney Town Council notes this signage plan and welcomes the plans.

To receive correspondence from London Oxford Airport in relation to modified Design Principles.

Comments are requested by 7 June 2024.

The Committee received the correspondence from London Oxford Airport’s Air Change Proposal Team regarding their review of their design principles.

Members considered the proposal and noted the low engagement numbers from the original consultation with stakeholders earlier in the year. They acknowledged that though the airport was eight miles from  ...  view the full minutes text for item P306

With the express permission of the Chair of the Committee received an update of the Planning Appeal Public Inquiry for APP/D3125/W/23/3333790- Land Southeast of Oxford Hill, Witney.

The notice advised that the appeal would be held on 18 June 2024 over two days rather than the original proposed six days.  ...  view the full minutes text for item P307