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 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 H485

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D Enright, Councillor G Meadows attended as a substitute.

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.

Councillor D Edwards-Hughes declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 9 by virtue of the CEO of the ICE centre being known to him as a fellow member of the West Oxfordshire Conservatives Association.

There were no other declarations from Members or Officers

(Councillor G Meadows joined the meeting at 6:04pm)

a) To receive and consider the minutes of the Halls, Cemeteries and Allotments Minutes held on 8 July 2024;

b) Matters arising from the minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda (Questions on the progress on any item).

The minutes of the Halls, Cemeteries & Allotments Committee meeting held on 8 July 2024 were received.

H372 – Members were updated that the proposed work to the church path were due to be commenced by Oxfordshire County Council soon.

H374 – Officers advised of the difficulty of obtaining the Metro  ...  view the full minutes text for item H487

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 Responsible Financial Officer.

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 with four months elapsed of the financial year income and expenditure were in line with budget projections.

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item H489

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk (DTC) which provided details of actions taken in response the residents survey conducted earlier in the year.

A Member raised the ongoing issue of dog mess and the Committee recognised the difficulty in encouraging dog owners to respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item H490

To receive the report of the Deputy Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report along with a verbal update from the Deputy Venue & Events Officer (DVEO) concerning the recent and upcoming events in the public halls.

Members agreed with the DVEO in his assessment as to the poor attendance figures for the children’s summer film showings which  ...  view the full minutes text for item H491

To receive the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received the report and verbal update of the Venue & Events Officer regarding requests for capital expenditure.

Members were pleased to hear the news that the Gallery Room conference equipment installation was due to be completed on 23 September as this would increase its potential for hire.

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item H492

To receive and consider the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Project Officer along with a verbal update.

Members heard that Officers were working closely with the tenant of Langdale Hall to explore and assist in the application for potential grant funding to finance the works that were required. Members were unanimous in agreement  ...  view the full minutes text for item H493

To receive the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the updated Business Plans for Burwell Hall and Café 1863 which has been prepared by the Venue & Events Officer who explained that a quarterly update would be provided in respect of the Objectives in the plans.

A Member asked that the Financial Appraisal section of  ...  view the full minutes text for item H494

To receive the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager in respect to the installation of a memorial monolith within Windrush Cemetery.

Members all agreed that the proposed location of the memorial was more fitting and created an easier access to those visiting the cemetery to pay respects. Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item H495