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.uk prior 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 Councillors  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR14

No apologies for absence were received.

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.

a) To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee held on 30 October 2023;

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

The minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on 30 October 2023 were received.

PR574 – Following a request from a Member it was confirmed that the £40,000 figure requested in the 2024/25 budget related to replacement play area equipment.

PR575 – The Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that communications  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR16

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. 5

There was no public participation.

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).

The Leader thanked the RFO and expressed her thanks for the delivery of a prudent and healthy summary.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

Councillor D Enright joined the meeting at 6:14pm during Agenda Item 6 – Leys Parking Restrictions.

To receive the report of the Head of Estates & Operations

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Estates & Operations regarding the proposal to introduce limits to the period of parking on The Leys. He summarized the issues being faced and the implications of any proposed changes to users of the recreation ground.

Members were aware that  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR19

To receive and consider a request from the Coffee Shed to provide a temporary trading arrangement at The Leys for the duration of major refurbishment works on the assumed commencement of the project.

The Committee received correspondence in the form of a request from Courtside Hubs CIC to allow them to trade from a temporary unit whilst the development took place to improve The Coffee Shed building and Leys area.

Members were unanimous in agreement to allow.

Recommended:

1.      That, the correspondence be  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR20

To receive the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received the report of the Operations Manager along with a verbal update from the Head of Estates & Operations regarding repairs required to the splashpad.

Members discussed the various options presented to them and were initially very reluctant to close the splashpad for the 2024 season knowing the disappointment  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR21

To receive the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received the report of the Operations Manager regarding the erection of signage on the Council’s recreation grounds.

As previously discussed, when Members originally reviewed the signage, the signs should be informative and the list of activities that were not allowed be kept to a minimum. Perhaps with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR22

To receive the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Project Officer along with a verbal update from the Head of Estates & Operations.

Members were pleased to hear that the work to redevelop the Wheeled Sports park was due to commence and hopefully complete by March 2024, providing the weather allowed.

Members also  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR23

To consider and if appropriate, to pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR24

Resolved:

That in accordance with section (1(2) of the Public Bodies (admission to Meetings) Act 1960, and as extended by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR24

Cllr R Crouch left the meeting during the Agenda Item 12 - Major Projects – at 7:30pm

To consider the communication from WODC.

The Committee received a confidential update from the Town Clerk/CEO relating to the provision of sports facilities in the town.

Members received correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and asked members for comments to feedback to WODC on the assessment they had carried out on the West Witney, Madley  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR25