Agenda and minutes

With no legislation in place for the Town Council to hold virtual meetings, and because of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, the Parks & Recreation Committee formed virtually as an Advisory Committee. Any recommendations outside of the current work’s programme, budget or policy will require ratification at the Full Council meeting held on 2 August 2021.

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee Members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Democratic Services & Legal Services Officer (democracy@witney-tc.gov.uk ) prior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 30(a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR343

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joy Aitman and Andy McMahon.

Councillor Owen Collins attended in place of Councillor Aitman.

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 in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

a) To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee held on  17 May 2021;

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

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 May 2021. There were no matters arising.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee held on 17 May 2021 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 were no requests to address the committee.

To discuss the Committee priorities following adoption of the Open Spaces Strategy at the Full Council meeting held on 28th June.

The Town Clerk advised that following adoption of the Open Spaces Strategy at the Council meeting on 28 June 2021 work was ongoing to allocate priorities from the Action Plan to various committees who would take ongoing responsibility.

Members would receive a report at each meeting on the priorities for  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR347

To receive a verbal update from the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk updated members on progress with discussions regarding Madley Park Playing Field. A meeting had been held with Wood Green School and it had been agreed that the agreements currently in place should be reviewed with all interested parties.

The Town Clerk advised that these discussions would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR348

To receive and consider correspondence from Witney Town Bowls Club requesting new gates for the Bowls Club at The Leys.

The Committee received a request from Witney Bowls Club seeking replacement of the existing access gates to the facility at The Leys.

It was advised that officers had looked at the situation and it was not considered feasible to repair the existing gates. The cost of replacement would not exceed  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR349

To receive a verbal update.

Councillor Daniel Butterfield gave a verbal update and advised that ‘Ramp up The Leys’ had created a Facebook page, were in the process of setting up a bank account and had commenced a survey to establish the views of interested parties.

It was hoped to develop greater awareness of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR350

To receive a verbal update from the Chair.

Members should note that initiatives such as this should be referred to the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee for further discussion and agreement, if the Committee is in favour.

The Chair suggested that extending the wildflower planting, as at King George’s field, to other Council owned recreation grounds would be beneficial.

Members noted that this needed to be referred to the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee for consideration and this was agreed by the Committee.

Resolved:

That, the issue be  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR351

To consider the report of the Operations & Estates Advisor.

The Committee considered the report of the Operations & Estates Advisor regarding the provision of additional bins at West Witney Sports Ground and changes to associated signage.

Members supported the provision of two additional recycling litter bins that could take a range of waste including dog waste. It was further agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR352

To receive and consider an application to operate a food van at West Witney Sports Ground.

The Committee received a request for the siting of a food van at West Witney Sports Ground.

The proposed hours of operation, siting of the vehicle and charges to be implemented were discussed.

The Committee expressed their ‘in principle’ support for the proposal subject to clarification of the siting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR353

To receive the report of the Project Officer (to Follow)

The Town Clerk reminded members that additional funding for the project had been agreed at the Council meeting on 28 June.

It was explained that quotes had been sought for the safety surfacing under the existing play equipment (slide and horse) in the site. An issue had arisen regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR354

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 PR355

Resolved: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 confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR355

To receive a verbal update from the Town Clerk

The Town Clerk updated the Committee on a number of issues at West Witney Sports Ground.

It was reported that the Clubhouse was now fully compliant. In addition the consultants appointed by the Town Council were progressing their work and were talking with various interested parties and site users. She  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR356