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.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 PR596

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Treloar and O Collins.

An apology for absence was also received from Councillor J Aitman, Councillor D Enright 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 Newcombe declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 12 as he was a member of Witney Rifle Club, based at West Witney Sports Ground Projectile Range.

Councillor R Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 11 as her children used the King George V field as their  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR597

a) To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee held on 9 September 2024 ;

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 9 September 2024 were received.

PR482 – The Committee Clerk advised Members that the organisations that use West Witney Sports Grounds had been written to in order to ascertain if they wished to take on the responsibility of the Portaloo’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR598

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.

(Cllr S Simpson joined the meeting at 6:05pm)

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and the Draft Revised Revenue Budget for 2024/25 and Draft Budget for 2025/26.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) concerning the base revenue budget, draft estimates on budget parameters for 2024-25 and a revenue budget summary.

For the benefit of Members, the RFO outlined the contents of the report and explained the reasoning behind the movement  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR600

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) with an update on the current year’s work programme relating to Capital and Special Revenue Projects; as well as projects identified during the course of the year for inclusion as Revenue Growth Items or Special Revenue Projects in  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR601

The Committee received and considered the report of the RFO concerning the financial standing of the Council’s current and future projects.

Members were advised of the funding streams and budgets in place for the revised capital and special revenue projects for 2023-26 and what was needed in order to bring  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR601

During the Budget Setting Cycle the Council reviews its Fees and Charges for various facilities and services it operates.

Included is the schedule of charges in respect of the assets and services which fall under the responsibility of this Committee, and the Committee is requested to review and approve or  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR602

The Committee received and considered the proposed recreational charges for 2025-26 as part of the budget setting process.

The RFO explained that there was a modest increase of 2% to each of the charges, Officers would further review the charges and remove those which no longer were relevant such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR602

(The RFO left the meeting at 6:38pm)

To receive and consider the joint report of the Project Officer & Head of Estate & Operations.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Projects Officer which provided an update on the Council’s play areas.

Members were pleased to hear of the review being carried out and that there were plans for the installation of inclusive play equipment as items were replaced across the Town.  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR603

To receive the report of the Operations Manager with accompanying by STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute) following their evaluation of the Council grassed sports provision.

Also an update on the progress of the Deer Park & Ralegh Crescent Football Pitches.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager which was accompanied by a report on the Council’s grass sports pitches by STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute).

Members welcomed the positive comments within the report with outlined the continued improvement in the Council’s sports pitches and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR604

To receive a report from the Town Clerk/CEO on a proposal for the continuation of Cricket at The Leys.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Town Clerk/CEO which provided details following a meeting with Swifts Cricket Club and the Oxfordshire Cricket Board (ECB).

Members heard of a proposal to establish an artificial wicket in place of the current grass surface. Members heard that this could lead  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR605

To receive correspondence from Oxfordshire County Council in respect of a proposal to establish a footpath at King George V Field, Newland.

The Committee received correspondence from Oxfordshire County Council’s Place, Planning and Co-ordination Team detailing their request to establish a pathway across town council owned land at the King George V field, funded by the use of Section 106 Contributions from the development at Wood Green School.

Members were pleased to  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR606

To receive and consider the report of the Project Officer concerning the progress of projects under the remit of this Committee being undertaken by the Council or Stakeholders.

The Committee received the report of the Project Officer providing an update on the various major projects that the Council was currently engaged with.

Members also heard that following the success of the Street Art Event at the Wheeled Sports Park that Officers were looking to host a similar event  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR607