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 PR116

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.

Councillor J Aitman declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 as her spouse held the title of Keeper of the Tiny Forest.

There were no other declarations from Members or Officers

a) To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on 15 January 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 15 January 2024 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on 15 January 2024 be approved as a correct record of the meeting and be 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. 5

There was no public participation.

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received the report of the Operation Manager along with a verbal update from the Head of Estates & Operations (HE&O) to update on the progress of the Leys Splash Park works.

The HE&O advised the scheme was at the exploration stage with officers seeking any potential external  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR120

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Estates & Operations.

The Committee received the report of the Head of Estates & Operations regarding the proposed introduction of parking restrictions at The Leys.

The report updated Members on the project following issues which arose from Oxfordshire County Council’s legal team. This resulted in slow progress of the matters under consideration. The HE  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR121

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer (B&GSO) following a request from Earthwatch to install a wooden monolith at the site of the Tiny Forest which acknowledged their legacy donors.

In response to a question from a Member, the Deputy Town Clerk confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR122

(The Town Clerk arrived at 6:18pm)

An Officer report will be tabled at the meeting, but the decision making relates to the reports presented to the Committee on 3rd July 2023 – minute no. PR365 and PR366 refer.

The Committee will be asked to consider the future of the cricket wicket at the Leys Recreation Ground  ...  view the full agenda text for item PR123

The Committee received and considered the report along with a verbal update from the Operations Manager.

Members were initially concerned about the retention of a cricket wicket at the Leys. The surrounding area was now frequently used by families and individuals to sit and enjoy the area recreationally, however a  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR123

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (R.F.O).

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.

Ahead of the meeting a non-committee member had asked a question regarding the £30,000 commuted sum shown against the cost centre for Unterhaching play  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR124

To receive a verbal update at the meeting, if appropriate.

The Head of Estates & Operations provided a verbal update to the Committee on the progress of the Councils major projects.

The Leys Stake Park – This was on track for completion at the end of March and therefore opening event arrangements were being put into place.

West Witney Sports & Social  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR125