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 PR15

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D Newcombe, 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.

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 4 November 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 4 November 2024 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on 4 November 2024 be approved as a correct record of the meetings 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

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The committee received representations from members of Spartan Rangers Football Club concerning Agenda Item 8..

The Committee reconvened.

An additional member of the public arrived at 6:14pm

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so that members of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager as well as responses from him which clarified items in the report and questions  raised  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR19

Six members of the public, along with the Operations Manager left the meeting at 6:34pm – One member of the public remained.

Councillor J Treloar left the meeting at 6:34pm and rejoined at 6:36pm

To receive and consider the report of the R.F.O concerning the financial position of items under the remit of this Committee in 2024/25 and the upcoming 2025/26 period.

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.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Estates & Operations which provided an update on the proposed footpath to cross King George V Field.

Members heard that Officers had engaged with Oxfordshire Country Council, and this would be explored in greater depth. Members asked that consideration be  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR21

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Estates & Operations which provided the financial details requested at an earlier meeting as to the cost of lighting at Unterhaching Park.

Members heard that moving forward costs would be reduced by the move to an alternative energy provider and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR22

During the discussions of Agenda Item 9 – Major Project Update

Councillor O Collins left the meeting at 7:06pm and rejoined at 7:09pm

The remaining member of the public left at 7:07pm

Councillor T Ashby left the meeting at 7:16pm

To receive and consider the report of the Project Officer.

The Committee received and considered the updates from the Project Officer on the various ongoing works.

Members were disappointed to hear of the lack of engagement from Oxfordshire County Council in respect of the enforcement of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) at The Leys, it was agreed that Cllr  ...  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

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

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Estates & Operations outlining the initial details of the agreement with Witney Swifts.

Members discussed the proposed terms that had been forwarded by Witney Swifts and were grateful of the update. They asked that Officers consider all users of West  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR25