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 8(e)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary Councillors  ...  view the full agenda text for item CB501

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Robertshaw, Councillor J Doughty attended as a substitute.

Councillor A Bailey submitted his apologies after the meeting had commenced, and as such, they could not be formally communicated during the meeting.

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.

To receive and consider the minutes of the Climate & Biodiversity Committee held on 20 May 2025;

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

The minutes of the Climate & Biodiversity Committee meeting held on 20 May 2025 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Climate & Biodiversity Committee meeting held on 20 May 2025 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 25. Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The committee received representations from a resident of Kingfisher Meadows concerning Agenda Item 8

The Committee reconvened.

To consider a request from a resident for Road Verge Nature Reserves and a circular walking route for Witney.

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

The Committee had heard how pleased the member of the public was with the current state of the verges in the Burford Road area and how  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB505

The Member of the Public left the meeting 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.

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.

No questions arose from Members.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, the management accounts of the Climate & Biodiversity Committee for  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB506

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the results of the 2025/26 annual residents satisfaction survey for this Committee.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the results of the resident’s annual satisfaction survey which was held at the beginning of the year.

Members were advised the report represented the survey results for the services under the remit of this committee and showed  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB507

To receive the minutes of the Climate Action Working Party meeting held on 22 July 2025 and consider the recommendations contained therein.

Members received and considered the minutes of the Climate Action Working Party held on 22 July 2025.

Item 5 - Members were provided with an update on the progress of the Eco Fair which would take place on 9 October 2025. It was further explained that the event would primarily  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB508

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 which provided an update on the recent surveys carried out in the Country park and the aims for its future development.

Members were also supportive of the plans to carry out the work to plant wildflowers on  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB509

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 along with a verbal update to explain how the Council may approach a reapplication for Green Flag status.

Members heard that Officers had recognised that the application required additional documentation to be completed prior to the submission  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB510

To receive and consider the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Compliance and Environment Officer which outlined details of the Carbon Footprint Audit for the Parish.

Members heard how the report would be used to continually track the changes made and hopefully track any improvements made. They also heard that the parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB511

Cllr A Mubin left the meeting at 7:18pm.

Rejoining part way through the following item at 7:25pm.

To receive and consider the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer relating to the first draft of the Climate Change strategy and action plan.

Members again received a comprehensive document that they were encouraged to review fully so that they may feedback at the meeting of the Climate Working  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB512

The Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer left the meeting at 7:30pm

To receive and consider the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Compliance & Environment Officer which provides details of the energy efficient elements of the West Witney Projects which would commence later in the year.

Members heard that the report had been complied with information gathered from the Project Officer in response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB513

To receive correspondence from the Power for People Campaign.

The Committee received the correspondence from the Power for the People campaign.

Members acknowledged that this formed part of the Terms of Reference for the Committee to support “To explore and promote the expansion of community energy” and therefore welcomed being kept updated as the scheme progresses.

Members heard that  ...  view the full minutes text for item CB514