Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Working Party for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor J Treloar be elected. There being no other nominations it was:

Resolved:

That, Councillor J Treloar be elected Chair of the Working Party for the 2025/26 municipal year.

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 at a meeting of a Committee if ordinary Councillors of the Committee have confirmed to the Proper Officer before the meeting that they are unable to attend.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R Crouch.

During the following item Cllr G Meadows arrived at 4:11pm.

To review and agree the Terms of Reference of the Working Party.

The draft Terms of Reference were received and any amendments considered.

As this was the inaugural meeting, Members discussed whether “National Pride Working Party” was an appropriate name.

Several alternative names were proposed during the discussion. After consideration, a vote was called on adopting the name “Witney Past, Present & Future Working Party.” which was carried.

In reviewing the Terms of Reference, Members noted that reports and recommendations should be prepared for the Stronger Communities Committee in accordance with its meeting schedule. It was therefore agreed that any recommendations for St George’s Day would need to be developed ahead of the 26 January 2026 meeting of Stronger Communities Committee.

Recommended:

1.      That, the Working Party be named Witney Past, Present & Future Working Party, and the Terms of Reference be approved subject to the above update.

2.      That, the Working Party make their recommendations for St George’s Day in readiness for consideration by the Stronger Communities Committee meeting on 26 January.

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Working Party discussed a range of ideas for celebrating British values and national pride throughout the year. This included early consideration of potential activities for St George’s Day, such as a parade, a community football match, and events at the Corn Exchange. Members were also keen for local businesses and organisations to be involved wherever possible.

Members reviewed the proposed flag-flying arrangements, noting that the Town Flag would be flown daily, with additional flags displayed on designated national or commemorative days, such as the anniversaries of the Battle of Britain and the United Nations. During the discussion, it was identified that the NHS flag had been omitted from the draft list, and Officers confirmed this would be added. The possibility of flying the Oxfordshire flag was also raised; however, with the impending local government devolution, Members felt it would be prudent not to invest in new flags at this time.

Armed Forces Day was discussed, and Members suggested offering The Leys to local cadet groups for use as part of any commemorative activities.

For St George’s Day, Members proposed that the event should also celebrate the NHS and include invitations to Witney’s twin towns. While a parade was considered, Members expressed concern about the logistics and costs associated with road closures for large-scale events. It was agreed that a smaller but more impactful event focused around the Market Square and Corn Exchange would be more achievable. Suggestions included a pub quiz, Morris dancers, live music, and involvement from local groups and organisations.

Members also discussed the potential for a football tournament, possibly involving Witney Town FC and local youth groups.

It was also agreed that representatives from relevant local organisations, including Witney Museum, should be invited to future meetings to support the development of these plans.

Members then considered the report’s recommendations, including a proposed budget for events in 2026. Members agreed to recommend a budget of £2,000 to the Stronger Communities Committee on 17 November 2025. All Members agreed that this was reasonable, and all were in favour.

The date of the next Working Party meeting was agreed as 14 January at 4:00pm.

Recommended:

1. That, the report be noted and,
2. That, Officers update the draft flag-flying arrangements to include the NHS flag and,
3. That, a £2,000 budget for 2026 events be requested and,
4. That, The Leys be offered to local cadet groups for Armed Forces Day activities and,
5. That, the Working Party continue developing a Market Square/Corn Exchange-based St George’s Day event.
6. That representatives from local organisations, including Witney Museum, be invited to future meetings,
7. That, the next meeting of the Working Party be held on 14 January at 4pm.