Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Gallery Room, The Corn Exchange, Witney. View directions

Contact: Committee Clerk 

Items
No. Item

P667

Apologies for Absence

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.ukprior 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item P667

Minutes:

P668

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest from Members or Officers at this point of the meeting.

 

Later upon discussion of Item 15 – Church Green & Corn Street proposed parking restrictions, Councillor G Meadows declared a non-pecuniary interest due to her being a member of the Witney Town Charity which owned  ...  view the full minutes text for item P668

P669

Minutes pdf icon PDF 536 KB

a) To adopt and sign as correct the minutes of the committee held on 17 September, 8 October and 5 November 2024.

 

b) Matters arising from the minutes of 17 September, 8 October and 5 November 2024.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 17 September, 8 October and 5 November 2024 were received.

 

P504 – The Committee Clerk updated Members that Officers were awaiting contact from the family of Arthur Titherington to confirm they were happy with the naming of “Titherington Close”  ...  view the full minutes text for item P669

P670

Public Participation

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.

Minutes:

The Committee adjourned for this item.

 

The Committee received representations from a resident of Station Lane concerning Agenda Item 15. He spoke as one of the residents who lived in seven properties in Station Lane on the Eastern side of the Church. The resident was able to provide additional information  ...  view the full minutes text for item P670

P671

Church Green & Corn Street proposed parking restrictions pdf icon PDF 108 KB

To receive notification of the Consultation by Oxfordshire County Council in respect of proposed parking restrictions for Church Green & Corn Street.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Committee received and considered the notification from Oxfordshire Country Council regarding the proposed introduction of a residents parking scheme for Corn Street and Church  ...  view the full minutes text for item P671

(The members of the public left the meeting at 6:32pm)

 

 

P672

Finance Report: Revised Revenue Budget 2024/25 and Draft Base Revenue Budget for 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 617 KB

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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the report of the 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 that now the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Team were  ...  view the full minutes text for item P672

(Councillor G Meadows left the meeting at 6:40pm)

 

 

 

P673

Revenue Growth Items, Special Revenue Projects, and Capital Projects

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 P673

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer.

 

Members heard that the majority of new Capital Items could be met from the existing earmarked budget.

 

The RFO also advised that Officers had been successful in obtaining grant assistance for many of the projects which helped to  ...  view the full minutes text for item P673

(The RFO and Town Clerk left the meeting at 6:44pm)

 

(Councillor G Meadows returned to the meeting at 6:48pm)

 

 

P674

Biodiversity Update pdf icon PDF 380 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer (B&GSO) which provided an update on the work to improve the towns biodiversity across its green spaces.

 

Members heard about the plans to establish wildflower areas at eight sites. The Committee asked that these be larger in size  ...  view the full minutes text for item P674

(Councillor A Bailey left the meeting at 7:17pm and handed the remit of Chair to the Vice Chair Councillor G Meadows)

 

 

 

P675

Witney Lake & Country Park - Operational Update pdf icon PDF 387 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer concerning the works and projects the green spaces team had been engaged with.

 

Members were updated on the details of water testing which was being carried out to monitor the Lake, the In Bloom Silver Gilt award  ...  view the full minutes text for item P675

P676

Witney Lake & Country Park - Management Plan pdf icon PDF 383 KB

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

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer  which provided an update on progress on of the Lake & Country Park Management Plan.

 

Members heard of the proposal to register the Country Park with the aim of it becoming a Local Nature Reserve. It was proposed by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item P676

P677

WODC Infrastructure Delivery Plan - Green Infrastructure pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Based on the above agenda items and updates, to consider correspondence from WODC regarding the Infrastructure Delivery Plan which will inform the new Local Plan and offer any suggestions of items to be included.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the correspondence received from Capita Local Public Services in respect of the West Oxfordshire District Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan for green infrastructure across Witney.

 

In response to a Member’s question, the B&GSO confirmed that it was imperative to be included in the overall WODC  ...  view the full minutes text for item P677

P678

Cotswolds National Landscape Draft Management Plan pdf icon PDF 892 KB

To receive and consider providing comments in response to the Cotswolds National Landscape’s draft management plan for 2025-2030.

 

Deadline for comments is 18th December 2024.

Minutes:

The Committee received the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan which was currently in a draft format.

 

Members again asked the opinion of the B&GSO who confirmed he had received and considered the draft consultation and although Witney was located outside of the Cotswold Area of Nature Beauty (ANOB), the  ...  view the full minutes text for item P678

(The Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer left the meeting at 7:45pm)

 

 

P679

Planning Applications pdf icon PDF 12 KB

To receive and consider a schedule of Planning Applications from West Oxfordshire District Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning applications from West Oxfordshire District Council.

 

With the express permission of the Chair, an additional application was considered, this was a re-consultation following amended plans being submitted for 33 Moorland Close, Witney Planning Ref:24/02341/HDD due to the short consultation period advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item P679

P680

Planning Decisions pdf icon PDF 14 KB

To receive and consider a schedule of planning decisions from West Oxfordshire District Council.

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning decisions received from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC).

 

The Committee Clerk summarised the reasoning for the decisions that were contrary to the Committee’s submission.

 

Resolved:

 

That, the list circulated advising of WODC planning decisions be noted.

 

 

P681

OCC Planning Changes Consultation pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To receive correspodence from Oxfordshire County Council concerning the proposed update to Oxfordshire County Council’s Local List of Information Requirements for validation of planning and related applications.

 

Documents can be found at:

https://myeplanning2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/LL.0119/24?cuuid=668B2AF5-6921-4BC2-8A2B-39F7DF2C4831#undefined

 

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered an updated criteria list for Oxfordshire County Council Planning Applications.

 

Members noted all aspects appeared to be covered but the document was difficult to navigate with the absence of a contents page.

 

Resolved:

 

That, the proposed changes be noted.

 

 

P682

Suspension of Standing Orders

Minutes:

P683

A40 Eynsham Park & Ride to Wolvercote Public Engagement pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To receive notification of the Public Engagement for the proposed A40 Eynsham Park & Ride to Wolvercote Scheme.

 

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/A40EynshamToWolvercote

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the notification of public engagement for the A40 Eynsham Park & Ride to Wolvercote scheme.

 

Members welcomed the scheme however had concerns which formed the response.

 

Witney Town Council welcomes the public consultation on the plans for the A40 Eynsham Park & Ride to Wolvercote Scheme however,  ...  view the full minutes text for item P683

P684

Footpath Modification Order 2024 - Marlborough Lane, Witney pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To receive and consider notification from Oxfordshire County Council in respect of a footpath modification order.

 

Oxfordshire County Council has made this Order because there is a gap between the legally recorded extent of Footpath No. 32 and the public road at Marlborough Lane that has not been recorded on  ...  view the full agenda text for item P684

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received notification of a footpath modification order from Oxfordshire County Council.

 

Members welcomed the correction to the footpath mapping to ensure that access is correctly recorded.

 

Resolved:

 

That, the correspondence be noted.

 

 

P685

Application for Renewal of Pavement Licence - Greggs, 4-5 Welch Way, Witney pdf icon PDF 268 KB

To receive and consider a Pavement Licence Application for Greggs, 4-5 Welch Way, Witney under the Business and Planning Act 2020.

Minutes:

The Committee received the application from Greggs, 4-5 Welch Way, Witney for a renewal premises licence. 

 

Resolved:

 

That, a No Objection response be forwarded to the licencing team at West Oxfordshire District Council.

 

 

P686

Witney Traffic Advisory Committee Minutes 24 September 2024 pdf icon PDF 387 KB

To receive the minutes of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee meeting held on 24 September 2024.

 

In addition to noting the minutes, Members are asked to consider an item concerning lining at the entrance to Windrush Leisure Centre under minute no. T53 and if the Town Council should make a  ...  view the full agenda text for item P686

Minutes:

The Committee received the minutes of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee held on 18 June 2024. 

 

Members considered the matter of line marking at Windrush Leisure Centre per Minute T53. The Committee was unanimous that the issue be raised with Oxfordshire County Council for the renewal of the white lining.  ...  view the full minutes text for item P686

P687

Witney Shores Green - Condition 8 (Lighting Scheme) - Planning Ref: R3.0103/24 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

To note the approval of Condition 8 (Lighting Scheme) for the development. Details of documents can be found at:

https://myeplanning2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/R3.0103/24?cuuid=32F26CB2-6E89-4452-9C4B-C52AC8160B63#undefined

 

Minutes:

P688

Witney Shores Green - Condition 19 (European Protected Species Mitigation Licence) - Planning Ref: R3.0118/24 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

To note the approval of Condition 19 (European Protected Species Mitigation Licence) for the development. Details of documents can be found at:

https://myeplanning2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/R3.0118/24?cuuid=8FD8E061-195B-4282-9A70-2EF4160EA4A2#undefined

 

Minutes:

The Committee received correspondence relating to the approval of Planning Application Ref: R3.0118/24 (European Protected Species Mitigation Licence) at the Shores Green Junction of the A40.

 

Resolved:

 

That, the correspondence be noted.

 

 

P689

Witney Shores Green - Condition 20 and 21 (Drainage strategy) - Planning Ref: R3.0104/24 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

To note the approval of Condition 20 and 21 (Drainage strategy) for the development. Details of documents can be found at:

https://myeplanning2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/R3.0104/24?cuuid=FE8918F8-B955-4127-B04D-592514029200#undefined

 

Minutes:

The Committee received correspondence relating to the approval of Planning Application Ref: R3.0104/24 (Drainage Strategy) at the Shores Green Junction of the A40.

 

Resolved:

 

That, the correspondence be noted.