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.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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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)

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.

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

As the meeting would run over 2 hours in length, the Committee agreed to suspend standing order 48 in order to allow the meeting to continue for a further 30 minutes.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

The Committee received correspondence relating to the approval of Planning Application Ref: R3.0103/24 (Lighting Scheme) at the Shores Green Junction of the A40.

Resolved:

That, the correspondence be noted.

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

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.

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

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.