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  ...  view the full agenda text for item SC38

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S Simpson.

Councillors A Bailey & O Collins had advised they would be late as they were attending the Holocaust memorial service at St Marys Church.

Members are reminded to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in any 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 meeting held on 18 November 2024.

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

The minutes of the meeting of the Stronger Communities Committee held on 18 November 2024 were received.

SC646 – The Town Clerk advised that a request had been forwarded to utilise Councillor Enright’s Oxfordshire County Council Priority Fund however she had not heard back and so would follow up with  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC40

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.

There was no public participation.

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:

1.     That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, the management accounts of the Stronger Communities Committee for the period 1 April to  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC42

During the following Item:

Councillor A Bailey arrived at 6:05pm

Councillor A Mubin arrived at 6:07pm

Councillor O Collins arrived at 6:09pm

To receive and consider the report of the Communication & Community Engagement Officer.

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

Members were pleased to received updates on the improvements to the Council website pages and to hear that the issue regarding delivery of the annual newsletter to the Windrush estate had been resolved.

The Committee were also  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC43

To receive and consider the report of the Communication & Community Engagement Officer.

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

Members were in agreement with the potential scaling back of the In Bloom entry in order to concentrate on the rejuvenation of the Lake & Country Park and Unterhaching park area. They were also supportive of extending the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC44

To note the draft minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2025 for information.

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Youth Council on 16 January 2025.

Members discussed how they could provide support to the Youth Council, it was felt that the use of shorter agendas would allow for greater focus on subjects. It was also noted that there were  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC45

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

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk which provided an update on Youth Services being funded by the Town Council.

Members heard of the use of the Corn Exchange café by The Station during the February half term, and were pleased this was able to be achieved  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC46

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

The Committee received the report of the Operations Manager and were unanimous in agreement of the proposal to site a salt bin at Swingburn Place.

Recommended:

1. That, the report be noted and,
2. That, a salt bin be installed at Swingburn Place at a cost of £300 to the Council.

To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk/CEO.

The Committee received the report of the Town Clerk/CEO outlining the proposal to re site the Buttercross Needle and for the Town Council to take on its ownership.

Members considered the proposal however, it was clear there were mixed opinions about taking on the responsibility of the art installation.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC48

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Venue & Events Officer which provided an update on upcoming third-party events.

Members discussed the provision of additional disability parking for third party event organisers. This parking would be situated on the grass surface therefore it was agreed that Officers consider any use on  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC49

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 SC50

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 SC50

To note the minutes of the Parish Transport Meeting held on 19 November 2024 for information.

The Committee received the minutes of the Parish Transport Representatives Meeting held on 19 November 2024.

Members were advised of the positive feedback from the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee as to how well the Bus Users meeting held in the Corn Exchange was received in October 2024

Resolved:

That, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC51

Councillor D Temple left the meeting during the following item at 7:40pm

To receive and consider the Draft Community Engagement Strategy.

The Committee received and considered the draft Community Engagement Strategy from the Communications & Community Engagement Officer which outlined how it would work to enhance the quality and effectiveness of its communications.

Members were pleased to see the engagement already taking place amalgamated into one document and made suggestions for improvements  ...  view the full minutes text for item SC52