Agenda item

11.1        Civil/Council run events – report of the Communications & Events Officer (enclosed)

11.2        Third Party events on Council land – update from the Operations & Estates Officer (enclosed)

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications and Events Officer. With regard to the Heritage Open Days, Members agreed that an event around street history ideas would be interesting and could include buildings and businesses with a walking guide based on the poppy trail of November 2018. The committee were also enthusiastic regarding the centenary of the Leys and 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2019 and discussed the possibility of combining one or both of these with the centenary of Witney Swifts Cricket Club. With regard to the Officer’s report on Coffee Mornings the committee felt that these would

be an excellent way of meeting and advising Witney residents and they could be held at different days and times so that everyone would have the opportunity to attend.

The Operations and Estates Officer also updated the committee on the situation with large event hirers at the Leys. He was still awaiting documentation from LibFest and Witney Carnival organisers for their events later in the summer and had concerns regarding the weather forecast for the Witney Music Festival the following week.

RECOMMENDED:   

1. that the report be noted;

2. that a Working Meeting is held with external groups invited to discuss the ideas for the Heritage Open Days 2019;

3. that a Working Party is created with external representation to discuss plans for the anniversaries of VE Day, The Leys Recreation Ground and Witney Swifts;

4. that the Communications & Events Officer liaises with councillors regarding the best days and times for the Town Council Coffee mornings.