Agenda item

To formulate a vision for the future development and management of Witney Lake & Country Park.

Members received and considered the report of the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk gave a brief background to the item, which stretched back to 2016.  She advised that advice would be needed how to manage the land successfully.  The Committee discussed how to move this issue forward, with members concerned that they did not have enough knowledge to make decisions on how the land might be managed.  Members also discussed who the Council could reach out to assist with this.

A member referred to the Park Ranger who had been employed in the past and wondered if this might be a way forward.  The Town Clerk conformed that a qualified Park Ranger had been employed to maintain the area some time ago.  Members felt that a full-time post might be too much.

A member was very keen to utilise the Wychwood Project as she said that they already had a plan that encompassed not only the lake and country park but additional adjoining land owned by the District and County Councils.

The Town Clerk advised that the Town Council should probably work with the Lower Windrush Valley project who had helped in the past and proposed that the Council needed a vision for the lake and country park before a management plan could be thought about.  The LWVP sat under the County Council’s umbrella.  She felt that they would be keen to help.

Members then proceeded to discuss the vision for the lake and country park.

RESOLVED:   that the report be noted and :

1) that the vision for the lake and country park was for it to be actively managed for biodiversity and for access for residents to enjoy safely;

2) that Council explores active management and decides if that takes the form of a ranger or whether Community groups will offer that sort of service;

3) that the Wychwood Project is approached as the Council understands that they have plans for the whole Windrush area in Witney – Cllrs Smith and Prosser would meet with them and Olivia Thornton who had previously contacted the Council about tree planting;

4) that the Compliance and Environment Officer engages with the Oxford City Council Team for some local input.