Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from the Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered a verbal update from the Town Clerk regarding the Corporate Strategic Plan and Open Spaces Strategy.

A draft Corporate Strategic Plan would hopefully be presented to members during the next cycle of meetings, from May 2021. It had regrettably been delayed due to the staffing restructure and the transition of officers into new roles.

Members were advised that consultation on the Open Spaces Strategy had begun and a report, based on the feedback was expected towards the end of April. The Chair raised the prospect of a community hub on Council owned land which could form part of the strategy and members agreed, while this was building on open space, the Town Council should support local organisations in locating suitable land for a community hub. There was discussion on what form this assistance should take, what rental charge should be applied and what funding might be available to groups but at this stage it would simply be an affirmation in principle in the emerging strategy.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the verbal update be noted; and

2.      That Witney Town Council supports in principle proposals from community groups and organisations looking to secure land to place a community hub on; and

3.      Agrees to include a suitable referent to this in the Town Council’s draft Open Spaces Strategy.