Agenda item

To consider a request from a resident regarding the provision of designated benches in the town where people can sit and chat with other people about issues they may have.

Members may recall that a similar scheme was considered in 2019 following a request from Guideposts. It was resolved as follows:

That Guideposts be advised that the Town Council agrees to the bench adjacent to the Halifax Building Society be designated as a Chat bench and that a budget of £100 be set aside for Guideposts to renovate it.

Unfortunately the project was not able to be progressed and the committee is requested to consider whether to support the new request and agree how the project should be developed.

The committee considered a request for the provision of a designated bench for people to be able to sit and chat with others about issues they may have.

Members noted that a similar scheme had not been progressed due to the pandemic. It was agreed that it would be a positive initiative and that Guideposts should be approached to see if they were still interested in being involved. If Guideposts were not able to help then the possibility of working with other voluntary organisations could be investigated or the Town Council could undertake the project itself.

The committee considered the financial implications and agreed that an increased budget of up to £150 should be allocated and that clear signage was needed so that people understood the idea about the use of the bench.

Recommended:

1.       That, the provision of a designated bench in Witney be supported;

2.       That, Guideposts be approached be approached to see if they would like to be involved in the project;

3.       That, in the event that Guideposts are not involved that the scheme be progressed with another voluntary partner or by the Town Council itself; and

4.       That, a budget of up to £150 be allocated for the project.