Agenda item

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

Members received and considered the report of the Town Clerk/RFO and a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members considered items for inclusion in the 2023/24 budget setting process and agreed that funds for climate initiatives encompassed several committees. Areas for consideration should include an extension to wildflower planting areas, signage at the entrances to Witney Lake & Country Park, feasibility studies on the Council’s facilities to enable carbon neutrality by 2028, and public engagement on biodiversity.

There was further discussion on a joint project, led by the Lower Windrush Valley Project on an area near Farm Mill and agreement that a project plan from the Park Ranger should inform the budget-setting process.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report and update be noted, and

2.      That, an increase of budget to cover wider wildflower coverage be included and,

3.      That, £2,000 be budgeted towards welcome signage to Witney Lake & Country Park and,

4.      That, funds be budgeted towards environmental and carbon reduction feasibility studies at each of the Council’s facilities and,

5.      That, funds to enable the delivery of Lake & Country Park management plans by the Ranger be considered and,

6.      That, £500-1,000 be budgeted towards climate and biodiversity engagement.