Agenda item

To receive the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer outlining upcoming Community events.

Members had numerous ideas for how the council could mark the 50^th Anniversary of becoming a Town Council, such as the launch of an annual speaking and debate competition for school children, a 50^th Anniversary board to mark the work and efforts of people that have given support to Witney over a prolonged period of time and a display of Witney history across that 50-year period. They also considered ideas for how the Council could be involved in the allocation of special 50^th Anniversary grants during 2024.It was decided with so many ideas that the decision of which to progress  delegated to Officers in agreement with the Mayor & Deputy Mayor.

Members were reluctant initially to reduce the use of the Community Window to two weeks; they heard from the Senior Administrative Clerk who explained further reasoning for the change in order to facilitate more groups and to offer the opportunity for those that only require a shorter period such as Witney Pride to be accommodated. A proposal was made, and a vote was taken to agree the recommendation to reduce the use to a two-week period. Three members were in favour, one member, Councillor O Collins voted against. All members agreed to review the decision in 12 months’ time.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, decision regarding the events for the councils 50^th Anniversary be delegated to Officers in agreement with the Mayor & Deputy Mayor and,

3.      That, a budget of £5,000 be requested for the Councils 50^th Celebrations and,

4.      That, the use of the community window be reduced to 2 weeks from May 2024 and,

5.      That, the time period for use of the community window be reviewed in 12 months.