Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Communications & Communities Engagement Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (CCEO) concerning the planned events in the upcoming months.

The Committee were supportive of the idea to offer the Gallery Room to carers and the people they cared for in order that they could attend the Christmas Light Switch On Event in more comfortable surroundings. They asked that Officers progress the idea however asked that they advise the attendees from previous years of these plans so that they may make alternative arrangements.

Members considered the commemoration of both VE & VJ day in 2025, it was proposed by  Councillor R Smith, seconded by Councillor D Temple that arrangements to be of a similar level to the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, a Task & Finish group be established with a budget of £1,500. Members were unanimous in agreement.

Members were also all in agreement with the idea of providing additional picnics to recognise the work of volunteers with a budget set at £500. The procurement of event specific table and chairs for events such as these was also agreed along with suitable storage.

The Committee noted the correspondence regarding the ageing of towns and agreed with the Deputy Town Clerk’s thoughts that this needed to be reflected in future decisions the Council made and in a Community Engagement Strategy being developed by the C&CEO.

Members were pleased to hear of the suggestion to establish a “Welcome to Witney” leaflet and asked that Officers explore the options further with potential partners and also speak with West Oxfordshire District Council as to whether any funding existed to help progress the project.

Finally, the Committee noted the updates provided from the Community Insight Steering Group meeting held on 3 July and Parish Transport meeting held on 16 July.

Recommended:

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

2.     That, the Gallery Room be offered to carers and their families for the Christmas Light Switch on event and,

3.     That, Officers investigate options to mark the VE & VJ dates in 2025 utilising a £1,500 budget and,

4.     That, a VE & VJ Day Task & Finish group be established and,

5.     That, three picnic-type events be arranged annually to recognise Volunteers work utilising a budget of £500 and,

6.     That, Officers progress the idea of a Witney Information leaflet and,

7.     That, Tables & Chair sets and a storage unit be procured at a cost of £1,343.92 and £1,800 respectively.

8.     That, the minutes of the Community Insight Steering group and Parish Transport meetings be noted.