Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officer (B&GSO) which provided an update on the progress to appoint the Lake & Country Park with Green Flag status.

Members were pleased to hear the application was proceeding. The B&GSO answered members questions regarding the impact on the application following the degradation of the lake water quality owing to the continued ingress of water from the River Windrush.

The Committee asked that consideration be given to promotion of the site should the application for Green Flag status be awarded. A proposal followed from Cllr S Simpson, seconded by Cllr G Meadows that a budget be set. Members were unanimous in agreement.

Members praised the B&GSO and his team and volunteers from the community for their hard work to improve the Lake & Country Park area as well as the other green spaces around Witney saying that their hard work was testament to the progress in being able to apply for the award.

Recommended:

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

2.      That, the application for Green Flag status be approved and,

3.      That, a budget be set to promote the award at the site if successful.