Agenda item

To receive questions relating to the Town of Witney which may be asked by any Witney resident. Notice of such matters would be appreciated and should be sent to the Town Clerk.

Further to the updates contained in the Town Council’s Annual Report, the Mayor opened the floor to questions from the public. All were asked to provide their name and home road name before asking their questions.

Q1. Is it possible to have a progress update on the redevelopment of West Witney Sports & Social Club and on when the welfare facilities will be moved off of the shared Car Park?

The Chair deferred to Town Council officers who advised there had been a delay due to the closure of the Community Ownership Fund which meant alternative funding had to be sought for the projects. The funds held by the Council, including reserves and Section 106 funds left a shortfall which would need to be filled with a loan. There was historical precedent for this when the Club was purchased with the Council paying a loan for several years, so the cost was shared over several generations who would benefit from it.

All equipment was due to be removed from the shared car park within the next six to eight weeks.

Q2. What can be done to stop flyposting on various electrical/GPO boxes in the town (glued on to these objects)?

As Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economic Development of West Oxfordshire District Council, Cllr D Enright responded to say that he had been working with the Town Partnership and Witney Chamber of Commerce to complete an audit of the town’s signage and infrastructure. Part of this audit had Identified the unsightly communications boxes and an idea of having these decorated was being explored and he was hopeful this would be implemented.

Q3. It’s nice to see the footpath along Ducklington Lane (A415) has been cleared and it is now along with the cycle path restored to its original width after about six years of complaining, however where the under-pass is into Burwell Estate can the muddy and rutted grass be made into a proper cycle path/footway?

Cllr Andrew Coles the Chair of Witney Traffic Committee (TAC) confirmed he was pleased with the work to bring the once neglected underpass and path/cycleway up to a better standard would look  into the further request and reply directly to the resident.

Q4. When will cameras be installed in Witney High Street? And will the scheme also cover Corn Street?

Again, as Chair of the TAC, Cllr A Coles responded to advise that the Traffic Regulation Order was in place however, no date had been set for the implementation of an ANPR camera to enforce the order. He confirmed they were only due to be installed and monitor use of the High Street area and it would not extend to Corn Street where it was mentioned by a resident there were issues with motorbikes.

Q5. Is it possible for the footbridge between Langel Common and Farm Mill Lane to be repaired and for a handrail to be installed?

The Chair advised he was unsure of the ownership with regard to this particular bridge. Town Council officers would investigate further and progress the request.

Q6. Could the path from Kingfisher Meadow area toward Crawley be maintained. This would create a circular wildlife/nature walk?

Cllr D Enright responded to advise that WODC were looking into the plotting of heritage walking routes similar to those implemented by WODC in Deer Park area, and the Town Council in the Lake & Country Park.

The Mayor added that as the river created parish boundaries then these parishes may also be informed and invited to contribute their ideas.

Q7. Are we doing enough on anti-social behaviour?

PC Josh Bennett of Thames Valley Police advised this was a year-round focus of the policing team however, they were aware that as the warmer months arrived and as youth supervision decreased then additional issues may arise. He asked that the resident to speak with him following the meeting to discuss any specific concerns they may have.

Q8. Are the lights at St. Mary’s Churchyard now fixed?

The Operations Manager responded to confirm that with the exception of the archway, all the lighting was now operational; the archway lighting was the cause of the issues experienced.

Q9. Why is there graffiti on only one side of the A40 underpass?

There was no-one present who could answer this question so it was agreed town council officers would ask OCC why this was the case.

Q10. What is being done to enforce no cycling through Marriott’s Walk? Can signage be improved?

Cllr D Enright responded on behalf West Oxfordshire District Council to say that the area was being reviewed with the intention of reducing its use as a through route for cyclists. Cllr R Smith added that she had personally seen cyclists being challenged by shopping centre staff.

Q11. In relation to new Parking Permits in Corn Street, will the new rules extend to West End?

Cllr A Coles again responded to confirm that West End was a historical scheme and that there was no proposal to introduce a permit scheme similar to the one in Corn Street & Church Green. The main contributing factor was that Witney was an old town and not built for the number of vehicles that need to use and park within it in modern times.

Q12. Could we have a mini multi-cultural festival, would residents be accepting of this?

The Mayor confirmed that the Youth Council were already working on this and it was suggested that United Nations Day in October may be a suitable occasion.

It was agreed by those present that a celebration of the diverse demographic of the town makes it a better place and that it was important to include participation from the younger members of the community in building on this.

Q13. What can be done about the poor Car Park signage and faded road markings in the Short Stay parking area behind Waitrose?

This car park was under the responsibility of West Oxfordshire District Council, officers would pass on the comments to WODC and ask them to review.

Q14. Flooding at Witney Lake appears to have been worse this year. What is the Council doing?

The Operation Manager provided a response to say that the Council’s Biodiversity & Green Spaces Officers has carried out significant work to improve the Lake & Country Park area and this work will continue in order to best maintain the pathways around the area. However, the Council was sometimes hampered due to having to gain permissions from the Environment Agency or other riparian owners.

Cllr A Coles highlighted the work of the Witney Flood Group who had a new website showing some great data on the work they have carried out to access issues across the town.

Q15. How long will it take to complete the Shore’s Green construction?

Cllr D Enright (OCC) replied to confirm that the aim was for a completion by November 2026. Cllr M Brooker (WODC) added that regular updates had been requested from OCC, and these would be provided via the designated “access to Witney” webpage on OCC’s website.

Q16. Can we have more events such as the recent roller disco to celebrate 50^th Anniversary of the Windrush Leisure Centre and allow families to come together?

Cllr A Coles (WODC) agreed that these types of events were very important. Leisure centres in the district had received lots of investment recently to bring them up to a better standard and he would take the suggestion forward and see what additional activity could be brought forward.

During the above questions thanks were received from Cllr A Coles for the Town Council’s support to the residents of Riverside Gardens during potential flooding risk events.

A further comment of praise was made regarding the quizzes about Witney in one of the High Street Estate Agent windows which were enjoyed by a resident as they passed by.