Agenda item

To receive an update from the Deputy Town Clerk regarding basketball provision in Witney.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the members of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk as to the current position of the provision for Basketball in Witney. Members had earlier  heard from the members of the Witney Wolves Basketball Club of their own lived experiences.

It was clear to the Committee that the available basketball facilities were either of poor standard or non-existent, with particular issues around access to an acceptable indoor court, notably Windrush Leisure Centre. This resulted in the club currently having to play at Carterton leisure centre which came at a significant higher hire cost as their regular indoor court at Wood Green School was unavailable at times for example at exam periods. The Club had also had to host games and training sessions across multiple locations to satisfy the desire of their 60-80 players.

The Town Clerk confirmed that following an earlier exploratory meeting with the club held in April 2025, the Town Council had passed information to West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC), the club thanked the Town Council for this and reported that WODC had been in contact and a time to meet was being arranged.

Members also discussed the various ways it could help raise the profile and assistance to help improve the facilities, including the court, colloquially known as “The Cage” situated behind the Oxfordshire County Council Family Centre on Witan Way, which provided a centrally located outdoor court. It was thought that this area was owned and under the responsibility of OCC however attempts by the club to enter discussions had failed. It was agreed that Officers would look to obtain confirmation and enter discussions as to the potential for improvement to be made.

Other ideas to provide support were to consider the inclusion of basketball courts/hoops in the design of multi-use games areas, financial support for summer holiday youth sessions, integration with The Station detached youth provision, collaborations with Witney Hockey Club and use of the WODC Spacehive fundraising scheme.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, Officers establish the ownership of the outdoor court on Witan Way and,

3.      That, Officers explore options to support the promotion and improve the provision of Basketball in Witney.