Agenda item

The meeting will adjourn for this item.

Members of the public may speak for a maximum of five minutes each during the period of public participation, in line with Standing Order 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The Committee received representations from the spokesperson of the Witney Flood Group concerning Agenda Item 9.

Members heard of the progress of the Witney Flood Group (WFG) in relation to their target to mitigate flood risk within the town. They had recently received a quote from a contractor in respect of the cost to improve the area from Langel Common to Farm Mill Lane which would include lowering the level of the footpath that crossed the common and acted as a dam, as well as the removal of trees and other riverbank obstructions. Additional work required to carry out desilting of the riverbed was projected to raise the entire costs to approx. £500,000.

WFG welcomed the assistance already provided by both West Oxfordshire District Council and Witney Town Council and asked that they continue to set a good example of maintenance in the areas where they were riparian owners which would hopefully be cascaded down to other landowners.

The Council was thanked for their offer of assistance to other residential groups looking to utilise the Oxfordshire County Council flood alleviation grant scheme. This was currently under consideration and the Town Council was asked if they would be happy to accept these grant awards and facilitate works using the specialised equipment, such as its winch for the removal of trees from the river.

The Spokesperson advised that the Flood Warden scheme was well established and that its volunteers were eager to engage and assist with the above works, however Officers advised that the group should clarify with OCC that flood wardens engagement in such work was covered by the insurance cover . Officers also recommended that WFG engaged with the Local Member for Parliament and other agencies to further advance the potential large funding gap needed to carry out the work they proposed.

The Committee reconvened.