Agenda item

To receive a verbal report from Officers further to the earlier consideration of the report of the Operations Manager (Minute F326 Refers - Policy, Governance & Finance 9 June 2025)

Report attached for Information.

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

The Chair provided a summary of the current situation which had been discussed at the meeting of the Committee on 9 June 2025.

Officers provided a verbal update to the Committee on the costs received in relation to a road closure to carry out the desilting work at Bridge Street. Four companies had been approached however, only one had responded with a proposed cost for a three day road closure of between £1,925 and £2,620. These quotes were dependent on whether automatic or manually operated traffic lights were used. It was noted that the cost would need to be taken from the £15,000 agreed budget if required, but other avenues should be sought by officers.

In response to a Member’s suggestion, it was unanimously agreed that Officers consider an amount to be put a side each year to build an earmarked reserve to repeat this work in the future. Once the work was completed it was felt the situation should be reviewed regularly to see when it required completing again.

Additionally, it was raised that Oxfordshire County Council could levy a fee for the closure of the road and although the amount was unknown, it was suggested that it be requested to be waived in light of the reasoning for the works.

The proposed desilting project was welcomed by the spokesperson of Witney Flood Group present who agreed the worth of carrying out the work and assessing its success.

Resolved:

1.      That, the verbal update be noted and,

2.      That, de-silting work at Bridge Street should proceed without further delay and,

3.      That, Officers and Town Councillors who are also OCC members, engage with Oxfordshire County Council regarding the waiving of any road closure permit cost and,

4.      That, Officers consider an amount to be budgeted each year to build an earmarked reserve for further de-silting work.