Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer (C&CEO).

Members were pleased to hear updates on the variety of subjects included in the Officers report and were in agreement with the proposals to support and promote the Orange the World, International Men’s Day, World Mental Health Day, International Car Free Day, SSE Priority Service Register, Christmas competitions, Citizen of the Year awards and walks by the Witney Museum for Remembrance Sunday.

The Committee also discussed ideas for the celebration of British values and national pride, including ideas to mark St George’s Day, with events such as a Tea Party, Civic Service at St Marys Church and a Last Night at the Proms styled event at the Corn Exchange; additionally, Members were keen that local businesses should be involved. It was agreed that a Working Party would be created with a membership of four or five Councillors along with the inclusion of non-councillor members being agreed at the next meeting of the Council. The Working Party could then explore ideas further.

Members discussed the proposed flag flying arrangements which would see the Town flag flown daily and additional flags on specific special occasions, such as the marking of anniversaries of the Battle of Britain and the United Nations which were discussed and agreed upon. Officers were requested to draft a Policy document for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.

Members were supportive of the request from Thames Valley Police to hold a “Have a go” event on The Leys, they hoped this would go towards addressing the increase in Anti-Social Behaviour witnessed around the town, particularly over the summer months. It was agreed that the subject be discussed further at the meeting of the Council on 6 October where a representative of TVP would hopefully be in attendance.

The Town Clerk asked the Committee to consider the extension of an invitation to RAF Brize Norton to exercise their Freedom of the Town on what would be the 50^th anniversary on its granting on 24 September 2027. Although there were concerns raised as to the presence of weapons in the town at such an event, all Members were in agreement.

Recommended:

1.         That, the report be noted and,

2.         That, a Working Party be created to explore ideas celebrating Britishness and national pride and,

3.         That, Nominations of up to five councillors to join the Working Party be taken at the meeting of the Council on 6 October 2025 and,

4.         That, the anniversary of the Battle of Britain be added to the Council flag flying calendar and,

5.         That, Officers draft an updated flag flying policy for consideration at the meeting of the Committee on 17 November and for it to be widely advertised upon adoption and,

6.         That, the Council support the request for a guided walk at Tower Hill Cemetery on Remembrance Day and,

7.         That, the Council provide support to the “Orange the World” campaign with social media posts and lighting of the Corn Exchange on 25 November and,

8.         That, the SSE priority service be promoted both via social media outlets and the users of café 1863 and,

9.         That, the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations on 24^th October be marked by a flag flying and coffee morning with all costs being met by the Mayor’s civic allowance and,

10.      That, the Council support Thames Valley Police’s “have a go” event with free use of The Leys and,

11.      That, the updated Community Window Policy be recommended for approval and,

12.      That, RAF Brize Norton be invited to mark its 50th Anniversary of the Freedom of Witney in 2027.