Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) with an update on the current year’s work programme relating to Capital and Special Revenue Projects; as well as projects identified during the course of the year for inclusion as Revenue Growth Items or Special Revenue Projects in the Council’s Revenue Budget or Capital Projects for 2026/27 and beyond.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the members of public present could hear the discussion and outcome relating to potential funding of improvements to the Basketball Court at King Georges Field and outdoor court adjacent to Witney Leisure Centre.

Members received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer along with details provided by the Chair of the Witney Wolves Basketball Club earlier, who had provided an indication that the cost of each court refurbishment to bring them up to an acceptable playing standard would be approx. £45,500, a breakdown of how that estimate was received was also provided.

Members heard that basketball was Europe’s most popular urban sport and about the impact it has on Community cohesion and the opportunities it provides in preventing anti-social behaviour. They expressed their initial support for the refurbishment project and provided details of alternative funding avenues, such as the Westhive scheme offered by West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Committee unanimously agreed to request Officers to look further into options for the King George’s court and to progress discussions with Oxfordshire County Council who owned the central Witney court, known as “The Cage” located adjacent to the Windrush Leisure Centre.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report of the Responsible Financial Officer be noted and,

2.      That, Officers progress work to look at options to refurbish the courts at King George’s Field and the OCC owned Basketball court.