Agenda item

To receive and consider a communication from West Oxfordshire District Council concerning a street furniture request in Witney High Street.

To receive and consider a further communication from Oxfordshire County Council’s High Street project scheme concerning the installation of street furniture.

Officers are mindful of the Oxfordshire County Council High Street project and are working with both Authorities.

The Committee received and considered the proposed street furniture for the High Street redevelopment.

Proposals had been received from both West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire Country Council for consideration. Prior to discussion the Chair advised that he had already written to WODC and OCC to request further information and an urgent review as he was concerned that installations would not be appropriate for the town and that they did not offer value for money. The thoughts of the Chair were echoed by members who were also disappointed at the lack of consultation and l approach to the proposal details received.

Members asked that the Town Clerk support the Chair’s correspondence and also write to both OCC and WODC to convey the Committee’s concern that individual requests for street furniture on the High Street were being considered without proper context or cohesive design and that the Council wanted proposals to reflect a unified approach that fitted the town’s Market Town identity and must be agreed with conservation officers. Additionally, a request for full consultation on aesthetic elements should be made along with an urgent meeting between the Council and the High Street Project Team ideally before Christmas to review designs so as to ensure that the project stays on track.

Resolved:

1.      That, the correspondence of WODC and OCC be noted and,

2.      That, confirmation be sent to WODC asking that they do not proceed with the proposed seating outside the Shake Shop, however the Council welcome town centre seating and,

3.      That, confirmation be sent to OCC to rebut their recommendation for signage

4.      That, the Town Clerk write to OCC with a request for an urgent meeting.