Agenda item

Initial discussion on potential infrastructure improvement priorities pending confirmation of available S106 funds, currently pledged or held by WODC.

The Committee received and considered correspondence from the Infrastructure Delivery Team at West Oxfordshire District Council concerning unspent Section 106 developer funding for town centre improvements.

Members were advised that a proportion of the funding had been allocated to two other District Council projects, including wayfinding, which was agreed to be a high priority. Members expressed disappointment that the request had been received now, with funding needing to be spent by the end of autumn, making forward planning difficult, particularly given the lack of an agreed plan for the County Council’s forthcoming High Street refurbishment.

There was no clarity on the town centre limits or the remaining funding available, but several options were discussed, including a bandstand, arts trail, additional High Street seating and benches incorporating public art. However, Members agreed that the preferred option was the creation of a parklet in the parking area to the north of Witney’s War Memorial, noting that this had been considered previously but deemed too costly within earlier budgets.

Recommended:

1.      That, the correspondence be noted and,

2.      That, the town centre limits and approximate amount of remaining funding be clarified and,

3.      That, a parklet on Market Square in front of the war memorial be proposed.