Agenda item

To receive questions relating to the town of Witney which may be asked by any Witney resident. Notice of such matters would be appreciated and should be sent to the Town Clerk.

The Mayor opened the floor to questions from the public. All were asked to provide their name and home road name before asking their questions.

Q1. What are the Town Councils thoughts regarding the condition of roads and highways within the town and across the County?

Cllr Duncan Enright responded in his capacity as Chair of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee (WTAC) and outlined the role of the Committee. He advised that Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) was the responsible highway authority and encouraged residents to raise highways issues directly with their OCC councillors as a first point of contact.
It was advised that OCC had given assurances that necessary repairs would be carried out. Attendees were also informed of an upcoming Bus Users Group meeting scheduled for 19 May 2026, which residents were encouraged to attend. Cllr Enright additionally highlighted improvements to the Oxford Tube service to London, particularly at weekends.

Q2. Can the Council confirm how and when the old boxing club site at Newland will be fully made safe and restored, including the removal of all asbestos, rubble and contaminated material by licensed contractors; and measures put in place meanwhile to prevent asbestos contamination, vermin infestation and pollution of the stream; the timetable for complete site clearance and replanting of illegally removed trees; and the Council’s long?term plans for the site once it has been cleared?

It was advised that whilst Witney Town Council would do its best to assist residents by providing information where possible, the matter fell outside of the Town Council’s remit and West Oxfordshire District Council’s planning and enforcement team would be best placed to advise on the supervision of the works being carried out.

Q3. What are the thoughts of the Council regarding the condition of Queen Emma’s Dyke and the associated loss of habitat?

The Leader of the Council responded that the Town Council recognised the distress felt by residents and would continue to press the Environment Agency to take action. Cllr Simpson added that works carried out within the Lake & Country Park had helped improve areas of habitat that had previously been in decline.

Q4. What influence does the Town Council have in encouraging OCC to carry out highways improvements, in particular the missing safety barrier on the bridge behind the Leisure Centre?

It was advised that the Town Council would continue to raise and pursue such issues with OCC; however, residents were encouraged to continue reporting specific problems via the Fix My Street system to ensure they were formally logged with the responsible authority.

Q5. What is the progress of the High Street/Market Square redevelopment?

A response from the OCC project team advised that works were expected to commence in May 2026, subject to approval by the Cabinet Member at a meeting scheduled for 26 March 2026. Attendees also heard that OCC would hold a public information event immediately prior to works and have a liaison in place to meet with businesses as the works progressed.

Q6. When can we resume desilting around the town bridge and do more joint river clearance work, supported by OCC funding secured by Witney Flood Group and with help from the Volunteer Flood Wardens?

It was advised that the matter would be considered further by the Climate & Biodiversity Committee and an update would be provided in due course regarding any future works.

Q7. I used to see traffic wardens when we first moved here 5 years ago. I haven’t seen any recently. Parking illegally on Corn Street is a real problem. It would be useful if wardens were to dish out some fines there.

Residents were advised that the Town Council would write to OCC to request increased patrols and enforcement in the area.

Q8. Is any provision being made for parking in relation to the Courtside Development. In particular is restricted time parking going to be introduced on the Leys?

It was advised that the Town Council had found it difficult to progress enforcement due to a lack of support from OCC. However, the Council’s intention remained for the changes and for these to be enforced. It was clarified that the matter related to changes in time restrictions and not the introduction of parking charges.

Q9. What action can be taken to address house sale and rental boards being left in place or positioned in unsuitable locations?

Cllr J Treloar advised that he had visited one estate agent in relation to this issue and had requested that signs be removed promptly and better supervised. Attendees were encouraged to report incidences to the advertising estate agent.

Q10. What has been the result of the introduction of parking enforcement in Church Green?

It was advised that Witney Traffic Advisory Committee would request a report from OCC’s Civil Enforcement team and that the level of service being provided within the town was currently not considered satisfactory.

Q11. How will the plans for local government reorganisation impact on Witney Town Council and does the Town Council hold a view on which of the three options it prefers?

The Leader advised that Witney Town Council had issued the same response to all consultation options, setting out its expectations. The Council’s position was that any reorganisation should be funding led, ensuring the Town Council was appropriately resourced and reimbursed for any additional services transferred to it.

Q12. What can the town council do to ensure that Woodford Way car park remains as is and is not sold off for development?

It was advised that housing provision at this location had been included in the adopted 2018 WODC Local Plan and that development was therefore well advanced in principle. Residents and the Town Council would, however, be able to provide their views through the normal consultation process once a planning application was submitted.

Q13. What is the Council’s policy as far as the proliferation of flags on lampposts?

The Mayor expressed sympathy with residents’ concerns but advised that OCC had a policy in place which the Town Council did not have any influence over. Residents were asked to report issues via Fix My Street so that appropriate action could be considered.

Q14. What the Town Council’s view on the proposed alterations/cutbacks to the Oxfordshire Fire Service?

It was advised that Witney itself was unlikely to see any negative changes  to its fire station, however the Town Council remained concerned about the wider impact on fire and rescue resources across the county. The Council was awaiting the outcome following its submission made as part of the consultation.