Committee details

Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee Terms of Reference

Planning & Development

a)      To receive planning applications and to comment on them in the name of the Council within the time limit set by statute.

The Committee may decide, where time for consultation allows, to make a recommendation to the Council on any application considered to have a major impact on the Town.

b)     To consider any planning decisions, appeals, Planning Briefs and Tree Preservation orders, and recommend, if appropriate, any views that should be expressed by the Council, or any action that should be taken, in respect of these.

c)      To consider, and submit appropriate representations on behalf of the Council, applications in respect of Justices, Gaming and Public Entertainment Licences.

d)     To consider, and submit appropriate representations on behalf of the Council, in respect of consultations relevant to the sphere of Planning and Development.

e)     To consider the impact on the environment of all planning applications and comment in the name of the Council accordingly (within statutory consultee guidelines).

f)       To promote sustainable and active travel in the future planning of the town.

Climate & Biodiversity (Environment)

g)      To work to achieve net zero emissions in WTC vehicles, heating and electricity (scopes 1 and 2) by 2028, in line with the Council's Climate Emergency resolution made in June 2019.  To identify ways for event’s organisers to reduce the carbon footprint of events held on council ground. Any financial or policy change implications should be recommended to the Council.

h)     To manage the Council’s Environmental Spaces, including Amenity Areas, Witney Lake and Country Park and Tiny Forest (except recreation grounds). Any financial or policy change implications should be recommended to the Council.

i)       To oversee the management of the Council’s tree stock across the town.

j)       To engage with Central Government, West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, relevant stake holders and other organisations to initiate local action on climate change (towards achieving net zero carbon emissions) air & water pollution, and other environmental issues within the town.

k)      To encourage biodiversity and healthy recreation in the environmental spaces.

l)       To explore the expansion of community energy to keep the benefits of our local energy generation in our local economy.

General

m)    The Membership of the Committee shall consist of 6 Members plus the Town Mayor and the Leader of the Council ex officio with voting rights.

n)     The quorum of the committee shall be 4 members.

As agreed at the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee 13^th June 2023, minute number P308.