In another innovative first for the town, Witney Town Council has installed a sedum roofed shelter as the long awaited replacement for a damaged shelter that had been removed, in Burwell Drive. The new living roof, vandal-proof shelter is the first of its kind in the whole of Oxfordshire.

The bus stop in Burwell is well used and busy and the shelter had been sorely missed, so the replacement is very welcome.

The upper panels of the shelter are ‘vandal-proof’ and perforated to allow good all round visibility.

The shelter has a living roof planted with sedums. This provides a wide range of benefits to the urban environment. It absorbs rainwater, reduces stormflow, captures dust and pollutants from the air – and regulates temperatures.

Adding plants in urban spaces has plenty of other benefits, including: reducing noise pollution, reducing stress, increasing biodiversity, beautifying the local environment, absorbing carbon, and improving air quality. It’s also a safe haven for bees and other insects.

Plus of course, it’s a rather lovely surprise when spotted from the top deck as a bus pulls up alongside.

The decision to include a living roof for the new shelter is in keeping with Witney Town Council’s commitment to finding more sustainable solutions, and meeting its climate emergency objectives.

Cllr Ruth Smith, Witney Town Councillor for the Central ward and Chair of Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, said,

“We are delighted to be able to provide this innovative bus shelter. Residents have rightly asked for a replacement. The Town Council fully supports bus travel – it’s greener than individual cars and is essential for all who don’t drive.

 The green roof adds a little waypoint on insect corridors and biodiversity beyond grass, because it’s sedum plants.

 We trust that this shelter will be treated respectfully. Let’s all talk about its usefulness so that even those tempted to vandalise it hear and think again.”

The agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday, 21st September, 2021, 6.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link:
Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

The agenda for Halls, Cemeteries & Allotments, Monday, 13th September, 2021, 6.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

The Phase II redevelopment of the Corn Exchange is underway.

Witney Town Council is currently tendering for theatre seating. Tenders are due back during October. Details can be found on the Contracts page of the Website http://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/contracts-and-tenders/

The work will be part funded by West Oxfordshire District Council’s Community Facilities Grant Fund

WITNEY FEAST IS BACK!

Star Flyer, Space, Superstar, Extreme, Jumping Frogs, Dominator, Stargate. These are all rides that you are likely to encounter at Witney Feast this year!

It is with great delight that Witney Town Council welcomes the Feast back to its historic home on The Leys after COVID-19 stole the show last year.

Meetings and conversations have been taking place over the past few months to ensure that everything is in place to make the fair a fun and successful family event for everyone.  A huge amount of work from both the fair organisers and the Town Council goes into making an event of this kind possible, and especially in a year where things still feel very tentative, post-pandemic regulations.

It’s set to be a spectacular return. Along with traditional rides such as the Waltzer and Dodgems there is the Wild Mouse roller coaster and a family friendly smaller version – the Dragon Coaster.

Many of the rides that come to Witney are exclusive and not seen in Oxford at the St Giles fair.

So, if you fancy a ride aboard the Star Flyer 200 feet up in the air, or a wander through the biggest fun house in Europe at four storeys high, right here in the heart of Witney is the place to be.

The Witney Feast will take place on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th September with the traditional Golden Gallopers service on the evening of Sunday 12th.

If you are longing to find out more, tune in to Windrush Radio at 11am on Sunday 12th and hear Emily Wilson, her daughter-in law and two granddaughters talking you through everything you need to know about the Feast.

The agenda for Full Council, Monday, 6th September, 2021, 7.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

The agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday, 31st August, 2021, 6.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF THE HIGHWAY
BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

LOCATION: Witney, Downs Road

REASON: To facilitate carriageway patching works

DURATION: Starting on 3 November 2021
The anticipated completion date is 6 November 2021 (date included). Closure will operate nightly between 20:00 and 06:00
(Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

ACCESS: Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE:via Range Road -/Dear Park Road – A4095 – Main Road -Downs Road and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Matthew Timms-Area Operations North, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

The agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday, 31st August, 2021, 6.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

No. Item
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Public Participation
4. Planning Applications
5. Planning Appeal Decision
6. Street Naming – Mill Walk, Witney

We are in touch with Nicole’s family and aware of the petition.  The family have been invited to meet with key Councillors and Officers, and we are keen to listen and offer support to them as they try to come to terms with this tragic accident.    

 We completely understand the desire to do something tangible to prevent any further loss of life, and indeed this is our priority too. Given the number of similar flooded pits, rivers and other accessible areas of open water, and the hidden dangers that all of them pose, it feels that the most meaningful course of action is for us to work with the rescue services and schools to roll out an education programme. Hopefully, this will ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the dangers, even to experienced and confident swimmers, and choose safe swimming and water play options instead.

The Town Council is actively reviewing its risk assessment and health & safety in response to the tragic accident to see where additional safety measures can further mitigate risks to the Lake and Country Park users.  We have already increased warning signage at every point where people may access the lake and will be adding different types of signage, including pictorial signage, so that the warnings are much clearer to everyone. We have also instructed an independent health and safety audit to be carried out, in order that we can feel confident our response is as robust as it can be.

As part of our longer-term approach, we will also be looking at the viability of introducing a lido to Witney to provide a safe outdoor swimming space for our town, including talking to other levels of local government to assess how this may best be facilitated, if considered feasible.

The hearts of the community, including every single person who works at or represents the Council are with the family at what must be an unthinkably distressing and painful time, and we do hope to work together so we can all feel confident that any further loss of life in open water is prevented.

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF THE HIGHWAY
BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

LOCATION: Witney, Woodgreen

REASON: To facilitate installation of ironworks following micro surfacing works

DURATION: Starting on 19 October 2021
The anticipated completion date is 22 October 2021 (date included). The closure will operate 07:30 to 17:00 daily.
(Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

ACCESS: Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE:via B4022 – A4095 – Woodgreen
and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton- Milestone Infrastructure Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF THE HIGHWAY
BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

LOCATION: Witney, Woodgreen

REASON: To facilitate micro surfacing works

DURATION: Starting on 13 October 2021
The anticipated completion date is 16 October 2021 (date included). The closure will operate 07:30 to 17:00 daily.
(Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

ACCESS: Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE:via B4022 – A4095 – Woodgreen
and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton- Milestone Infrastructure Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

T9390 / RAG

Tuesday 3^rd August saw the handover of a new and inspiring flagship allotment site at Windrush Place in Witney as the keys were handed over to Barry Jessel, the Chair of Witney Allotment Society, by the Mayor of Witney, Cllr Joy Aitman.

The site is the result of a project that centres upon green initiatives, designed to support Witney Town Council’s commitment to act on climate change. The site also places a firm emphasis on both accessibility and community.

The 55 regular plots are a mix of standard sizes with a small number of half and smaller plots aimed at supporting novice gardeners. Each plot has its own tool shed and a water butt for harvesting rainwater. There is an eco, composting toilet on site, compost bins and a shared secure container. A community hub building, which will act as a social meeting point is to be installed in the next few months.

There are two accessible plots for gardeners with less mobility just inside the entrance to the site. These have their own parking spaces, accessible tool sheds and accessible composting toilet.

The project is the result of the hard work of the team at Witney Town Council, along with that of contractors who had to deal with unseasonable weather over the spring, and then a heatwave in July.

The allotments are now ready to be handed over so that cultivation of the plots can begin. Two of the new plot-holders were first on site, for the handover and keen to get a first look at their plots.

These are Witney’s first new allotments for around 30 years and the waiting list reflects this. Witney Allotment Society holds the waiting list and has been overwhelmed by applications for all the sites.

Cllr Melanie Jones, Chair of the Halls, Cemeteries and Allotments committee, is looking forward to seeing the fruits of everyone’s labours;

“I am very pleased that the new allotments are now ready for people start getting productive. Witney Town Council wish our new gardeners huge success and bountiful crops”

The agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday, 10th August, 2021, 6.00 pm has just been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

Witney Town Council is delighted to be opening its Youth Funding Grant to applications again.

This is an exciting opportunity for community and voluntary sector organisations, including existing organisations and those in the process of setting up.

Applications are open for one month until 1st September 2021. Successful submissions will be projects that have a measurable impact on key issues affecting our young people and that promote positive futures.

The Council will look favourably on those who create opportunities to be accessible to all young people, therefore applications demonstrating how they will extend their reach to young people who have not previously engaged with these opportunities are encouraged.

Applicants will need to meet criteria as set out in the application process and will also be required to report back on the success of the project for which funds have been granted. They will be notified of final decisions in mid-October.

Youth Services Grant Criteria – 2021-22

Youth Services Grant Application Form 2021-22

Here is how the 2020 money was shared:

Got2B Community Interest Company was awarded £15,210.00 towards 2 detached/in house youth sessions and project work in partnership with the town’s secondary schools.

Home Start Oxford received £11,700.00 to improve youth services in Witney – supporting babies and preschool children and their parents, through a range of online groups.

Junior parkrun – £3120.00 was pledged towards setting up a Junior parkrun in the town.  This project has been able to launch since the lifting of Covid- 19 restrictions.

Dear modern.gov user

The agenda for Full Council, Monday, 2nd August, 2021, 7.00 pm has just been published.

You can view this document when connected to the internal network using the link: Agenda details on intranet web site

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site

Meeting venue: Main Hall, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

Throughout the pandemic lockdowns people relied a great deal on access to our parks and open public spaces. Survey responses constantly highlight how much they are valued by our residents, while research supports how closely access to good quality public spaces links to high levels of good mental and physical wellbeing and the quality of life in general.

Witney Town Council is custodian of a large variety of freely available open spaces, from formal parks (three of which are protected Fields in Trust), play and recreation areas, sports pitches, even a Tiny Forest, to small areas of amenity land, cemeteries and allotments. Each of them a green oasis.
Following consultation with partners and stakeholders, it has recently drafted an Open Spaces Strategy which was adopted formally at the Full Council Meeting on 28^th June.

The Open Spaces Strategy is an essential tool, and a carefully considered plan for the management, improvement and development of open spaces to a high standard and quality which meets local needs.

Taking a snapshot of where the town is now, what works well, examining shortfalls in provision, and where improvements are necessary and what the town will need in the future are just some of the areas that have been investigated. The resulting Action plan addresses five key themes.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Luci Ashbourne commented;

 “Our Open Spaces Strategy is a valuable, aspirational and ambitious document that is the product of Witney Town Council listening to, reflecting on, and understanding the views of the people of Witney. 

 The strategy will underpin The Council’s ability to meet the needs, and enhance the lives of our beautiful community for many years to come.” 

The land management plan  referred to in Appendix A is difficult to read in printed format because the original is so large. so best viewed on the website

You can view all of the Town Council’s Strategic Documents  in our web library