Celebrating our Citizens of the Year 2023

It was truly a night to remember on Friday at the 2024 Civic Reception. Mayor Owen Collins presented the 2023 Citizen awards and in Witney Town Council’s fiftieth year we took a fond look back at some old photographs in a slideshow on the big screen. ⭐

Happily, several former Mayors were able to join us and enjoyed spotting themselves and others among the historic photos. It was a sentimental and heart-warming time and we recalled with affection, the mayors who were unable join us.

Also joining us were current councillors and previous town clerk, Judy White, who started her career at the Witney Town Council from the its very first day in 1974.

The main hall of the Corn Exchange  was stunning with gold themed highlights to further complement the 50 years theme of the event.

These were provided free of charge by @brideandbeautifulevents. Thank you to them for their beautifully designed room.

The proceedings began with the cutting of a huge celebration cake featuring the Gold 50 version of Witney Town Council’s logo.

The mood was also suitably celebratory with current Mayor, Councillor Owen Collins producing some great one-liners and some pretty bad puns as he joked with guests.

The very talented Paul Ashton-Bridges provided music and more laughs with his engaging delivery and selection of guaranteed audience participation songs.

The well -deserved awards began with a special award to the Rev Toby Wright, who has been Witney’s Team Rector since 2009. He has supported Civic events and been generous with his time despite being extremely busy. Later this year he will be leaving the parish to serve as the Dean of Wells.  We will miss him and there isn’t an award big enough to convey our thanks to him!

Next up Witney Vikings were awarded Sports Team of the Year with acknowledgments paid to the hard work of all the incredible volunteers that support the club, and the young people that bring such enthusiasm to the game.

The third award went to the volunteers at Witney Food Revolution who run the Witney Larder, for which there is a small membership fee and the Fridge, which is free to everyone. This impressive organisation combats food waste and provides the community with access to cheap or free food, by taking and redistributing surplus food and other goods from supermarkets.  The initiative is not about need, but about reducing waste and the tons of food that is going to landfill every week.  The team took home the Community Organisation of the Year award.

Finally, the Citizen of the Year Award went to Squadron Leader Mike Caffrey, the dedicated and popular leader of 2120 Squadron, Witney Air Cadets. Support for this nomination had poured in from across the town, from cadets themselves, colleagues and other cadet leaders  and from Councillors and staff at the Town Hall.  The Citizen of the Year award is the most prestigious of the Citizen awards and Mike was a hugely popular winner, as was very obvious  as he accepted his award from the Mayor.

Congratulations to the well-deserving winners, and grateful thanks to all who gave their time to nominate them. A Citizen award is the perfect way to acknowledge the great work that happens in our town.

 

Our 2023 winners

Well done to Reverend Toby, Wright, the Witney Vikings Youth Football Club, Witney Food Revolution, and Mike Caffrey.

 

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Inspiring International Women’s Day Videos from the Town Clerk and the Leader of Witney Town Council

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is #InspireInclusion.

Here are links to the #IWD2024 videos from our Town Clerk/CEO, Sharon Groth and Leader, Cllr Ruth Smith with their views on the importance of the roles of women in Local Government and how times have changed over the years.

Witney Town Council is proud to have strong and positive women among councillors and staff working across all it’s departments, including the works and maintenance team. Gender is not a barrier to ambition here. #IWD

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Agenda for Parks & Recreation Meeting, Monday 4 March, 6pm

The agenda for Parks & Recreation, Monday 4th March 2024, 6pm has just been published.

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

Meeting venue: Gallery Room, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

No. Item
1 Apologies for Absence
2 Declarations of Interest
3 Minutes
4 Participation of the Public
5 Finance Report
6 Leys Splash Park
7 Leys Parking Restrictions
8 Tiny Forest – Request to Install a Wooden Monolith
9 Cricket at the Leys Recreation Ground and West Witney Sports Ground
10 Major Projects Update
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Temporary Road Closure – Park Road, Witney

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Witney, Park Road

A request has been received from Ferns Group for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of Park Road , whilst essential ducting works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made by Oxfordshire County Council to implement the temporary restriction and will operate from 4 March 2024 up to and including 8 March 2024, 24 hours per day.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Emily Piper at The Ferns Group on email EP@fernsgroup.co.uk

T13119  /  RAG

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Temporary Road Closure, B4047 Burford Road, Minster Lovell

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at B4047 Burford Road, Minster Lovell

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate carriageway patching work.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 26 February 2024.

The anticipated completion date is 1 March 2024, 20:00 to 06:00 each night.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton -Milestone Infrastructure ,Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11 or email timothy.belton@milestoneinfra.co.uk

T13136  / RAG

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Temporary Road Closure, Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate carriageway patching works.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 26 February 2024.
The anticipated completion date is 28 February 2024.
20:00 to  06:00 each night.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11 or email timothy.belton@milestoneinfra.co.uk

T 13135 / RAG

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Temporary Road Closure – Corndell Gardens, Witney

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Witney, Corndell Gardens

A request has been received from Ferns Group for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of Corndell Gardens, whilst essential ducting works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made by Oxfordshire County Council to implement the temporary restriction and will operate from 26 February 2024 up to and including 1 March 2024, 24 hours per day.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Courtney Smith -Farnum at Ferns Group on email csf@fernsgroup.co.uk

T 13068 /  RAG

 

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Temporary Road Closure – A40 East and West bound

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closures at Witney, A40 East and West bound

In the interests of public safety; it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road as detailed above in order to facilitate modifications to the bridge parapet running over the A40.

Starting on 20 February 2024 at 22:00 hours
The anticipated completion date is 21 February 2024 at 05:00 hours (Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Christoper Cox-Milestone Infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11 or email christopher.cox@milestoneinfra.co.uk

T12993 / RAG

 

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Temporary Road Closure, Church Lane, Witney

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Church Lane, Witney

A request has been received from Lane Group PLC for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of Church Lane, whilst essential sewer cleaning works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made by Oxfordshire County Council to implement the temporary restriction and will operate on
12 February 2024, 09:30 to 15:30 hours.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Abi Chambers at Lanes Group PLC on email Abi.Chambers@lanesgroup.com

T13018  /  RAG

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Agenda for Policy, Governance & Finance, Monday 5th February 2024, 6pm

The agenda for Policy, Governance & Finance, Monday, 5th February, 2024, 6.00 pm has been published.

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

Meeting venue: Gallery Room, The Corn Exchange, Witney

The following items are included in the agenda:

No. Item
1 Apologies for Absence
2 Declarations of Interest
3 Minutes
4 Public Participation
5 Council Strategic Vision & Objectives
6 Oxfordshire Councils Charter
7 Payment of Accounts
8 Annual Investment Strategy
9 Annual Town Meeting
10 Calendar of Meetings
11 Finance Report
12 Financial Matters referred from Spending Committees
13 Grants & Subsidised Lettings
14 Major Strategic Projects
15 Exclusion of Press and Public
16 Corn Exchange – 1863 Café & Bar stocktake
17 Property & Legal Matters
18 Staffing Matters
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Agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday 30th January 2024, 6pm

The agenda for Climate, Biodiversity & Planning, Tuesday 30th January 2024, 6pm has been published.

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

Meeting venue: Gallery Room, 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 Minutes
5 Planning Applications
6 Planning Decisions
7 Finance Report
8 Witney Traffic Advisory Committee Minutes – 16th January 2024
9 Planning Appeal Decision Notification – 180 Farmers Close, Witney
10 Application for a Premises Licence – The Venue, Green Room Studios, Avenue Three, Witney
11 Application for Minor Variation of Premises Licence – Sainsburys Supermarket, Witan Way, Witney
12 Application for Street Trading Consent – Witney High Street & Market Square
13 Woolgate Parking Order
14 Thermal Imaging Camera
15 Riparian and Watercourse Works
16 Thames Water Correspondence – Mr R Courts MP
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Temporary Road Closure – Witney, Stanton Harcourt Road

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure – at Witney, Stanton Harcourt Road

In the interests of public safety it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close a short section of Stanton Harcourt Road to facilitate A40 bridge parapet improvement works.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 29 January 2024.  The estimated completion of the works is 23 February 2024, 24 hours per day.

(The maximum duration of a TTRO on a road is 18 months and on a footpath is 6 months, or until completion of the works, whichever is the earlier.)

Notice of intention to make the Order will be published in the local press.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Christopher Cox- Milestone Infrastructure , Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11 or email christopher.cox@milestoneinfra.co.uk

T12994 / RAG

 

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Temporary Road Closures at Witney, A40 East and West bound

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closures at Witney, A40 East and West bound

In the interests of public safety; it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road as detailed above in order to facilitate modifications to the bridge parapet running over the A40.

Temporary Notices are being made to implement the temporary closures and will operate from 29 January 2024 at 22:00.

The anticipated completion date is 30 January 2024 at 05:00
and 20 February 2024 at 22:00 up to and including 21 February 2024 at 05:00 hours.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawings showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Christopher Cox-Milestone Infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11 or email christopher.cox@milestoneinfra.co.uk

T12992 & T12993 / RAG

 

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Work begins on the All wheeled Sports Park at The Leys

Building work is under way to create an improved wheeled sports facility for wheeled sports enthusiasts in Witney.

The Leys Wheeled Sports Park project is a step closer now that the first new features are in place at the site in Witney.

The project, which is being funded by a £57,975 grant from FCC Communities Foundation, will provide exciting new challenges with its redesigned layout and new features including ramps curbs, boxes and rails for users, once it is open on 28th March this year.

Cllr, Dr Ruth Smith, Leader of Witney Town Council is excited that the project is starting to take shape.

She says:

“It’s gratifying to see our vision for this vital community facility moving closer to reality. We are extremely grateful for the funding FCC Communities Foundation has given us and we’re looking forward to opening to the public.”

She added:

” It’s been great to find out the range of age groups, uses and abilities that the wheeled sports park caters for. I’ve spoken to young children on scooters right through to, let’s say, “veterans” of skating. Youth facilities in Witney are a high priority, and there’s no doubt this facility will also please teens.”

FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Penny Horne, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager, says:

“It’s always nice to see something we have funded start to take shape. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefitting all those wheeled sports enthusiasts within Witney and the surrounding areas.”

Details of the plans were warmly received by local skaters and other wheeled sports enthusiasts and the opening is now eagerly awaited.  Witney Town Council will be keeping them informed of progress on TiK Tok and its other social media platforms.

BMX Bike and Skateboard  at the site of the new all wheeled sports park

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Community Speedwatch

The first Community Speedwatch session in Witney was a terrific success! The volunteers did an excellent job monitoring the speed of 200 vehicles in just an hour earlier this week. Around 79% of motorists were travelling safely and responsibly but one driver was recorded travelling at 48mph in the 20mph zone outside a local primary school.

speedwatch volunteers

The volunteers were congratulated on their efforts by a local resident who came out to thank them in person. This support and appreciation is testament to the positive impact that Community Speedwatch can have on road safety in their communities and the role they play in promoting road safety and encouraging drivers to adhere to speed limits.

With such a fantastic response, further sessions are planned, and additional volunteers are welcome to join the team. If you’re interested in becoming a part of this initiative, you can contact the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee, who run the scheme, via the town council.

You can also find more information about Community Speedwatch on their website https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Home.php

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Construction work is to begin at the Leys

CAUTION: Work is due to begin on the new Wheeled Sports Park at the Leys on Monday 22nd January and is due to complete at the end of March.
Access to the wheeled sports park construction site will be from The Leys off Station Ln as shown on the map.
All park users including motorists, pedestrians, dog walkers, cyclists, joggers, children and seniors should exercise extreme caution when entering the Leys during construction phase.
Map showing route to the leys for construction traffic. Traffic will use the access road and then pass through the Town Council depot and through the tennis courts
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Temporary Road Closure, North Leigh, A4095

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at North Leigh , A4095

A request has been received from Link Engineering for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of A4095, whilst essential carriageway marking and stud installation works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made by Oxfordshire County Council to implement the temporary restriction and will operate from 23 January 2024 up to and including 25 January 2024, 21:00 to 05:00 each night.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Robert Gill at Link Engineering on email robert.gill@linkeng.co.uk

 

T 13089 /  RAG

Traffic Regulation Notice

 

Traffic Management Plan

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Temporary Road Closure, Brighthampton, Aston Road B4449

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice
S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Brighthampton, Aston Road B4449

A request has been received from Cotswold Group for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of Aston Road B4449, whilst essential tree cutting works are carried out.

A temporary Notice is being made by Oxfordshire County Council to implement the temporary restriction and will operate from 29 January 2024 up to and including 2 February 2024, 24 hours per day.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is shown.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Hazel Wheeldon at Cotswold Group on email hazel@tree-access.co.uk

T 13057 / RAG

Traffic Regulation Notice

 

Traffic Diversion Route

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Witney Town Council Precept 2024-25 Announced

Witney Town Council has agreed to increase its precept for the coming year, which will see residents pay an extra 85 pence a month for services. In real terms, the Town Council’s council tax portion has gone down since 2022 because inflation since the precept was last raised has been 20%.[1]

Councillors debated the budget proposals for the 2024/25 financial year, before agreeing to a 6.1% per cent increase to the precept at the Council meeting on Monday 8th January 2024. This means that from April the average Band D property will pay £177.00 a year for services, an extra £10.17 than last year.

The precept is the main source of income the Town Council gets and is just 7% of the total council tax bill paid by residents. The precept is used to deliver, maintain and enhance local services including community grants such as for youth work, early years, mental health drop-in; events such as Christmas lights, Remembrance and the Music Festival; parks and play areas, sports pitches, wheeled sports park, our public halls, the Corn Exchange, the lake and country park, cemeteries, street furniture and allotments.

Illustration

The precept ensures that although the Council needs to charge fees for some services these are kept as low and affordable as possible for everyone.

The Town Council has a duty to demonstrate sound financial management and responsible governance and will continue to reinvest in its services and meet the expectations and aspirations of its residents by maximising the benefits from the precept.

Cllr Ruth Smith, Leader of Witney Town Council said:

“I am immensely proud of our councillors and staff team for having the finances in such good shape, with ambitious plans for Witney’s facilities. Witney residents will see the impact of the precept – with investment in new sports and cafe at the Leys, at the West Witney Sports and Social Clubhouse, with enhancements at the Lake and Country Park, our youth services and the continued growth of the Corn Exchange as an arts centre and hub.

Cllr Smith was keen to stress that,

“Witney’s facilities serve an area far larger than Witney itself and we embrace the role Witney plays in West Oxfordshire. With inflation so high throughout 2023, when the precept was frozen, we do need to raise it this year to cover costs and continue to offer great services, that inspire, exercise and serve our community. “

[1] Based on the increase in the Retail Prices Index from November 2021 to November 2023, the last full two years which are available.

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