Witney scooped two awards in the Thames and Chilterns regional In Bloom Awards this year. The Town retained its Silver Status while The Leys Recreation Park was awarded Gold. The Leys was entered as a separate category; Parks and Open Spaces, for the first time, this year.

The Schools Challenge run by Witney Town Council every year forms part of the town’s entry and this year was no exception, with colourful wheelbarrows on display outside the Corn Exchange throughout the summer.

The awards, run by Britain in Bloom in association with The RHS, are intended to encourage local communities to improve and care for their local environment through gardening and conservation projects and to promote civic pride.

Judges made their decisions in July this year but the results were announced at the end of September.

The Leys was up against five other parks and was the only Gold winner.

Judges said, “What a delight it was to see a play area and all its facilities being used and enjoyed by all ages. It really felt that the community love being there and that staff really enjoy looking after the park.”

The marks awarded for the criteria scored us 26 out of 30 and were as follows:

Community 8
Maintenance 9
Environment 9

The judges commented on other aspects that they really liked and these included facilities for a wide range of activities and hobbies across age groups, the splash play which was being well used on such a hot day, good tree maintenance, the new war memorial and the bee friendly planting.

They also commented on areas for development and gave constructive advice on continuing to replace old bins with recycling bins, considering accessible picnic benches when these need replacement and some bulb or wild flower planting around tree bases to add colour.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Joy Aitman who attended the awards ceremony with Cllr. Melanie Jones and Jess Bailey, Witney Town Council’s grounds contract supervisor; said;

“I was filled with pride collecting our certificates on behalf of the town. It was a project that brought lots of groups of people together to share their skills, expertise and community spirit. Next year we can build on this and look forward to hearing from interested parties who would like to be involved. “

The awards reflect the hard work and efforts of staff, community volunteers and of all those involved in the care and maintenance of the planting around the town and the facilities at the Leys.

A Witney bus shelter that was damaged when it was hit by a bus has been replaced.

After assessing damage to the shelter beneath the Town Hall on Market Square, it was deemed to be beyond repair.

The new installation has a Victorian design that complements other shelters nearby, although an exact match could not be sourced. The shelter has a seat with spaces at each end for buggies or wheelchairs.

The £5k cost is being met by money from the bus company’s insurance with a small top up from Witney Town Council to ensure that a large enough shelter, suitably in keeping with others nearby, could be procured. Cllr Luci Ashbourne, Chair of the Stronger Communities committee commented;

“This brand new bus stop is both a handsome and a vital addition to Witney’s street furniture, and one which I’m sure will be appreciated and well-used by residents as autumn and winter arrive!”

 It didn’t take long for Cllr Ashbourne’s words to prove extremely accurate as wet weather set in hours after the shelter was installed.

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 FOOTPATH

BY ALL USERS

               LOCATION:         Witney, Footpath between Mill St & West end

                        REASON:            To investigate a large hole between footpath and footbridge

 DURATION:         Starting on 1^st October 2019

                              The anticipated completion date is 5^th October 2019

                             (full closure 24hrs each day)

                                         (Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days)

                   ACCESS:             Limited access will be maintained for emergency services and for frontages within the closure, subject to the progress of the works.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

Witney Town Council Welcomes Car Free Day As A Breath Of Fresh Air

Having declared a Climate Emergency in June, Witney Town Council is supporting a Car Free day on Sunday September 22nd. We are encouraging people to leave their car at home (if possible) and discover some of the benefits of being car free.

There is a growing awareness that climate change, air pollution, and poor health due to lack of exercise mean that we need to shift away from car use and towards walking, cycling and public transport.

Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your energy use, or simply enjoy the health and social benefits of being car free, you are invited to participate in Car Free Day.

There are no road closures planned for this year but there will be some cycling activities and a Health Walk taking place on the day and activities throughout  the week before to highlight the best reasons for leaving your car at home.

We will be asking people to share running, walking, mobility scooter and cycling routes they have used to come into town along with their experiences of their car free journey, good or bad.

Car Free Day is a great opportunity for individuals and communities to try something new. What do you see and hear when walking or cycling that you might miss when you are in your car?

It’s not easy for everyone to be without a car that day. If your job requires that you visit several different sites in your working day that might be impractical, but just reducing the number of cars on the road has a big impact on air quality. So, if Sunday is your big shop day and you need a car, why not consider sharing with a friend or neighbour and shopping together? It’s a great chance to have a catch up and socialise.

If you are choosing alternative transport on that day Witney Town Council encourages you to post about your journey or share how you are taking part on social media using the hashtag #CarFreeWitney

Leader of The Council, Cllr Rosa Bolger, commented

“Car Free Day is about supporting and encouraging us all to explore our town by finding an alternative way to get around. We’re very lucky in Witney to have so many wonderful paths and cycle routes.  If you can, why not join us by hopping on your bike, taking the bus or walking in- let us know what you and your family choose and best of all how you’ve contributed to tackling our climate emergency one step (or pedal) at a time.”

We have a great line up of events. Starting bright and early at Witney’s Park Run event. The Park Runners have teamed up with Windrush Bike Project this Saturday and have issued this invitation:

As a precursor to Car Free Day on Sunday 22nd September, we would encourage those of you who are able, to walk or cycle to Witney parkrun on Saturday 21st September.

Part-Time Caretaker
Maintenance Operative
Senior Maintenance Operative
Venue Manager
Finance  Assistant
Compliance and Environment Officer

You can find all the details on our Vacancies page
https://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/council/vacancies/

CANCELLED- We are sorry to announce that this event has been cancelled and apologise for any disappointment-  CANCELLED

Are you a local history buff? We are just launching our @heritageopenday event for 2019. The theme is #ThisIsPeoplePower. Who are the movers & shakers of times gone by commemorated by having streets in Witney named after them? We are asking residents to find out https://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/heritage-open-day-2019-write-u…/
We will mount a family friendly FREE exhibition of findings in the Corn Exchange. Where do you live? Fancy researching your house or business building? Did someone notable live there? We’ll include that too.
Lots of hits and tips on how to get started on our website now.

Congratulations to Dean Temple, newly elected Witney Town Councillor for Witney North Ward

We are back to normal now, thank you for your patience.

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

Planning Applications 23.07.19

Witney Town Council declared a Climate Emergency at the Council meeting on 26^th June. Keen to address this enormous challenge, they have now issued a call to arms by inviting residents to a public meeting at the Corn Exchange on the afternoon of Sunday 28^th July.

Residents wanting to help Witney find real solutions to combat our climate emergency will be recruited at the meeting to join a working party. This working party will report back to the Full Council with proposals and recommendations.

Witney Town Council is committed to ensuring that the town does everything possible to become carbon neutral and to ensure a cleaner and better future for its residents.

The meeting will be chaired by the Leader of Witney Town Council, Cllr Rosa Bolger who stresses that the meeting is open to everyone;

“Our climate emergency is the most pressing issue we will face in our lifetime, it’s critical that all levels of council show real ambition in working to tackle this disaster. This public meeting is just the first step in our commitment to actively involve the public, consult with experts and create a plan that uses the powers of the council to work for real solutions. We must think global and act local.”

The meeting will feature some key speakers and experts and encourage questions and suggestions from those attending.  Ideas gathered at the meeting will be used to inform the working party and ultimately shape and form policy.

The audience can expect to hear from the following:

• Oxford City Council
• Friends of the Earth
• Extinction Rebellion and others

Anyone who wishes to volunteer but cannot make the meeting can register their interest by emailing: info@witney-tc.gov.uk.

On Saturday 22 June our Mayor, Cllr Duncan Enright, ran the Park Run during the Wood Green School takeover. Takeovers happen regularly to support and promote worthy organisations and charities. His first run was this time last year in support of a national takeover by the NHS. We asked him how well he did and he revealed that he came 249th but 8th in his age bracket!
The takeover by Wood Green PTA is in support of their 50k challenge, for more resources for library, sports, well-being and drama.
If you feel like running 5k, you only have to register once with them to do so and if you don’t feel like a run yourself, Witney Park Run relies on volunteers to make it happen. So, if you can spare a few hours on a Saturday morning, do get in touch with them.
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/witney/

The Refugee Nation flag will fly from Witney Town Hall to mark World Refugee Day.

Witney Town Council announced this week that the orange and black flag will be hoisted on the morning of Thursday the 20^th of June as a gesture of solidarity with the refugee community across both the town and the world. The flying will also mark Refugee Week, which takes place across the globe from the 17^th to the 21^st of June.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, six families have been resettled in Witney and West Oxfordshire under the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, with several others also making their home here after fleeing the war-torn country. The Council has said it is thought Witney Town Council will be one of the first local authorities in the country to fly the flag.

Deputy Mayor Joy Aitman, who is also Vice Chair of the Stronger Communities committee which passed the motion, said;

“It is easy to forget the plight of 60 million refugees and internally-displaced people when you live in rural Oxfordshire. We want our local refugee families to know we are thinking of them and their friends and families who have not yet found a safe home.

I am a strong believer that if you have plenty, you make your table longer and you add more seats,” Cllr Aitman added.

The flag takes inspiration for its striking orange and black design from the similarly-coloured lifejackets, which have become synonymous with refugees crossing the Mediterranean since the ongoing humanitarian crisis began earlier this decade. It was created by Yara Said, a Syrian artist and refugee, who now lives in Amsterdam as a response to the participation of a refugee team in the Rio de Janiero Olympic Games in 2016.

Members of Witney Town Council Planning Committee display the flag of the Refugee Nations“Black and orange is a symbol of solidarity with all these brave souls that had to wear life-vests to cross the sea to look for safety in a new country”, the artist explained. “Since I had to wear one, I have a personal engagement with these life-vests, and these two colours.”

Town Councillor Liz Duncan, a member of Witney Refugee Action Group which has helped settle the six Syrian families in the town, said; “Many people in our town have worked hard to support the needs of refugees both here in Witney, and around the world, and we should be proud of the difference we have made. Their plight continues, and the flag reminds us never to stop caring or helping.”

THE FLAG WILL BE RAISED AT 8.45 IN THE MORNING AND ALL ARE WELCOME

At the full Council meeting on May 15th among the business transacted was the election of Witney’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor; Councillor Duncan Enright will serve as Mayor and Councillor Joy Aitman as Deputy Mayor. His wife Sally- Ann will be his consort for the 2019/20 Mayoral year of office.

Councillor Enright, who lives in and represents the East Ward of Witney, became a Town Councillor in 2011 and a member of West Oxfordshire District Council a year later and previously spent 4 years as an Oxfordshire County Councillor. He has stood for Parliament three times and has been a Labour candidate in European Elections.

Duncan has lived in Witney since 1996 having previously lived in Pontefract before moving to Oxfordshire in the early 80s as a physics student at Wadham College where he gained an MA (Hons) and a teaching qualification.

Following a career in scientific publishing, Duncan now runs his own specialist publishing firm in Witney providing expert consultancy and publishing books to improve cancer care.

Alongside this Councillor Enright spent ten years, mostly as vice – chair on the Board of the Oxfordshire Learning Disabilities Trust, providing health and social care services and has been a governor of several schools including; The Blake School, Springfield School and Wood Green which his children have attended. Duncan’s oldest daughter, Katy, had profound and multiple disabilities and attended Springfield School which he says was ‘exactly what she needed’.

During his time as a Town & District Councillor Duncan has focused on various local issues including campaigning to keep the Cogges Surgery open and the state of Witney’s roads.  As Mayor, Cllr Enright has his own mission statement to fulfil ;

“A Mayor for everyone, a council for the town and a town open to the world”

Cllr Enright is looking forward to a full programme of events and has vowed to represent Witney at as many as he can. He attended his first event, the anniversary concert of the Brize Norton Singers in The Corn Exchange just 2 days after becoming Mayor and followed this up by joining the Pride Picnic and the May Dancing on Church Green a few days later.

He says;

“It is an honour to serve as Mayor for Witney this year. Thank you for voting for me, and to my fellow councillors for placing their trust in me. My role is to bring the town together and celebrate all that is great about Witney, making sure we all look after each other. I also represent our town to the outside world, along with others, including to our twin towns whose partnership we value particularly at this time of international upheaval. We would I’m sure all like Witney to be a confident, welcoming, happy market town, in the Heart of the United Kingdom and Europe, no matter what the bigger politics brings.

I hope this year will be one where everyone can enjoy becoming involved with the Town Council. Please come along to our meetings, become a partner through town organisations, or bring friends or family to town events. Or invite me along to any get-togethers you have. It will be a pleasure to see you.”

Duncan has chosen three charities to support during his tenure.

The first of these is Friends of Springfield School, “championing our treasured special school in Witney”,  the second is Witney Woodland Volunteers and The Wychwood Project, “to help green our town and make the air cleaner “ and thirdly, Oxfordshire Mind, “who  provide support for people with mental health issues from their centre on Moorland Road”. 

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council has a legal duty to coordinate road works across the county, including those undertaken by utility companies. As part of this duty we can designate certain streets as ‘traffic-sensitive’, which means on these roads we can better regulate the flow of traffic by managing when works happen. For example, no road works in the centre of Henley-on-Thames during the Regatta.

Our last full review of the county’s traffic-sensitive streets was undertaken over 10- years ago and this now needs to be updated to ensure that the designations we have set are fit for purpose and effective.

Have your say

At this half way point in the consultation I am writing to encourage further views to be submitted on the proposals. To have your say, please visit our consultation portal, read the documents supplied and complete the online form. The deadline for your response is Friday 14^th June 2019.

If you have already responded, thank you. Please have your say, even if it is a “no comment”, as views from all stakeholders are greatly appreciated.

I have also attached the link to the consultation below.

https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/trafficsensitivestreets/consultationHome

The documents uploaded to the portal provide:

• the criteria a street needs to meet for it to be designated as traffic-sensitive
• a list of the streets that we propose should be designated as traffic-sensitive – highlighting any changes in status for specific streets
• maps showing the location of the proposed traffic sensitive streets

Posted on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council

This morning at 11am the Witney Branch of the Royal British Legion laid a wreath at Witney War Memorial on Church Green to mark the 75th Anniversary of the D Day Landings.

Planning Applications 11.06.2019