Agenda item
Receipt of Announcements
To receive any announcements from the Chair, Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Governance and the Director of Finance.
Minutes:
Councillor Andrew Coles, Chair of the Council, welcomed all attendees to the meeting, and thanked members of the public for their attendance.
The Chair advised that due to a technical difficulty experienced with the webcasting platform in the Council Chamber, the meeting would not be live streamed to the Council’s website. The Chair further advised that the meeting was being recorded and would subsequently be uploaded to the website at the earliest opportunity.
The Chair stated that all members had received an e-mail from the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, in which clarification was given that the Chair's Fundraising Quiz would take place on Friday 17 May 2024. Members were reminded of their invitation to the quiz night, which would be in support of the Chair’s chosen charities.
The Chair paid tribute to the work of Reverend Canon Toby Wright, who would leave the West Oxfordshire district in pursuit of a role as Dean of Wells Cathedral. The Chair stated that Canon Wright had been a stalwart in his services to the district, and that they would leave West Oxfordshire with the wishes of the whole council, the district and its residents.
The Chair also paid tribute to the work of Janice Bamsey. Janice Bamsey was a member of the Council's Planning Policy team and would retire from the Council after 38 years’ service. The Chair gave an overview of Janice Bamsey’s career within the Council, and expressed gratitude for their work, stating it was only fitting that formal recognition of their work was given by Council and its Members. The Chair invited Janice Bamsey to the front of the Chamber where they were presented with a bouquet of flowers in recognition for their service. A photograph was taken of the Chair presenting Janice Bamsey with the flower bouquet, and the Chair wished them a very long and happy retirement.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, reminded all members of the importance of online training regarding cyber security. The Leader encouraged members to complete the online training if they had not already done so, adding that it was vital for all forms of ICT, not just for Councillor email accounts. The Leader reminded members to liaise with officers if they were experiencing any difficulties whilst undertaking the training.
Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, gave an update regarding the West Oxfordshire Small Business Grant Scheme. The Deputy Leader stated that 41 applications had been received from different organisations around the local economy, with 36 applications successfully passing Counter Fraud checks thus far. The Deputy Leader further highlighted that all applicants had been invited to a session with the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), with 34 successful applicants being awarded a grant of £5,000, to help further grow their businesses and employ further staffing resources.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for the Environment, announced that on Thursday 21 March 2024 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, a session would be hosted by the Council’s Climate Team, along with colleagues from local Town and Parish Councils, and delivered by Wild Oxfordshire, to launch the updated Oxfordshire Community Town and Parish Council Nature Recovery Guide. The Executive Member stated that funding for the guide had been received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Joy Aitman, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, reminded Council that an online briefing on Health and Well-Being would take place on Thursday 14 March 2024 at 6.00pm, with the Council’s Community Wellbeing Manager, Heather McCulloch. The Executive Member encouraged members to join the virtual briefing if they were able to do so.
Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Major Projects, provided Council with updates regarding regeneration work being undertaken at leisure locations in Chipping Norton, including refurbishment work at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre. The Executive Member stated that sign off on the works was imminent and that staff were very happy with works nearing completion.
The Executive Member also shared updates regarding the Open-Air Swimming Pool in Woodstock, giving an overview of the wide range of activities that were available and confirmed that the venue would be open throughout the summer months between May and September 2024.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Welfare, provided Council with an update on the Homelessness Prevention Grant. The Executive Member stated that the fund would allow local authorities to make further provisions for the prevention of homelessness, as well as funding for the provision of temporary accommodation. The Executive Member gave an overview of funding received from Central Government which included an additional £215,177 towards prevention measures in West Oxfordshire.