ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 19 March 2025 at 7:00pm in the Large Barn, Thame Barns Centre.

Present:

Approximately 70 in attendance including council representatives and Officers.

1) Welcome

Town Mayor, Cllr Gilbert, welcomed all in attendance to the Annual Town Meeting, and thanked them for representing an interest in their community.

2) Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 April 2024 were noted to be a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

3) Town Mayor’s Report for 2024-25

Town Mayor, Cllr Gilbert, provided a verbal update on his year as Mayor. A major piece of work had been getting the revised Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2) to referendum and adopted. TNP2 is a detailed document, but provides a strategy for Thame over the next decade. In partnership with the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), Thame has implemented 20mph.

Looking ahead, Thame Town Council (TTC) is working on delivering the Thame Green Living Plan objectives, creating a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), and building a Community & Youth Centre. TTC is also campaigning with residents for a banking hub in Thame, and a cycle route to the train station.

In addition to the well-established events in the town, this year Thame will host the first Thame Pride and Thame Sportive events. TTC encourages ideas from residents, such as the ‘Mayor at the Market’ which now runs monthly and is a great way to interact with residents.

Finally, the Mayor highlighted the importance of volunteers and thanked those who give their time to support local organisations. The Mayor called on non-volunteers to see if they have time to volunteer, and if not, to encourage others to do so. It was noted that the Thame Guides group will close this year unless new volunteers step forward. It was also noted that there will be an opportunity to stand to be a Town Councillor next week.

4) Open Forum – Questions from Electors

A number of questions had been pre-submitted, and these were taken first.

Pre-submitted Questions

Cattle Market

1) Question: Can TTC consult residents on what they would like to see on the Cattle Market site, once the cattle market moves in the future, and then develop a plan?

Answer: An outline plan for the Cattle Market site is included in TNP2. However detailed plans cannot be progressed until the current occupiers leave the site. There is no date for this yet as the current lease continues to be renewed.

2) Question: Although the site is at present owned by SODC, with the planned reorganisation of local government, it is possible that it could be returned to TTC?

Answer: Due to the upcoming re-organisation of local government, legislation prevents South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) from disposing of any assets until a new government is formed, unless central government authorise it. Various options for reorganisation are being considered, with proposals being submitted next week.

3) Question: What is being done to improve parking in the town centre when the cattle market is closed?

Answer: Within the TNP2, it is a requirement that the redevelopment of the Cattle Market retains all the current parking spaces. The current car park has reduced parking twice a week, so the redeveloped site will improve the car park offering.

Community Youth Centre

4) Question: Is the council increasing the precept to cover the costs of the Public Works Loan repayments? And where will the remaining capital come from?

Answer: Yes, the remaining funds will come from Section 106 (developer) funds of £812,000 (specifically allocated for Southern Road Recreation Ground), TTC investments, fundraising and grants. The council is the process of applying for the Public Works Loan.

5) Question: Will the precept increase again if the building’s running costs cannot be met?

Answer: The business case has determined this risk to be low. The building should cover its own costs and fundraise from a variety of sources. The building will be for the people of Thame and surrounding villages. As with any council-owned building, the council may need to provide financial support in the future.

6) Question: Could TTC go bankrupt if running costs cannot be met?

Answer: Evidence so far suggests there is sufficient demand for venue space from existing groups and a growing population in Thame and surrounding areas. A budget forecast will be included with the loan application.

7) Question: What is the need for this Community Centre when Thame already has a several community venues?

Answer: For over 10 years, requests from the community and evidence gathered has demonstrated a need for a 200-capacity venue, whilst also creating a specific youth space. It is also included in the Neighbourhood Plan. A flexibly designed space will enable greater income generation.

8) Question: Do 443 responses from Thame residents supporting the Community Youth Centre out of a population of 13,273 represent ‘overwhelming support’?

Answer: TTC approved at a public meeting in January 2025 to progress the project based on the survey response, with an update coming back to the council in April. The overall response rate is considered to be good by those experienced in such surveys, however the Public Works Loan Board will ultimately decide whether the response is sufficient. Every effort to communicate was made, from a town-wide leaflet drop, to social media, radio and noticeboards.

9) Question: Will the proposed youth centre financially impact other community venues in Thame?

Answer: The business case and surveys indicate that this would not happen, as the current venues in Thame are not fully meeting the current and future needs of the growing town.

10) Comment: Concerns regarding traffic and parking from the proposed development.

Response: The traffic management plan, a specialist produced survey, was produced as part of the planning application process and was approved by Highways prior to planning permission being granted.

Cuttle Brook Local Nature Reserve

11) Question: Will off-lead dog walking continue?

Answer: Dogs must be kept on leads within the reserve. The council has no plans to ban dogs on the reserve, other than in Nontron Meadow which will be closed to the public. As a nature reserve, legislation requires that conservation must be prioritised over recreational uses. Allowing dogs off lead is harmful to wildlife, erodes the riverbanks, and increases the likelihood of out-of-control dogs approaching other uses of the reserve. TTC aspires to find and purchase a dog-walking field.

Development

12) Question: What can be done to encourage empty properties, such as The Swan and Co-Op, to be redeveloped?

Answer: TTC has no control over what businesses go into empty properties, ultimately this is a commercial decision. TTC is expecting there to be a planning application for the former Co-Op site imminently. Some empty shops are actually positive for high streets as they enable businesses to upsize, however long-term empty properties are clearly not ideal.

13) Question: When will development begin on the Windmill Road site?

Answer: The Community Land Trust development aims to break ground in early June.

Infrastructure

14) Question: What is being done to address the lack of sufficient internet connection and full fibre in the town centre?

Answer: OCC have a ‘Digital Infrastructure Programme’ which is working to improve digital infrastructure across Oxfordshire. Their website has more information.

15) Question: Can a public meeting and strategy be organised to plan how Thame’s community will prevent, prepare and respond to future flooding events and explore our wider role as part of a well-managed flood plain in the landscape?

Answer: TTC welcomes this suggestion. Following the flooding in September 2024, OCC will be carrying out a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report which will identify potential causes and make recommendations to prevent future incidents, and will be shared with the community when available. It has been recently announced that OCC has made budget provision to increase drain clearing from every 4 years to annually.

Roads, Transport & Travel

16) Question: Can Cromwell Avenue (on the approaches to Barley Hill School) have traffic calming measures following the new 20mph speed limit?

Answer: TTC will follow this up with the OCC Councillors and Highways. County Councillor Gregory advised that Cromwell Avenue had recently been added to the list of zebra crossing requests. TTC owns ‘speed radar guns’ which residents can be trained on to use. Whilst TTC does not have plans to install digital signage, the suggestion has been noted.

17) Question: Will Nelson Street be made one-way?

Answer: TTC and OCC are working to trial a one-way system from Southern Road to the Fire Station, where it will remain two-way. There will be a local informal consultation soon, however physical changes will not be seen until Spring 2026.

18) Question: When will the Greenway (cyclepath) from Thame to Haddenham finally become reality?

Answer: Work is going on behind the scenes with OCC, Bucks Council and the local MP. OCC have secured money in the 2025/26 budget for a feasibility study. If approved by the new administration, £5million has been allocated for 2026/27 to deliver the project.

Communications

19) Comment: Concerns regarding TTC’s communications with Thame residents.

Response: A vital part of TTC’s role is to ensure residents are informed and involved in decision-making. A range of communication methods are regularly used, both digital and hard-copy versions. Communication should be two-way, and TTC welcomes suggestions on how to reach residents more effectively.

Audience Questions

Community Youth Centre

A range of comments were made regarding the proposed building and can be summarised as follows:

• The turnout on the survey questionnaire does not represent community support
• Community is not interested in this project
• Insufficient communication regarding precept increase consultation
• Concern over raising the precept
• Concern regarding increased traffic on Southern Road / Mitchell Close
• Project cost too high and could be spent on other areas
• Project cost no longer justifiable in the context of post-covid, austerity, and change in Government, with many people struggling financially.
• Project cost large for a town council
• Building would be better placed on the Cattle Market
• Support the provision of a youth centre in Thame
• Support improvements to the area to reduce anti-social behaviour opportunities
• Insufficient consultation with Southern Road residents on the planning application
• Planning application underestimated vehicle use to access the site
• Concern regarding traffic and parking, if the Scout and Guide Huts have events at the same time
• Insufficient evidence of need

The comments raised by the residents received a round of applause.

It was noted that the Town Council had successfully delivered the £3million Football Club project in 2010. Section 106 funds (circa £800,000) available for this project are required to be spent at Southern Road. This is set out in the Section 106 agreement which is complicated to change.

The Town Mayor and Town Clerk thanked the residents for their comments, and agreed to reconvene to discuss the matter further with the council.

Infrastructure and Development

20) Question: What can be done to request that full fibre providers install full fibre in the Town Centre? OCC had been made aware and advised the contractor had until 2027 to complete the works. The lack of full fibre is driving businesses away from Thame.

Answer: It was agreed to follow this up with OCC.

21) Question: Has there been a feasibility study on how the proposed Windmill Road development will impact Windmill Road and residents?

Answer: As part of the planning application approval, OCC approved the vehicle access and construction management plan.

Highways and Parking

22) Question: Can anything be done to prevent disabled spaces being closed for building works, such as by the Market House?

Answer: TTC tried to prevent SODC from temporarily closing the disabled parking space by Market House during the refurbishment of the public toilets, however this was not possible.

23) Question: Information online is showing that both Oxford Road and the bypass are being closed at the same time in June.

Answer: OCC Councillor Gregory agreed to investigate this.

24) Question: In the interest of school children’s safety, can anything be done, such as placing signage, to encourage drivers to drive at the new 20mph speed limit on Oxford Road?

This received a round of applause.

Answer: TTC will investigate signage, however behaviour change of drivers will take time.

25) Comment: Thanks were given to TTC for unanimously supporting 20mph in the town. There has been a reduction in casualties following its implementation.

This received a round of applause.

26) Question: Can the footpath that connects Thame Park Road to the Phoenix Trail / Bertie Road be improved and cleared of mud?

Answer: TTC has been trying to identify who owns the footpath, and will investigate further. TTC is also campaigning for a safe pedestrian crossing on Thame Park Road.

27) Question: The pavement at the Southern Road / High Street junction floods and during cold weather freezes which has caused injury.

Answer: This will be reported to OCC.

Flooding

28) Question: The sewage pumping station at Moorend Lane failed during the heavy rain in September 2024, resulting in sewage being discharged at the Lashlake Brook into residential properties. Thames Water advised they would address the sewage issue in 2024 but this has been delayed twice to 2026. Has TTC had any update from Thames Water?

Answer: TTC has been trying to arrange a meeting with Thames Water, and other relevant stakeholders to address the various issues in Thame, however it has been challenging to find someone to speak to. The Section 19 Flood Investigation Report will increase pressure on Thames Water to act.

A resident shared that if Thames Water had not fulfilled a commitment in their 5-year plan, they should have been picked up by the regulator, and that Thame likely has a strong case to pursue action.

29) Question: Three drains on Wellington Street near the new zebra crossing developed voids. OCC filled them in, but this was done without consulting Thames Water.

Answer: TTC can lobby to improve this issue, however creating a task force / working group to coordinate the lobbying may have greater impact.

30) Comment: It is important that the Environment Agency are engaged wherever rivers are involved, as they have greater authority.

Answer: This was noted

31) Question: A request to clear the drains following flooding in town centre shops had been reported via FixMyStreet however this had not been actioned, and finding out when drains will be cleared is challenging.

Answer: TTC has considered this but clearing the drains would be at TTC’s cost, not OCC who are responsible for clearing the drains. It is hoped that OCC’s annual drain clearing will improve the issue, and TTC will try to find out when drain clearing will occur in Thame.

The Town Mayor concluded the meeting. It is important that the issues raised are not seen as ‘us and them’. Residents and the councils must work and communicate together, and follow the correct processes to report issues rather than social media. The Town Mayor thanked everyone who had attended, whilst not all questions had been answered, the concerns had been heard.

This received a round of applause.

The meeting concluded at 8:55pm

Signed ………………………………                            Date ……………………

Chairman