04 April 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Community, Leisure & Recreation Committee held on 4 April 2023 at 7.10pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs N Champken-Woods (Chairman), P Cowell (Town Mayor), A Dite (Deputy Mayor), M Dyer, L Emery (Deputy Chairman), K Gregory, C Jones, H Richards and T Wyse

Non Voting:

Cllr Fickling

Officers

M Sturdy, Town Clerk
C Pinnells, Community Services Manager
A Oughton, Operations Manager
L Fuller, Committee Services Officer
C Peecock, Communications & Events Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Bretherton (personal) and Deacock (personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

There were no applications to address the Committee.
There were no questions put to the Committee.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 7 February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED that:

Minutes were agreed and correct.
Proposed: Cllr Jones
Seconded: Cllr Dite
Vote: Unanimous

5 Budget Summary

Members received the Budget Summary up to 28 February 2023, and had no issues.

6 Reports from Representatives on External Organisations

The reports were noted.

7 Community Youth Centre Working Group

The planning application was brought to full council, who supported the application. The working group is now moving towards next steps.

8 Open Spaces Working Group

Motion put forward that Open Spaces Working Group becomes a subcommittee, allowing more power and delegation on future work.

Members also asked what is happening with Thame Show Ground, the council is working to see if it can make it an asset of community value, as well as other options.

RESOLVED that:

The Community Leisure and Recreation Committee approve the creation and Terms of Reference for a Sub-Committee, named the Open Spaces Sub-Committee, with the delegated responsibility for the delivery of the S106 project to improve areas within Elms Park; To include the moving of the MUGA, creation of new pathways, a performance area and replacement of play equipment subject to agreed, regular update reporting.
Proposed: Cllr Cowell
Seconded: Cllr Jones
Vote: Unanimous

9 Fair Working Group

Members received an update on the latest Fair Working Group meeting.

Positive meeting with 3 members of the Showman Guild, following which the agreement has been drafted. Terms of agreement is 3 years, with new force majeure clause.
Further health and safety meetings need to be in place
Recognition on both sides that there had been no price change in many years, further requests have come through from the Showmen’s Guild for information on the new fees. Officers are aiming to get the agreement finalised and signed as soon as possible.

The team was thanked for their work.

10 Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen Consort

Following on from last meeting, the screen is not in favour due to costings.

Union Flag mapped onto town hall was investigated but will not be taken further due to issues with the road / driving past (health and safety).

We have pursued activities for children, residents, and businesses. Bunting has been approved for1 month for May along the Butter Market. Market will also have bunting, as they are part of Royal Charter.

2000x wildflower seeds packets have been ordered for all primary school students, with spares for the Senior Friendship Centre and/or Red Kite. The seeds will be attached to a A5 leaflet with a bunting stencil for children to colour in and take to the library to decorate the space.
Museum will be running craft events, so we would like to donate some money towards their activities.
Window Wanderland for businesses.
Planting an oak tree was approved by the Open Spaces Working Group.

We will be purchasing a flag with King Charles’ III emblem to use for Coronation weekend and future event, picture in report.
Community Facebook poll showed people are struggling. To honour King Charles’ III Big Help on the Monday, we would like to donate £1,500 to Sharing Life’s new scheme which provides top up boxes for those who are just below the poverty line. Top up boxes provide a month of basics and have different levels depending on numbers in each family. There was concern this may not be a sufficient donation to make a meaningful difference, however Members were reminded that the Town Council’s grant scheme is currently open and could provide additional support that way.

RESOLVED that:

To approve Thame Town Council’s involvement as outlined in item 5 of this report in the celebrations of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.
Proposed: Cllr Jones
Seconded: Cllr Wyse
Vote: Unanimous
To approve the donation of £1,500 to Sharing Life to aid Thame & Moreton families recognised by Citizens Advice for a “Top up of basic essentials”, as part of the Big Give.
Proposed: Cllr Wyse
Seconded: Cllr Gregory
Vote: Unanimous

11 Town Awards

Panel meeting last week was positive. Very minor changes and updates as marked in report.
5 categories, left it as Volunteer of the Year (can be an individual or group)

The panel were happy with previous work, want to promote the awards at more Thame events and with paid social media advertisement.

Sponsorship in progress, no need to go to council for extra money.

Voting is open early May, ends in June, awards in July!
Council asked who was on the panel, confirmed there are 9 members on panel, with Chair of CLR as a member (currently Cllr Champken-Woods) with the rest being a mix of people who work within the community such as sports clubs, Citizens Advise, the church etc.

Council also questioned sporting category but as per the report the award is for both achievement and/or contribution so open to sports people and coaches/managers.
Also confirmed to be a winner, you do not need to live in Thame but need to be within the community either through working or involvement with a community/sports club etc.

12 Thame Carnival

It was agreed that the Communications and Events Officer would send a doodle poll with ideas around 3 categories: Thame Town Awards, Biodiversity and The History of Thame/ Blue Plaques

13 Maintenance Report

The report was noted.

Cllr Jones mentioned a strip of grass by Lord Williams’s School, which the Operations Manager agreed to look into.

The meeting concluded at 7:45pm.

Signed ………………………………

Chairman, 18 July 2023