Council Matters

Woodstock and Bladon News has reported on Council meetings since at least 2022. All reports are available to view on our website: wobl.news/council-matters. Policy for the magazine, as always, is to endeavour to remain professional, balanced, and accurate.

This month we report on two Town Council meetings and one Extraordinary Town Council meeting.

For three issues now, at the end of the regular reports from Town Council meetings space has consistently been offered to OCC, WODC, our MP, and our own WTC to communicate with our readers in the magazine. All parties but the Town Council have taken up the offer. The Town Council has now missed these three opportunities to address our readers.

For copy in this July issue, the Editor emailed an invitation to both the Clerk and the Mayor. No reply was received from either.

Woodstock Town Council

Town Council Meeting on 26 May 2026

7 councillors and 10 members of the public attended the meeting. The OWL recording device was on the table.

Public Participation

2 members of the public spoke. Hilary Brown spoke about community benefit from renewable energy projects. Sustainable Woodstock is encouraging its readers to complete an Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) consultation, also on the Town Council’s agenda for the meeting. There are many renewable projects in the pipeline and OCC are keen to establish a framework to encourage developers to contribute towards community benefit and how this should be managed locally. Following, Rana Lally who, together with Swarn, has operated the Post Office in Woodstock for 22 years spoke regarding their rent increase. Woodstock Town Council owns the building and their property agents have increased the annual rent from £20,500 to £38,700, an increase of nearly 90% which is not affordable and would probably result in the Post Office closing. Rana asked if the rent could be kept at the current level until September 2028 when the current contract expires. The Council did not respond.

Planning

There were no objections to planning applications on Oxford Street, Hensington Road, Blackberry Way and Shipton Road. The Clerk had received 10 emails from Park View residents objecting to road plans through the proposed extended development of Park View and concerns about parking and bus routes. Councillor Wheatley took on board these objections and will include them in the Town Council’s objections to the development to Cherwell District Council. The Clerk will write to Cherwell District Council to see if a Woodstock Town Councillor can speak at their planning meeting, also highlighting the need for S106 development money for the community to be given to Woodstock (in West Oxfordshire District Council).

Owen Wilson from the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service gave a presentation. He was very pleased that the station was not closing in Woodstock and thanked the Council for their support. Owen explained that training and retention of volunteers was difficult in Woodstock. 4 trained firefighters are required for a fire engine to be dispatched and these are not always available. Owen wanted to work with the Town Council to recruit more volunteers in Woodstock.

Mayor and Clerk Reports

The new mayor, Councillor Sarah Williams, thanked Councillor Grant for her help and reported that Woodstock surgery would be sending out letters to residents who are not using the surgery so they might be removed from their list. The Clerk referred to the audit report included in the agenda and asked if the Council should continue with the same auditors, the response being yes. The Council can proceed with co-option for the Councillor vacancy on the Town Council and the position is currently being advertised.

County and District Councillors reports

County Councillor Andy Graham reported a change of leader of the County Council, it is now Councillor Tim Bearder. OCC are working on an investment plan for monies coming from the congestion charge. The Park and Rides around Oxford will continue to be free until August. OCC is continuing to invest more in pothole repairs and resurfacing. There will be an autumn consultation regarding the complete closure

of the A44

outside of the Black Prince to allow cabling work for the Hill Rise development. District Councillors Poskitt and Massie (newly elected following the retirement of Councillor Cooper) reported on two consultations, the first on community benefits from renewable energy schemes, the second on West Oxfordshire District Council’s local plan, relating to climate change action, improving biodiversity and housing. Councillor Poskitt made reference to solar panels being installed on Charlbury Community Centre, funding coming from Section 106, where developers provide funding to mitigate the impact of new developments.

Finance

The current balance is £407,783.

Pothole and Street Works Crisis

Councillor Wheatley offered to write a further letter in response to the Department of Transport’s reply which he felt did not address the current state of our highways and the Government’s responsibility.

New Doctors’ Surgery

The Mayor reported on a recent meeting with Calum Miller MP who gave a number of undertakings including equality, traffic, transport access, costs and parking. From the Town and Palace Dialogue meeting held on 11th May, it became apparent that the proposed surgery on the former Owen Mumford site may not require a full planning application and could proceed as permitted development or as a change of use. If this was the case the Town Council and public would not be consulted and unable to raise any concerns. The District Council will determine whether planning permission is required. An amended letter to Calum Miller will be sent together with one to Councillor Liz Leffman, executive member for planning at the District Council.

Christmas lights

The Clerk has been asked to contact companies to ask for display suggestions and quotes. Wake Up to Woodstock are no longer able to organise the display of small trees on buildings in the town centre and the Council are to consider taking this over. Unspecified reserves would need to be used to cover the additional cost.

Lawn Cemetery

Works needed were discussed including the paths in the original part of the cemetery in need of relaying and the front wall being in poor condition. Also the lychgate roof has now been replaced. 5 new benches are also now in place.

Oxfordshire County Council public consultations

Two were discussed. Cadogan Park area double yellow lines - Councillor Poskitt suggested extending the lines at the corner of Plane Tree Way. Councillor Wheatley presented the second consultation regarding Community Benefit payments from future renewable energy projects and how these would be administered. Councillor Wheatley will propose a response for the next Council meeting.

Tree debris

Councillor Grant reported that following the removal of a tree adjacent to the Brook Hill flood channel, debris was left in the channel which may lead to flooding in the area. The Council agreed that WODC be asked to clear the channel completely.

For full details please refer to the Town Council website for agendas, documents and minutes.

Town Council Meeting on 9 June 2026

7 councillors and 11 members of the public attended the meeting. The Clerk was unable to attend, and Councillor Grant took the minutes.

Public Participation

Hilary Brown from Sustainable Woodstock spoke about the screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing. This is a documentary film that is being shown around the country to encourage discussion about the Climate and Nature crisis and is based on the recent National Emergency Briefing. Hilary encouraged all to go to a screening and put pressure on our MP to call the Government to hold a prime-time TV screening. Annie Cripps asked the Council if it would consider individual microphones for Councillors as it can be particularly difficult to hear certain Councillors when sitting in the public area. Ed Creasey reported to the Council that he had secured money from Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to address the problems of flooding in the Water Meadows which can be used to repair river banks and clear the trash screen. He thanked the Councillors responsible for the Water Meadows for their support. Ed confirmed that the trash screen at the A44 end of the Water Meadows that becomes blocked and leads to flooding is the responsibility of the Town Council. He has written many times to the Council, including a petition from 42 residents, but has had no response. Ed asked for a response as it is the polite thing to do. Sadly, as is the current format of public participation, the Mayor would not allow any comments from the Councillors.

Planning

There were no objections to the applications from the Star with no comment on the change of use proposed. There were also no objections to applications from Mavor Close and Bear Close. The Council agreed on a proposed bus gate between the Park View development and the proposed adjacent development on land south of Perdiswell Farm.

Mayor and Clerk Reports

The Mayor reported that a member of the public had been offensive toward a member of the Council staff and that this was not acceptable and the staff have the full support of the Council. Regarding the Post Office, the Council is not seeking to double the rent, this is the figure proposed by the Council’s property agents and negotiations are ongoing before it comes before the Council. A parking working group was suggested as retailers are complaining their trade is being impacted by the parking situation in Woodstock. Councillor Cooper questioned the need for the parking working group as the Traffic Advisory Committee can address this. Councillor Grant suggested another parking survey. The motion for the parking working group was defeated. Councillor Dawson supported the idea of using microphones to be used at Council meetings and asked the cost. The Clerk’s report also referred to Councillors not speaking up at meetings impacting the accuracy and completeness of minutes. The Clerk asked Councillors to speak clearly and at sufficient volume.

County and District Councillors reports

County Councillor Andy Graham was not able to attend the meeting. West Oxfordshire District Councillors Poskitt and Massie reported that branches had been cleared in the drainage gully on Brook Hill and that the remaining logs were above the flood plain. Councillor Grant added that nothing should be in the drainage channel and would meet with Councillor Massie. The swimming pool open season is May 23rd to 30th August with heating from 20th July.

Finance

Several entries were incorrect or not complete. The reconciliation (balances) was said to be correct. The Council voted to approve the finances. The current balance is £407,783.14.

AGAR

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return, a statutory annual financial and governance document demonstrating current and transparent use of public funds, was passed for external audit. This is available to the public.

Tree Works

A tree inspection report from Dowdeswell Forestry was presented where trees throughout the 7 sites with Council responsibility had been assessed. Trees listed as high priority, found in the Water Meadows, The Old Woodstock Line and New Road Playground, should be dealt with within a month. Two quotes for the high and medium priority work were received, Councillor Poskitt noted the very different prices, the cheaper of the two was chosen. Councillor Dawson noted that the budget would need to be increased for next year to cover these costs.

OCC Formal Consultations

Councillor Poskitt will write to OCC to extend the double yellow lines at the cross roads of Plane Tree Way and Flemmings Road. Councillor Wheatley was thanked for his detailed response to the Community Benefit for Renewables consultation.

Pothole and Street Works Crisis

Draft letters to both the Department of Transport and OCC Highways proposed by Councillor Wheatley were approved.

For full details please refer to the Town Council website for agendas, documents and minutes.

Extraordinary Town Council Meeting on 16 June 2026

5 Councillors were present, with the Clerk in attendance.

7 members of the public also attended.

Prior to the meeting

Five members of the public had hoped to have the opportunity to speak on the Budgens application but were informed that there is no public participation slot in Extraordinary Town Council Meetings and therefore would not be heard.

Planning

11 Hill Rise

The two applications were considered together, although reference number 26/01294/HHD had already been granted but not proceeded with. The second application Reference number 17/00781/HHD. It was noted that no objections had been received from neighbours. The Council noted no objections.

2 Chaucers Lane

Concern was expressed re neighbours now being overlooked with the proposed replacement of opaque glass and the proposal that the window would now open. With that objection noted, there were no further objections.

Application for new premises licence for Budgens Park View

Discussion focussed on the proposed opening hours of the proposed store with Councillors considering that 11pm closing time was too late for a residential area.

Confidential

There followed a proposal for the press and public to be excluded from the meeting while Councillors received a report from the property agent, due to the delicate nature of this report. Councillors had not received a copy of the report and therefore some considered that they were not in a position to judge whether the contents were confidential or not.

Cllr Grant reminded all that although WODC had no such limitation on the discussion of potentially confidential documents in their meetings, the Woodstock Town Council was following the advice of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) for reasons of GDPR, to protect the identities of individuals. Confidential reports were not circulated in advance for the same reason; in case they were stolen from a car or property or lost. The proposal to exclude the press and public from the discussion of the Property Agent’s report was eventually passed, with three councillors in favour, one against and one abstention.

For full details please refer to the Town Council website for agendas, documents and minutes.

Recordings of Town Council Meetings

As previously reported, the Town Council has regrettably not taken advantage of this magazine's offer to talk to Woodstock residents.

Fortunately, the magazine has reported on council meetings since 2022. Since November 2024, we have also made legal recordings to assist in our reporting. With the new interest in Council Matters; it is now time to make them publicly available. They can be viewed (some are audio only) at https://www.youtube.com/@WoodstockCouncilMatters