12 August 2025 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Thame Town Council held on 12 August 2025 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Town Hall, Thame.
Present:
Cllrs M Baines, D Bretherton, P Cowell, D Dawson (Deputy Mayor), A Dite, H Dollman, M Dyer, L Emery, A Gilbert (Town Mayor), C Jones, H Richards, P Swan, A Wainwright and W Wilde
Officers
M Sturdy, Town Clerk
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Communications Manager
The Chairman reminded Councillors of the wreath laying event this Friday (15 August) to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
1) Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Dodds (personal) and McGarry (personal).
RESOLVED:
- To accept the apologies and reason given from Cllrs Dodds (personal) and McGarry (personal).
2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
The following interests were declared but these did not preclude the councillors from debating or voting as the interest has previously been registered or dispensations are in place:
- Cllr Jones – Item 8 – Councillor representative for Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve
- Cllr Emery – Item 13 – Thame Youth Projects Volunteer
- Cllr Wainwright – Item 13 – Councillor representative for Thame Youth Projects
- Cllr Cowell – Item 13 – Thame Youth Projects trustee
- Cllr Dollman – Item 11 – Music in the Park trustee
Cllr Bretherton declared an interest in item 7 as a treasurer of Thame Community Land Trust and abstained from voting on this item.
3) Civic Announcements
The Mayor acknowledged the recent unveiling of the blue plaque for John Henry Smythe which was a great event which Thame and everyone involved should be very proud of.
4) Public Participation and Public Questions
A resident of Thame for over 30 years spoke in support of the Town Council’s work and commended councillors on their recent positive decisions. The resident acknowledged that Councillors are not paid and thanked them giving their time and effort voluntarily for the community. A range of projects were highlighted with thanks given to the respective councillors involved: introduction of 20mph; Thame Sportive event; Thame Pride; withdrawing from fossil fuel investments; preserving the Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve. The resident aspired for a more pedestrian-friendly town centre and encouraged the council to look at ‘The Pedestrian Pound’.
The council accepted the recognition on behalf of all the volunteers involved in making these projects happen. Suggestions were welcome on how the council can improve its communications.
5) Digital Infrastructure – Thame High Street (Presentation)
The council received a presentation from the Digital Infrastructure Programme Director at Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) regarding options for improving broadband and wireless connectivity on Thame’s High Street.
OCC’s digital infrastructure programme has delivered improved broadband in the last 10 years, with 99% of Oxfordshire now on superfast broadband. The focus is now incentivising operators to invest in areas that have not yet benefited from improved broadband. In Thame, the town centre is one of these areas due to the challenges and high costs associated with installing fibre connections. OCC have now partnered with a private company to deliver a wireless solution utilising lighting columns to provide 5G internet into residential and retail properties in town centres such as Thame.
The 5G broadband should supply download speeds of 500mb/second and upload speeds of 250mb/second.
The map provided with the presentation appeared to show gaps in superfast broadband coverage in residential areas. The map does not show all layers, but further detail will be circulated post-meeting.
The proposals will be privately funded so the only cost to residents will be the cost of the broadband package. The company will need to gauge interest locally and secure customers to ensure the scheme is financially viable.
The Town Council is a key stakeholder and will continue to be involved in discussions regarding the proposals. The lighting columns are covered under Permitted Development and a notice of the works must be given to the local planning authority.
Both TTC and OCC have been contacted by a number of high street businesses and individuals who have issues with the current broadband supply.
Whilst the proposals are for a wireless solution, fibre connections will be required at the edges of the town centre.
OCC were invited to join town councillors on their monthly stall at Thame Market to promote the scheme and connect with town centre businesses.
6) Thames Valley Police (Presentation)
Cllr Emery briefly left the meeting during this item.
The council received a presentation from Thames Valley Police on the latest policing matters in Thame.
The local policing team covers Thame, Chinnor and Watlington and comprises an Inspector, Sergeant, three Police Constables and a PCSO. The police team hold ‘have your say’ events which are advertised, as well as work in partnership with local authorities, trading standards, social services, and housing associations. Crime statistics were provided for the Thame area over the last 6 months, with 1,100 reports relating to ‘concerns for safety’ many of which required referrals to mental health or social providers. Examples of recent incidents and the police response were provided. Funding has been secured to relaunch the Thame Shopwatch with improved technology and connections to the CCTV system. This should result in improved response rates to town centre issues, particularly shoplifting which is hugely underreported currently.
Most shops now have a ‘no confrontation policy’ on shoplifting. The police have limited resources to respond but encourage shoplifting to be reported so it can be followed up afterwards.
The police have limited resources and no speed guns to enforce speed limits. Community speed watch schemes can assist. Overall, the 20mph speed limits appear to be reducing average speeds. The police can request speed vans in the Town Centre.
Parking on zigzags outside Lord Williams’s Lower School remains an issue. It was noted that ticketing is a temporary solution but that barriers may be more effective.
The police had observed an increase in digital crime, such as fraud, and noted the impact of the closure of most of the banks in Thame.
The council thanked the police for their presentation, and for their work with limited resources.
7) Thame Community Land Trust – Custodian Trustee Request
The report was noted. It was clarified that the role of the custodian would be to protect the trust whilst enabling a greater number of people to become shareholders. Thanks were given to Bob Austin for his ongoing work on this project.
RESOLVED:
- To accept the role of Custodian Trustee for the Thame Community Land Trust.
- To approve the Town Council’s continued support for the Thame Community Land Trust in its efforts to provide affordable homes for Thame residents or those with a close family relationship to Thame.
8) Planning Application Amendment – P23/S4262/FUL – Land North of Oxford Road
Full application for 111 residential dwellings including new highways, associated infrastructure, sustainable urban drainage systems, pumping stations, demolition of agricultural buildings, green infrastructure and ancillary works (additional Information and amended plans received 10 June 2025).
The report was noted. Changes to the site’s landscaping have addressed some of the Town Council’s previous objections, as well as those of the District’s Landscape Officer. The remaining objections relate to the proposals not being compliant with Thame Neighbourhood Plan policy GDH1d in terms of the quantum and distribution of housing, and that the risk of flooding to built development has not been satisfactorily addressed. It was noted that submission of further amended plans are imminent.
The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer advised the council that the applicant has offered the council to take on the ownership and management of the publicly accessible open space, totalling 18.78hectares, allocated for recreation and on-site Biodiversity Net Gain. The management of this would be defined by a management plan. This offer is just for information until officers have established feasibility.
The council raised points regarding off-lead dog-walking, costs associated with managing a biodiversity net gain area, the footpath type, and provision of an all-seasons footpath. The council provisionally felt that Thame residents would benefit more from the area being managed by the council rather than the developer based on the experience of other residential developments in Thame.
RESOLVED:
- To submit a holding objection to planning applicationP23/S4262/FUL on the grounds set out in the Officer report.
- To submit a comment that Thame Town Council recognises the applicant’s intention to submit revised plans, and as such a holding objection should be submitted to give time for the Town Council to receive and review comments submitted to the District Council from bodies on future flood risk and other matters.
9) Reports from County Councillors
The report was noted. County Councillor Edwards highlighted from the report the consultation on devolution and that the councillor priority fund is now open.
Councillors expressed frustration at the lack of updates and transparency on the Haddenham-Thame Greenway project. Cllr Edwards shared the frustration and will chase for an update to include in the next report.
Councillors questioned why the Cabinet no longer had a SEND member? SEND is being brought in with the Children Services area of work now it is no longer in a crisis situation. Cllr Gregory will have more information.
Councillors were disappointed that Thame’s annual drain / gully cleaning is not scheduled until February / March 2026, when blocked drains were a known issue when Thame experienced serious flooding in September 2024. The Town Clerk reported that Thame’s Section 19 Report following that flooding event is due this September.
A question was raised regarding the impact of local government reorganisation on current council projects. County Councillor Edwards advised that the current administration intends to press ahead on existing projects. As and when a new council is formed there will be a ‘shadow’ year whilst the new council is being established.
10) Reports from South Oxfordshire District Councillors
Cllrs Dawson and Emery temporarily left the meeting and returned during this item.
The report was noted. The councillor grants scheme is now open for applications and each District Councillor has £7,500 available for capital projects. Thanks were given to the District Councillors, whose grants this year helped fund the blue plaque.
It was highlighted that SODC have purchased an industrial site in Great Haseley that they were previously hiring from Biffa.
There was discussion regarding the Cattle Market lease and the proposed Lidl development. District Cllr Bretherton advised that whilst Lidl’s plans will be a commercial decision, SODC should develop a plan for the Cattle Market site, in consultation with the Town Council, in the next two years as this is when the lease will expire.
11) Reports from Representatives on External Organisations
The reports were noted.
Thame Good Neighbour Scheme: Cllr Dollman provided a verbal update in the absence of a written report. Since the last report, the number of clients has increased by 9 to 349, and one new volunteer has joined. Transport remains the most frequent request, but volunteers have helped with ironing, cleaning, shopping, befriending and paperwork. Publicity to recruit more volunteers could enable more requests to be completed.
21st Century Thame: A request was made for the Town Council’s Maintenance Team to be keyholders for the Equipment Bank. The Town Clerk advised this can be considered but that the team are busy and would only be available during working hours.
Chinnor Rugby Club: Recent construction works relate to the new spectators stand. A suggestion was made for future fireworks at the Rugby Club to be more considerate of residents.
Thame Carnival: It was highlighted that the carnival team has stepped down, and there are currently no volunteers to take it on.
12) Schedule of Meetings 2025-26
It was noted that the Personnel Committee meeting originally scheduled for 29 September 2025 has been moved to 1 October 2025.
Given that the January Full Council meeting is when the precept is set, the change of date should be subject to the District Council accepting this. If accepted, Officers will confirm the new date via email.
RESOLVED:
- To approve that the Full Council meeting on 20 January 2026 be rescheduled to 27 January 2026, subject to the District Council approving the revised date.
13) Community Youth Centre
The Town Clerk verbally updated the council that the total estimated cost from the quantity surveyor is currently £4,505,500. The S106 funding has been applied for, and a decision is expected by 23 October 2025. The application for the Public Works Loan is currently being assessed and feedback is expected imminently. The council and community will be updated as soon as further information is available.
14) Thame Strategy
It was noted that work is progressing on a Strategy document for Thame, the output from a Council workshop in May has been shared with councillors and staff. A presentation / workshop is planned for 15 September 2025 to share the process and progress to date with members of the community.
15) Members Questions (under Standing Order 11)
No questions were raised.
16) Minutes
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 June 2025 were received.
RESOLVED that:
- The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2025 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
17) Corporate Governance Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2025 were noted.
18) Community Services Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2025 were noted.
19) Environment & Assets Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2025 were noted.
20) Planning Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2025 were noted. There was some disagreement as to whether the proposed street name (Item 7) should have an apostrophe.
The meeting concluded at 8:26pm.
Signed ………………………
Chairman, 14 October 2025