14 October 2025 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Thame Town Council held on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Town Hall, Thame.
Present:
Cllrs M Baines, D Bretherton, P Cowell, 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
B Reid, Environmental Project Officer
A Oughton, Operations Manager
J Doherty, Committee Services Officer
1) Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Dawson (Deputy Mayor) (personal), Dodds (personal) and McGarry (personal).
RESOLVED:
i. To accept the apologies and reason given from Cllrs Dawson (Deputy Mayor) (personal), 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 Bretherton declared in interest in item 5, 11 and 13 as SODC Cllr, and treasure of Thame Community Land Trust.
3) Civic Announcements
The Mayor attended the event to officially open the Mayor’s Charity Golf Day on 3 October 2025 but did not remain to participate in the activities.
4) Public Participation and Public Questions
There were no applications to address the Council.
There were no questions put to the Council.
5) Planning Application Amendment – P23/S4262/FUL – Land North of Oxford Road
The report was noted.
Questions raised regarding Thame / Haddenham greenway. Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer raised that perhaps now we could seek seed funding or similar.
Discussed the benefit of the dog walking paddock and also the potential of the BNG area to become an extension to the Cuttle Brook LNR, with appropriate (fenced) access.
Concern from residents that the drainage and sewage network not adequate for further property development. The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer (NPCO) reports that Thames Water state adequate for sewerage; however, they have requested improvements at Thame’s sewage treatment works.
Discussed the number of affordable homes, open spaces and pleased that Thame Town Councils recommendations have been considered and implemented.
Discussed road names and locations at new housing Estates; properties are difficult to locate. Could this be improved at the new Estate.
Discussed BNG Biodiversity Net Gain, it was noted the on-site offer would exceed the 10% required by policy. It was queried if the excess would remain with the developer, landowner or the Town Council, if it took the land on. The NPCO stated it was not yet known if TTC would automatically become the provider, but when discussed with the case officer no concerns had been raised.
RESOLVED:
SUPPORTS subject to the following:
i. Subject to the risk of flooding to built development being satisfactorily addressed, as required by TNP2 Policy GDH1d.
ii. It is advised that the following comments are submitted:
a. The applicant’s affordable housing size mix better reflects the needs identified within both the 2022 Thame Housing Needs Assessment and the 2023 Joint SODC / Vale of White Horse Joint Housing Needs Assessment than those recommended by the District’s Housing Team.
b. First Homes should be provided at 50% of market rate to be affordable to residents, as evidenced by the 2022 Thame Housing Needs Assessment and the District Council’s Housing Team’s response of 25/09/2025.
c. The Town Council noted that within the submitted 20 August 2025 Travel Plan it was stated that both the site and Thame are within cycling distance of Thame and Haddenham Parkway (paragraphs 3.14 and 3.18). The only feasible route currently available is along the single carriageway A418, partly up a steep hill. Very few cyclists have the levels of confidence and fitness required to use this route. Oxfordshire County Councillors have, however, just confirmed the allocation of funds to commence an enabling combined walking and wheeling route project between Thame and Haddenham. The Town Council wished to raise the importance of this route ahead of planning obligations being considered further.
6) Reports from County Councillors
The report was noted. County Councillors J Edwards and K Gregory were in attendance.
Councillors expressed all were pleased to see progression with Haddenham to Thame Greenway. Cllr Edwards and Gregory should be able to update in confidence at the next meeting. Noted MP Freddie van Mierlo will be cycling the route on 5 December 2025.
The Oxford congestion charge exemption and permits was discussed. Residents of Oxfordshire can apply for 25 permits per year, without charge online. Noted Park & Ride bus transport free to the end of January; car parking remains chargeable.
A question was raised regarding OCC controlling the free flow of city centre buses by licensing the bus companies.
Nelson Street, clarification required on the terminology RFQ (request for quote). No progression since last meeting.
7) Reports from South Oxfordshire District Councillors
Joint Local Plan was rejected by planning inspectors, Leaders have written a robust letter, and Government have written to inspectors to be easier on plans.
The Councillor grants scheme is now open for applications. Noted that public awareness with groups and charities needs to be increased. Noted no applications received to date.
Noted extra garden waste collections 27/10 and 7/11 for communications.
Discussed proposal to change boundary between Great Haseley & Thame Town Council, which would be supported by Cllr Gregory and will be given greater consideration later in the meeting.
8) Members Questions (under Standing Order 11)
Question received regarding widening Elms Park gate and moving the gates further back onto the site to allow easier access by vehicles and prevent hold-ups on Park Street. Note to review.
Question received regarding Elms Park water fountain to be reinstated. Note to review.
Question received regarding status of Wellington Street repairs and road closures. Note Community Services Manager is monitoring.
It was agreed that these questions would be noted and reviewed individually.
9) External Audit
Noted. No concerns or comments.
10) Internal Audit
Noted. No concerns or comments.
11) Thame Community Land Trust
The report was noted.
RESOLVED:
i. To accept the role of Custodian for the Thame Community Land Trust subject to registration of the amended rules by the FCA.
12) Land Management Officer
Cllrs Edwards and Gregory left the meeting during this item.
Thame Town Council wishes to recruit a part-time Land Management Officer on a fixed-term 3-year contract. Role would be for 2 days per week; and role holder would be required to set targets in year 1 to meet in years 2 and 3. This needs to be an employed position for continuity of support.
RESOLVED:
i. To agree that Thame Town Council apply to South Oxfordshire District Council to pull down S106 to the value of £177k 20% of which will go towards the employment of a part-time Land Management Officer at Thame Town Council.
ii. Subject to 1 above, the approval of S106 funds, that the Town Council move to recruit a part-time Land Management Officer on a fixed term contract.
13) Community Governance Review
Great Haseley Parish Council support the proposal to consider changing the parish boundary. Thame Town Council have been working with Great Haseley Parish Council to submit a joint boundary proposal.
RESOLVED:
i. To approve the boundary proposal to be submitted jointly to South Oxfordshire District Council, with the support of Great Haseley Parish Council.
14) Local Government Reorganisation
Discussed the three proposals; regarding considering devolved services which Thame Town Council could take on as part of Government reorganisation to enable more detailed investigations and preparations of business cases for submission to Council and subsequently the successful unitary authority.
Consider what Thame Town Council could seek management control and responsibility of, with funding and what allocation of funding would be made available. Assets include Thame Leisure Centre, Thame Cattle Market, Red Kite Centre and North Street Toilets. Discussed additional liabilities and personnel hours required should Thame Town Council be responsible for additional assets and services; and what additional long-term funding would be provided.
Agreed to consider services that Thame Town Council could take on as part of Government reorganisation to enable more detailed investigations, due diligence and preparations of business cases for submission to Council and subsequently the successful unitary authority.
RESOLVED:
i. Waiting for further information to facilitate further discussions.
15) Proposal – Thame and Baesweiler Friendship Agreement
Discussed establishing friendship agreement with Baesweiler in Germany; direct responsibility for leading discussions and all costings to be met by the Twinning Association.
RESOLVED:
i. To continue discussions on the proposal of a friendship agreement between Thame and Baesweiler in Germany.
16) Minutes
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 12 August 2025 were received.
RESOLVED that:
i. The minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2025 are confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
17) Planning Committee
The minutes of the meetings held on 26 August 2025 and 23 September 2025 were noted.
18) Exclusion to the Public
MOVED:
i. That under Section 1, Paragraph 2 of The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
19) Personnel Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2025 were noted.
RESOLVED:
i. To approve the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to allow for a salary budget of £858,610 to be included in the Annual Budget discussions, inclusive of employer costs, scale point increments and a predicted cost of living increase of 4% for 2026/27.
The meeting concluded at 8.31pm.
Signed ………………………
Chair, 2 December 2025