31 March 2026 – Agenda
SUMMONS TO ATTEND A
MEETING OF THAME TOWN COUNCIL
TO: All Members of Thame Town Council
Cllrs M Baines, D Bretherton, P Cowell, D Dawson, A Dite, D Dodds, H Dollman, M Dyer, L Emery, A Gilbert, C Jones, S McGarry, H Richards, P Swan, A Wainwright, and W Wilde
You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 6.30pm (maximum two hours) in the Upper Chamber (Thame Town Hall) for the transaction of business as set out on the attached agenda.
Mandy Sturdy
Clerk of the Council
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
AGENDA
1) Apologies for Absence
To receive and agree apologies for absence.
2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
To notify of any items that appear in the agenda in which there may be an interest that has not been recorded in the Member’s Register of Interest; and confirmation of any relevant dispensations.
3) Civic Announcements
To receive the report of the Mayor and any such communications as the Mayor may wish to lay before the Council.
4) Public Participation and Public Questions
To consider applications from members of the public to address the Council (5 minutes maximum), in respect of any item of business included in the agenda. Applications to speak must have been received by the Town Clerk no later than 5pm on the last working day preceding the meeting.
To consider questions from members of the public (who live, work or run a business in the Parish). Written questions must have been received by the Town Clerk no later than 4pm on the last working day preceding the meeting.
5) Planning Application – P26/S0179/FUL – Diagnostic Re-agents Ltd Chinnor Road Thame
Demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of 28 dwellings (of which 40% (11) would be affordable housing), together with access and parking/garaging, amenity space (including play area), open space and landscaping, drainage and associated works.
To consider the application and agree a response.
5. Report – P26S0179FUL Diagnostic Re-agents Ltd Chinnor Road (pdf)
6) Planning Application Withdrawal – P25/S4009/D – 47 Aylesbury Road
To note that the application was withdrawn on 20 February 2026 prior to determination.
7) Report from County Councillors
To receive the report, if available from County Councillors J Edwards and K Gregory (10 minutes maximum).
7. Parish Report to Thame PC March 2026 (pdf)
8) Report from South Oxfordshire District Councillors
To receive reports, if available from Cllrs P Barker, D Bretherton, and K Gregory (Maximum of 5 minutes each).
8. SODC report to Thame Town Council 310326 (pdf)
9) 2026/2027 Budget
To note that the Oxfordshire Pension Fund has been reviewed and updated. The employer’s contribution rate has been revised from 21.7% to 19.9% resulting in a saving of £11,492 in the 2026–27 budget.
10) Effectiveness of Internal Control / Financial Risk
To receive a report and approve the measures taken to mitigate financial risks and to review the effectiveness of internal control.
10. Report – Effectiveness of Internal Control & Financial Risk (pdf)
10. Financial – 1. Administration (pdf)
10. Financial – 2. Banking and Investments (pdf)
10. Financial – 3. Expenditure (pdf)
10. Financial – 4. Grants (pdf)
10. Financial – 5. Income (pdf)
10. Financial – 6. Insurance (pdf)
10. Financial – 7. Payroll and Allowances (pdf)
10. Financial – 8. Internal Audit (pdf)
10. Financial – 9. Strategic Risk Register (pdf)
11) Internal Audit 2025-2026
To receive and note second interim report of the Internal Auditor for 2025-26.
11. Report – Internal Audit (pdf)
11. 2nd Interim Internal Audit Report 2025-26 (pdf)
12) 2026 Community Governance Review
To receive a report and consider submitting comments on the Community Governance Review. The consultation is reviewing warding arrangements and parish boundaries.
The warding arrangement is currently (8/8 split) and the LGBCE proposed split is (15/1 split).
The proposed boundary changes for Thame and Great Haseley Parish Councils to amend the boundary to include land currently in Great Haseley parish within Thame parish.
The consultation closes on Thursday 9 April 2026, any changes will be implemented for May 2027 local elections.
12. Report 2026 Community Governance Review (pdf)
13) Rycote GP Practice – S106
To receive a verbal update if available. If required to approve the application to South Oxfordshire District Council to draw down Section 106 funds allocated towards Healthcare in Thame.
14) Thame 2050 Strategy
To consider and approve the vision statement for Thame 2050.
“Thame, a well-being town.”
“By 2050, Thame will be a sustainable market town where well managed change strengthens wellbeing, promotes community and provides opportunity for all generations.”
15) Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs)
To discuss and consider a request from residents for Speed Indicator Devices (SID’s) to be installed on Cromwell Avenue. To agree for Officer time to be allocated to review costings, funding, explore grant opportunities and clarify the required processes. Officer to report to the Community Services Committee for recommendations to be taken to Full Council for approval.
16) Project Link – Demolition of the Changing Rooms
In accordance with the resolution of Full Council on 13 February 2024 to proceed with the construction of the building approved under planning permission P23/S0644/FUL at Southern Road Recreation Ground, Council is asked to approve the commencement of works through the demolition of the existing changing rooms prior to 16 July 2026.
The demolition will constitute the formal start of the approved development. All works will be undertaken within the agreed budget and will only proceed once all relevant planning conditions have been discharged by the Local Planning Authority.
17) Reports from Representatives on External Organisations
To receive reports from the nominated representatives as listed in the report.
17. Council Report – Reports from External Organisations Representatives (pdf)
18) Members Questions (under Standing Order 11)
A Member may ask the Mayor any questions concerning the business of the Council.
19) Minutes
To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 February 2026.
3 February 2026 – Minutes (draft)
20) Corporate Governance Committee
To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the meeting on 3 February 2026.
3 February 2026 – Minutes (draft)
21) Community Services Committee
To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the meeting on 24 March 2026.
24 March 2026 – Minutes (draft)
a. Town Centre Working Group
To receive and approve the membership structure for the Town Centre Working Group.
21a. Town Centre Working Group Terms of Reference (pdf)
b. Communications Strategy
To review the draft Communications Strategy and to agree that this is approved to be adopted.
21b. Report – Communications Strategy and Social Media & Media Relations Policy (pdf)
21b. Appendix A – DRAFT Communications Strategy 24.3.26 (pdf)
22) Planning Committee
To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the meetings on 13 January 2026, 10 February 2026 and 10 March 2026.
10 March 2026 – Minutes (draft)
23) Environment & Assets Committee
To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the meeting on 3 March 2026.
3 March 2026 – Minutes (draft)
a. Public Art Working Group
To receive a report from the Public Art Working Group and to approve the application to South Oxfordshire District Council to draw down Section 106 funds to achieve the Public Art Outcomes above, to a value of up to £83,342.
23a. Public Art Working Group (pdf)
b. Town Hall
To receive a report and consider the recommendation from the Environment & Asset Committee that Company B is contracted to complete remedial works to wooden window frames and redecorate all external windows and doors at a cost of £21,993.77 plus vat. Cost to be taken from the Rolling Capital Fund.
23b. Report – Town Hall External Redecoration (pdf)
c. Thame Museum
To receive a report and consider a recommendation to replace the entrance door.
23c. Report – Thame Museum (pdf)
24) Exclusion of the Public
To move: 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.
25) Charitable Organisation
To receive an overview and guidance from a Charitable organisation.