Note of the Annual Town Meeting held on Saturday 9 May 2026 in the Council Chamber (Draft)
Present: Cllr Widgery (Chair), Cllr Luxford-Vaughan, Cllr Hailes-Morley, Cllr Harmon, Cllr D Burke, Cllr S Burke, Cllr Aldis, Cllr Smith, Town Clerk, 21 members of the public and the guest speaker Ed Appleby.
All councillors introduced themselves.
Cllr Widgery congratulated Cllr Luxford-Vaughan who was re-elected as a Council City Councillor on 7 May.
A minute’s silence was held for Jim Young, a much-loved member of the WTC team who passed away on 5 May.
Ed thanked everyone for their welcome and spoke about how he had started skating at a young age, winning his first national title at 11 years old. Millfields primary school had been very supportive.
He said that the winter Olympics experience had been amazing- Team GB did really well and it had been great to share the Olympic village with athletes from all over the world. He was asked about the biggest sacrifice he had made but he said that this had been made by his parents who had supported him. He explained how routines and music are chosen and how there is still a lack of facilities in the UK. A member of the public said that she recalled WTC giving him some funding when he had started skating and it had been a pleasure to watch him at the Olympics and to meet him once again.
Ed was thanked by everyone for sharing his story.
When are the changes to recycling being introduced– Cllr Luxford-Vaughan (as CCC councillor) responded that a CCC statement will be issued soon. Wheelie bins are being introduced but the roll out will be phased.
What is the current position regarding the Bike Kitchen– The councillors explained that rather than engage with WTC, the Bike Kitchen had taken legal action. Mediation had been offered and WTC had supported this group for 13 years. A member of the public commented that they had seen the social media posts and understood that perfectly suitable alternative locations had been offered to the group. The councillors agreed that the alternatives offered were suitable in WTC’s view, i.e in the council yard, which would be more central in the town.
Also, that rent increases and for bills to be paid by a tenant are standard requirements under a lease agreement.
WTC must be fair and inclusive to all.
A member of the public commented that they understood the situation now and that WTC could help others have an understanding by sharing more information and being consistently transparent.
It was commented that it was a pity that those who were most vocal about this matter on social media had not attended this meeting.
Moving Image- Query about moving items for other hall users A query was raised about the need to move stored items for the panto group. The Town Clerk asked them to come into the office to discuss.
The Chair closed the meeting.