Decision
Analysis
outcome: The decision was to allocate funding for the replacement of the lifts at Marriotts Walk.
summary: The decision at stake is the allocation of funds from building maintenance reserves for the replacement of lifts at Marriotts Walk, Witney.
topline: The Council has decided to allocate funding for the replacement of lifts at Marriotts Walk in Witney.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as there was discussion about potentially recharging part of the replacement cost to retail and residential tenants, which could challenge the viability of the scheme for the occupiers.
affected_stakeholders: ["Council", "Retail and residential tenants of Marriotts Walk", "Residents of Witney"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=498
Decision Maker: Executive, Council
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: Yes
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: Request to allocate capital funding to replace 3 lifts at Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre in Witney
Content: Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, presented the item, the purpose of which was to request approval of the allocation of part of the building maintenance earmarked reserves for the replacement of the lifts at Marriotts Walk, Witney. In his presentation the Executive Member made the following points: · The financial detail to the report was contained in exempt annex A. Discussion of this detail was not required in public session, though it had been considered by the Executive. · The proposal was that the lifts would be replaced on one contract but not at the same time. The option of planning lift replacements on a one per year basis was discounted as this would take the last lift past end of life and increased the cost of the scheme overall, ongoing maintenance and part replacement costs. · There was an option to recharge part of the lift replacement cost to the retail and residential tenants of the centre. This would challenge the viability of the scheme for the occupiers as the tenants currently had a high service charge burden compared to other similar schemes as they were responsible for the costs of the multi-storey car park which was usually met by car parking charges in other areas of the country. · The centre was a contributor to the Council’s income which funded services for residents. In 2025/26 Marriotts had made a net contribution to the Council’s finances of £454,890. This was a significant source of revenue and an important contributor to the town and therefore current improvements and maintenance were required. Councillor Smith proposed accepting the recommendations of the report. Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposals. Councillor Andy Graham reassured the meeting that the lifts were safe but did need to be replaced and that the replacement projects would minimise disruption to residents and the centre users. The proposals were put to the vote and were agreed unanimously. The Executive resolved to: 1. Recommend to Council to allocate funding from earmarked reserves to replace the lifts at Marriotts Walk 2. Delegate authority to the Director Finance in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance to approve the final cost of works and use of contingency up to the full amount detailed at Annex A.
Date of Decision: July 15, 2026