Dear Ms Griffin

Please find attached the FOI response on behalf of West Oxfordshire
District Council.

Best regards

Natalie Blaken

Natalie Blaken
Head of Planning and Sustainable Communities
West Oxfordshire District Council
Tel: 01993 861658

For information on Council Services visit [1]www.westoxon.gov.uk

Make the most of West Oxfordshire visit [2]www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org

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Dear Ms Griffin

I am writing in response to your request for a review of the Council’s
response to the FoI request you made in relation to the above matter.

Your third question asked ‘On what grounds is a sign informing the public
that Witney is a Fairtrade Town categorised as advertising’. In response
to that request it was confirmed that the control of advertising is as
specified and detailed in the Town and Country Planning (Control of
Advertisements) Regulations 2007. 

This was a factual response.  In responding to a FOI request it is not
appropriate for the Council to enter into a discussion on the merits of a
decision that it has taken or provide an interpretation of planning
legislation or regulations.  However, in this instance I would refer you
to the Government’s Planning Portal and its guide to advertisements.  This
provides advice on signs and notices which require advertisement consent. 
The guide is available at
[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...

A notice which identifies Witney as a Fairtrade sign is considered to be a
sign or notice informing and indeed ‘advertising’ Witney as a Fairtrade
Town and therefore falls within the Control of Advertisement provisions as
described in the 2007 regulations. The guidance specifically includes the
following:

“What is an ‘advertisement’?

The advertisement control system covers a very wide range of
advertisements and signs including:

·         posters and notices

·         placards and boards

·         fascia signs and projecting signs

·         pole signs and canopy signs

·         models and devices

·         advance signs and directional signs

·         estate agents’ boards

·         captive balloon advertising (not balloons in flight)

·         flag advertisements

·         price markers and price displays

·         traffic signs

·         town and village name-signs”

The query was raised by Councillor Richard Langridge, who enquired whether
consent was needed for the sign, and has told me that the question of
whether consent was needed was raised with him by a member of the public.

Whilst it is, strictly, not within the remit of an FoI request/response, I
would also comment that the fact that the Council determines that consent
is needed is not, of course, an indication of whether or not such consent
would be granted if an application was submitted.

Yours sincerely

Keith Butler

Head of Legal and Democratic Services

West Oxfordshire District Council

01993 861521

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Kate
Thanks very much - you're welcome.
Regards
Keith

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