Chipping Norton Town Council to Bring Grounds Maintenance In-House from April 2025
At Chipping Norton Town Council, we have listened to your concerns, and we are excited to share a significant step we’re taking to improve the appearance and upkeep of our town. From April 2025, the Council will be bringing the grounds maintenance service in-house, providing us with greater control, flexibility, and the ability to respond swiftly to any issues.
Why this change? One of the most common enquiries and complaints we receive is about the state of the town’s public spaces. From overgrown grass to untidy planters, our residents want Chipping Norton to be a town that we can all be proud of. Civic pride is important to us all, and that’s why we’re making this bold move to bring grounds maintenance under direct Council management.
What does this mean for you? By having our own dedicated, in-house grounds and maintenance team, we will be able to:
- Increase flexibility: Our team will be on the ground daily, able to react quickly to any issues that arise.
- Improve accountability: Because the service is being delivered directly by the Council, we will ensure standards are consistently high.
- Showcase our passion for Chipping Norton: Our staff will take pride in their work, with an emphasis on creating a welcoming, attractive town environment.
- Control costs more effectively: In-house management means we can use our resources more efficiently and eliminate the need for external contractors in many areas.
What are the benefits? You will notice the difference around town with:
- Well-maintained planters, beds, and hanging baskets: These will be carefully looked after and developed to bring vibrancy and colour to our town centre, making it a more pleasant place to live, work, and visit.
- Improved grass cutting and weed control: Regular, high-quality grass cutting and weed management will ensure that our public spaces remain tidy and well-kept throughout the year.
- Enhanced general upkeep: A dedicated team will handle regular upkeep, ensuring that public areas, pathways, and community spaces are clean and attractive.
- Cemetery care: Our cemetery will be maintained to a higher standard, with attention to detail and respect.
- Cost savings: Our team will also provide maintenance in town-owned and managed facilities like the Town Hall, and Glyme Hall. This will result is some savings on work that would have previously required outside contractors.
Impact on the Precept As we prepare to bring this service in-house, there will be a modest increase in the precept (the portion of your Council Tax that goes to Chipping Norton Town Council). This increase is necessary to cover the additional costs of staffing, equipment, and improved services. However, we believe this investment will greatly enhance the appearance and pride in our town, and in the long run, it will bring more value to the community.
Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Coleman adds “I am really pleased that we are able to take this positive step towards making our town an attractive place to live and work, in keeping with our beautiful location in the Cotswolds. I hope that residents will also support this work by taking their own steps to care for our town, by using the litter and dog waste bins and supporting our Keep Chippy Beautiful campaign.”
More details will be published about this over the coming weeks and months.
