Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2025 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
We are hiring!
Vacancy: Grounds Maintenance Operatives (2 Vacancies)
Salary Scale: NJC SCP 7 – 12 (currently £25,584 to £27,711 p/a inclusive).(depending on experience and qualifications). Plus, Free Parking, Local Government Pension Scheme.
Chipping Norton Town Council is seeking to appoint two diligent, proactive and hard working Maintenance Operatives to be a key part of a new team being set up to look after and maintain the town of Chipping Norton to the highest standards possible. One post is full time (37 hours / week), the other 30 hours / week. The Maintenance Operatives will have responsibilities for ensuring that the instructions and standards expected by the Council itself are carried out.
The Council currently maintains its grounds maintenance areas in particular via an arrangement with a local third party contractor. The Council has decided however that from April 2025, these functions will be undertaken by the setting up of a directly employed team of staff. The appointment of these two posts is the next step in reaching that aspiration.
The new team will be provided with a purpose made depot facility, new vehicles and plant as well as all the supporting equipment and infra-structure they will require to achieve the ambitions of the Council.
This is an extremely exciting opportunity, to be in at the very beginnings of such a fundamental change to the way in which any Council operates and delivers one of its most high profile services is rare. To be a key part of such a change will be highly rewarding and offers a real chance to influence how such a lovely town as Chipping Norton is looked after.
The Town Council has a real vision for the town, driven by a desire to ensure the very best services and facilities are provided for its residents and visitors. The Maintenance Operatives in these roles will play a key role in delivering those ambitions.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have relevant experience in grounds maintenance as well as other aspects of general day-to-day maintenance activities, be flexible, willing to learn, motivated and have a commitment to public service. Local Government experience is not required as training will be made available.
Chipping Norton Town Council is committed to Equality of Opportunity and actively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
This process is being managed by a third party acting for the Town Council. For an informal discussion and to access the Recruitment Pack then please call Mr Reg Williams on 07494 760535.
It is hoped the new Maintenance Operatives will commence around Monday 17th March 2025.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 12 Noon on Wednesday 15th January 2025.
Interviews will take place in Chipping Norton on Tuesday 28th January 2025.
Glyme Hall: A Fresh Start for 2025
As we step into the new year, Chipping Norton Town Council is excited to announce that Glyme Hall is now under new management. This fantastic venue is already attracting a range of inquiries, and we’re looking forward to seeing it thrive as a hub for community activities, private events, and creative ventures throughout 2025.
We’re delighted that existing groups such as In Tune will continue their popular Saturday morning dance classes, providing a great opportunity for children to stay active and have fun.
We’re also pleased to host the Remix Youth Club, run by St Mary’s Church with funding from Chipping Norton Town Council. This club meets every Friday after school, offering a safe and welcoming environment for young people to connect and enjoy themselves.
Glyme Hall is proving to be a flexible and welcoming space for organisations, with private groups booking for their meetings and AGMs. One of the highlights of the upcoming calendar is The New Nortonians, who will rehearse and perform a rehearsed reading of Cider with Rosie in March, showcasing local creativity and talent.
Whether you’re looking for a space to hold your next meeting, run a class, or stage a performance, Glyme Hall has something to offer. For more information or to book, please contact our Events Officer at events@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk.
The Town Council is excited about the opportunities ahead for Glyme Hall and looks forward to supporting its role as a vibrant community space in 2025 and beyond. We are particularly interested in supporting local and charitable groups and organisations who are offering opportunities to young people and children, as well as adult education courses.
Exciting Progress: Town Hall Roof Repairs Begin This Week
We’re thrilled to share some good news about an important improvement project at the Town Hall! Starting Thursday, January 9th, work will commence to repair our roof, addressing leaks that have been causing challenges for some time. This project ensures the Town Hall continues to be a welcoming and functional space for everyone in our community.
To carry out the repairs safely and effectively, scaffolding will be erected around the building and is expected to remain in place for approximately four weeks. While we are waiting for final confirmation on the timeline, we are optimistic about the progress and eager to see the benefits of this essential maintenance.
Temporary Accessibility Changes
During the repair period, our accessible ramp will unfortunately be out of action. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are committed to supporting visitors who may require alternative arrangements. If you have accessibility needs or concerns, please contact our team, and we will do everything possible to assist you.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our much-loved Town Hall. Once complete, these repairs will not only protect this historic building but also ensure it remains a vibrant hub for community events and activities for years to come.
More to look forward to from the Town Hall
Keep an eye on our Town Hall Facebook Events Listings to know what events, groups and activities are coming up that you could be a part of.
Some of the Weekly Favorites to Keep You Busy:
- Bingo!: Every 2 weeks on a Sunday evening Dale from DJMD Events rocks up and provides a great Bingo! night here in Chipping Norton. It’s proven to a be a well loved activity for the people of Chippy – and we are continuing throughout 2025. There is no charge for entry and your Bingo Books are cash only and costs £15 for all your books. January 12th and 26th will be this months Bingo! nights.
- Cotswold Youth Choir: Every Wednesday evening the Chipping Norton Choral Society run a choir for the young people of chippy and the surrounding areas. Ben, the choir master is an amazing teacher and choir master, and its a great way for your kids to gain experience and confidence in performing, as well as meeting new friends and having a great time!
- Chipping Norton Theatre Dance 50 – Dance Class: Wednesday mornings bring movement and joy to the Upper Hall, where our community’s Dance 50 class encourages fitness, fun, and connection. With guidance from experienced instructors, this class offers a relaxed and supportive atmosphere for all involved. Join us from 9:45 am to 11:45 am to embrace the rhythm and stay active.
- Chipping Norton U3A: Will be hosting their Annual Lunch from 13:00 on 15th January 2025, which is always a delightful event, and place where the more mature in our community can get together to socialise and enjoy time together. They also meet once a month in the Upper Hall for regular talks and presentations, and we highly recommend this cost effective group if you are lookjing to meetin more people following the end of your working life.
- Chipping Norton Community Church: Every Sunday morning from 10:00 the Community Church congregate for their weekly worship. They are a lovely bunch of community minded folk, who outreach to the community providing support and friendship to many.
For more details on any of the above, contact the event organisers directly, and if you need to connect with them, please do email events@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk. We can’t wait to see you here!
Precept 2025-26
Chipping Norton Town Council has agreed to raise its precept for the upcoming financial year to support improved local services and a new approach to grounds maintenance. From April 2025, Band D households will see their annual contribution to the town’s precept increase by £40, rising from £130.51 to £170.51. This change equates to an additional cost of just £3.08 per month.
The increase is designed to fund significant improvements to public services, including the transition to in-house grounds maintenance. This change will allow the Council to directly manage the upkeep of Chipping Norton’s public spaces, including parks, Worcester Road Cemetery, the closed churchyard at St. Mary’s Church, and Pool Meadow. By bringing these responsibilities in-house, the Council aims to ensure a consistently high standard of care and create a more vibrant, well-maintained environment for residents and visitors alike. This change is in direct response to the feedback received from residents over the past year, regarding the tidiness of the town, and grass cutting at the cemetery and green spaces in town.
Additionally, the funds will contribute to key community initiatives such as the town’s Christmas Lights display and the installation of a new skatepark at the New Street recreation area, enhancing facilities for young people and families.
The proposed increase will vary by property band. While Band D households will pay the fixed rate of £170.51, those in Bands A to C will contribute proportionally less, and those in Bands E to H will pay more. It is important to note that the Town Council’s portion of council tax is separate from charges by West Oxfordshire District Council and other authorities.
The Town Council recognizes that any increase in costs can be a concern for residents but encourages the community to view this as a meaningful investment in Chipping Norton’s quality of life. By supporting enhanced services and projects, the Council hopes to foster a thriving, well-cared-for town for all to enjoy.
For more information or to share feedback, residents are encouraged to contact the Town Council office or councillors.
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
In December we flew:
- Chipping Norton Amnesty Group and Chipping Norton Town Council flew the flag for Human Rights Day on Tuesday 10th December. The flag commemorates the day when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
You can contact staff and Councillors here:
Dates for your diary
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