By a mediaeval charter of 1606
Chipping Norton
became a town
and the chairman of the council is still known as a Mayor. However
its statutory
powers are
identical to those of a Parish.
Parish councils in England and Wales provide the third, but
independent level, of local government, below county and district
councils. Parish councils were first established by the Local
Government Act of 1894
and current powers are
based, in the main, in the Local Government Act of 1972.
Today they are responsible for managing parish funds and providing
local
amenities such as monuments, playing fields, footpaths and churchyards
- although they should not be confused with parochial church councils,
which are directly concerned with church matters. Parish councils may
impose a limited local rate, or precept, which is collected on their
behalf by the
district council as part of the Council Tax. They may also administer
local charities.
Parish councillors have to live,
work,
occupy or own
land within a 3 mile radius
of their parish and are elected every four years. They are all
volunteers and receive no pay for their service. The only person to
receive a salary is the parish council's clerk, who deals with all the
administrative matters and acts as an adviser to the councillors. The
clerk is not allowed to vote at meetings, but he or she is empowered
to make certain decisions on the councillors' behalf, and provides a
vital link between the parish council and other agencies or public
bodies.
Parish councils are publicly accountable and parishioners are entitled
to attend all meetings, although there are some confidential matters
which may be discussed by councillors in camera. Chipping Norton Town
Council meets on the
third Monday of every month in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall at
7.15 p.m.
Of all local government bodies, it is parish/town councils which are
closest to the electorate and, therefore, have the greatest interest
in local concerns. Because the councillors live in their parish they
are close to what goes on and should be able to find out about the
things that really matter to parishioners. Although they have no power
over district or county council decisions on issues such as
planning,traffic problems or local public transport, they are able to
pass on their opinions and these can sometimes influence the decision
makers at a higher level.
Council membership made up of sixteen Councillors.
DETAILS HERE
The
Town Clerk is
Vanessa Oliveri
The
Deputy Clerk
is
Michael Fletcher
A.C.I.S.A.MinstLM
Much of the
council's work is carried out by its working groups
and committees
which are :-
The
Cemetery Committee
The Estimates Committee
Grants to Voluntary Bodies Committee
Planning (A sub-committee)
Pool Meadow Committee
Recreation Committee.
Town Appraisal Steering Committee
Town Hall Management Committee
Traffic Advisory (A Joint Committee with Oxfordshire County Council)
William Fowler Allotment Committee - though all Town Councillors are
Trustees of the William Fowler Trust
Town Parking Working Party
The Town
Council also has representatives on the following bodies :-
Association
of Local Councils
Bus Services (CHART)
Chipping Norton Welfare Charities
Citizens Advice Bureau
C.S.E. Airport
Field Reeves
Greystones Management Committee
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are ex officio on all committees.
Chipping
Norton parishioners are actively encouraged not only to attend
meetings but also to address them. Several years ago councillors
announced that parishioners with something to say about local issues
would be given five minutes at the start of the meeting, providing
they let the clerk know in advance. Topics raised so far include
siting of bus stops, traffic problems, rubbish and a variety of
planning concerns.
With more than £ 150, 000 approximately in the parish coffers the
management of parish funds is not a task to be taken lightly and the
bulk of the capital is invested safely in a local bank. (Regulations
require investments to be "minimum risk"). Local groups and
organisations are entitled to apply for grants and the town council
also supports a variety of causes, such as The Town Museum,
Highlands
Day Centre,
The Silver
Band,
The Theatre
and other charities that operate in the parish.
Major matters dealt with by the council in the
last year include:
