A NEW mayor and his deputy have been sworn in at Chipping Norton Town Council.

Councillor Mike Tysoe was dressed in ceremonial robes at the ceremony in the town hall on Monday, May 20, as he officially accepted his new role as mayor for the next year.

Fellow councillor Chris Butterworth took on the role of deputy mayor.

Accepting the chains from outgoing mayor Martin Jarrett, he said: “My path to being mayor has been remarkably short and I must admit it did come as big surprise when a year ago I was asked whether I would consider being deputy mayor.

“My main challenge is to emulate Councillor Jarratt and try to match his 80-plus mayoral engagements that he and his wife June have managed this year.

“But as a town I feel we have some challenges ahead – the biggest will be the finalisation of the Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan, including deciding which areas that we want developed.”

One of his first engagements will be the town’s civic service on Sunday, which starts at 10.45am at the town hall.

He will lead a procession to St Mary’s Church for a service before heading back for a buffet lunch.