Oakham Town Council
Victoria Hall,
39 High Street,
Oakham, Rutland,
LE15 6AH
Telephone: 01572 723627
Fax: 01572 759395
e-mail: enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 14 TH MARCH 2012 AT 7.00PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
report
The Mayor was th e rudest she has ever been during a public meeting she welcomed all accept me!
APOLOGIES
Councillors received apologies for absence clearly a difficult task for the chairman
They to approved absences eventually from Cllrs Dewis, Guthrie and Dodds
Victoria Hall,
39 High Street,
Oakham, Rutland,
LE15 6AH
Telephone: 01572 723627
Fax: 01572 759395
e-mail: enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 14 TH MARCH 2012 AT 7.00PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
report
The Mayor was th e rudest she has ever been during a public meeting she welcomed all accept me!
APOLOGIES
Councillors received apologies for absence clearly a difficult task for the chairman
They to approved absences eventually from Cllrs Dewis, Guthrie and Dodds
No apology from Cllr Lowe at this point.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked to declare any interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda none were declared
MINUTES
The minutes were confirmed of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on
Wednesday 8th February 2012
COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 8
None were asked
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked to declare any interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda none were declared
MINUTES
The minutes were confirmed of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on
Wednesday 8th February 2012
COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 8
None were asked
ITEMS OUTSTANDING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
To consider items outstanding from previous meetings there were none.
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER’S REPORTS
At this point Cllr Lucas remembered Cllr Lowe had called her to let her know he would be late. He arrived pills in hand.
The council received a report from the Chairman on functions attended She said "I will be reading the full list as I want to show all how hard a Mayor works, She went on to read about a Pantomime she attended a Rugby match and many other fun things that did n't seem to much like hard work to me. None of these events are compulsory so I don't really understand the fuss she was making particularly as this was probably one of the shorter readings she has ever given, i know this to be true because Cllr Locket appeared to remain awake throughout.
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER’S REPORTS
At this point Cllr Lucas remembered Cllr Lowe had called her to let her know he would be late. He arrived pills in hand.
The council received a report from the Chairman on functions attended She said "I will be reading the full list as I want to show all how hard a Mayor works, She went on to read about a Pantomime she attended a Rugby match and many other fun things that did n't seem to much like hard work to me. None of these events are compulsory so I don't really understand the fuss she was making particularly as this was probably one of the shorter readings she has ever given, i know this to be true because Cllr Locket appeared to remain awake throughout.
Councillor Charles Haworth gave a brief report about his Jubilee fun day to be held in Cutts Close.
He has now lined up 8 well known local people for the stocks he was pleased a
local artist had agreed to decorate the stocks. Cllr Lucas said oh its only H--------
REGISTER OF MEMBER’S INTERESTS
Members are asked to inform the Clerk of any changes in their Register of Member’s interests. there were none.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Council received a report from the Clerk
9. DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public are invited to address the meeting in accordance with
procedures laid down in Standing Orders 1(d) – 1(i)
Members are asked to inform the Clerk of any changes in their Register of Member’s interests. there were none.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Council received a report from the Clerk
9. DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public are invited to address the meeting in accordance with
procedures laid down in Standing Orders 1(d) – 1(i)
I made three short public deputations and each was rudely interrupted by Cllr Lucas
When I mentioned a letter I had provided Cllrs with Cllr Nowell rudely interrupted saying he had screwed it up in his envelope.
EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To decide whether to exclude the Public and Press under the Public Bodies
(Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 Section 1(2) during consideration of Item 11 and 12 on the Agenda due to the commercial sensitivity of the matters to be discussed
The Councillors decided to exclude the public, whilst out of the room the public said Cllr Lucas was very rude.
Cllr Haworth suggested he should have to wait for the following information when
I politely asked for the costs, The clerk disagreed.
WATERING CONTRACT (Appendix B to follow – Tenders received)
To consider tenders received and to award the contract for the watering of the Town’s Floral Displays for the four year period 2012 - 2015
WATERING CONTRACT (Appendix B to follow – Tenders received)
To consider tenders received and to award the contract for the watering of the Town’s Floral Displays for the four year period 2012 - 2015
Oakham Town council award Watering contract to Greetham Garden Centre
Greetham Garden Centre will water the towns baskets and planters for the next 4 years
The Contract is for 15 weeks of watering each year and will cost:
£165 for the first year, 2nd £170, 3rd £175 and 4th £180
WORKS TO TREES IN CUTTS CLOSE (Appendices C(i) – C(iv)
To consider quotations received for the proposed works and to award the contract.
Oakham Town Council Paul Ford Tree Surgeon Contract for non urgent works
Paul Ford Melton Tree Surgeon will carry out undisclosed non urgent works to
trees in Cutts Close Oakham, I believe subject to planning consent.
At a cost of £1150.00 +VAT
RENT REVIEWS
To approve amounts of annual rent for the following organisations:
(i) Oakham Bowls Club (for the period April 1st 2012 – March 31st 2013)
(ii) Oakham Lawn Tennis Club (for the period April 1 st 2012 – March 31st 2015)
Greetham Garden Centre will water the towns baskets and planters for the next 4 years
The Contract is for 15 weeks of watering each year and will cost:
£165 for the first year, 2nd £170, 3rd £175 and 4th £180
WORKS TO TREES IN CUTTS CLOSE (Appendices C(i) – C(iv)
To consider quotations received for the proposed works and to award the contract.
Oakham Town Council Paul Ford Tree Surgeon Contract for non urgent works
Paul Ford Melton Tree Surgeon will carry out undisclosed non urgent works to
trees in Cutts Close Oakham, I believe subject to planning consent.
At a cost of £1150.00 +VAT
RENT REVIEWS
To approve amounts of annual rent for the following organisations:
(i) Oakham Bowls Club (for the period April 1st 2012 – March 31st 2013)
(ii) Oakham Lawn Tennis Club (for the period April 1 st 2012 – March 31st 2015)
Oakham Bowls Club Rent Increase
This lucrative rent deal can be blamed on previous Councillors
Public land intended to benefit the public is let to the elite for a tiny fraction of the market value.
In this case a nice plot in a nice area of Oakham for £670 a year.
This lucrative rent deal can be blamed on previous Councillors
Public land intended to benefit the public is let to the elite for a tiny fraction of the market value.
In this case a nice plot in a nice area of Oakham for £670 a year.
Oakham Tennis Club Rent Increase
This lucrative rent deal can be blamed on previous Councillors
Public land intended to benefit the public is let to the elite for a tiny fraction of the market value.
In this case a nice plot in a nice area of Oakham for £790 a year.
RE-NAMING OF BANDSTAND - Cllr Mrs Jayne Woodcock
To decide whether to re-name the Bandstand in Cutts Close
“HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Bandstand”
This lucrative rent deal can be blamed on previous Councillors
Public land intended to benefit the public is let to the elite for a tiny fraction of the market value.
In this case a nice plot in a nice area of Oakham for £790 a year.
RE-NAMING OF BANDSTAND - Cllr Mrs Jayne Woodcock
To decide whether to re-name the Bandstand in Cutts Close
“HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Bandstand”
Oakham Bandstand To Be Named "HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Bandstand"
Councillor felt after the expensive makeover this would be a fitting tribute to the Queen.
It was pointed out the Finch family donated the bandstand and as no one ever calls it the Finch bandstand it would be fine to name it after the Queens Jubilee Year.
There will be a plaque made with some sort of inscription.
Cllr Locket was concerned the public should not be burdened with the cost nnd offered to dig into his pocket with a contribution.
Cllr Lowe suggest money should be used from donations received from the Jubilee event. Cllr Haworth said No.
Cllr Lucas said she was sick of plaques as she had spent a long time lookin into them for other projects.
GIFT TO THE PEOPLE OF BARMSTEDT
To decide whether to approve expenditure of up to £100 for the purchase of a gift to be given to the people of Barmstedt to mark the 25th Anniversary of the twinning of the two towns.
Councillor felt after the expensive makeover this would be a fitting tribute to the Queen.
It was pointed out the Finch family donated the bandstand and as no one ever calls it the Finch bandstand it would be fine to name it after the Queens Jubilee Year.
There will be a plaque made with some sort of inscription.
Cllr Locket was concerned the public should not be burdened with the cost nnd offered to dig into his pocket with a contribution.
Cllr Lowe suggest money should be used from donations received from the Jubilee event. Cllr Haworth said No.
Cllr Lucas said she was sick of plaques as she had spent a long time lookin into them for other projects.
GIFT TO THE PEOPLE OF BARMSTEDT
To decide whether to approve expenditure of up to £100 for the purchase of a gift to be given to the people of Barmstedt to mark the 25th Anniversary of the twinning of the two towns.
Gift to the People of Barmstedt 25 years of Twinning with Oakham
The Council has purchased one of Cllr Nowells good books to present during a visit over Easter.
Something tells me the Councillor should have declared his financial gain.
The Council also agreed a budget of £100 to spend on a tree that will be planted by a undisclosed
visitor, Some where in a parade named after Oakham.
CO-OPTION PANEL
To appoint at least three members to form a panel for the purpose of talking to
prospective candidates regarding vacant seats on Oakham Town Council.
The Council has purchased one of Cllr Nowells good books to present during a visit over Easter.
Something tells me the Councillor should have declared his financial gain.
The Council also agreed a budget of £100 to spend on a tree that will be planted by a undisclosed
visitor, Some where in a parade named after Oakham.
CO-OPTION PANEL
To appoint at least three members to form a panel for the purpose of talking to
prospective candidates regarding vacant seats on Oakham Town Council.
Oakham Town Council decided to appoint a co-option panel.
This panel will meet and integrate members of the public who want to serve the towns folk.
They will then recommend candidates for co-option, if I was one of the remaining Councillors
I would not be happy to co-opt on the say of three other Councillors.
As I said at Public deputation whilst being constantly rudely being interrupted by Councillor Lucas
Co-option is not democratic and this new process makes it even less.
Cllr Lucas, Cllr Haworth and Cllr Nowell all put their names forward no surprise there.
Cllr Haworth made a valiant attempt to appoint Cllr Dewis in his absence, I can't imagine why?
I am sure next time the two next meet Dewis will let him lick the other boot.
Cllr Woodcock was put in reserve Cllr Lucas felt a reserve was needed just in case anyone went shopping
or something like that.
Cllr Woodcock suggested the panel should meet at a weekend as more people might be available. Don't be silly Councillor Woodcock although I agree a week day afternoon is not appropriate the three plus Alf Dewis have already decided who they are going to co-opt.
Its about the only thing one of the ex Councillors agrees with me about Co-option is wrong. It suits the Town Council who do nothing to promote an election. Promotion done correctly does work you only have to look to Uppingham to see the success they had last year attracting so many candidates it resulted in an election that had not happened for years. I think this is the fear of a few they may democratically lose their power.
I think if anyone wants to serve on this council and risk being bullied and harassed by at least one of Councillors then they should be accepted just for being willing.
REVIEW OF SYSTEMS OF INTERNAL CONTROL
To review the effectiveness of the Council’s Systems of Internal Control
This panel will meet and integrate members of the public who want to serve the towns folk.
They will then recommend candidates for co-option, if I was one of the remaining Councillors
I would not be happy to co-opt on the say of three other Councillors.
As I said at Public deputation whilst being constantly rudely being interrupted by Councillor Lucas
Co-option is not democratic and this new process makes it even less.
Cllr Lucas, Cllr Haworth and Cllr Nowell all put their names forward no surprise there.
Cllr Haworth made a valiant attempt to appoint Cllr Dewis in his absence, I can't imagine why?
I am sure next time the two next meet Dewis will let him lick the other boot.
Cllr Woodcock was put in reserve Cllr Lucas felt a reserve was needed just in case anyone went shopping
or something like that.
Cllr Woodcock suggested the panel should meet at a weekend as more people might be available. Don't be silly Councillor Woodcock although I agree a week day afternoon is not appropriate the three plus Alf Dewis have already decided who they are going to co-opt.
Its about the only thing one of the ex Councillors agrees with me about Co-option is wrong. It suits the Town Council who do nothing to promote an election. Promotion done correctly does work you only have to look to Uppingham to see the success they had last year attracting so many candidates it resulted in an election that had not happened for years. I think this is the fear of a few they may democratically lose their power.
I think if anyone wants to serve on this council and risk being bullied and harassed by at least one of Councillors then they should be accepted just for being willing.
REVIEW OF SYSTEMS OF INTERNAL CONTROL
To review the effectiveness of the Council’s Systems of Internal Control
councillors approved this
PLAY EQUIPMENT CONSULTATION
To agree on a consultation process for the installation of a new Toddlers’ Play Area at Royces Playing Field
PLAY EQUIPMENT CONSULTATION
To agree on a consultation process for the installation of a new Toddlers’ Play Area at Royces Playing Field
Royce Recreation Ground Oakham Public Consultation
Oakham Town Council decided to go with the requirement to hold a public consultation.
It was clear this process an obstacle for the council.
The Council must consult the public before it submits it loan application.
We are told this process is new. It maybe a new requirement, but surely it is to be expected
a council should consult the public it serves.
The Clerk said this has put the project back two months and Councillors might like to consider
putting it on hold until everything was ready.
Cllrs were having none of it and proposed consultation was to start now.
I was concerned when Cllr Locket said Children's comments were frivolous although he was. I sense he
is from a generation who feel children should be seen but not heard.
Eventually he was persuaded to include consultation with local schools, in his proposal worded by the Clerk.
A advert will be placed in the local press
There will be a permanent display open to the public at Victoria Hall until 27th April this will be in the Council
only open to the public during the limited office opening hours Monday - Thursday mornings.
There will be a Public Road Show on Saturday 14th April 2012 from 10am - 2pm
at Royce Recreation Ground.
during the consultation the public will be asked if the approve of the councils proposal to borrow up to £50,000
The Clerk reminded Councillor they must not pressure members of the public with comments like if you say we can't borrow you will have to wait another five years before we can buy any new equipment.
If the consultation is conducted in the same biased fashion as the Tesco consultation, I can see that being put to the public many times.
But maybe not Cllr Lucas said she could not make the public event as she was off to Oklahoma!
CONSULTATION – HOUSING STRATEGY 2012 – 2017 AND
HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY 2012 – 2017
To agree on any responses to the above consultation
Members are asked to note that this document is over 50 pages long and is not
being copied. The documents can be viewed at:
http://www.rutland.gov.uk/housing/affordable_housing/consultation_on_strategies.aspx
Once again a cop out is proposed by cllr Haworth, Councillors will make their own contribution records will show very few of the Town Councillors names appear against
any of these Rutland County Council consultations to much like hard work. This was shown
when nearly all the LDF documents remained uncollected from the office. I am not saying these
are easy tasks I completed my LDF document and it was a task but I strongly believe a Town
Councillors role is more than nice meals together and working out how to spend the precept as
and how they decide
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
To decide whether to approve the Schedule of Payments for the period
1st February 2012 – 29th February 2012
approved
TATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
To decide whether to approve the Statement of Accounts to February 29th 2012
To decide whether to approve the Statement of Accounts to February 29th 2012
approved
