Oakham Town Council for some reason forgot the need for a Annual General Meeting this year.
There has also been no required town meeting.
The Chairman and Mayor Dave Romney has let some people know via email, that it has been decided his one year term will be extended until the next AGM in 2021.
There has been no lawful vote for this extension and the Election of Chairman is not listed on
next weeks meeting, yet another extraordinary meeting. Whilst all other councils are carrying on with normal meetings Oakham Town Council has chosen not to and keeps voting to give the clerk and chairman powers to do as they please.
At the THE ANNUAL MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2019 AT 6.30PM The following agenda item was considered and Dave Romney was elected for one year. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN To elect a Chairman of the Council, who shall also be the Mayor of Oakham, for the forthcoming municipal year
Sent to OTC:
The year has passed and I suggest it is unlawful for the chairman and vice chair to continue without a vote and wonder why this was not included on next weeks agenda.
And why other matters such as appointments to committees and bank signatures are being considered so very late on in the municipal year.
I would also like a explanation as to why the Mayor thought it was fine to spend hundreds of pounds on treats for NHS workers at Oakham Hospital, They are paid or did the government stop paying them? I see the labour party posted his good deed on-line so I assume it was just a political PR exercise.
I would also like to know why thousands of pounds was I believe claimed by Cllr Adam Lowe for fabric etc. and why he supported one of the largest richest privately owned care company in the UK. Prime Life who run Rutland Care Village when all other smaller companies had to make do with second hand fabric donated to a community group run by great volunteers.
I would also like to know why the council shut down during the pandemic and left volunteers on their own in our town to carry out work supporting residents in need?
You may have seen the following concern discussed on social media, I would like to know why you set a budget for around £10,000 for the move of your office to Long Row and actually spent over £25,000 and why you think it is fine to spend public money on considerable increased rent rates service charges etc? without any public consultation. I am aware a move has been considered in the past but it was my understanding that any move would save the public money and not to increase public spending.
There has also been discussion about the unlawfully high reserves the council holds. This is public money and the clerk is wrong when she states you need to keep some money by for a rainy day etc.
Former town councillor Alan Walters who worked on the budget has attempted to fob people of. You have over £300,000 of public money for no clear purpose, the law is very clear you must only collect money from the residents for a clearly defined purpose. I hope next year you will set a zero precept.
I note you are about to submit your annual return. I wonder why you have not posted the required notice for people to inspect accounts. I know covid-19 makes this difficult but request for copies of specific items could be provided.
Please could you explain why you have not published any reports from the external auditor from the previous year. I know of at least one concern raised and wonder if you are choosing not to share that response with the residents?
