Oakham Town Council to Address Key Issues at Upcoming Meeting, Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Oakham Town Council to Address Key Issues at Upcoming Meeting

Oakham Town Council is set to convene for an important meeting on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting, which is open to both the press and the public, will be held at the Town Council Offices, Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, LE15 6LN.

Residents are encouraged to attend and observe local governance in action, with a dedicated opportunity for public deputations at the beginning of the meeting. This allows members of the community to voice their concerns or make statements in accordance with the council's Standing Orders.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting reveals several significant items for discussion and decision:

One of the key points on the agenda is the co-option of a new member to the Council, with Mr. John Kennedy being considered for the position. This process is vital for ensuring the council has a full complement of representatives to best serve the town after residents failed to call an election.

Financial matters will also be a central focus, with councillors set to consider and approve the bank statements for May 2025. Furthermore, a substantial expenditure is listed under agenda item 11: acceptance of the final payment  for the Church Street toilets refurbishment. A total cost of £120,000

A pressing concern highlighted on the agenda is the late appointment of an internal auditor and the deferral of the internal audit. Compounding this, the council has also failed to appoint an external auditor. These issues regarding financial oversight will undoubtedly be a major talking point and require immediate attention from the council.

Looking ahead to the festive season, the council will also discuss and may approve a new Christmas Tree for 2025.

Finally, the council will also consider the appointment of a Locum Clerk, a crucial role for the smooth operation and administration of the Town Council. Due to the continued absence of the clerk and no staff who can carry out all the duties of the Clerk.

As always, attendees are reminded that mobile phones should be switched to silent during the meeting. While the public can ask questions during the deputations period, their participation at other times is at the discretion of the Chairman.

The upcoming meeting promises to be a busy one, with decisions on new appointments, significant financial outlays, and critical audit issues all on the table. Residents are encouraged to review the full agenda and attend to stay informed about the workings of their local government.

Urgent Notice Regarding Oakham Town Council Documents

Oakham Town Council is currently unable to comply with its legal obligations regarding the online publication of the upcoming agenda and supporting documents. These materials, normally uploaded by Councillor Paul Ainsley, are currently unavailable online due to his absence from the council because of sickness. Councillor Ainsley has notified the council that he is unlikely to return before August.

Should you require paper copies or an electronic copy of the agenda and supporting documents, please contact Oakham Town Council directly. Please note that the council office is closed today, Friday 6th June 2025.

Oakham Town Council Contact Information:

Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6LN

01572 723627

enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Editor's Note:

It is 2025, and we observe that the Oakham Town Council currently employs staff who are unable to upload official documents to the Town Council website. For anyone urgently requiring the agenda and supporting documents for council meetings, please email any member of the council directly, who we are assured will be able to forward you copies.

https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/meet-your-councillor/

swadsworth@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

cnix@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

adouthwaite@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

cclark@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

mbrookes@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

etempest@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Deputy Clerk:

kgeraghty@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Rutland Prepares for Variety Show in Memory of Fundraiser Lorna Grey, Oakham School, The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Ashwell Road, Oakham, LE15 6QG

Rutland Prepares for Variety Show in Memory of Fundraiser Lorna Grey, Oakham School, The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Ashwell Road, Oakham, LE15 6QG

Rutland Prepares for Variety Show in Memory of Fundraiser Lorna Grey

Tickets are now on sale for  an evening of entertainment, as the Rutland Variety Performance takes centre stage on Wednesday, July 23rd, at Oakham School. This special charity event, organised by ‘Lorna's Legacy’, aims to celebrate the life of Lorna Grey, while raising vital funds for a children's cancer charity.

Lorna Grey, who passed away in April 2024 at the age of 71, was a familiar figure throughout Oakham and Rutland, known for her fundraising efforts and volunteering work. The Rutland Variety Performance is a tribute to her spirit of generosity and her commitment to giving back to the community.

The evening promises a diverse array of talent, Audiences can expect singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, and a fire artist. Confirmed performers include the vocal group Flying Solo, the ukulele band the D'ukes of Rutland, the Jazettes, and the rock 'n' roll sounds of The Houndogs. The evening will be guided by presenters Caroline Aston and Rutland and Stamford Sound's own Rob Persani,

Every penny raised from the variety performance will go directly to Supershoes, a small but impactful charity that empowers children living with cancer. Supershoes achieves this by creating personalised ‘supershoes’, uniquely designed to connect each child with their own special superpowers, offering a boost of morale and individuality during a challenging time. Lorna was a supporter of Supershoes throughout her life; her funeral raised £4,000 for the charity, and her family has since added another £2,500 through a sponsored skydive. Sarah White, the founder of Supershoes, is expected to attend the event, highlighting the profound impact of Lorna's legacy.

Allan Grey, Lorna's husband, expressed the sentiment behind the event, stating, "When we first talked about hosting an event in Lorna's memory, we all agreed that the focus had to be on having fun. That's what Lorna would bring to any occasion and we're confident we have a line-up that would meet her expectations." He added, "We have been thrilled by the number of performers who have volunteered their time to support the cause. There will be a wide range of talent on show and we've certainly ticked the box for variety."

The evening will commence at 6:00 PM, offering attendees an opportunity to enjoy pre-show entertainment, food, and drinks before the main performance kicks off at 7:00 PM.

Tickets for this event are priced at £45 each and are available for purchase online. For ongoing updates and further details about the Rutland Variety Performance, follow the 'Lorna's Legacy' Facebook page. 

EVENT

Lorna's Legacy Presents: The Rutland Variety Performance

WHERE

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Ashwell Road, Oakham, LE15 6QG

WHEN

Wednesday 23 July 2025

Event starts 18:00 and ends 22:30www.ticketebo.co.uk/Lornas-Legacy/the-rutland-variety-performance

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561380490022

Councillor Hans Zollinger-Ball (Green Party) has stepped down from Rutland County Council,

Councillor Hans Zollinger-Ball (Green Party) has stepped down from Rutland County Council,

Councillor Hans Zollinger-Ball (Green Party) has stepped down from Rutland County Council, effective immediately. His resignation, submitted and accepted on Thursday, June 5, 2025, is attributed to family commitments.

Cllr Zollinger-Ball served as one of two councillors representing Barleythorpe Ward. His departure creates a vacancy, and Rutland County Council has published a Notice of Vacancy on its website. A by-election for Barleythorpe Ward will be triggered once the Council receives requests for an election from two local electors. Following these requests, the election must be held within 35 working days.

Councillor Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council, extended her gratitude to Cllr Zollinger-Ball for his service. "I would like to thank Cllr Zollinger-Ball for all that he has done as both a Rutland County Councillor and Ward Member for Barleythorpe," said Cllr Waller. "He has worked diligently on behalf of his constituents and wider communities, while showing great passion and commitment for environmental issues and our response to the climate emergency.”

Residents interested in more information about local elections and the Notice of Vacancy for Barleythorpe Ward are encouraged to visit www.rutland.gov.uk/elections.

Oakham Town Council Meeting Cancelled Due to Administrative Errors

Oakham Town Council Meeting Cancelled Due to Administrative Errors

An extraordinary meeting of Oakham Town Council, scheduled for tomorrow, June 6th, 2025, has been cancelled due to errors in the summons issued to council members. As a result, the agenda items intended for this meeting will now be deferred and added to the agenda for the full council meeting on June 11th, 2025.

The cancellation stems from an administrative oversight where the summons did not comply with the stringent requirements of the Local Government Acts. Councillor Martin Brookes highlighted the issue, pointing out that the council's inability to meet its legal obligations for publishing meeting documents online also contributed to the problem.

Under the Local Government Act, town councils are legally bound to publish meeting agendas and all supporting background papers on their official website at least three clear days before any meeting. This requirement is a cornerstone of open and accountable local government, ensuring transparency and public access to information regarding council proceedings.

"The summons issued to members contained errors, meaning it did not comply with the local government act requirements," stated Cllr Martin Brookes. He further elaborated on a critical underlying issue: "Oakham Town Council does not employ any staff capable of uploading agendas and supporting documents to the council website, until recently that task was carried out by Cllr Paul Ainsley is currently unavailable due to illness."

This lack of dedicated personnel for online publication has significant implications for the council's compliance with all its legal mandates. The current situation underscores the challenges faced by local authorities that may lack the internal capacity to meet evolving digital transparency requirements.

The cancellation of an extraordinary meeting and the deferral of its agenda items to a subsequent meeting can lead to delays in decision-making and potentially inconvenience for both council members and the public who may have wished to attend or follow the proceedings.

Oakham Town Council will now need to ensure that all future summons and meeting documents fully comply with the Local Government Act and that adequate provisions are in place to meet their legal obligations for online publication, thereby upholding the principles of open and accountable governance.