By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
A meeting of the Oakham Town Council last night laid bare deep institutional crises, featuring a scathing internal audit, staggering allegations of financial fraud, and an ongoing staffing emergency that has left the council offices completely closed to the public.
Despite a packed agenda showcasing community triumphs including a highly successful public consultation and high hopes for a national culture bid the evening was heavily overshadowed by deep governance failures.
"Worst Ever" Audit and Fraud Investigations
The atmosphere in the council chamber shifted dramatically as members turned their attention to the 2025/26 Year-End Audit. While the council technically approved the internal auditor's report and financial accounting statements, Chairman Cllr Martin Brookes pulled no punches, branding the audit "the worst the council has ever received."
According to Cllr Brookes, the report came back with a staggering failure rate of over 50%. While Cllr Paul Ainsley attempted to find a silver lining, noting there were "some good points" hidden in the text, the Chairman took a hardline stance. Cllr Brookes stated definitively that he would refuse to approve the documents bound for the external auditor.
The rationale behind the refusal is a looming legal cloud. The council has received two separate allegations of fraud relating specifically to its payroll one from a former councillor and another from a current member of staff. The staff member has formally requested that the council appoint an independent auditor to thoroughly investigate all council accounts and governance spanning the last three years.
Because investigating fraud falls outside the remit of an internal auditor, Locum Clerk Sam Haywood announced she will prepare a comprehensive report for a future meeting, at which point councillors must decide how to formally progress the matter.
Public Pressures and Policing Deficits
In a historic first for Oakham, the public participation segment of the meeting expanded its horizons. For the first time, residents' questions were not solely directed at the town council. Leicestershire Police have officially been granted a regular spot on the agenda, allowing locals to directly grill law enforcement.
Sgt Palmer from the Oakham Police Station faced questions from concerned residents covering a wide spectrum of local anxieties, ranging from antisocial motorists to escalating retail and shoplifting issues in the town center.
Public frustration was also directed at the council's own infrastructure. With the council office currently closed due to ongoing staffing shortages, one resident raised serious concerns regarding a total breakdown in communication.
Cllr Brookes sought to reassure the public, explaining that interviews are currently underway for an administrative assistant tasked with answering phones and handling correspondence. In the interim, the monumental task of managing thousands of emails and voicemail messages falls entirely on Locum Clerk Sam Haywood, with all incoming telephone calls currently being diverted to a digital mailbox.
The fallout from the critical internal audit was felt immediately across several council projects, sparking a major clampdown on spending.
A planned expenditure on a new blog for the town council's website was abruptly paused, primarily due to highly critical comments made by the internal auditor regarding the overall suitability of the current website. Similarly, a batch of new policy documents brought forward by Cllr Ainsley was deferred so the Locum Clerk could verify their legality and necessity.
The council also put the brakes on its financial involvement with Victoria Hall. While councillors agreed to pay outstanding fees to an external consultant anbd solicitor, all further expenditure and work has been frozen until the Charity Commission formally agrees to grant Oakham Town Council sole trusteeship.
The freeze comes amid growing unease over taxpayer spending; it was revealed that an additional £33,000 of public money has already been spent on Victoria Hall without any firm guarantee that the council will ever secure trusteeship. This came despite a more positive update earlier in the night from Cllr Ainsley, who praised the success of a recent public consultation event held at the hall. Cllr Brookes pointed out the norm of holding public consultations first not over one year on since the council started work on the project.
Despite the financial gridlock, several community initiatives managed to push forward:
UK Town of Culture Bid, Cllr Johnathan Nichols reported that the successful applicants moving past the application stage will be announced this July, noting that "all fingers are crossed for Oakham."
Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth confirmed that all preparations for the council's summer lineup are securely in place. The season kicks off this Sunday at 2:30 PM in Cutts Close, featuring a live performance by The Houndogs at the bandstand. To ensure compliance with insurance policies, the council retrospectively approved £2,904 (plus VAT) for event safeguarding and first aid provision via Light Medical.
Rutland County Councillor Raymond Payne highlighted recent road resurfacing projects and urged residents and councillors to report any further problematic potholes using the newly updated FixMyStreet mobile app.
The council approved a £500 grant for the RAF in Rutland memorial bench initiative. However, the exact location remains unconfirmed. Cllr Ainsley urged that the council retain veto power over the final placement, wryly noting he "did not want them to place it on top of the toilet block."
In correspondence, the council noted requests regarding skate park repairs (for which quotes are being obtained), a resident's petition for an additional bus shelter (which will be referred to Rutland County Council), and an application to use Cutts Close for a 30-person diversity and cultural picnic this September.
Finally, a proposal to move the council to new town centre premises was officially rejected after members decided the venue failed to meet all of the council's operational requirements.
Oakham Town Council will next convene on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM, where the fallout from the audit and the future of the fraud investigation are expected to dominate the agenda.
