Monday, January 31, 2011

Internet censorship in the People's Republic of Rutland, Rutland County Council

Internet censorship in the People's Republic of Rutland There are no specific laws or regulations which the censorship follows. Censorship is vigorously implemented by Rutland County Council.

Rutland County Council has chosen to block access to my blog at blogspot.com. I did not object to Rutland County Council blocking staff access. I do object to them blocking access on via the public computers at the County Library.

I consider this infringement of freedom of expression, infringement on free speech.

I visited Rutland County Council for an explanation and a helpful receptionist telephoned a person and explained.

A lady came out and told me what I knew! Yes Mr Brookes the Council has blocked your blog.

I ask why? I was told to write to Helen Briggs.

I said I had. She told me she was the officer responsible for council business, I asked for a brief description of that role she replied Council Business and turn her back and walk away. How rude!

I tracked her down and this is her office she is under the clock.

Update:

From: HBriggs@rutland.gcsx.gov.uk
To: martinjbrookes@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 08:13:45 +0000
Subject: RE:

Dear Mr Brookes

Thank you for your email which I am acknowledging as a complaint. A substantive reply will be provided within 10 working days.

Councillor Nicholas Mark Wainwright (Conservative) - LANGHAM WARD Rutland County Council

Mr Nicholas Mark Wainwright (Conservative) - LANGHAM WARD often seen in Oakham Parking illegally.

It seems Rutland County Councillor are given the same exemption as Oakham Town Councillors
.

Councillor Nicholas Mark Wainwright chose his spot for added security parking under one of Rutland County Councils CCTV units.

This kind Councillor told me never to write to him ever again, when I wrote to Councillor seeking assistance.

The moment the kind councillor realised he had been spotted. After returning to his car 15 minutes after leaving it.

Next time you get a parking ticket please feel free to refer all my blog posts relating to Councillors illegal parking.

I am not aware of any Councillor ever receiving a ticket.

Rutland County Council Councillor Open Evening Tonight

Councillor Open Evening

Residents are being reminded that an open evening is being held for anyone who is thinking of standing for election to Rutland County Council this year. People are being encouraged to attend the meeting as elections are due to place in May with 26 seats at Rutland County Council due to be contested. Residents are being asked to get in touch with the council if they wish to attend the open evening on Monday 31 January at the Rutland County Council offices in Oakham between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. Chief Executive of Rutland County Council, Helen Briggs will be outlining the role of the Council and of the councillors, with Head of Corporate Governance, Geoff Pook taking people through the election process and what it involves. There will be the opportunity to speak to some current members of the council about how they incorporate being a councillor into their daily lives. The session is open to anybody thinking of becoming a Councillor. For more information please contact Rutland County Council on 01572 722 577 or email enquiries@rutland.gov.uk
Author: Rutland County Council enquiries@rutland.gov.uk 01572 722 577

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Boyes, Tobin House Wilton Rd, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 0UJ, Wool, Oakham and Rutland?

Boyes, Tobin House Wilton Rd, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 0UJ, Wool, Oakham and Rutland?
is a question I am often asked.

Wilko sells a small range and now the alteration shop in Mill Street.

Whilst visiting Melton I found a store called Boyes it has a huge stock of wool on both sides of an ailse.

You need to trek through the pile of cheap tat, tempting confectionery and chocolates and at the back of the store you will find the wool also there is a super craft section and a haberdashery department with very helpful staff.

They sell fasteners, buttons zips and ribbons.

Lots of Dylon

Corruption within Rutland County Council and Oakham Town Council Planning

Corruption within Rutland County Council and Oakham Town Council Planning

A member of the public has pointed me into the direction of documents that can be found on-line.

That clearly show former Cllr Matthew Taylor who is employed by SSR Planning Northampton after being employed by Rutland County Council. He was co-opted onto Oakham Town Council just before the Town Council was asked to consider plans to build new homes at Catmose College by Stamford homes.

Cllr Matthew Taylor did not declare an interest at Oakham Town Councils planning committee.

I wonder why his friend Cllr Alf Dewis who also used to work for Rutland County Council, did not point this out as he knew where his friend works.

Documents clearly show Rutland County Council works with SSR Planning on behalf of Stamford Homes &
Allison Homes.

No wonder Rutland County Council leader Roger Begy states planning is the baine of him.

It is not yet known that former councillor Matthew Taylor resigned due to the above or if it was related to past bullying of a member of his ward.

UPDATE:

The Town Clerk has pointed out the following:

Martin

I have been asked to point out to you that former Cllr Matthew Taylor did declare a Personal and Prejudicial interest in the planning application relating to the Stamford Homes application at the Vale of Catmose College site. The draft minutes of that meeting are attached.

The Committee has not met since the 17th November and these draft minutes will be considered for approval at the meeting scheduled for the 16th February

Richard

The member of the public disputes this.

Swans Mill Street Oakham Councillor Peter Jones

It has been pointed out to me by a member of the public, Councillor Peter Jones is callous, I ask them why and they referred me to Swans Website.

http://www.antiquefrenchbeds.co.uk/

A person who used to work for him has been sadly dead for around three years. The member of the public feels it is unacceptable for Councillor Peter Jones go on claiming this person is still within his employment to sell his products.

"I wonder what else he lies about?" I am still waiting for the FOI request from Rutland County Council regarding a full break down of how the £100,000 arts council grant was spent.

Mal Pol Group Polskie Centrum Zywnosci, Polish Grocery Store, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Mal Pol Group Polskie Centrum Zywnosci, New Polish Grocery Store, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

All Things Nice Cafe and Restaurant Melton Mowbray

All Things Nice, Cafe and Restaurant, Melton Mowbray,

Can you imagine All things nice?

The Melton Citizen only published good news?

One shop too buy all things nice?

And cash machine that did dispense really FREE CASH?

The Melton Times and Melton Citizen 49 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

The Melton Times and Melton Citizen, 49 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

NatWest Bank, 7 High Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 0TT, Flying the flag for Royal visit

NatWest Bank. High Street Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 0TT

Natwest Bank flying the Union Jack flag along with the rest of Melton Mowbray. The flags were put up for the royal visit. On Friday Charles and Camilla visited Dickinson and Morris Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe this was one of a series of engagements across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire by the couple.

Back to NatWest this branch has a hole in the door?

Rutland High Sheriff's certificate for 'Services to the Community'

Guest Post

High Sheriff's certificate for 'Services to the Community'

On the Oakham Parish Council notice board, outside Victoria Hall is an item on the agenda for next Wednesday. It seems the High Sheriff has asked for two nominations to award certificates to ordinary citizens of Oakham for 'Services to the Community.'

Unfortunately the High Sheriff appears to be relying on local Councillors to forward the names of two nominees to him, rather than accept all nominations direct. This item will come up for discussion at Wednesday's meeting - 2nd February.

If you know anyone worth nominating it might be an idea to register your interest and write to the local Council at the Victoria Hall, or even deliver a nomination in good time, prior to Wednesday's meeting. The deadline for doing so may be before the meeting.

Please nominate someone you think really deserves this certificate!

Posted by Helen Pender at 07:11

Cllr Alf Dewis Oakham Town Councillors Bedside Reading

Cllr Alf Dewis Oakham Town Councillors Bedside Reading Laura Wilson A Thousand Lies

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Rutland County Council Cabinet Election War Footings

Rutland County Councils Cabinet, has moved into these seven underground bunkers at a secret location in Melton Mowbray. They will remain here until May 5th Local Government Elections, coordinating their fight to hold onto power!

Will the Bubble Burst At Rutland County Council May 5th Election Day

Mr Baines, Mr Begy OBE and Peter Jones Tory Gentleman's Night Out

The Village Drakes

Will the Bubble Burst At Rutland County Council May 5th Election Day, Whoever you vote for on May 5th Please Vote for Change

Rutland County Council List of Cash Poorly Invested Total £19.6 million

Above is a list of Rutland County Council Cash investments.

The Chief Executive Helen Briggs has said some of this cash is surplus.

I wonder how much? how many millions of public money is surplus.

If Mrs Briggs and her staff invested this money correctly, there would be no need for cuts in services.
The interest alone would cover the cut backs, we were asked to vote for last week.

I took a quick look at my banks webs site, I can open an account with £1 and receive 2.5% on a instant access on-line account.

Why is Rutland County Council happy to leave this cash in banks like HSBC and Barclays earning nothing?

Its a disgrace.

Langrick & Coe Opticians, 16 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AL, Photograph 2011

Lorrienas Shoes, 1, Crown Walk, High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BZ, Photograph 2011

Loros,12 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, Photograph, 2011

Loros,12 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, Photograph, 2011 Phone: 01572 724 079

Stephen Diggle Jewellers 17 High Street, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6AH Photograph 2011

Stephen Diggle Jewellers 17 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH, Photograph, 2011

The Carphone Warehouse,19 High Street,Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH, Photograph 2011

Oakham Timpson Ltd 9A High Street Oakham Rutland LE15 6AH Photograph 2011

Oakham Timpson Ltd 9A High Street Oakham LE15 6AH Telephone: 01572 759

John Porter Dry Cleaning, 4 Market Street, OAKHAM, Rutland, LE15 6DY Photograph, 2011

John Porter Dry Cleaning, 4 Market Street, OAKHAM, Rutland, LE15 6DY Photograph, 2011

Rutland Health and Beauty Clinic, 1A Market Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6DY Photograph 2011

Rutland Health and Beauty Clinic

1A Market Street
Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DY
01572 756 589

Gilbert & Thomas Estate Agents, Market St, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DY Photograph 2011

Murray Estate Agents Market Street Oakham, LE15 6DY Photograph 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Ex Oakham Town Councillor Alan Walters... he wont because he belonged to the wrong party - labour!

Resigned Oakham Town Councillor Alan Walter,
speaking at the Co-op Oakham today
Said he was tempted to stand in Rutland County Council Elections on May 5th
but he wont because he belonged to the wrong party - labour!

I always wondered why we have no Labour Councillors. They give up before they even try.

At least a few Lib / Dems and Independents give it a go.....

Rutland County Councils Dangerous Obstructions Dean's Street Oakham

Rutland County Council Dangerous Obstruction

Above is one of the new dangerous additions to Dean's Street Oakham.

Dean's Street is a one way system, traffic leaves the street at this point, onto Melton Road. If one of S A P S customers parks here because they are too lazy to park their 4x4 in the car park at the rear of the store.

The driver can not see up Melton Road.

I watched a near miss as a car came out of Dean's and car left Melton Road to park in the other new space that obstructs cars turning left. It nearly hit the car.

What was Mr Brown at Highways thinking of when he agreed this change. Has he not read his High Code it is illegal to park this close to a junction.

OAKHAM FITNESS CENTRE Royce Recreation Ground

Oakham Town Council will be discussing various issues at the next Council meeting. It is likely the public will be excluded from the meeting at that point due to the confidential nature.

The Fitness Centre rents the building from Oakham Town Council for a rent much lower than the market value due to the nature of the lease. this is the same for the tennis club and bowls club. all exclusive members clubs subsidised by Oakham Town Council.

Durring the short time I was a Town Councillor, I noticed from the accounts this Fitness Company was at that time in rent arrears.

I asked the Clerk what was being done, he said don't worry they will pay sometime.

If they are in arrears I suggest Oakham Town Council seek repossession for none payment of rent, before they go bust due to the opening of Stevenage Leisures New High Tech Gymn at Camose.

The building should be then used as a local community / arts centre which I am sure would be well used by the deserving local residents.

If you have a view about this matter let the Town Council know you can do this by attending next Wednesdays meeting.

A MEETING OF
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2011 AT 7.30 PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM

Cuts What Cuts? at Oakham Town Council New Benches Cutts Close

Oakham Town Council is considering spending money destroying six of these benches and replacing them with 6 new “Lions Head” benches manufactured by Broxap Ltd for installation in Cutts Close as replacements for those adjacent to the Toddlers’ Play Area.

This is a waste of public money and purely a cosmetic exercise and will incur extra painting cost in the future.

Each bench is likely to cost £549.00 + VAT plus cost of removal of existing benches and the installation of the new benches.

And why no quotation from another company?

The Clerk certainly knows how to spend the money "the council has a duty to collect and spend as it sees fit."

The above will be discussed at next Wednesdays meeting if you wish to make your views known the council regarding this expense please let them know or go along to the meeting and have your say.

A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2011 AT 7.30 PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM

Why Did Oakham Town Councillor Matthew Taylor Resign?

Hi Martin,

Oakham Town Council adopted the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order obliging holders of public office to treat others with respect and be open about all of the actions and decisions they take.

Matthew Taylor has not shown respect by, for example, acknowledging receipt of the request made by a member of the public on 22.01.11 asking for his immediate resignation and being open as to the reasons why he has resigned.

Holders of public office are accountable for their actions and decisions. Can you put a request on your blog calling for Helen Briggs to let the public know the real reasons why Matthew Taylor has resigned?

Rutland County Council Web Site errors

There are more errors on the council web than on my blog.

One example, it appears one member of the cabinet does not have any responsibility

The Cabinet comprises the Leader of the Council plus six elected County Councillors.
The Cabinet prepares Council policies and budgets and is responsible for most day-to-day decision making. The Cabinet also provides leadership and accountability for the local community. Each of the five Cabinet Members are responsible for a specified policy area.

Cabinet Membership
The Cabinet comprises the following County Councillors:-

Roger Begy (Chairman) - Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services;

Terry King - Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development and Finance;

Peter Jones - Culture, Partnerships and Market Towns Portfolio;

Hugh Rees - Adult Social Services and Health Portfolio;

Janine Rodger - Regulatory Services Portfolio;

Heather Wells - Children and Young People's Services Portfolio;

Mark Wells - Highways, Transportation and Housing Portfolio.

Please note Mr Begy Says he works with a non political council, All his cabinet are Tory

Mrs Susie Iannantuoni (Cons) Rutland County Council Cottesmore Ward resigned

COTTESMORE WARD Representing: Barrow, Cottesmore, Market Overton and Teigh

Mrs Susie Iannantuoni (Cons) Was elected at the Cottesmore by-election held on Thursday 21 May 2009

She beat Joanna Mary BURROWS (Liberal Democrat) - 182 votes
Susie IANNANTUONI (Conservative Party Candidate) - 389 votes

Turnout was 26.4%
She rarely attended meetings. Her biggest project after one year was to invite RAF Cottesmore to bonfire. night.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Cllr Matthew Taylor Resigns From Oakham Town Council

RESIGNATION

Cllr Matthew Taylor has resigned as a member for Oakham North West.

Mr Taylor cited other commitments that meant that he was no longer able to commit fully to the role.

The Council will make a decision on whether it wishes to fill the vacancy by co-option in due course.

Of course nothing to do with the way he treated a local resident, when he was employed by Rutland County Council.

It is time all these bullies resigned.

Cllr Alf Dewis
Cllr Joyce Lucas
Cllr Sharon Spencer (who we know is going in May)
Cllr Charles Haworth
Cllr Maureen Dodds
Town Clerk Richard White, All need to go now, along with their supporters at Rutland County Council.

I would like to thank all the people locally, who over the last two weeks have approached me in town to say welldone. I don't think I have done anything.

Those people can do more, stand and take control of your councils and get rid of the selfish Councillors.

Not all Councillors are rotten.

Those who are not listed above are very good Town Councillors

Cllr Adam Lowe and Cllr Lorna Grey are especially good. Cllr Lowe is not scared to stand up and challenge the Clerk, He stands up and says the sort of things I said and was shouted down.
Questions like why is there only one quote Mr white?

Mr White was happy there is only one quote because he knows the man by his first name so he can be trusted the quote he has obtained is ok.

Mr White did not want me to publish information about the Bandstand Contract, Standards ruled it was in the public interest although I should not have criticised the Clerk.
Poor show when The Rutland Times would not print my letter, but print one from ex Cllr Mr Beech congratulating the Clerk. Local builders who did not quote because they saw it as a low income job said if they knew the contract was going to be so lucrative they would have also tendered at the high price of £30,000 also.

We need a town council that is interested in the people, town and its future.

A strong council is required.

Or does Oakham need a Town Council? take a look at what happened to Letchworth Garden City Town Council.

We certainly don't need another 4 years of do gooders, who are drunken bullies.

Its a pity local Police who supported this mob cant be held to account. Inspector Monks

All the Councillor I ask to resign used to hold private meetings about me to find a way of dealing with me.

Cllr Dewis has admitted this. Others deny it even though their leader Cllr Dewis has said this happened.

I don't know the full facts about the member of the public's complaint against Mr Taylor. It is good to see he has taken the action she requested. Its a pity the others don't learn from him.

Stamford Lincolnshire Night Photographs

Opus Dai, 16 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG former Td's Salon De The

The inside of this Burghley Estates property has been gutted and refurnished as a Champagne Bar

Opus Dai, 16 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG

Demolition Stamford Lincolnshire Photographs

6 Albert Road - Stamford was demolished after the owner blew it up. South Kesteven District Council paid for the demolition of the dangerous structure. costing £22,705

I visited the home next door when it was a show home. Interesting to see that property is still being repaired. The remains of the home are now up for sale!