A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL WEDNESDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2011

A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2011 AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
(This followed the meeting of sole the Planning and General Purposes Committee and the
Parks and Recreation Committee to approve minutes)


APOLOGIES - were  received according to Local Government Act 1972 Section 85(1)
From Cllr Mark Woodcock Mayor Stated this was due to Stresses of Work!
Cllr Swiffin ill, The Mayor explained he has not attended a meeting since last September and his seat would become vacant on the 15th March, she said the council will have to vote before this meeting, It was not clearly explained why, I think they maybe trying to save his position on the council. last September he was close to losing his seat and he was called in at sat farting throughout the meeting.
during public deputations at the previous meeting I said although I am not callous or unsympathetic to people who are ill it just seems a little strange the council has not asked him to retired so the seat could have been filled by a person who could serve the community.

Members are asked to declare any interest they may have in respect to items on the
agenda none were declared.

I would like to point out Mr Martin Grimes attended from Standards and the Councillors behaved its a disgrace they need to be visited to conduct themselves in a democratic fashion, why are they pre warned who is coming. They all greeted him by first name and Cllr Lucas was making a special effort to impress. Even the Clerk made a effort and put agendas on each public seat this has not been done for a long time. Mr Grimes did note the appendices were not available to all.

Members confirmed the minutes of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on
Wednesday February 2nd 2011

No COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS

ITEMS OUTSTANDING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS Why does the Mayor always say minutes?

CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER’S REPORTS
We finally got to find out the reason for the ATC parade and something that was with held at the last meeting. The Mayor reported she attended the 70th and 50th Anniversary parade, she attend Oakham ATC 50th birthday party "and the ATC did a good job marching in the street" Party was local dignatories.
She also reported the Noel Institute was had roofing problems

Cllr Lucas had to be reminded by Cllr Lucas what her reports were about

She went on to say work would be starting on a tree in Burly Road Car Park.
The Care Village is now in her ward NW Oakham
The apple tree outside library will be pruned.
100 trees had been replaced in Rutland and it was good Oakham managed to get a large share 20

She then went on to Plug Cllr Peter Jones event 25th - 26th June at Rutland Water, saying I know its not a Oakham Town Council event but its bigger than you have read in the press. It is expected to be so big the roads in Oakham will be busy and the public toilets must be clean!

Cllr Grey reported on a committee meeting? she finished by saying the group felt there were to many members being sent from Oakham Town Council could the Council send less. I think a polite request meaning we don't like some of Councillors.

Members are asked to inform the Clerk of any changes in their Register of Member’s
Interests.

CLERK’S REPORT – For information only
To receive a report from the Clerk

Once again Councillors made Comments when I was a Councillor I was told to shut up I reminded the council about this in the following deputations.



Cllr Alf Dewis was very upset the RAF Cottesmore farewell march was a low key event and suggested flags bunting amongst other things. not happy content with a march and party for the elite in the Museum at the tax payers expense, I say scrap the party and give all the lads and girls from Cottesmore a few cans of beer each. After all these are the people who have braved Afghanistan and Iraq not a handful of rotten councillors and officials and their friends. Once all the military has gone from Rutland what excuse will Rutland County Council use to fund this luxury events?

Cllr Joyce Lucas the forever selfless councillor said there are flags in storage.
We should do our bit for the day especially for those retired like my Husband and Next Door Neighbour!

Cllr Maureen Dodds could not understand her either confused, ill or drunk? (she once again drove to the pub after the meeting for light refreshment)

The Mayor snapped at her "Look at the Report!"

The Clerk kindly pointed out what she had missed.

Cllr Lucas Spoke the last word "We did more for the freedom of entry, we should not let this slip by"
I agree with Helen Pender's blog for far to long now Rutland has been influenced by retired service men and quite frankly my own experience is most of them put the services to shame. Drunken bullies.
As they are going now I will now publish one of there senior officers comments. made on November 11th 2010. When I photographed The Leader of our Council Roger Begy along with this man, I ask for his his name and  he said I don't want to be associated with him.I agree why would anyone as respectable as this man want to be associated with the Rutland Tory mob who behave terribly and often drunk. I think these Rutland Drunken Bullies will become very lonely, I guess they could hold a special parade of police for Inspector Monks

DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public were invited to address the meeting in accordance with
procedures laid down in Standing Order 73

First to speak was former Oakham Town Councillor Alan Walter, He spoke very eloquently about public service cuts impossed by Rutland County Council although he was against their proposed reduction of library hours he, did not think it was the Town Councils job to fund the two hours.


Then I spoke I reminded the council how they used to tell be to shut up if I wanted to comment on the Clerks report and it now seemed to be a regular thing for them to comment, in fact tonight saw a long debate about the Clerks meeting with RAF Cottesmore.


INTERNAL AUDIT (Appendix B – first and second Internal Audit reports)
Members considered and discussed the second internal audit and approved recommendations

CO-OPTION
The members decided not to co-opt a new member for Oakham North
West Ward


PROPOSED REDUCTION OF OPERATING HOURS IN OAKHAM
LIBRARY (Appendix C)
To consider a letter from Rutland County Council and to decide whether the
Council wishes to provide funding

The Mayor reminded members they had the power to change any part of the budget if they wanted to send Rutland County Council money to pay for the staff member.


Some Councillors said this is double taxation.

Cllr Dewis pointed out Ketton and Ryhall were the biggest losers to Rutland County Councils cuts and he did not have a problem with Oakham loosing two hours.

Cllr Lucas pointed out the name above the door Rutland and said let them get on with it!
Cllr Tor Clerk Said this was a soft target for RCC and we should be careful and this could be the thin edge of the wedge. Also he said culture is important.
Cllr Dodds said??????
Finally Councillor Lucas said if there are so few user at this time why should we fund it.

The Council refused the request and request if RCC do cut the hours it is spread over two days instead of one.


APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION IN NHS LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY &
RUTLAND’S PHARMACEUTICAL LIST (Appendix D)

Cllr Alf Dewis explained the finer details saying he had spoken to the Health Trust and it was ludicrous they were even asking the council to consider this application.

Cllr Lucas said you would expect me to speak on this after 30 years experience in pharmacy.
The speach was long winded.
She was basically saying he pharmacy and pharmacist in Oakham were ok good enough.
Someone was cherry picking.
She did not want to go into the enhanced services particularly about contraception!

This sort of Scheme had failed in Lincolnshire.

Even though it make no difference councillor voted against the application.



14. GREAT POPPY PARTY WEEKEND (Appendix E)

To consider a letter from The Royal British Legion and to decide whether the Council
wishes to organise a Poppy Party over the weekend of 10th – 12th June 2011
There was a lot of debate about this item.

Cllr Charles Haworth said I don't want to burden the next council

 Cllr Joyce Lucas This is the Royal!! British Legion!! (hoping the royal plug might get her a MBE or something)

Its 90 years, I am not saying we should give a grant, but we should acknowledge their good work.
Can we swap a band concert or have a party in the park?

Cllr Spencer said Band Concert and a bouncy slide would be good.

Cllr Lucas demanded Clerk! is there a band concert?

The Clerk replied these had not been arranged yet.

Cllr Lucas said I will shake a tin, (its been illegal to shake a tin for a few years now one law I don't agree with)

Cllr Dodds told everyone it clashes with the start of the Oakham festival.

Cllr Tor Clark agreed with Cllr Haworths point.

A lot of discussion followed to cut it short Cllr Dodds offered to help, but Cllr Spencer ignored her and proposed what had been agreed previous to the meeting Herself, Cllr Lucas and Cllr Grey would set up a working group to organise an event and if they were not Councillors after May they would continue to run the event. Cllr Spencer as we know is stepping down.



15. CUTTS CLOSE
(i) To consider a letter from Leicester Constabulary regarding the proposed
additional lighting for the Skatepark and to make an appropriate decision
relating to the matter (Appendix F)


This was very shocking the Council seemed to endorse child labour.

Cllr Dewis stood first and said I very disappointed!! The young people should have worked for the money the police have just handed them money.

Cllr Adam Lowe Disagreed the young people have achieved the aim. They have done nothing different from the council they have secured funding.

(I agree, I don't see councillors digging gardens to acquire grants!)

Cllr Lorna Grey was also disappointed it was clear PC Lloyd had directed the young people towards the BCU fund.

Cllr Lucas made a very serious allegation and said the letter that was signed by Children was a fake. It was clearly not written by child.

When they dish out tax payers funds to Oakham Festival why are they not subjected the same scrutiny.


INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND OFF SITE BACK UP
(Appendix H)
To consider recommendations from the Council’s IT provider regarding the above
and to decide whether to authorise:
(i) Purchase of Network Attached Storage
(ii) Off site back up for Council documentation
17. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS (Appendix I)
To approve the Schedule of Payments from January 1st 2011 to January 31st 2011

The Clerk totally confused members with this item, he had numbered items differently and look flustered when questioned.

The way he always does when things are not going his way.

No Tender?
Nick a freind of his?
Cllr Adam Lowe voted against the proposal to accept because there had been no tender.

Councillors  received the Statement of Accounts to January 31st 2011

EXEMPT ITEM
To decide whether to exclude the Press and Public, under Section 1(2) of the Public
Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, during consideration of Item 20 on the
agenda due to the confidential nature of the matters to be discussed

There was a pause before Alf Dewis jumped from his seat to propose exclusion. We were excluded.
OAKHAM FITNESS CENTRE
To discuss various matters and to decide on an appropriate way forward
Cllr Haworth left the room for a short time.
We were called back in no one was expecting us to return with Mr Grimes from Standards  Councillor Lucas made the most noise.

The mayor told us the Council had decided to seek advice and take appropriate action regarding the exempt item.

The meeeting was closed and Cllr Joyce Lucas Rushed over to whisper to Martin Grimes Standards Visitor.

Self regulation is a farce