Oakham Town Council looking to Increase Share of 2012-2013 Council Tax Bill by 2.2%

Oakham Town Council looking to Increase Share of  2012-2013 Council Tax Bill by 2.2%

Oakham Town Councillor will be considering their budget for 2012 - 2013 at next Wednesdays
full council meeting. The budget proposes a precept increase of 2.2%

The budget includes a possible pay rise for the Clerk and Assistant Clerk.

Although there is currently a wage freeze for Local Government employees this appears to
mean nothing as we are told incremental increases are not included in this. There is, therefore
the possibility that salary increases may be awarded as a result of appraisals in 2012 - 2013.
In the case of the Clerk a one point incremental increase would equate to £1250 on the budget.
A similar increase for the Assistant Clerk would add £360. The assistant Clerk has a long way
to go before she catches up with the Clerk who if awarded this increase would hit the highest
pay recommended by Government.

In His Summary the Clerk says:

It has been stated in meetings that the setting of the budget is a somewhat arbitrary
process because of the lack of an overall Strategic Plan for the Council, However,
until such a plan is agreed he process outlined is the only way in which a budget can
be determined.

At a meeting last year I raised the issue of the lack of any plan as a Councillors
question and the official response was the Council does not need one. Why the
sudden change? Cllr Dewis had a brain wave at a recent meeting so the Council
needs one?

Another point of interest in the Clerks summary is an admission to something I
have highlighted for some time and been attacked for doing so.

It reads: Although it could be argued that the Council is not responsible for
a great deal in the Town.......

I agree it cost the tax payer a fortune for very little in return, Well done Clerk.