Oakham Town Council Special Meeting 22nd July 2015 Video and Reports
At Oakham Town Council public deputations Mr Paul Beech ex Mayor ex Cllr chose to use the opportunity to attack me.
Thank you Mr Beech for conducting this assault on behalf of your ex colleagues and friends on
the council, you couldn't have put my case more effectively.
I think followers should judge for themselves.
I attempted to remain silent throughout but as the chairman permitted this to continue
I felt I had to say something.
It was good to see Mr Beech's partner in crime ex Mayor Jim Harrison present
taking our photographs
Both promptly departed after the motion for a vote of no confidence in our
Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis failed.
There is no reason for this culture of secrecy.
Oakham Town Council
22 July 2015
Cllr Brookes has asked three questions. I will only be answering the first in open session as the other two contain confidential information. If a later item on the agenda becomes exempt then I will answer the questions at that time.
1) Why is Oakham Town Council continuing to assist Brooke Hill Academy procure the use of Woodland Trust Land when it is aware there is a covenant on the land which prevents the creation of a car park?
Answer:
Oakham Town Council agreed to be the leaseholder in name only for the car park which is designed to help overcome the dangerous situation on Brooke Road when children are dropped off and picked up from the School. The removal of any covenant is for discussion and negotiation between the Academy and The Woodland Trust and has no cost implications on the Council.
2) Why Is Oakham Town Council expecting members to keep a secret from the beneficiary of a covenant, that secret being Brooke Hill Academy has sourced an insurance policy which will indemnify the Woodland Trust against any claim that could be made by the previous land owner.
Answer:
During discussions with the solicitor, the Clerk and I were made aware that the acquiring of the indemnity insurance by Brooke Hill Academy was a ‘commercial in confidence matter’. Cllr Brookes was aware of this fact but instead chose to make the matter public. Members are expected to respect confidentiality on issues considered by the Council.
3) If Brooke Hill Academy has truly acquired an indemnity why is Oakham Town Council instructing its solicitor to arrange an immediate opt out surrender clause if the covenant is legally challenged by the previous land owner?
Answer:
The Council, at the outset, advised both the Academy and The Woodland Trust that it would be the leaseholder in name only and would not put itself in a position where additional costs, other than its own legal fees, would be incurred. If a claim were to be made then the Council could be drawn into possible legal action and the subsequent costs. Therefore to protect the Council’s position the Council’s solicitor was instructed to advise Brooke Hill Academy and the Woodland Trust that the Council would seek an immediate break clause to be written into the lease to protect its position.
The Council’s request for a break clause has been rejected and therefore the Council no longer has an interest in continuing with the lease.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Vote of no Confidence in Oakham Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis Not Seconded
Vote of no Confidence in Oakham Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis Not Seconded
This morning Rutland Radio reports the above.
It gets a small point wrong I did not call the meeting I asked for
the agenda item. The Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis and his deputy
called the special meeting.
Two items were moved forward.
Public Deputations first and the opportunity was used by ex Mayor and
ex Cllr Paul Beech to personally attack me, he said everything I say
is a lie.
The Proposal Vote of no confidence.
Cllr Alf Dewis chose to leave the room as I gave my report
Cllr Adam Lowe took over the chair.
Cllr Blanksby raised an objection to me reading out the
report.
I attempted to add an additional comments about
a the matter and a monitoring officer's report.
Cllr Lucas interrupted the Chair Cllr Lowe would not
let me refer to the report which referred to Cllr Dewis
actions which an independent person stated he acted innocently due
to a lack of understanding of the council's financial rule and
it should not happen again,
Cllr Stubbs also objected to me adding to my report and said
we should just vote, this is the problem with the town council
he said to me after the meeting I am not the only one with an
opinion that maybe true but he and others are not willing
to listen to others.
When I finished Cllr Adam Lowe said he found it incredible that we
are here if I am honest and its absoluting astounding.
Cllr Joyce Lucas echoed the vice chairs comment adding it is
a great shame we have come to this.
Cllr Stubs said he has read and digested this and knew which
way he would vote. rather like the large packet of biscuit he
was eating.
Cllr Paul Mills said a lot comments had been put on social media and
various blogs and that has been more harmful than anything else to
the council.
Cllr Rebecca Hearn said I think this whole argument has brings
the council into disrepute rather then anything that is being
proposed and thinks its a shame. after the meeting she said she
felt that all people needed was to be loved.
Cllr Adam Lowe said he has read the report and understands
it but can not comment on it.
I was permitted to make final comments before making
my proposals which were not seconded so they fell.
Cllr Adam Lowe thanked me for bringing item.
Cllr Alf Dewis returned to the room and two councillor clapped.
Ex Mayor Paul Becch and Jim Harrison departed.
The meeting continued in brief at the normal way Oakham
Town Council conducts itself.
The Chairman refused to answer two of my Cllr questions
in public
For example Cllr Adam Lowe made a proposal for Oakham
Late Night Christmas shopping his proposal rather flippantly
included the council gazebo will be located anywhere throughout
Rutland and this was accepted!
Cllr Paul Mills gave a report about the accounts review of the
council defective 2014 -2015 accounts. he incorrectly described
this as a audit and auditor. He mentioned my meeting with the
new internal auditor and said I gave him some background
information at it was perhaps unhelpful.
The last item went into exempt it had been brought to council
by Councillor Joyce Lucas. Who wanted two of her friends
both former Oakham Councillors. to be nominated as Rutland's
next Alderman. A post chosen and appointed by Rutland County
Council. She started to talk about her own BEM and how she
had not realised all the hard work people had completed
which led to her receiving it. She also mention a member
of the public had written to the cabinet office to lodge an objection
against her receiving the award. she went on and on none of it
relevant to the nominating people for the role of Alderman.
She waved a cheap looking medal in the air and said the cost
of £1.50 had come out of her own pocket and the Alderman
would wear it.
Cllr Adam Lowe raised an issue about the eligibility of the
named people because the person could only be an Alderman
if they had been a Rutland County Councillor. It would
appear the work Cllr Lucas had done so far had not included
this first vital piece of research.
I said this appeared to be Councillor Lucas's project and
the council did not need to support it she could continue
on with the project in her private capacity. She had
acted unilaterally to this stage.
Cllr Lowe continued with his proposal and then as people
were voting Cllr Lucas realised she was being asked to
do further work she then tossed her paper on the table
saying I am not doing any more work on this. I am
not sure who she was expecting to carry out the work
a habit of Mrs Lucas lately is to start something and then
not finish it. Mrs Lucas wasted a lot of our time last night
Cllr Adam lowe said five minutes of his life had been
wasted. Cllr Lucas behaves in the same poor way at
working groups constantly saying I am not doing anything.
New Cllr Rebecca Hearn asked the Clerk what would
happen if a councillor revealed the names of the people
on the document marked confidential he responded nothing.
As completely fed up with the selfish actions and
cronyism of Cllr Joyce Lucas so I will name her friends
her she wants nominated for Alderman.
Cllr Lucas knew it was not Oakham Town /Councils
Job to nominate anyone for Rutland County Councils
award because her own report alludes to that and she says
it may not be appropriate to nominate a past member
of Oakham Town Council but until we try we will
never know.
Mrs Joy Gregg a former ex Mayor and Mr Peter May
also a ex Mayor.
After the meeting I attempted to have a conversation
with the Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis it was heated but not
unpleasant. Once again I asked Cllr Dewis who
authorised the expenditure he said "We do not know"
How can a council get into a position that they spend
£1191.00 of taxpayers money without knowing who
authorised it, the amount was reduced to £994.80
after someone disputed the high cost Cllr Dewis added
he felt the bill now paid with no authority was still too
high.
In his deputation Mr Beech mention there might be
errors in the councils accounts yes there is and no
the council will know much about them at the end
of the review because Cllr Alf Dewis ensured they are
not conducting an audit and the accountant said she
would not be looking for mistakes as stated in Cllr Alf
Dewis comments in the Rutland Mercury last friday
Rutland Radio and The Rutland say the Mayor will be answering questions
later lets hope they ask him who authorised the Wilkin
Chapman expenditure because it is unacceptable for the
council to say they don't know.
Oakham Town Council is unprofessional and has defective
accounts and has failed to submit its accounts to the external
auditor. The council has a duty to show it is handling public
money correctly and Oakham Town Council failed to do this.
This morning Rutland Radio reports the above.
It gets a small point wrong I did not call the meeting I asked for
the agenda item. The Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis and his deputy
called the special meeting.
Two items were moved forward.
Public Deputations first and the opportunity was used by ex Mayor and
ex Cllr Paul Beech to personally attack me, he said everything I say
is a lie.
The Proposal Vote of no confidence.
Cllr Alf Dewis chose to leave the room as I gave my report
Cllr Adam Lowe took over the chair.
Cllr Blanksby raised an objection to me reading out the
report.
I attempted to add an additional comments about
a the matter and a monitoring officer's report.
Cllr Lucas interrupted the Chair Cllr Lowe would not
let me refer to the report which referred to Cllr Dewis
actions which an independent person stated he acted innocently due
to a lack of understanding of the council's financial rule and
it should not happen again,
Cllr Stubbs also objected to me adding to my report and said
we should just vote, this is the problem with the town council
he said to me after the meeting I am not the only one with an
opinion that maybe true but he and others are not willing
to listen to others.
When I finished Cllr Adam Lowe said he found it incredible that we
are here if I am honest and its absoluting astounding.
Cllr Joyce Lucas echoed the vice chairs comment adding it is
a great shame we have come to this.
Cllr Stubs said he has read and digested this and knew which
way he would vote. rather like the large packet of biscuit he
was eating.
Cllr Paul Mills said a lot comments had been put on social media and
various blogs and that has been more harmful than anything else to
the council.
Cllr Rebecca Hearn said I think this whole argument has brings
the council into disrepute rather then anything that is being
proposed and thinks its a shame. after the meeting she said she
felt that all people needed was to be loved.
Cllr Adam Lowe said he has read the report and understands
it but can not comment on it.
I was permitted to make final comments before making
my proposals which were not seconded so they fell.
Cllr Adam Lowe thanked me for bringing item.
Cllr Alf Dewis returned to the room and two councillor clapped.
Ex Mayor Paul Becch and Jim Harrison departed.
The meeting continued in brief at the normal way Oakham
Town Council conducts itself.
The Chairman refused to answer two of my Cllr questions
in public
For example Cllr Adam Lowe made a proposal for Oakham
Late Night Christmas shopping his proposal rather flippantly
included the council gazebo will be located anywhere throughout
Rutland and this was accepted!
Cllr Paul Mills gave a report about the accounts review of the
council defective 2014 -2015 accounts. he incorrectly described
this as a audit and auditor. He mentioned my meeting with the
new internal auditor and said I gave him some background
information at it was perhaps unhelpful.
The last item went into exempt it had been brought to council
by Councillor Joyce Lucas. Who wanted two of her friends
both former Oakham Councillors. to be nominated as Rutland's
next Alderman. A post chosen and appointed by Rutland County
Council. She started to talk about her own BEM and how she
had not realised all the hard work people had completed
which led to her receiving it. She also mention a member
of the public had written to the cabinet office to lodge an objection
against her receiving the award. she went on and on none of it
relevant to the nominating people for the role of Alderman.
She waved a cheap looking medal in the air and said the cost
of £1.50 had come out of her own pocket and the Alderman
would wear it.
Cllr Adam Lowe raised an issue about the eligibility of the
named people because the person could only be an Alderman
if they had been a Rutland County Councillor. It would
appear the work Cllr Lucas had done so far had not included
this first vital piece of research.
I said this appeared to be Councillor Lucas's project and
the council did not need to support it she could continue
on with the project in her private capacity. She had
acted unilaterally to this stage.
Cllr Lowe continued with his proposal and then as people
were voting Cllr Lucas realised she was being asked to
do further work she then tossed her paper on the table
saying I am not doing any more work on this. I am
not sure who she was expecting to carry out the work
a habit of Mrs Lucas lately is to start something and then
not finish it. Mrs Lucas wasted a lot of our time last night
Cllr Adam lowe said five minutes of his life had been
wasted. Cllr Lucas behaves in the same poor way at
working groups constantly saying I am not doing anything.
New Cllr Rebecca Hearn asked the Clerk what would
happen if a councillor revealed the names of the people
on the document marked confidential he responded nothing.
As completely fed up with the selfish actions and
cronyism of Cllr Joyce Lucas so I will name her friends
her she wants nominated for Alderman.
Cllr Lucas knew it was not Oakham Town /Councils
Job to nominate anyone for Rutland County Councils
award because her own report alludes to that and she says
it may not be appropriate to nominate a past member
of Oakham Town Council but until we try we will
never know.
Mrs Joy Gregg a former ex Mayor and Mr Peter May
also a ex Mayor.
After the meeting I attempted to have a conversation
with the Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis it was heated but not
unpleasant. Once again I asked Cllr Dewis who
authorised the expenditure he said "We do not know"
How can a council get into a position that they spend
£1191.00 of taxpayers money without knowing who
authorised it, the amount was reduced to £994.80
after someone disputed the high cost Cllr Dewis added
he felt the bill now paid with no authority was still too
high.
In his deputation Mr Beech mention there might be
errors in the councils accounts yes there is and no
the council will know much about them at the end
of the review because Cllr Alf Dewis ensured they are
not conducting an audit and the accountant said she
would not be looking for mistakes as stated in Cllr Alf
Dewis comments in the Rutland Mercury last friday
Rutland Radio and The Rutland say the Mayor will be answering questions
later lets hope they ask him who authorised the Wilkin
Chapman expenditure because it is unacceptable for the
council to say they don't know.
Oakham Town Council is unprofessional and has defective
accounts and has failed to submit its accounts to the external
auditor. The council has a duty to show it is handling public
money correctly and Oakham Town Council failed to do this.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
At Oakham Town Council public deputations Mr Paul Beech ex Mayor ex Cllr chose to use the opportunity to attack me.
At Oakham Town Council public deputations Mr Paul Beech ex Mayor ex Cllr chose to use the opportunity to attack me.
Thank you Mr Beech for conducting this assault on behalf of your ex colleagues and friends on
the council, you couldn't have put my case more effectively.
I think followers should judge for themselves.
I attempted to remain silent throughout but as the chairman permitted this to continue
I felt I had to say something.
It was good to see Mr Beech's partner in crime ex Mayor Jim Harrison present
taking our photographs
Both promptly departed after the motion for a vote of no confidence in our
Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis failed.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Brookhill Academy Oakham, Woodland Trust and Oakham Town Council Answers the council would not give publicly
There is no reason for this culture of secrecy.
Oakham Town Council
22 July 2015
Cllr Brookes has asked three questions. I will only be answering the first in open session as the other two contain confidential information. If a later item on the agenda becomes exempt then I will answer the questions at that time.
1) Why is Oakham Town Council continuing to assist Brooke Hill Academy procure the use of Woodland Trust Land when it is aware there is a covenant on the land which prevents the creation of a car park?
Answer:
Oakham Town Council agreed to be the leaseholder in name only for the car park which is designed to help overcome the dangerous situation on Brooke Road when children are dropped off and picked up from the School. The removal of any covenant is for discussion and negotiation between the Academy and The Woodland Trust and has no cost implications on the Council.
2) Why Is Oakham Town Council expecting members to keep a secret from the beneficiary of a covenant, that secret being Brooke Hill Academy has sourced an insurance policy which will indemnify the Woodland Trust against any claim that could be made by the previous land owner.
Answer:
During discussions with the solicitor, the Clerk and I were made aware that the acquiring of the indemnity insurance by Brooke Hill Academy was a ‘commercial in confidence matter’. Cllr Brookes was aware of this fact but instead chose to make the matter public. Members are expected to respect confidentiality on issues considered by the Council.
3) If Brooke Hill Academy has truly acquired an indemnity why is Oakham Town Council instructing its solicitor to arrange an immediate opt out surrender clause if the covenant is legally challenged by the previous land owner?
Answer:
The Council, at the outset, advised both the Academy and The Woodland Trust that it would be the leaseholder in name only and would not put itself in a position where additional costs, other than its own legal fees, would be incurred. If a claim were to be made then the Council could be drawn into possible legal action and the subsequent costs. Therefore to protect the Council’s position the Council’s solicitor was instructed to advise Brooke Hill Academy and the Woodland Trust that the Council would seek an immediate break clause to be written into the lease to protect its position.
The Council’s request for a break clause has been rejected and therefore the Council no longer has an interest in continuing with the lease.
