Oakham Town Council Meeting Agenda Wednesday 23rd March 2016
Oakham Town Council
Victoria Hall, 39 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH
Telephone: 01572 723627
e-mail: enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 23TH MARCH 2016 AT 7.00 PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
Members of the public attending this meeting are advised that it will be
filmed and recorded, or photographed
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES - Standing Order 1(u)
(i) To receive apologies for absence
(ii) To decide whether to approve absences
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked to declare, if required:
(i) Any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda
(ii) Any other interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda
Members are also reminded to inform the Clerk of any changes in their Register of Members’
Interests
3. MINUTES (Appendix A)
To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on
Wednesday March 9th 2016
4. COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 9
(Members note that 72 hours’ notice is now required)
5. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER’S REPORTS
To receive a report from the Chairman on functions attended and to receive reports from Members who have attended meetings on behalf of Oakham Town Council
(Members intending to report should inform the Clerk prior to the meeting)
6. CLERK’S REPORT – For information only
To receive a report from the Clerk
7. DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public are invited to address the meeting in accordance with procedures laid down in
Standing Orders 1(d) – 1(i)
8. WORKING GROUPS AND STEERING GROUPS STRATEGY ASSURANCE
To receive written reports from Working Groups and Steering Groups and to make any decisions as
appropriate
(i) Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (Appendix B – to follow)
9. OAKHAM CEMETERY (Appendix C)
(i) To consider a report and to make any decisions as necessary
(ii) To discuss any other issues raised by members relating to the takeover of the ownership and
management of Oakham Cemetery by Oakham Town Council and to make any decisions as
required
10. REVIEW OF COUNCIL STRUCTURE (Appendix D)
(i) To appoint members to a Working Group
(ii) To agree on the terms of reference for the Group
11. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT (Appendix E)
To review the Council’s Risk Assessment, to agree on any changes and to approve the document
12. ASSET REGISTER (Appendix F)
To approve the Council’s Asset Register to March 31st 2016
13. GRANT APPLICATION (Appendix G)
To consider a grant application from the Oakham Home Gardens and Allotment Society and to make
any decisions as appropriate
14. PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE (Appendix H)
To appoint two members to the Planning sub - committee
15. WEBSITE (Appendix I)
To consider a report relating to the Council’s website and to make any decisions as appropriate
16. NEW MAYORAL CHAIN (Appendix J)
To consider a report and to make such decisions as appropriate
17. THE RECORDING, PHOTOGRAPHING AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AT MEETINGS
(Appendix K)
To review and agree on the Council’s protocol for the above
18. AGINCOURT OAK TREE (Appendix L)
To consider a report and to make any decisions as required
19. CUTTS CLOSE IMPROVEMENTS (Appendix M)
To consider a report and to make decisions as appropriate
20. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider the following planning applications and to agree on any recommendations, comments or
observations to be made thereon
(i) 2016/0200/FUL Mr J Lewis
Rear extension to dwellinghouse
12 Barmstedt Close
(ii) 2016/0231/FUL Mr O McCann
Single Storey side extension
14 Barlow Road
(iii) 2016/0152/FUL Mr & Mrs Deane
First floor extension above existing ground floor
16 Chiltern Close
(iv) 2016/0147/ADV The Melton Mowbray Building Society
Replacement of Shopfront and Signage
23 High Street
(v) 2016/0148/FUL The Melton Mowbray Building Society
Replacement of Shopfront and Signage
23 High Street
(vi) 2016/0151/FUL Mr Leminov
Alterations to main building, including demolition and rebuild of conservatories & porch and
new canopy to rear. Extension to garage. New entrance gates
8 Lodges Gardens
(vii) 2016/0222/CAT Oakham School
Prunus sp. – Fell. T0034 – Fell. T0035 – Fell. Norway maple 9Acer platanoides_ - Fell and
replace
Merton Building, Church Street
(viii) 2016/0264/CAT Mr & Mrs Morse
Beech (T5) – Raise crown by 4cm. Oak (T6) – Raise crown by 3.5m. Yews (T7 –T8) – remove
2 Yew Trees to just above ground level (by rear fenceline)
15 Stamford Road
(ix) 2016/0238/PTA Mr Morse
Yews (T1-T4) – Raise crown of 4 Yew Trees to -4m and remove significant deadwood – These
trees in the front garden would be improved as will the front garden by raising them and
removing the deadwood
15 Stamford Road
Richard White
Clerk to the Council
17th March 2016
Oakham Town Council
Victoria Hall, 39 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH
Telephone: 01572 723627
e-mail: enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 23TH MARCH 2016 AT 7.00 PM
AT THE OFFICES OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALL, 39 HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
Members of the public attending this meeting are advised that it will be
filmed and recorded, or photographed
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES - Standing Order 1(u)
(i) To receive apologies for absence
(ii) To decide whether to approve absences
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked to declare, if required:
(i) Any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda
(ii) Any other interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda
Members are also reminded to inform the Clerk of any changes in their Register of Members’
Interests
3. MINUTES (Appendix A)
To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on
Wednesday March 9th 2016
4. COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 9
(Members note that 72 hours’ notice is now required)
5. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER’S REPORTS
To receive a report from the Chairman on functions attended and to receive reports from Members who have attended meetings on behalf of Oakham Town Council
(Members intending to report should inform the Clerk prior to the meeting)
6. CLERK’S REPORT – For information only
To receive a report from the Clerk
7. DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public are invited to address the meeting in accordance with procedures laid down in
Standing Orders 1(d) – 1(i)
8. WORKING GROUPS AND STEERING GROUPS STRATEGY ASSURANCE
To receive written reports from Working Groups and Steering Groups and to make any decisions as
appropriate
(i) Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (Appendix B – to follow)
9. OAKHAM CEMETERY (Appendix C)
(i) To consider a report and to make any decisions as necessary
(ii) To discuss any other issues raised by members relating to the takeover of the ownership and
management of Oakham Cemetery by Oakham Town Council and to make any decisions as
required
10. REVIEW OF COUNCIL STRUCTURE (Appendix D)
(i) To appoint members to a Working Group
(ii) To agree on the terms of reference for the Group
11. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT (Appendix E)
To review the Council’s Risk Assessment, to agree on any changes and to approve the document
12. ASSET REGISTER (Appendix F)
To approve the Council’s Asset Register to March 31st 2016
13. GRANT APPLICATION (Appendix G)
To consider a grant application from the Oakham Home Gardens and Allotment Society and to make
any decisions as appropriate
14. PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE (Appendix H)
To appoint two members to the Planning sub - committee
15. WEBSITE (Appendix I)
To consider a report relating to the Council’s website and to make any decisions as appropriate
16. NEW MAYORAL CHAIN (Appendix J)
To consider a report and to make such decisions as appropriate
17. THE RECORDING, PHOTOGRAPHING AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AT MEETINGS
(Appendix K)
To review and agree on the Council’s protocol for the above
18. AGINCOURT OAK TREE (Appendix L)
To consider a report and to make any decisions as required
19. CUTTS CLOSE IMPROVEMENTS (Appendix M)
To consider a report and to make decisions as appropriate
20. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider the following planning applications and to agree on any recommendations, comments or
observations to be made thereon
(i) 2016/0200/FUL Mr J Lewis
Rear extension to dwellinghouse
12 Barmstedt Close
(ii) 2016/0231/FUL Mr O McCann
Single Storey side extension
14 Barlow Road
(iii) 2016/0152/FUL Mr & Mrs Deane
First floor extension above existing ground floor
16 Chiltern Close
(iv) 2016/0147/ADV The Melton Mowbray Building Society
Replacement of Shopfront and Signage
23 High Street
(v) 2016/0148/FUL The Melton Mowbray Building Society
Replacement of Shopfront and Signage
23 High Street
(vi) 2016/0151/FUL Mr Leminov
Alterations to main building, including demolition and rebuild of conservatories & porch and
new canopy to rear. Extension to garage. New entrance gates
8 Lodges Gardens
(vii) 2016/0222/CAT Oakham School
Prunus sp. – Fell. T0034 – Fell. T0035 – Fell. Norway maple 9Acer platanoides_ - Fell and
replace
Merton Building, Church Street
(viii) 2016/0264/CAT Mr & Mrs Morse
Beech (T5) – Raise crown by 4cm. Oak (T6) – Raise crown by 3.5m. Yews (T7 –T8) – remove
2 Yew Trees to just above ground level (by rear fenceline)
15 Stamford Road
(ix) 2016/0238/PTA Mr Morse
Yews (T1-T4) – Raise crown of 4 Yew Trees to -4m and remove significant deadwood – These
trees in the front garden would be improved as will the front garden by raising them and
removing the deadwood
15 Stamford Road
Richard White
Clerk to the Council
17th March 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Financial Controls at Oakham Town Council Finally Start To Work Oakham Deputy Mayor Adam Lowe Loses £200
Financial Controls at Oakham Town Council Finally Start To Work Oakham Deputy Mayor Adam Lowe Loses £200
At long last there is evidence that the Town Council is protecting taxpayers money.
A very time ago a working group was set a task to produce a tourist information leaflet.
Cllr Endid Joyce Lucas BEM, took on the the job and did not do it well and gave up
as she always does.
Cllr Adam Lowe our deputy Mayor got a bit fed up and took over the task himself.
He then decided to go ahead and get a leaflet published and distributed without the
consent of the full council. He presented a bill to the office for payment and this
was turned away, because Cllr Lowe had no authority to spend the money.
At least he was turned away, I am sure he would not have liked to have appeared
in the 2015 - 2016 audit as acting unlawfully, like the Mayor does in the Grant
Thornton Audit for 2014 - 2015 and will again appear in the 2015 -2016 report.
I hope the new councillors and the office keep up this good work and the sloppy
past practices of the old guard don't ever return.
I wonder if the old Mayor who came to a council meeting and slated me and one
of my proposals due to my concerns about the councils financial controls and the
unlawful actions of the council and Cllr Alf Dewis is still a minor thing to be ignored
and "thrown into the gutter"?
It may have been in his time on the council but it is not now in 2016 unlawful
payments and unlawful conduct of Cllrs is never acceptable.
It is a shame Cllr Lowe is out of pocket, all he had to do was wait and ask the
council for approval.
Cllr Alf Dewis is currently try to change the structure of council meetings
and giving delegated powers to committees and one committee proposal is
a great concern, because he wants to restrict the membership of a proposed
new finance and general purpose to 8 members.
It is my opinion this proposed restructuring is to ensure proper oversight of
elected councillors is avoided.
At long last there is evidence that the Town Council is protecting taxpayers money.
A very time ago a working group was set a task to produce a tourist information leaflet.
Cllr Endid Joyce Lucas BEM, took on the the job and did not do it well and gave up
as she always does.
Cllr Adam Lowe our deputy Mayor got a bit fed up and took over the task himself.
He then decided to go ahead and get a leaflet published and distributed without the
consent of the full council. He presented a bill to the office for payment and this
was turned away, because Cllr Lowe had no authority to spend the money.
At least he was turned away, I am sure he would not have liked to have appeared
in the 2015 - 2016 audit as acting unlawfully, like the Mayor does in the Grant
Thornton Audit for 2014 - 2015 and will again appear in the 2015 -2016 report.
I hope the new councillors and the office keep up this good work and the sloppy
past practices of the old guard don't ever return.
I wonder if the old Mayor who came to a council meeting and slated me and one
of my proposals due to my concerns about the councils financial controls and the
unlawful actions of the council and Cllr Alf Dewis is still a minor thing to be ignored
and "thrown into the gutter"?
It may have been in his time on the council but it is not now in 2016 unlawful
payments and unlawful conduct of Cllrs is never acceptable.
It is a shame Cllr Lowe is out of pocket, all he had to do was wait and ask the
council for approval.
Cllr Alf Dewis is currently try to change the structure of council meetings
and giving delegated powers to committees and one committee proposal is
a great concern, because he wants to restrict the membership of a proposed
new finance and general purpose to 8 members.
It is my opinion this proposed restructuring is to ensure proper oversight of
elected councillors is avoided.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Cllr Alf Dewis Oakham Mayor Broke The Law Grant Thornton Audit Findings 2014 - 2015 Accounts
Cllr Alf Dewis Oakham Mayor Broke The Law Grant Thornton Audit Findings 2014 - 2015 Accounts
Oakham Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis
Grant Thornton have responded to my objections to Oakham Town Councils
2014 - 2015 accounts.
Oakham Town Council is to receive a qualified audit for those not familiar
with accounting terms that is not good.
The most serious finding is Cllr Alf Dewis broke the law whilst the Vice
Chair during the period of 2014 - 2015.
He also attempted at one stage to deny he had done anything and attempted
to blame the Mayor at the time Jayne Woodcock.
Cllr Dewis has incurred unauthorised and unlawful expenditure and conducted
a campaign of bullying to attempt to cover his law breaking.
Grant Thornton say In light of the Vice Chair's actions we have concluded
that there was a significant failure of the councils internal controls and
therefore we are minded to qualify our audit report in this respect.
After receiving notification of Grant Thornton's findings I have sent the
following to the Clerk and all members.
Oakham Mayor Cllr Alf Dewis
Grant Thornton have responded to my objections to Oakham Town Councils
2014 - 2015 accounts.
Oakham Town Council is to receive a qualified audit for those not familiar
with accounting terms that is not good.
The most serious finding is Cllr Alf Dewis broke the law whilst the Vice
Chair during the period of 2014 - 2015.
He also attempted at one stage to deny he had done anything and attempted
to blame the Mayor at the time Jayne Woodcock.
Cllr Dewis has incurred unauthorised and unlawful expenditure and conducted
a campaign of bullying to attempt to cover his law breaking.
Grant Thornton say In light of the Vice Chair's actions we have concluded
that there was a significant failure of the councils internal controls and
therefore we are minded to qualify our audit report in this respect.
After receiving notification of Grant Thornton's findings I have sent the
following to the Clerk and all members.
Dear Richard,
At the next meeting I would like to make a proposal, for a vote of no confidence in our Chairman Cllr Alf Dewis.
I would like to make the proposal at the beginning of the meeting to be held on Wednesday 23rd March 2016.
The reason for me making this proposal can be found in the Grant Thornton responses to my formal objections
to the councils 2014 - 2015 accounts.
At the time Cllr Alf Dewis was Vice Chairman of Oakham Town Council and Grant Thornton find he acted
unlawfully by personally incurring the council a larger bill than authorised, when the services of Wilkin
Chapman Solicitors were used. Fortunately for the taxpayers this bill was later reduced by Wilkin Chapman.
Also fortunate for the tax payers Grant Thornton is using its discretion and not applying to the High
Court for a declaration of unlawful expenditure.
Grant Thornton say: In light of the Vice Chairs actions we have concluded that there was significant failure
of the council internal controls and therefore we are minded to qualify our audit report in this respect.
Grant Thornton can not comment on the other unlawful expenditure which resulted after Cllr Alf Dewis
appointed Personal Advice and Solutions Ltd with out council authority because this expenditure was made
in this financial period. So a new objection will be made at the end of this financial year.
When I raised both this matters and other issue surrounding the councils finances Cllr Alf Dewis in
my opinion conduct a campaign of bullying against me in an attempt to cover his unlawful conduct.
I will further be proposing at a later stage, Cllr Dewis is invoiced for the total sum of the unlawful
expenditure which the council has paid.
I also raised the incident which happened at the Meeting of the 29th June 2015
The Chairman Cllr Alf Dewis and some members excluded me from the meeting for attempting
to raise concerns about the 2014 - 2015 accounts. as our auditors Grant Thornton can not comment on this
but suggest I consider the extent my rights of as a councilor were constrained or ignored unjustly,
and I should seek redress as I see fit.
I attempted to seek redress in the form of a conduct complaint to Rutland County Council
Cllr Alf Dewis had a private meeting with the monitoring officer, who then decided he had
no case to answer in my opinion this was corruption at its best and shows a unhealthy
relationship enjoyed between some OTC Cllrs and RCC.
For the first time ever Oakham Town Council will receive a qualified audit report for various
reasons including Cllr Alf Dewis's unlawful conduct.
At a meeting a member asked what were the consequences of Oakham Town Council
receiving a qualified audit you the Clerk responded with a comment which suggested not much
would happen.
This is not true, if it were not for Grant Thornton using its discretion in this case,
the taxpayer could be paying considerably large High Court Costs.
Grant Thorton have also kept other costs to a minimum by using their discretion not to
produce a costly Report on the Public Interest, because the issues can be included
in their normal audit report which will ensure that they will be brought to the attention
of the council and the general public.
It is good to read our Auditor is concerned that the taxpayer should not pay more
than it needs to.
To conclude it is my opinion the finding against our Chairman is pretty bad
and his unlawful conduct and bullying has brought his position and the council into disrepute.
I suggest he might like to consider his position as our chairman and mayor
before Wednesdays proposal is made.
From
Cllr Martin Brookes
