Oakham Town Council Meeting 9th October 2016 Video and Comment

Oakham Town Council Meeting 9th October 2016 Video and Comment




The meeting started with a minutes silence for Maureen Dodds and the addition of Tommy Southern
both former Mayor who had recently died.

Some amendments to the previous minutes were accepted.

The Mayor Cllr Adam Lowe said the council will ask the assistant clerk to look into
recharging a contractor for supplies we have paid for over the years even though the
contract states they should supply these products. The Clerk had previously stated that
there was no additional cost to the public purse, he was incorrect, the tax payer had paid
twice.

Cllr Jasmine Hopkins gave a good report about the activities of the Citizens Advice's good
work here in Rutland.

Cllr Joyce Lucas gave a tree report and a report about the work of Oakham in Bloom

The Clerk gave a verbal report and used it the slot once again to attack me by reading
out two of my emails regarding his co-option questions of a candidate.

He said I was wrong when I was not, he asked two questions and did not specify the
the required time period of 5 years when asking the questions he simply said have you
ever and not with in the last five years.
I have spoken to the Chairman Cllr Lowe and raised an objection to the Clerks report
slot being used in this way.

I also pointed out meeting might run more smoothly if my email questions were
actually answered before the meetings instead of being constantly ignored.

There were no deputations from the public.

Cllr Michael Haley presented nine pages of duplicated so called reports these are
simply diaries and do not give any detail you would expect from report, the problem
maybe caused by that highlighted by the internal auditor that committees etc appear not
to have any terms of reference.

The Council agreed to co-opt Mr Richard Haynes he read out his declaration at the
meeting that was a first for Oakham Town Council.

The agreed to place an advert to employ a new clerk.

New Councillor Mr Richard Haynes was appointed as a trustee to Victoria Hall
after Cllr Jasmine Hopkins stood down.

Cllr Peter Ind was appointed the Councils observer for Citizens Advice Rutland
and VAR rep.

The decided not to pay for an advert required by All Saints Church Oakham to
promote the Towns 9 Carols and 9 Lessons this December. I agreed with this
if we pay for one churches adverts we would have to pay for all the different
churches here in Oakham.

Cllr Adam Lowe (Mayor) and member of the Church showed his disapproval
by making a proposal and comments attacking members for not supporting
our community and church. Cllr Jasmine Hopkins spoke for us all when she
asked him to re-word his proposal.

The council agreed to continue to use a company for personnel support.

Statement of accounts were accepted.

The council agreed to make a corporate deputation at next Monday's Rutland
Council meeting relating to the proposed new library extension for children's
services.

It was agreed I would read a the deputation.

Cllr Michael Haley and Cllr Adam Lowe objected to this and Cllr Haley
attempted to say I could not represent the council or the people I represent
in this way because of the sanction they imposed banning me from serving
on committees working groups and outside bodies.

I was annoyed and suggested I could give a deputation in my private capacity.

Cllr Lucas was not willing to give the deputation despite her bringing the item
to council she is giving her own private deputation.

Cllr Adam Lowe made a very daft comment to attempt to put member of
agreeing to give a deputation. He said he had asked the office how many people
had contacted the office regarding this matter the answer was none. It is well
known that many residents don't know how to contact Oakham Town Council
they do know a few Councillors, if he had actually asked Councillors he might
have received a different answer.
The council are to agree the content of what I should read at the meeting via
emails today.
Cllr Lucas asked if some one could forward my emails to her because she blocks
me. Cllr Lowe respond no.

Oakham Town Partnership had sent the council a invoice for £1000 for sponsorship
of the late night shopping event. This was refused by the town council.
mainly due to the partnership not stating how the money would be spent.
I am pleased that things are improving very slowly at the council in the past
this money would have been paid no questions asked and this is not a responsible
way of handling public money.

A couple of points you may notice in the video the council new standing order
that only permits councillors to speak once does not work.

The other point is the conduct of the chairman, he often cracks the whip but
it is fine for him to roll about joking in his seat.