Oakham Town Council, Set to Raise Council Tax Bills

Oakham Town Council, Set to Raise Council Tax Bills next year.

Oakham Town Council Deputy Mayor reminded members they did not raise the precept this year. Cllr Charles Haworth said we should consider increasing the precept next year.

It was any extraordinary request request because we all know Oakham Town Council has no strategic plan.
I have no idea how much the increase is likely to be. But  as we already charge a hefty amount I don't believe there should be any increase.

The Council just spends money as it pleases, Cllr Charles Haworth likes to refer to it as a continuation of the councils work.

We were asked last night to consider the budget for the parks and planning committee. What a joke. £350 for the Mayors Regalia? You might ask what that has to do with planning some did and the questions kept coming.
Fortunately the matter was deferred.

I asked the Clerk where have the figures come from, had they been picked from the sky. He replied you have to start somewhere! I don''t care when will people take notice this man is paid over £35,000 a year works part time and we have to put up with this. The tax payer deserves a lot better.

Oakham Carnival Accounts, Chairman Cllr Maureen Dodds, Oakham Town Council

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OAKHAM CARNIVAL ACCOUNT 2010

Oakham Town Council Accounts 2009 -2010

The Town Clerk does not accept the finding of the External  Auditor. During my times as a councillor I read presumably the same rules relating to the accounts as the External Auditor and expressed my concerns and was ignored.

At last nights meeting the Clerk said he did accept he was wrong and his request for a delay was within the law and he disputed the external auditors findings.

I also remember at a previous meeting he told members he had requested an extension but needed members approval, this was passed by most members.

The internal auditor in my view works to closely with the town clerk, told me there was no issue when I met him and mentioned the delay.

I assume the external auditor is trained and qualified? and for this reason should the Clerk be disputing the findings at the council meeting?

So I am not criticised by my anonymous critic's, I am reproducing the Clerks own words concerning the Town Council Accounts.

The Council has received a "qualified" approval of its accounts 2009 - 2010 from the external auditor. This is slightly disappointing as the ideal is that an "unqualified" opinion is given. The accounts themselves are fine but the "qualified" opinion is because of the fact the council failed to approve the accounts by June 30th.
Having read the guidance on the preparation of the accounts, the Clerk informed the meeting on July 7th, when the accounts were considered, that the council was within its rights as there is a 20 day rule that states that if accounts are not approved by the 30th June, a Council has an additional 20 days to do so. The External Auditor disagreed with this interpretation.
The External Auditor was written to but has stood by his original opinion.
Members will recall that the delay in the preparation and subsequent approval of the accounts was a result of the Clerk's absence during April and May 2010 due to ill health.
The External Auditor has proffered the opinion that the Council should consider the possibility of such a delay in the future in its Risk Management documentation.


Since I resigned from the Town Council, I have attended meetings and would like to point out the Town Council is trying very hard to improve and is currently reviewing all its procedures and practices.

Cllr Tor Clark said The Council must be seen by the electors as a proactive organisation.

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