The Rutland Round-Up, The Weekly Digest: Friday, March 27, 2026, Political Shake-up, Council Tax, Waste Revolution, Police Appeal and Maya Returns

The Rutland Round-Up The Weekly Digest: Friday, March 27, 2026

It has been a landmark week for the nation’s smallest county. From a dramatic shift in local leadership to a long-awaited overhaul of our waste systems, Rutland is entering the spring season with a fresh face and a new sense of direction.

Political Shake-up New Leader at the Helm

The most significant news of the week came from Catmose, where Councillor Christine Wise (Liberal Democrat) was officially elected as the new Leader of Rutland County Council. The vote took place on Thursday evening, following the resignation of Councillor Gale Waller.

Coun. Waller, who led the council for three years, stepped down noting that she does not intend to stand in the 2027 elections. Those elections will be a pivotal moment for the county as it prepares to navigate the government's proposed local government reorganisation. Read More

In her first address, Coun. Wise, a former maths teacher and Uppingham resident, promised a leadership style that "listens and shares," acknowledging that the next two years will be "local government but not as we know it."

Conservative leader Lucy Stephenson expressed concerns, voting against the new "coalition administration" of Lib Dems and Independents, calling for "robust and experienced leadership" during these financially precarious times. Read More

Council Tax Rutland Drops Down the Rankings

In a rare piece of positive financial news, Rutland has shed its long-held title as the highest-charging authority in England.

According to official government data released this week for the 2026/27 period, Rutland has dropped to 8th place nationally. While still above the national average, the council’s decision to freeze general Council Tax—applying only a 2% precept for Adult Social Care—contrasts with the 5% increases seen in most other English authorities. Residents will see a modest monthly increase of roughly £3.70 for a Band D property. Read More

Waste Revolution Food Caddies Arrive

Residents across Oakham, Uppingham, and the villages are bracing for a change in their morning routines. Weekly food waste collections are set to begin this coming Monday.

Most households should now have their new 140-litre smaller black bins and food waste caddies.

The shift is expected to save the council over £250,000 per year in waste processing costs.

If your caddy hasn't arrived, the council advises reporting it via the "MyAccount" section of their website immediately.

https://www.rutland.gov.uk/council-councillors/myaccount

Police Appeal Serious Collision in Oakham

The local community has been left shaken following a serious road traffic collision on Oakham High Street on Wednesday afternoon.

At approximately 1:55 PM, a woman in her sixties was involved in a collision with a white Ford Transit van near the junction with Church Street. The pedestrian remains in hospital in a serious condition. Leicestershire Police are urgently appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward quoting incident 26*172049. Read More

Nature & Community Maya Returns

On a lighter note, spring has officially arrived at Rutland Water. Maya, the county’s most famous and successful breeding osprey, has been spotted returning to her nest. Her arrival marks the beginning of the 30th-anniversary celebrations for the Rutland Osprey Project. Read More

Dates for Your Diary

March 27: The Good & New Clothes Sale at Rutland Hall Hotel ( This Evening).

March 28: Handel’s Messiah by the Rutland Choral Society.

April 12: The Rutland Spring Half Marathon

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Rutland County Council We pay our council tax and we get nothing. letter Rutland Times

Letter: Pigeons are a pest

Published on Friday 21 September 2012 16:41

MY husband Martin went down to Rutland County Council to see someone as we have a problem with a certain tree and we have lots of pigeons nesting and as people know you can get a disease from pigeon mess.

My husband wasn’t able to see anyone and someone rang later to say they could not help apart from suggesting putting up a back drop.

We pay our council tax and we get nothing.

Mrs Sheila Smith
Parkfield Road
Oakham

http://www.rutland-times.co.uk/news/letters/letter-pigeons-are-a-pest-1-4291834

Rutland County Council, Leader, Roger Begy, People are fighting for a Sainsbury

Conservative Leader Roger Begy in this weeks Rutland Times:

“People are fighting for a Sainsbury’s over a Waitrose because they want competition for Tesco so that they can afford to live.”

In Rutland the council tax that people living in the county pay averages £555 per person, whereas in Leicester city it equates to £307.

Council leader Roger Begy calls for improvements to rural funding: 

Rutland Times Click Here

If there is snow or its Christmas we often see stocks run low in Tesco people arguing at the checkouts, those are good reasons for another store.

We would not want to see this in Tesco?

How Oakham Town Council will spend your £209,690 Budget 2011/2012

Oakham Town Council has set its budget for the next year this is how they plan to spend your £52.14

£48,000 to be spent on wages

£10,200 for the rent of Victoria Hall

£4,800 rates for offices and toilets

£1000 gas and electric

£5,000 insurance

£2000 on postage and stationary

£1000 telephone and internet

£2000 subscriptions and publications

£200 Expenses and travel

£1500 Training and Conference

£1600 Audit Fees

£1500 Legal Fees


Cutting the grass and picking litter in Cutts Close, Willow Crescent and Royce Recreation Ground £21,050

Hanging Baskets £15,000

Oakham Cemetery £6,000

CCTV £2,000 and Dog Control £1,000

Toilet cleaning went up to £16,000 from last year £12,000 same contractor used.

£23,000 to spent on general purposes this includes Christmas lights and the promotion of Oakham

Parks and recreation is set to spend £27,940 this includes works on trees and the summer concerts at the bandstand.

The Local Government Election is expected to cost Oakham Town Council £6,000

Priciest Council Tax Rutland County Council MSN NEWS

Stephen Jones, editor, MSN Money, Updated: 25/02/2011 20:22

Are you paying more than most for council tax?

Priciest council tax: 1. Rutland Unitary Authority 

http://money.uk.msn.com/msn-local/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=156217297&page=10

Another Headline Chief Executive Helen Briggs may be asking people to ignore!

Rutland County Council No Council Tax Increase

Rutland County Council Voted for No Council Tax increase this year.

Councillor Mr Gene Plews (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH EAST WARD congratulated Mr Begy for his budget speech and for not increasing the Council Tax for the next year.

I can assure readers this was not done by choice, central government dangled a carrot don't increase for the the next four years and we will reward Councils.

It is interesting that Parish Council will receive no reward.

Rutland County Council is expecting to receive £524,100.000 (Council Tax Freeze Grant) each year.

It is interesting to see Oakham Town Council costs the tax payer nearly 4 times the amount it costs to run Uppingham Town Council.

Uppingham Town Council appears to run an efficient tight ship.

Unlike Oakham Town Council that seems to be leaking money from everywhere.
They continue to use nearly 60% of its income on administration and staff costs. The Elite Club has been allowed to get out of control.