Oakham Rutland and Rutland News Martin Brookes: Have Your Say Alicia Kearns Launches Major Oakham and Rutland Survey

By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, not affiliated to the BBC LDRS

Have Your Say Alicia Kearns Launches Major Oakham and Rutland Survey

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, is calling on local residents to share their views on the issues that matter most to them across Oakham and the wider county.

A new community consultation has been launched, giving residents a direct platform to shape local and national priorities.

The comprehensive survey covers a wide array of vital topics, encouraging residents to highlight what needs immediate attention in the area.

Key areas of focus include identifying the number one change, investment, or infrastructural improvement required to enhance Oakham, alongside general thoughts on the town’s upkeep and physical state.

Assessing local satisfaction with broadband and mobile phone coverage across the community.

Gauging local concerns regarding crime and policing in the area.

Asking residents what Rutland County Council's primary focus should be, and whether the current Independent and Liberal Democrat-run administration is serving communities well.

Local Government Reorganisation, addressing the recent government landscape changes and seeking public opinion on regional council structures.

The Rutland Sea Dragon, asking whether the council should use local reserves to fund the remaining £500,000 needed for the conservation and housing of the nationally significant fossil discovery.

Victoria Hall, gathering community input on the future of this historical Oakham landmark.

Elected priorities pinpointing what local Conservative councillors and MP Alicia Kearns should focus on locally and nationally moving forward.

How to Take Part

If you live in Oakham or the surrounding Rutland area, your voice can directly inform local representation and future campaign priorities.

You can complete the survey online by visiting:

www.rutlandstamfordconservatives.com/2026-survey-oakham

STATEMENT FROM COUNCILLOR MARTIN BROOKES

Mayor and Chairman of Oakham Town Council

Working Together to Restore Pride in Oakham

As Mayor of Oakham, and having lived in this wonderful county town for 20 years, I welcome our local MP Alicia Kearns’ newly launched survey. It provides a vital platform for our community to speak candidly about the state of our town and shape its future.

However, we must be honest with ourselves about the challenges we currently face. Having observed our town closely both as a resident of two decades and through public commentary it is clear that a profound sense of neglect has crept into Oakham. Both Rutland County Council (RCC) and Oakham Town Council (OTC) share culpability for allowing standards to slip, and it is past time for genuine accountability, cooperation, and renewed civic pride.

For too long, residents have witnessed unnecessary friction and bureaucratic buck-passing between authorities. Whether it is decades-old arguments over basic maintenance like painting rusty street lights, the shocking state of our town centre footpaths, or litter bins left overflowing through the weekend, the impression left on residents and visitors alike is simply not good enough. Furthermore, issues such as unaddressed public cleanliness, poor grounds maintenance leading to blocked drains from grass cuttings, and 22 vacant commercial units (making up roughly 10% of our properties) highlight an urgent need for closer attention and better engagement with property owners.

We cannot afford to let Oakham slip into decline. I have already completed Alicia Kearns’ survey, and I strongly encourage every resident to make their voices heard. By working together constructively, we can push for the vital improvements our county town desperately needs and deserves.

To share your views, please complete Alicia Kearns' survey online.

www.rutlandstamfordconservatives.com/2026-survey-oakham

www.facebook.com/AliciaKearnsConservative

www.aliciakearns.com

https://members.parliament.uk/member/4805/contact

Lamp posts in Oakham Rutland have not been painted

for over 20 years.

For many years, Rutland County Councils contractors

have made temporary repairs to pavements

throughout the town centre.

Oakham Town Council paid for the planter

improvement, this is often tainted by traders

dumping their rubbish outside premises for days.

Oakham Town Council is responsible

for the maintenance or lack of maintenance of the towns benches.

This bench was first reported damaged last year.

Landlords could be asked to keep

vacant properties clean and tidy

Rutland County Council contractors do not empty the litter bins in Oakham before the weekend, leaving residents and visitors to face overflowing bins. Furthermore, many of the bins are in a poor state of repair some are decades old and still display sponsorships for companies that have not traded in years, including Ruddles Brewery.

High Street Saturday and Sunday

Market Place Saturday and Sunday

Oakham Town Council has adopted the phone box in the Market Place from BT. However, the Council failed to take up BT's offer to pay for its initial refurbishment, and OTC has not yet decided what to do with the box.

Oakham Town Centre currently has 22 vacant properties

Mill Street

Plans are in progress to open a coffee shop in the above

Plans to open a mini supermarket in the vacant unit on the

left appear to have halted.

Victoria Hall

Gaol Street

Melton Road

Church Street

High Street

Market Street

According to Oakham School property department the above

shop is empty and the tenant is still paying rent.

Market Place

These units were to be used as part of the

George Inn expansion

Sometimes shopfronts can look poor after a crime has been committed.

This is the second time this year that this small shop has been targeted.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area,

visit:

Oakham and Rutland News

Discover Oakham High Street
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/highstreetoakham

Discover Oakham

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/discoveroakham

Discover Oakham Northgate Oakham Rutland

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/northgateoakham

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/OakhamandRutlandWhatsOn

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/summer-2026-music-at-cutts-close-park-oakham-bandstand-rutland

Oakham and Rutland Sports and Fitness Events News

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/rutland-sports-and-fitness

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