After the town partnership decided it was no longer going to organise events for the town, the question is being asked will they continue the farmers market?
Last weekend saw the last one of 2019 organised by the former Mayor Michael Haley, Traders have described it as the worse day of trading ever. They have also complained about the manner of Mr Haley. The total lack of advertising,
I am not surprised they complain about Mr Haley his manner is appalling, this year he resigned from
Oakham Town Council after residents complained about him at the Town Meeting claiming he had managed to remove and exclude all woman from the production of the neighbourhood plan.
A now pointless and costly plan started by Michael Haley, most members of Oakham Town Council
I have spoken to are reluctantly paying money into the plan to see it completed or rejected by the independent inspector.
The current chairman of the council is happy the bill is much lower than most councils, I would suggest that is possible because we have done less, you only have to look at Melton Mowbray and the comments made by the Rutland County Council adviser to see the plan is heading for failure.
As for the Town Partnership a hospice for disgraced former Oakham Mayors and useless former Town Councillors and very little if any now business representation surely the time has come to wind it up. A comment I heard mad by some retailers last weekend. I was pleased to hear those who can not get in the door of the partnership are thinking of setting up a new group to help support local business.
It would be interesting to hear from the partnership to find out what they intend to do in 2019
Oakham Town Councils Mayor did recently meet with two of the partnership members and that according to his public comments did not go well, The partnership has no understanding of the meaning of the word partnership.
One of the amusing things at the moment is Michael Haley has been appointed treasurer and a director. He rather egotistically now signs of most of his communications as Michael Haley Oakham Town Partnership Director.
2019 I would like Oakham Town Council to take over the running of the farmers market, I don't see this happening until we get a clerk who is willing to do some work. The Clerk has already indicated to another Cllr that the council can not organise the late night shopping event because she does not have time. I think that should be a decision for the council.
A lot needs to change, only this week the council was reminded of its responsibilities to obtain full market value for land it owns a requirement from the secretary of state. I am hoping new people will come forward at the next election and look at all aspects of the town and councils activities.
Also they need to look at the assets which we don't receive market value from. The allotments,
sites sublet for a few pounds, The tennis club and bowels both privately run and let for peanuts.
If we could get the required market value in rent for all our sites the precept could be reduced or we could spend the money on town improvements.
I have on last question if Oakham Town Partnership are not going to organise events anymore
what are they going to do with the money in the bank and the income the take from the farmers market?
