Oakham Town Council Conciliation

Oakham Town Council Conciliation

This is interesting, I cant see Oakham all members of Oakham Town Council accepting
that they need any training in governance.

Despite the reports saying I react to their poor conduct and two wrongs don't make
a right and I am not a bully, they say I am and they won't accept the many reports that
say the council is not working,

Years before I became involved in this council it was constantly described as
dysfunctional.

Whoever produces the agenda reports looks like they need training in spelling
like me.





18. CONCILLATION REGARDING A COUNCILLOR AND COUNCIL (Appendix M)
(i) To consider a report and to make any decisions as appropriate
(ii) To approve expenditure

Report No. TC06017
Appendix: M
Agenda Item: 18
Council
Date of Meeting: 11/10/17
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Report Authors: Chairman Title:
Conciliation regarding Cllr Brookes and
Council
Subject: Follow up of Recommendations of the RCC Monitoring Officer
Background
Following the recently upheld conduct complaints against Cllr Brookes, RCC’s
Monitoring Officer’s recommendations included Council undergoing a conciliation process.
During the September 2017 Council meeting the Chairman was tasked with holding a meeting
the RCC Independent Person to determine means and the cost implications of such a process.
The Chairman met with Mr. Graham Grimes, RCC Independent Person, on Tuesday 26
September. Mr. Grimes has recommended Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd, an independent
company that has much experience in supporting local authorities in managing their
arrangements for handling councilor conduct issues, having worked with over 300 authorities.
The Chairman contacted Hoey Ainscough and appraised them of the situation. As a result
Hoey Ainscough have proposed the following:
Phase 1 – an initial background meeting with relevant people – this may be the Monitoring
Officer from the county, and the chairman and clerk of the town council to understand the
underlying issues and current state of governance, although exact attendance may depend on
the contentious matters involved. This meeting would be attended by Paul Hoey and Natalie
Ainscough. We may also wish to invite a representative from the local Association of Local
Councils if this was thought appropriate.
Phase 2 – a questionnaire to be sent to members and staff of the council to help them reflect on
their thoughts about the council and the way it operates. This questionnaire would be developed
and analysed by Paul Hoey and Natalie Ainscough with support from an associate.
Phase 3 – a day spent with individuals from the council discussing some of the concerns and
issues highlighted by the questionnaire in greater depth with a day spent shadowing the clerk to
understand how the parish is run and reviewing policies and procedures – to be done by Paul
Hoey, Natalie Ainscough with input from an associate.
Phase 4 – an intensive workshop with the Council to present the review of the procedures plus
results of the questionnaire, discuss issues raised, provide training on good governance and
consider next steps. The workshop would be run by Paul Hoey, Natalie Ainscough and an
associate.
Phase 5 – to prepare a formal report to the town and county councils with an action plan for the
Town Council.
To spend a total of 18 consultancy days (11 days Hoey Ainscough and 7 days of an associate
on behalf of Hoey Ainscough) supporting the council.
The total indicative cost, including expenses, for the above amounts to £11,000.00 +VAT.
In addition, Mr Grimes has offered to provide training regarding Governance to Council.
Recommendations
1. Mr Grimes is invited to provide Governance training to Council.
2. Council considers Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd proposal