Oakham Town Council Elections Uncontested in 2023, after 18 years I feel it is time to do something else. This is my last post about Oakham town council.
Oakham Town Council in Rutland, UK, has been criticised for a number of failings in recent years.
These include:
Financial mismanagement: This led to a number of warnings from the internal and external auditor, who said that the council needed to improve its financial management.
Lack of transparency: The council has been criticised for its lack of transparency.
Ineffective teamwork: The council has been criticised for its ineffective teamwork.
One of the most serious incidents was in 2022, Cllr Adam Lowe a former Mayor was forced to resign from Rutland County Council, he was also removed as the local churches safeguarding officer, he carried on as a Oakham town councillor after it was revealed that he had made a number of offensive comments to Zoe Nealson who was Mayor of Oakham, this extremely poor conduct was committed in her own home. The complaint against Cllr Adam Lowe is also significant because it raises questions about the culture of Oakham Town Council. It is possible that the council's culture has created an environment where offensive and discriminatory remarks are tolerated. If this is the case, then the council needs to take steps to address this issue.
These failings have led to a loss of confidence in the council among residents. It is essential that the council addresses these issues in order to regain the trust of residents.
In addition to the above, the council has also been criticised for:
Its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic: The council has been accused of being slow to respond to the pandemic and of making a number of poor decisions, such as closing public toilets and play areas.
Its planning representations: The council has been accused of failing to make proper representation on planning applications that have led to the development of out-of-character housing and the loss of green space.
Its relationship with the local community: The council has been accused of being out of touch with the needs of local residents and of failing to consult with them on any issues.
The council's failings have had a negative impact on the town of Oakham. Residents are concerned about the council's financial situation. this year it holds over £250k in reserves, all given made up headings after the auditor criticised them for poor budgeting. This year it increased its precept demand by almost 9%, residents are also concerned about its lack transparency,
The council needs to take urgent steps to address these concerns and to regain the trust of residents.
Many residents appear on social media and complain about Oakham town council. There was an opportunity for those and others to make a difference, the recent local elections. For whatever reason they chose not to do anything.
Oakham Town Council Elections Uncontested in 2023
On 5 May 2023. All 15 seats on the council were uncontested, meaning that no other candidates stood against the incumbent councillors.
The lack of competition for seats on the council is a worrying sign for democracy. It suggests that residents are not engaged with local politics or that they do not believe they can make a difference. This is a problem that is not unique to Oakham, as many local councils across the UK are facing similar challenge.
There are a number of reasons why people may not be interested in local politics. Some people may feel that local issues are not important to them, while others may feel that they do not have the time or the energy to get involved. There are also a number of barriers that can prevent people from standing, such as a lack of transportation or childcare.
It is also important to make sure that people are aware of the issues that are important to their local community and that they have the opportunity to have their say. I believe this is a failure of Oakham town councillors and their failure to communicate with its residents. It is also a failure by the local press who until recently have ignored the town council.
The lack of competition for seats on Oakham Town Council is a reminder that democracy is fragile.
In addition to the above, there are a number of other factors that may have contributed to the lack of competition in the 2023 Oakham Town Council elections. These include:
The fact that the council is accused of a number of alleged failings.
The fact that the council has been criticised for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fact that the council has been accused of being out of touch with the needs of local residents.
The fact the council can not manage its finances.
The fact member leave due to being bullied by other members.
It is possible that these factors have led to a loss of confidence in the council among residents, making them less likely to stand for election.
Whatever the reasons, the lack of competition in the 2023 Oakham Town Council elections is a worrying sign for democracy. It is important to address the factors that have contributed to this situation in order to ensure that all residents have a voice in local government.
Unfortunately after 18 years I feel I can not give any more of my time. I will no longer be reporting on the activities of Oakham town council or attending any of its events.
This will also apply to Rutland County Council meetings.
