Although the locum Clerk sets out what the power can be used for it makes little sense to why he
is bringing this to council.
At the last meeting the council once again attempted to abuse the power and got around the
local government act by changing how the purpose of giving the money to the Oakham Town
Partnership, The clerk is correct the local government act permits the council to make grants
to community groups. They can not give money that will benefit a sole person and that was
what The Town Partnership was requesting the council do. The empowerment act was quoted
because the councils chairman knew that the act forbid this type of request. If they Partnership had
put in an application for a grant for a group activity that benefited more than one person in our community then the empowerment act would not not be needed.
In the clerks report he does not mention if he has the required qualification that the former clerk held.
He was sent for training to obtain his qualification.
The whole council was misled by the ex mayor Cllr Dewis who thought the power would give
the council the power to do anything it wanted. When it clearly does not. I currently see no
reason for Oakham Town Council to adopt this power, I don't believe we are planning to open
a shop or pub in the near future.
Since the Town Council has adopted the power it has never used it as the government intended
and I doubt it never will use it.
Link to government leaflet explaining the power it is to be used for much bigger and beneficial
purposes that council has no intention of doing it should not be used as the town council has constantly done to try and get around local government laws
http://www.local.gov.uk/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=83fe251c-d96e-44e0-ab41-224bb0cdcf0e
One of the key reasons for using the power is:
Using the power to innovate not how can we pay a person a person a small prize to satisfy the hobby
of a town councillor and ex councillor who both sit on the town partnership.
