By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
Oakham Town Council tackled a packed agenda at its latest meeting, addressing major financial overhauls, community leases, and rising costs for local services.
The evening opened with public deputations concerning the future of the Oakham tennis and bowls club site. Following this, Rutland County Councillor Raymond Payne delivered a report touching on road resurfacing across Oakham and the current lack of an emergency flood plan. On local government reorganization, Cllr Payne suggested that the recent pause should not be viewed as a definitive U-turn.
Councillors voted to defer a £34,000 payment to Rutland County Council for the Oakham Hopper Bus Service due to the ongoing absence of a formal contract between the two authorities. Highlighting the project's financial trajectory, Cllr Brookes pointed out that when the council initially agreed to back the service three years ago, the cost stood at £10,000 before escalating to the current figure. This expenditure is 10% of the councils annual precept income.
The council approved a series of recommendations stemming from the August 26 Finance Committee meeting, beginning with a heavily reviewed budget to replace an original version described by Cllr Brookes as flawed and "rubbish."
To modernise its financial administration, the council agreed to purchase the sales and purchase ledger add-ons for the Rialtas accounting system at a one-off cost of £1,791 plus VAT, alongside an annual fee of £490 plus VAT—a software upgrade noted as long overdue. Additionally, councillors advanced plans to relocate the Town Council offices to Princess Avenue. The prospective move carries an estimated price tag of up to £70,000 and would incorporate dedicated committee space.
Currently, the Locum Clerk is working hard to sort out Oakham Town Council's accounts and is dealing with many questions put to the council by its external auditor.
In a decisive move for local recreation, the council unanimously agreed to begin work on granting 99-year leases to both the Oakham Tennis Club and the Oakham Bowls Club, cementing long-term protection for both sporting sites.
The council reviewed outline planning application 2025/0480/MAO regarding the erection of 135 dwellings on land southeast of Brooke Road, focusing on reserved matters encompassing appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale. Ultimately, the council resolved not to submit formal comments on the application.
The next meeting of Oakham Town Council is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM.
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
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