Oakham Town Council to Debate 4.06% Precept Hike, Critical Safety Funding, and Councillor Conduct at December Meeting
Oakham Town Council is preparing for a significant Full Council meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, where elected members will make crucial decisions concerning the town’s financial future, community safety infrastructure, and internal governance.
The Council is scheduled to review and set the annual budget, proposing a Precept demand of £305,214 to Rutland County Council (RCC) for the next financial year (FY 2027). This request represents a percentage increase of approximately 4.06% over the previous year.
Key figures from the draft budget documentation show a projected Total Recurrent Expenditure of £372,750 against an estimated Income of £78,060, resulting in the required Precept figure. Major budgeted expenditure categories include:
General Administration: £168,400
Contracts and Grants: £110,500
In current business, the Council is also set to approve a major payment to RCC for the annual charge for unmetered electricity for street lighting, totalling £25,934.32. This bill represents a 6% increase from last year’s figure of £24,465. A related report notes that most of Oakham's streetlights have been converted to the cheaper, but less effective, Mercury-based lights, with only a small number upgraded to more efficient LED technology.
Two agenda items highlight the Council’s focus on improving public safety and local infrastructure:
Rutland County Council (RCC) has formally requested that Oakham Town Council (OTC) consider financial support for the Town Centre CCTV system. The proposal seeks an annual contribution of £5,800, indexed to inflation, to cover ongoing operational costs, maintenance, monitoring, software licenses, and technical support.
The request notes that OTC has not provided an annual financial contribution to the system's day-to-day running since 2017. Recent upgrades, including new recording servers and enhanced network modules, have strengthened the system, which now provides surveillance coverage for Council assets in Cutts Close and Princess Park to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
The Council will discuss an invitation to apply for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Community Action Fund for road safety projects. The application window for this grant is open until January 12, 2026, with a maximum funding limit of £10,000.
Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS): A unit typically costs around £3,000, with an additional £1,000 for installation, batteries, and brackets. MVAS signs must be moved between a minimum of four locations every six to eight weeks.
Fixed Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS): These can cost up to £6,000, depending on features and power source. The report suggests the Council may also share this funding opportunity with local organisations, such as schools.
The agenda includes an item to address a formal complaint regarding the conduct of a Councillor Submitted by a constituent and provider of the councils Discover Oakham website, Nitesh Bhundia, the complaint alleges that the Councillor posted a photograph of the constituent’s child, taken at the Remembrance Ceremony, on social media without parental permission.
Mr. Bhundia stated that his family has strict measures in place to prevent images of their children from being published online, and that the Councillor's response to the request for the image's removal was "curt and unbecoming". The Council will determine the process for addressing the complaint. Furthermore, the Council is considering adopting the latest LGA-approved Code of Conduct.
The Victoria Hall Project Working Group is set to present a progress report. The Report notes that the "beautiful Victorian building has been struggling for some time" and there are two broad options: take proactive steps to secure its future or face potential closure. A public consultation is planned for early 2026 to inform the community and gather input on the available options and their implications.
In a positive note, the Christmas Light Switch-On on November 23rd was reported as a "tremendous success," recording one of the highest turnouts in recent years. The Snow globe attraction was a standout highlight, and the event was supported by local groups including the Rutland Lions, Sing Out Rutland, and Leicester City Football Club's mascot, Filbert the Fox.
Other items on the agenda include a proposal to alter staff working hours due to a shortage expected until at least January 2026, noting the latest highly critical RoSPA inspection results for OTC Play Areas, and prioritising potential projects for UKSPF spend.
