Oakham Town Council Cuts Don't Effect us says Chairman Cllr Joyce Lucas

Dear Oakham Town Council,

Whilst out scavenging the reduced food cabinet at the supermarket. Something many councillors may not have ever experienced, at certain points in the day it can be very crowded experience, a gentlemen mentioned my blog post and the Mayors letter to those interested in Co-option.

He said the following the Town Council is in "a La land spending my money! without any concern.
He was concerned cuts don't appear to effect OTC in anyway and we just spend.
Something I have previously raised. I checked the letter again and yes we do say cuts don't effect us.

When finance is mentioned I think we have to be careful how this is mentioned.
Cllr Dewis previously stated we need to start looking at the wider picture. I think this is good example.

It is not good enough when families are struggling to say "its our job to collect the tax and spend it as we please" new benches etc.  I feel we must start looking at spending at cut back and aim to cut the council tax bill the public are forced to pay.

We underspent last year by £26,000 and I assume we will be asked to spend it. I personally would like to see it returned to the tax payer. I am very uncomfortable with spending their money just because we have it to hand.

We have no plan, We have no vision, I am constantly told we do good for the town? and I am wrong to be critical. We are public service not a do good club.

If you look at the list of Council letter working with others is mentioned as a role and the top achievement seems to be working with Rutland County Council and building a loo two years ago. Which we then pay to enter the Loo of the year award to get a pat on the back, the same letter mentions we were given 5 stars, 5 stars the tax payer paid for. Will we get 10 this year?

The list of things we do or have done heavily relies on many larger projects also completed some two years ago.

A member of the public approached a councillor recently and expressed concerns about a article written by our Mayor and her support for music. Well nothing wrong with that but it should not be a priority.

I personally feel and said it many times before the public services provided by the town council are very limited and provided a a very high cost. Of course you will say it does not cost much by averaging out the cost as £52 per household, The last time I looked at the bill I think that's about the same amount due to pay for the fire service, I think I know where I would rather see the £52 go towards. Then the fire service may not have to cut costs.

When the Mayor took office she took a clean broom to the office and chamber I am shocked to see we are paying a contractor to hammer a couple of picture hooks into the wall. I own a couple hammers and I am sure the Mayor owns a few. Can the council not see this is not their money, would you pay for a contractor to come into your home to hang a picture?


Cllr. Martin Brookes
Oakham Town Council