Oakham Town Council Gears Up for Crucial Extraordinary Meeting Amidst Calls for Stability
Oakham Town Council Gears Up for Crucial Extraordinary Meeting Amidst Calls for Stability
Oakham Town Councils Chairman Cllr Chris Nix called an Extraordinary Meeting on Friday, June 6th, 2025, at 6:30 PM, at its offices in Rol House, Long Row. The meeting, publicly announced and open to the press and public (with a note that it may be filmed and recorded), comes at a time when the Council faces significant administrative and financial considerations.
It is not clear if the meeting will go ahead as planned, The urgent summons, should be issued in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.
The Agenda highlights several critical items on the agenda.
The Summons fails to summon all members of the council and the incorrect day of the week has been published. The council has not published the notice on its website.
"TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972, you are hereby summoned to attend an Extraordinary Meeting of Oakham Town Council on Tuesday 6th June 2025 at 6.30pm.The meeting will be held at the Town Council Offices, Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, LE15 6LN."
One of the most pressing issues planned for discussion is the appointment of a Locum Clerk. This item, deferred from a previous meeting, will see the Council consider approving the engagement of a temporary clerk, including arrangements for their installation and duties. The sentiment among some, including Cllr Martin Brookes, whose apologies for absence were received due to a family bereavement, is that a functioning council, paid for by residents, is essential. Cllr Brookes expressed his hope that the Council will agree to appoint a Locum Clerk to address "ongoing failures, if the incorrect summons does not prevent the meeting from going ahead"
Another key point of discussion revolves around the internal audit. The Council will note the deferral of the decision regarding the internal audit visit, and will aim to correct a failure to formally appoint an internal auditor and offer alternative dates for the audit to take place. This comes with the concerning note that the Council seeks to delay its internal audit and has yet to appoint an external auditor, raising questions about its financial oversight. In a positive development, it has been noted that Cllr Anna Douthwaite is dedicating her free time to help sort out the council's accounts and end-of-year return.
Finally, the Council will address the agreement of contractor payment for the "first stage of works undertaken at the Church Street toilet block". The refurbishment of these public facilities in Oakham has a total cost of £120,000. It is believed this should be stated as "final stage payment"
The meeting procedures will allow for a short period where residents can put questions to the Council. While typically public participation is limited to this period, the Chairman retains the discretion to adjourn the meeting and suspend standing orders to allow a member of the public to address the meeting for factual questions. Attendees are reminded to switch mobile phones to silent. Additional supporting documents for the agenda would normally be available online, a hard copy can be obtained at the Council office.
With Cllr Brookes's absence and the hope that the meeting will be quorate, all eyes will be on the Oakham Town Council as it convenes to address these critical matters and strive towards a more stable and functional operation for the benefit of its residents.
