By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
Oakham Town Council Embarks on "Reset and Rebuild" Strategy to Restore Local Governance
Oakham Town Council is set to enter a transformative new chapter as Mayor Cllr Martin Brookes prepares to present a pivotal progress report at next week’s council meeting. The session will outline a definitive "reset and rebuild" phase aimed at modernising the council’s operations and restoring its standing within the community.
This strategic shift follows a series of highly constructive discussions between Cllr Martin Brookes, the Leader of Rutland County Council (RCC), Cllr Christine Wise, and Acting CEO of RCC, Angela Wakefield. Cllr Martin Brookes expresses his sincere gratitude for the leadership and guidance provided by Rutland County Council, noting that their ongoing support is instrumental as the Town Council addresses historic governance challenges. Emphasising the necessity of these changes, Cllr Martin Brookes stated that he believes the council is fully committed to serving the residents of Oakham with the professional standard they deserve, acknowledging that the council has not functioned as effectively as it should have in recent years.
Rather than shying away from recent internal audit findings, the council is embracing them as a comprehensive roadmap for systemic improvement. Under the expert direction of Locum Clerk Sam Haywood, the council is implementing a "phased delivery" approach to stabilise operations. Immediate priorities include strengthening adherence to financial and legal regulations and, crucially, reinstating the formal consideration of planning applications. This latter move marks a significant milestone, as the formal review of planning proposals a vital function for ensuring the voice of Oakham is heard in local development has been absent for over two years. Furthermore, the Locum Clerk is committed to total transparency, using audit recommendations as a public scorecard to track progress and keep residents fully informed.
Looking to the medium term, the council’s agenda includes re-establishing effective committees, rolling out a comprehensive training programme for all councillors, and developing a strategic communications plan. While the council faces a significant task, the current leadership is optimistic about the trajectory. As part of a disciplined approach to fiscal responsibility, the council will consider the difficult but necessary decision to pause specific initiatives, such as the Victoria Hall project. This ensures that when projects are advanced, they will be built on a foundation of sound governance and absolute financial clarity. Cllr Martin Brookes noted that while there are no illusions regarding the scale of the work ahead, the renewed commitment to discipline and the support of Rutland County Council provide a path toward rebuilding the council’s reputation and proving that it can once again work effectively for the people of Oakham.
Cllr Martin Brookes, says the Locum Clerk estimates it will take almost a year to make Oakham Town Council legally compliant again.
Meeting Details:
Date: 8th July 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Long Row, Oakham, Rutland
https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/meetings-calendar/full-council-54/
