Oakham Town Council Meeting Teeters on Edge as Chairman Slams Conduct and Champions Major Local Leases
Tensions reached a boiling point at Oakham Town Council this week as Chairman Cllr Martin Brookes issued a blistering critique of recent meeting conduct, declaring multiple council decisions "unlawful and void".
An Extraordinary Meeting has been called for Wednesday, 18th November 2026, which is centred on securing long-term futures for local sports clubs and overhauling the town’s grounds and waste contracts.
The evening’s proceedings will be preceded by a strongly worded statement from Cllr Brookes, who candidly admitted that his own "far too relaxed" chairmanship style had contributed to a steady decline in chamber standards.
Citing public complaints regarding a lack of respect and apparent disinterest among members, the Chairman announced a firm crackdown alongside the Locum Clerk to strictly enforce Standing Orders and rules of debate and meeting upon her return from holiday.
Addressing whispered plots to unseat him, Cllr Brookes firmly pushed back, reminding colleagues that under the Local Government Act 1972, he was elected to serve a full term and intends to remain in post until the official handover following elections in late May 2027.
The governance crisis deepened as the Chairman turned to the fallout from last week’s chaotic session.
Cllr Brookes revealed that a motion he brought forward regarding Freedom of Entry intended to secure crucial budget funding for next year was improperly bypassed. Rather than facing a simple "Yes" or "No" vote or being withdrawn after failing to secure a seconder, the council permitted a member to introduce an unadvertised alternative disguised as an "amendment".
Noting that Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 prohibits binding decisions on matters lacking three clear days' public notice, Cllr Brookes will rule those votes and other items altered in the same manner legally void.
He will also rebuked councillors for airing personal past employment grievances in public, warning that bypassing internal grievance channels exposes the local authority to severe legal liabilities, including constructive dismissal and defamation claims.
Despite the stormy backdrop, the Council will move forward with substantive business, beginning with a major milestone for two of Oakham’s sporting institutions. Opening discussions on the proposed 99-year leases for the Oakham Bowling Club (OBC) and the Oakham Lawn Tennis Club (OLTC), Cllr Brookes will highlight a comprehensive progress report and action plan following the Council’s unanimous in-principle resolution on 9th September 2026. Under the agreed framework, both clubs will likely secure long-term security backed by an annual rent of £100, subject to annual adjustments based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation. Crucially, the review authored by a Cllr Justin Perry a Chartered Surveyor with 35 years of contract negotiation experience navigates complex statutory hurdles under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Subsidy Control Act 2022. While formal legal quotes to review the leases came back as high as £6,500, the report advises that the Council can safely proceed by obtaining independent "Red Book" valuations, assessing subsidy limits, and advertising the intention to grant the leases locally for 14 consecutive days, thereby avoiding heavy external legal expenses. Both clubs have agreed to cover their own lease-drafting costs and contribute £750 plus VAT toward council expenses, matching the statutory limits governed by the Costs of Leases Act 1958.
Council members are expected to vote on establishing a dedicated Task and Finish Group featuring Councillors Callaghan and Perry to oversee the required valuations and public notices.
Looking ahead to municipal infrastructure, the meeting will also spotlight the newly adopted Terms of Reference for the Grounds Maintenance and Waste/Bin Services Working Group, which will formally be established.
Tasked with reviewing the town's current grass-cutting schedules, environmental considerations, and biodiversity provisions ahead of contract renewals in 2027, the working group will audit existing litter bin capacities and investigate the practicalities of introducing dedicated public recycling bins across Oakham.
As the Council evaluates whether to combine grounds and waste services into a single unified contract or separate packages for maximum value, officials hope the comprehensive review will bring much-needed efficiency and cleanliness to the town.
As Oakham Town Council navigates these high-stakes property and procurement decisions, residents and councillors alike will be watching closely to see whether the Chairman's pledge of stricter governance can restore order to the Rol House chamber.
For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/
Discover Oakham High Street
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
Discover Oakham
Discover Oakham Northgate Oakham Rutland
Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide
Rutland Christmas
Oakham and Rutland Sports and Fitness Events News
Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support
Road Closures Rutland Highways
Discover Opportunities with
Oakham And Rutland News
Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland
