By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
In a significant move toward organisational renewal, Oakham Town Council has entered a "reset and rebuild" phase, signaling a departure from the operational inefficiencies of recent years. Following high-level discussions between town leadership and Rutland County Council (RCC), Chairman Cllr Martin Brookes has revealed a comprehensive, transparent roadmap designed to restore professional standards and operational effectiveness to the Town Council.
The announcement, which serves as a central theme of the Chairmans report for the upcoming Full Council meeting on Wednesday, 8th July 2026, marks the beginning of a vital journey for the municipality. The initiative follows a highly constructive meeting between Cllr Martin Brookes, the Leader of Rutland County Council Cllr Christine Wise, and Acting CEO of RCC, Angela Wakefield. This collaboration highlights a strategic partnership aimed at stabilising the Town Council and ensuring it regains the trust of the community it serves.
Acknowledging that the Council has not functioned at its required capacity in recent years, Cllr Martin Brookes emphasised that the leadership is now taking decisive, structured steps to rectify these issues. Under the expert stewardship of the newly appointed Locum Clerk, Sam Haywood, the Council is adopting a "phased delivery" approach. Rather than shying away from the findings of a recent internal audit, the Council is utilising the document as both a roadmap for recovery and a public scorecard. By doing so, the leadership aims to ensure that progress is reported transparently to both the Council and the community, turning historical shortcomings into a catalyst for institutional improvement.
The immediate priorities under Sam Haywood’s guidance are focused on stabilising governance and ensuring strict adherence to financial and legal regulations.
Among these urgent tasks is the reinstatement of formal consideration for planning applications a critical function that has been neglected for over two years. By restoring this process, the Council intends to ensure that Oakham’s voice is once again represented in local development decisions.
Looking toward the medium term, the strategy involves re-establishing effective committees, implementing a robust training programme for all councillors, and developing a strategic communications plan to keep residents better informed.
Regarding existing commitments, such as the Victoria Hall project, the Council has made the strategic decision to pause progress at its last meeting. Cllr Martin Brookes explained that this measure is necessary to ensure that future developments are rooted in absolute fiscal responsibility and sound governance, rather than rushing into the project before the foundations are secure.
While Cllr Martin Brookes remains candid about the substantial scale of the challenges facing the Council, his outlook remains firmly optimistic. By leveraging the expertise of the Locum Clerk and the continued support of Rutland County Council, the Town Council is moving toward a future defined by professional discipline. Through this renewed commitment to transparency and accountability, the leadership is confident that they will successfully rebuild the reputation of the Council and prove that they are, once again, working effectively and professionally for the people of Oakham.
For further updates residents are invited to attend the Full Council meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, 8th July 2026, at 6:30 pm.
https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/meetings-calendar/full-council-54/
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