Bridging the Digital Gap, MP Alicia Kearns Challenges Ofcom’s "Digital-by-Default" Strategy

Bridging the Digital Gap, MP Alicia Kearns Challenges Ofcom’s "Digital-by-Default" Strategy

In an increasingly digital age, it is easy for policymakers to assume that traditional technology has been relegated to the archives of history. However, for the residents of Rutland, Stamford, and the surrounding rural villages, the humble FM frequency remains a vital lifeline. Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns has formally submitted a robust response to Ofcom’s consultation on the future of broadcast radio licensing, sending a clear message: while digital progress is welcome, rural communities are being let down by a premature pivot away from FM.

In her detailed submission, Alicia Kearns highlights a significant disparity between urban digital coverage and rural reality. While the rollout of Small-Scale DAB (SSDAB) has allowed stations like Rutland & Stamford Sound to establish a presence, the technology currently faces geographical hurdles that digital signals alone cannot clear. In historic town centers like Oakham and Stamford, digital signals often struggle to penetrate thick-walled buildings, while the rolling topography of the countryside shields many outlying villages from receiving a usable signal. This "digital gap" is further widened by the fact that many of these same areas suffer from poor mobile connectivity and slow broadband, leaving FM as the only reliable medium for receiving live, local information.

Alicia Kearns points to Rutland & Stamford Sound as a primary example of why licensing priorities must be adjusted. Since July 2020, a freeze on new FM licenses has left community-focused stations unable to reach their entire potential audience. During the pandemic, local radio emerged as one of the most trusted sources of information, providing hourly news and community support that national broadcasters simply cannot replicate. For Kearns, the fact that local retailers still report a high demand for radios without DAB bands speaks volumes: the public still wants, and needs, FM.

Beyond signal reach, the MP’s response also addresses technical regulatory hurdles, such as the "40% ceiling" rule regarding overlaps between SSDAB and local multiplexes. She argues that rigid population thresholds often prevent stations like those in the Leicester area from serving entire cities and their surrounding suburbs effectively. By calling for more flexibility in these rules, she aims to ensure that local stations aren't restricted by arbitrary administrative boundaries.

This consultation follows years of persistent advocacy by Alicia Kearns, including direct dialogue with various Media Ministers and a 2025 letter to Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes. For the residents of Rutland and Lincolnshire, the hope is that Ofcom will acknowledge that a "digital-by-default" approach risks silencing the countryside. By urging the regulator to resume FM licensing for community stations, Alicia Kearns is fighting to ensure that the unique, local voices of our region are preserved, proving that in the heart of rural England, the airwaves are as important as ever.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Small County, Big Heart, The Urgent Search for Rutland’s Next Generation of Foster Carers

Small County, Big Heart, The Urgent Search for Rutland’s Next Generation of Foster Carers

A urgent plea is being made to residents. Rutland County Council is currently facing a critical shortage of local foster carers, a situation that is forcing many of the area’s most vulnerable children to be placed in homes far beyond the county borders. While these children are receiving the safety they need, the geographic distance often comes at a high emotional cost, severing the vital ties to their schools, friendships, and the familiar support networks that provide a sense of stability during a time of upheaval.

The Council is stressing that fostering isn't just about providing a roof; it is about preserving a child's identity. When a young person can stay within Rutland, they remain connected to their community and their birth families, making the transition into care and eventually back home or into independence significantly smoother. Because children enter care for a vast array of reasons and for varying lengths of time, the Council offers flexible options ranging from short-term emergency stays to long-term placements that span years.

For those considering opening their doors, the Council has worked to remove the barriers and myths surrounding who can foster. They are actively seeking people from all backgrounds, provided they are over the age of 21 and have a spare bedroom. The focus is less on a perfect domestic setup and more on a willingness to provide a safe, nurturing environment and a commitment to undergo the necessary training and background checks.

To ensure that carers never feel they are navigating this journey alone, Rutland County Council has established a robust support framework. From the moment of the first inquiry, prospective carers are guided through a professional pathway. This includes regular oversight from a dedicated Supervising Social Worker and access to a wealth of specialist advice and comprehensive training programs. Recognising the professional nature of the role, the Council also provides financial support with allowances that sit above the national minimum, with fee levels that increase as a carer develops their skills and takes on more specialized roles.

Councillor Tim Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, emphasizes that the impact of a single local carer cannot be overstated. He notes that every child deserves to feel safe and connected to their community, and by fostering locally, residents can make an extraordinary difference. The Council’s promise is one of lifelong partnership, offering guidance that stays in place indefinitely to ensure every foster family feels empowered.

If you have the space in your home and the heart to support a local child, the Rutland Foster Care Team is ready to talk. You can reach them directly at 01572 720 942 or find more information and resources on their website at www.rutland.gov.uk/fostering.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Rutland Parking Fines Hit Five-Year High as Council Rakes in Nearly £60,000

Rutland Parking Fines Hit Five-Year High as Council Rakes in Nearly £60,000

Motorists in Rutland are feeling the pinch as new figures reveal that parking fines in the county reached a five-year peak in 2025.

Rutland County Council issued a staggering 1,826 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) last year, generating a total of £59,706.18 in revenue. This marks a significant surge in enforcement and collection compared to previous years.

The 2025 figures represent a sharp climb from 2024, when only 1,259 tickets were issued. While the council saw high numbers in 2021 (1,759 tickets), last year’s total is the highest since the turn of the decade.

The financial impact is equally notable. The nearly £60,000 collected in 2025 far exceeds the £42,325 secured in 2024 and the £41,040 brought in during 2023.

2025 FPN Breakdown:

Total Issued: 1,826

Total Paid: 1,549

Dropped/Cancelled: 86

Outstanding: 164

Oakham vs. Uppingham The Fine Capital

Unsurprisingly, Oakham remains the primary "hot spot" for parking enforcement. The town accounted for 1,200 of the fines issued last year exactly double the 600 handed out in Uppingham.

While the two main towns dominate the statistics, smaller villages haven't escaped the watchful eye of enforcement officers. Normanton saw 17 tickets, followed by Hambleton with seven. Interestingly, Empingham saw two tickets issued in 2025 the only fines recorded in the village over the last five years.

Top 10 Most Ticketed Locations (2025)

Rank           Location                                                

1             High Street, Oakham 187 Fines

2             High Street East, Uppingham 148 Fines

3             High Street West, Uppingham 126 Fines

4             Mercers Yard Car Park, Oakham 82 Fines

5             Westgate Car Park, Oakham 74 Fines

6             Church Street, Oakham 70 Fines

7             South Street, Oakham 70 Fines

8             Brooke Road Car Park, Oakham 70 Fines

9             Church Street Car Park, Oakham 59 Fines

10             Catmos Street, Oakham 58 Fines

If you are looking to avoid a yellow plastic envelope on your windscreen, history suggests you should be extra cautious on Oakham High Street. The stretch has held the title of the most ticketed location for five consecutive years.

"It seems some people just never learn," noted one local resident, referencing the fact that Oakham High Street has seen 830 fines since 2021.

With enforcement at a five-year high, Rutland drivers are being urged to double-check the signage and their pay-and-display tickets to avoid contributing to next year's record-breaking totals.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ 

Oakham Welcome Signs Get a Makeover New Welcome Boards Arrive "Out with the Crap"

Oakham Welcome Signs Get a Makeover New Welcome Boards Arrive
By Local Democracy Reporter

Signs in parts of Oakham’s town centre have received a significant upgrade this week as Rutland County Council began the installation of brand-new visitor welcome and information boards.

The initiative, aimed at boosting tourism and improving navigation for visitors, marks the end of what some have described as a "dreadful" era for the town’s signage.

The new boards serve as high-quality portals to the area, featuring curated information provided by Discover Rutland. The project has been made possible through central government backing, specifically funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The modern designs replace the aging, wooden structures that had become a point of contention for many locals due to their weathered appearance and deteriorating quality.

"Out with the Crap"

The upgrade has been met with a mix of praise and a "call to arms" regarding the state of the surrounding environment. Oakham Town Councillor Martin Brookes did not mince words when discussing the transition from the old signage to the new.

"They are very smart and I am pleased to see the pretty crap ones have finally been removed," Cllr Brookes said. "They looked awful untreated wooden ones cladded with dreadful plastic information boards."

While the Councillor welcomed the aesthetic improvement of the signs themselves, he issued a challenge to the County Council to ensure the rest of the town matches this new standard.

"Now all the County Council has to do is clean up the surrounding streets," Cllr Brookes added. "Otherwise, the new signs will look so out of place."

The installation is part of a wider effort to revitalise Rutland’s market towns and encourage footfall in the wake of shifting high street trends. By providing clear, professional, and attractive information, the Council hopes to better showcase Oakham’s unique heritage and local businesses.

A spokesperson for the Council noted that the investment represents a commitment to maintaining Rutland's reputation as a premier destination for visitors. However, for residents like Cllr Brookes, the success of the new boards will be measured not just by their design, but by the cleanliness of the areas they sit on.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/