Allegations of Financial Mismanagement Hit Oakham Town Council as Staff Member Reported to Police

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement Hit Oakham Town Council as Staff Member Reported to Police

A report has been made to Leicestershire Police regarding a member of the Oakham Town Council staff following an allegation concerning the authorisation of overtime payments. The report was filed after a current member of the council received a written communication from a former councillor containing claims of financial irregularities.

The correspondence alleges that a member of the council staff "has also been paying overtime over the last year or so to himself and other staff without Council knowledge." This statement suggests that internal procedures for the approval of additional pay may not have been followed in accordance with standard council oversight.

The current councillor who received the email and subsequently contacted the police has clarified that they are not personally aware of any wrongdoing. However, they stated that they felt a professional and civic duty to pass the information to the police, given the serious nature of the claims involving public funds.

The report does not constitute a finding of guilt, and no charges have been brought at this stage. Instead, the matter has been referred to the police to determine whether the claims hold merit and to ensure that all administrative and financial actions within the council have been conducted appropriately.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on the council’s internal processes for payroll and expenditure. The referral to the police is a procedural step to ensure transparency, allowing an external body to review the claims made in the former councillor's correspondence. 

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Rutland County Council Unveils New ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’ to Support Low-Income Households Cabinet Meeting Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 10.00 am

Rutland County Council Unveils New ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’ to Support Low-Income Households Cabinet Meeting Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 10.00 am

By Local Democracy Reporter

Rutland County Council’s Cabinet will consider a report about a transformative new three-year programme designed to modernise local welfare and provide a robust safety net for the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which launched on April 1, 2026, replaces the previous Household Support Fund (HSF) and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). Unlike its predecessors, the new fund shifts focus from temporary pandemic-era relief to building long-term financial stability for individuals and communities.

The council will deliver support through four mandated categories to ensure both immediate relief and future prevention:

Rapid "cash-first" support for households facing sudden financial shocks, such as a loss of income or unexpected bills. The council aims for a 48-hour turnaround for urgent cases.

Targeted aid for those receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who face shortfalls in rent or essential housing costs.

Investment in financial education, debt advice, and budget management to help residents avoid future crises.

Strengthening local support networks through multi-agency partnerships and outreach activities like the "Living Well" initiative.

Support is reserved for Rutland residents on a low income with less than £3,000 in savings. While "low income" is not strictly defined, council guidelines suggest thresholds such as an annual income of less than £17,600 for a couple with no children or £27,500 for a couple with two children, after housing costs.

The council has adopted a "cash-first" policy, issuing awards via secure text messages that can be redeemed at cash-zone pay points, though vouchers or physical goods like energy-efficient washing machines remain an option. Applications can be made online or via paper forms through Citizens Advice Rutland.

A key priority for the cabinet is ensuring no child in the county goes hungry during school holidays. The council plans to use the "Low-Income Family Tracker" (LIFT) to proactively identify and invite families in need to claim support. Officials also hope that by investing in resilience, families will eventually be better equipped to budget for school holiday periods independently.

The Cabinet will also consider A Museum Policy Update Space for Giants

In a separate move, the Cabinet will consider the Rutland County Museum Collections Development Policy to accommodate the county’s recent world-class archaeological finds.

The revised policy provides a framework for integrating the 10-metre Ichthyosaur the largest of its kind found in Europe and the unique Ketton Roman Mosaic into the museum’s permanent collection. To make room for these "giants," the museum will move large agricultural equipment to off-site storage and may ethically dispose of items that are duplicates or lack significant local relevance.

Cabinet reports stressed that any proceeds from the sale of de-accessioned items will be legally restricted to the long-term sustainability and development of the museum’s collection.

CABINET MEETING

https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=3104

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 10.00 am

COUNCIL CHAMBER, CATMOSE, OAKHAM, LE15

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Questions Mount Over "Digital Witch Hunt" Costs at Oakham Town Council

Questions Mount Over "Digital Witch Hunt" Costs at Town Council

A cloud of controversy has once again settled over Oakham Town Council following revelations of a a payment to a long-term IT contractor, allegedly aimed at unmasking a "whistleblower" within the council ranks.

Documents reveal that on March 13, 2026, the Council paid Millennium Computer Services for an investigation into the leak of a confidential email. The email in question originated from the Rutland County Council Monitoring Officer and reportedly detailed concerns regarding the "poor conduct" of the Town Council.

Despite the public expenditure, the results of this digital forensic search remain shrouded in mystery. 

Sources close to the council confirm that no formal report has been issued to members explaining:

What specific methods were used to track the leak.

Whether the investigation was successful in identifying a culprit.

The legal basis for monitoring internal communications to suppress a report on council conduct.

The recent invoice is just one of seven payments made to Millennium Computer Services over the last month, totaling £835.90.

For years, the relationship between the Council and the IT firm has been a point of friction during  meetings. Critics argue that the payment reports provided by the office and subsequently approved by the council frequently lack the "clear details" necessary for proper fiscal oversight.

The recent batch of payments also highlighted a surprising administrative charge. Included in the £835.90 total was a fee for a physical memory stick, used specifically to hand over CCTV footage to the police regarding an alleged burglary at the council officer by a former Councillor.

While the council is required to assist law enforcement, the decision to bill this through an external contractor rather than utilising standard office supplies has raised eyebrows and concerns have been voiced about "nickel-and-diming" the public purse.

Cllr Adam Lowe formally raised the need for a full review of the Millennium Computer Services contract is from the meeting held on January 12, 2022. This did not happen.

The request was detailed in Finance Report No. 2022/03, authored by Cllr Lowe and Cllr Orchard, titled "Awarding Contracts with Transparency".

The report expressed concerns regarding robust financial controls and transparency in public spending.

It noted an "overdue review" of several contracts, explicitly naming Millennium Computers alongside K&K Window Services and Lend a Hand.

Cllr Lowe emphasised that because Millennium Computer Services was responsible for "computer security and back-ups," a formal contract or agreement was a "crucial operational need".

He proposed that the Council ask the office to review ALL contracts and regular payees to clarify agreement details and expiry dates, suggesting this information be presented to the Full Council in a spreadsheet format. This also never happened.

an even earlier mention occurred in the minutes of June 8, 2016, where  Cllr Lowe was also present.

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OAKHAM CASTLE TO HOST PUBLIC HEARING OVER CONTROVERSIAL 110-HOME BARLEYTHORPE DEVELOPMENT

OAKHAM CASTLE TO HOST PUBLIC HEARING OVER CONTROVERSIAL 110-HOME BARLEYTHORPE DEVELOPMENT

The historic Great Hall of Oakham Castle is set to become the backdrop for a pivotal planning battle this May, as an appeal lodged by Bowbridge Land Ltd goes before a government inspector.

The appeal follows the developer's outline planning application for up to 110 dwellings and associated infrastructure on land situated to the west of Main Road in Barleythorpe. While the proposal is in "outline" form meaning specific details like design and layout are reserved for later the fundamental question of whether the site should be developed at all now rests in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal will be conducted via an Informal Hearing, a process designed to allow a structured discussion led by the Inspector, rather than the more legalistic and adversarial atmosphere of a Public Inquiry.

Inspector: A. McClone
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 10:00 am

Venue: Oakham Castle, Market Place, Oakham

The hearing is scheduled to last one day and will be held as an in-person event. Rutland County Council recently issued a corrected notice for the event after an administrative error in a previous email left residents without the specific date and time of the proceedings.

Members of the public are invited to attend the hearing to observe the arguments. Crucially, those who wish to voice their opinions on the 110-home scheme may be allowed to do so at the Inspector’s discretion.

Residents wishing to speak are advised to attend the opening of the event at 10:00 am to signal their intent to the Inspector. To assist with logistics, the Council has requested that anyone planning to attend email planningappeals@rutland.gov.uk with their name, contact details, and their interest in the case (e.g., local neighbour or interested party).

The Council has confirmed that Oakham Castle is equipped with facilities for people with disabilities. Residents requiring specific information regarding access or the venue are encouraged to contact Planning Support at 01572 722577 (Option 3).

For those wishing to review the case files ahead of the hearing, all appeal documents including the original plans and the Council’s reasons for the initial decision are available on the Rutland County Council planning portal.

By entering reference 2025/0024/APPEAL into the online applications search, residents can track the evidence submitted by both Bowbridge Land Ltd and the local authority.

The Inspector’s final decision, which will determine whether the fields to the west of Main Road are transformed into a major housing estate, will be published online following the conclusion of the hearing.

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