Oakham Sparkles for the Festive Season, Oakham Late Night Shopping 2025

Oakham Sparkles for the Festive Season

Oakham, Rutland is officially shimmering its way into the Christmas spirit as local shops unveil their dazzling festive displays, perfectly timed for the eagerly anticipated Late Night Shopping event on Monday, December 15th, 2025.

The town centre, already charming year-round, is now a vision of yuletide cheer. From twinkling window dressings in boutique shops, the independent businesses of Oakham are going the extra mile to create a magical atmosphere for visitors. Shoppers are being treated to a delightful showcase of creativity, making the quest for that perfect gift an enchanting experience.

The culmination of this festive build-up is the annual Late Night Shopping event, which is set to run from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This popular occasion sees local stores extending their hours, offering a unique opportunity to browse, buy, and soak up the community spirit.

Beyond the high street, the event will feature a host of festive attractions in and around the town centre, including Oakham Castle and the Market Place, which will host a range of stalls, a funfair, and live music. It’s the perfect time to support local businesses, enjoy a hot drink, and find everything you need to make Christmas 2025 truly special.

Oakham Late Night Shopping

When: Monday, 15th December 2025, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Oakham Town Centre, including Oakham Castle and Market Place

Oakham Town Council to Debate 4.06% Precept Hike, Critical Safety Funding, and Councillor Conduct and Neglect of Play Areas at December Meeting

Oakham Town Council to Debate 4.06% Precept Hike, Critical Safety Funding, and Councillor Conduct at December Meeting

Oakham Town Council is preparing for a significant Full Council meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, where elected members will make crucial decisions concerning the town’s financial future, community safety infrastructure, and internal governance.

The Council is scheduled to review and set the annual budget, proposing a Precept demand of £305,214 to Rutland County Council (RCC) for the next financial year (FY 2027). This request represents a percentage increase of approximately 4.06% over the previous year.

Key figures from the draft budget documentation show a projected Total Recurrent Expenditure of £372,750 against an estimated Income of £78,060, resulting in the required Precept figure. Major budgeted expenditure categories include:

General Administration: £168,400

Contracts and Grants: £110,500

In current business, the Council is also set to approve a major payment to RCC for the annual charge for unmetered electricity for street lighting, totalling £25,934.32. This bill represents a 6% increase from last year’s figure of £24,465. A related report notes that most of Oakham's streetlights have been converted to the cheaper, but less effective, Mercury-based lights, with only a small number upgraded to more efficient LED technology.

Two agenda items highlight the Council’s focus on improving public safety and local infrastructure:

CCTV System Funding Request

Rutland County Council (RCC) has formally requested that Oakham Town Council (OTC) consider financial support for the Town Centre CCTV system. The proposal seeks an annual contribution of £5,800, indexed to inflation, to cover ongoing operational costs, maintenance, monitoring, software licenses, and technical support.

The request notes that OTC has not provided an annual financial contribution to the system's day-to-day running since 2017. Recent upgrades, including new recording servers and enhanced network modules, have strengthened the system, which now provides surveillance coverage for Council assets in Cutts Close and Princess Park to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The Council will discuss an invitation to apply for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Community Action Fund for road safety projects. The application window for this grant is open until January 12, 2026, with a maximum funding limit of £10,000.

Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS): A unit typically costs around £3,000, with an additional £1,000 for installation, batteries, and brackets. MVAS signs must be moved between a minimum of four locations every six to eight weeks.

Fixed Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS): These can cost up to £6,000, depending on features and power source. The report suggests the Council may also share this funding opportunity with local organisations, such as schools.

The agenda includes an item to address a formal complaint regarding the conduct of a Councillor  Submitted by a constituent and provider of the councils Discover Oakham website, Nitesh Bhundia,  the complaint alleges that the Councillor posted a photograph of the constituent’s child, taken at the Remembrance Ceremony, on social media without parental permission.

Mr. Bhundia stated that his family has strict measures in place to prevent images of their children from being published online, and that the Councillor's response to the request for the image's removal was "curt and unbecoming". The Council will determine the process for addressing the complaint. Furthermore, the Council is considering adopting the latest LGA-approved Code of Conduct.

The Victoria Hall Project Working Group is set to present a progress report. The Report notes that the "beautiful Victorian building has been struggling for some time" and there are two broad options: take proactive steps to secure its future or face potential closure. A public consultation is planned for early 2026 to inform the community and gather input on the available options and their implications.

In a positive note, the Christmas Light Switch-On on November 23rd was reported as a "tremendous success," recording one of the highest turnouts in recent years. The Snow globe attraction was a standout highlight, and the event was supported by local groups including the Rutland Lions, Sing Out Rutland, and Leicester City Football Club's mascot, Filbert the Fox.

Other items on the agenda include a proposal to alter staff working hours due to a shortage expected until at least January 2026, noting the latest highly critical RoSPA inspection results for OTC Play Areas, and prioritising potential projects for UKSPF spend. 

Safety Risk and Decay Found at Willow Crescent, Oakham Play Area, Prompting Call for Urgent Maintenance

Safety Risk and Decay Found at Willow Crescent, Oakham Play Area, Prompting Call for Urgent Maintenance

Willow Crescent Play Area 2016

Willow Crescent Play Area has been classified as "Medium Risk" in a recent annual inspection report, highlighting significant maintenance failures, including decaying perimeter fencing and a critical missing safety cap on a swing.

The report, dated November 27, 2025, from Seagrave Inspection Services Ltd, gave the site an overall Medium Risk (10) rating. According to the inspector's scale, a Medium Risk score of 8-12 requires the Council to "Take action to reduce if possible" on the identified hazards.

The issues posing the highest risk to children using the play area relate to structural decay and missing safety components:

The 1 Bay 2 Flat Swing was flagged as a Risk 10 because a "Missing end cap" was evident on the crossbar. The inspector recommended to "Replace missing end cap".

The Fencing and Gates were rated as being in "Poor" condition , with "Decay evident to gate & fencing" noted (Risk 10). The report recommends to "Replace decayed elements as required".

The 1 Bay 2 Cradle Swing was flagged for multiple Risk 8 defects , including gaps evident in the rubber tiles of the safety surfacing , wear evident on the chain and connecting link(s) , and slight damage evident to the seats.

The overall report included a general comment advising the Council to "Consider a robust maintenance and inspection schedule".

Councillor Blasts Council and Ongoing Neglect

Oakham Town Councillor Martin Brookes, who resides in the ward, issued a strong statement directly linking the inspection failures to what he describes as a pervasive lack of oversight and maintenance within the Town Council.

“This report does not surprise, since returning to Oakham Town Council over a year ago I have raised concerns about this, in communications I even asked if the handyman could paint the boundary fence and pick the litter, I sent photos. As an Oakham Town Councillor it appears you can not point out neglect like that within our play areas without the staff accusing you of bullying and them packing up and going home sick. I have constantly raised the issue of the neglect of the trees and All Saints Church yard. The staff respond with the handyman regularly inspects, if they are inspecting the big question for me is why is nothing being done. these poor reports are nothing new the neglect goes back years. The tax payers of Oakham deserve better. Only this week I am being asked to approve another increased budget. The largest cost is staffing and the majority of the rest goes to the running costs of the council. Currently one of our staff is subject to complaints from another member of the council and that member of staff has now gone of sick until January 4th 2026. I hope we can set up a working group on Wednesday given the task to sort out the ongoing neglect of our play areas. Past reports being very similar prove those responsible are not up to the job."

Unacceptable Safety Risks and 'Total Lack of Maintenance' Exposed in Royce Recreation Ground, Princess Avenue, Oakham, Play Area Reports

Unacceptable Safety Risks and 'Total Lack of Maintenance' Exposed in Royce Recreation Ground, Princess Avenue, Oakham, Play Area Reports

New equipment installed on Royce Recreation Ground 2014

Oakham Town Council faces urgent safety questions after a trio of Annual Inspection Reports for its play areas revealed a site assessed as an “Unacceptable Risk” and two others rated as “High Risk” and “Medium Risk," highlighting multiple critical safety failures across the town's public facilities.

The reports, all dated November 27, 2025, from Seagrave Inspection Services, found severe structural defects and maintenance failures, prompting a call for immediate action on dangerous equipment.

Critical "Unacceptable Risk" at Princess Avenue

The most serious finding was at the Princess Avenue Open Play Area, which received an overall rating of Unacceptable Risk (21). According to the inspector's risk scale, a score of 21 or more requires the equipment to be "Remove or immobilise immediately".

The specific issue leading to this rating was the Outdoor Gym Equipment, which displayed severe rust/corrosion. The report recommended to "Remove/replace all units".

Editors Note: The Outdoor Gym Equipment was donated to Oakham after Oakham featured in a advertising campaign for Flora many years ago and it has never been maintained.

High Risk of Crush and Entrapment

Two other sites were rated as High Risk (13-20), requiring action "ASAP to implement control measures".

Cutts Close Skate Park: Assessed as High Risk (15). The most serious defect was a transition issue in the Wheeled Sports Area where the gap between the rolling surface and a footplate was in excess of 5mm , with a recommendation to "Repair this condition asap".

Princess Avenue Fenced In Play Area: Assessed as High Risk (13). Inspectors found a dangerous defect on the Inclusive Roundabout, where a gap between the platform and the outer edge was excessive (over 8mm), creating a possible finger pinch/crush point. The report mandated to "Carry out repairs to this unit asap".

Beyond the most critical risks, the reports highlighted a pervasive lack of general maintenance across all sites:

Basket Swing (Princess Avenue Open Play): Rated High Risk (12) due to worn chain/connecting link(s), with a recommendation to "Replace worn elements asap".

General Swings (Cutts Close): Multiple cradle and flat swings showed wear evident on the chain and connecting links (Risk 8).

Safety Surfacing: Issues were widespread, including wet pour shrinkage at Princess Avenue and Cutts Close , and a need to repair damaged wet pour surfacing at the Basket Swing area.

Ancillary Items: Issues included fencing in "Poor" condition at Cutts Close , a maintenance gate not locked at Princess Avenue Fenced In Play Area , and an explicit recommendation in all three reports to "Consider a robust maintenance and inspection schedule".

Councillor Condemns "Total Lack of General Maintenance"

A Town Councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, commented on the inspection findings, linking the play area neglect to broader issues within the Council:

"The report does not surprise me there is a total lack of general maintenance of the councils responsibilities, it is a huge concern, I find it hard to believe one year on this council is considering sorting out the neglect at Victoria Hall and it can not keep its own house in order."