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Thursday, October 08, 2026

Oakham Town Council Begins Fresh Chapter with Recruitment Drive for Entire New Staff Team



Oakham Town Council is turning a brand-new page in its commitment to the community. Following a meeting of the council’s staffing committee last night, the council officially agreed to commence the recruitment of an entire new team of staff a major milestone in its ongoing drive to rebuild and better serve the residents of Oakham.

The council is now casting a wide net for four key leadership and operational roles, inviting dedicated professionals to help shape the future of local governance in the town.
Commenting on the landmark recruitment drive, Cllr Martin Brookes, Mayor and Chairman of Oakham Town Council, shared his vision for the transition:

"I am hoping interested applicants will be keen to continue with improvements so far carried out by our Locum Clerk Sam Haywood and our temporary admin assistants. It is vital Oakham Town Council has a team who support the council's determination to serve the community of Oakham in a proper manner the residents of Oakham rightly deserve."
The council is currently advertising four distinct roles to build its comprehensive new team:

1. Town Clerk (Full-Time)
Salary: £51,928 to £53,051 per annum (SCP39-40/LC3) plus local government pension.
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week).
2. Responsible Finance Officer - RFO (Part-Time)
Salary: £17.17 to £18.44 per hour (SCP19-23/LC2) plus local government pension.
Hours: Part-time (15 hours per week).

3. Communications & Events Officer (Part-Time)
Salary: £16.08 to £16.61 per hour (SCP15-17/LC1) plus local government pension.
Hours: Part-time (22.5 hours per week).
Overview: Looking for a proactive individual to champion public engagement, manage digital channels and newsletters, and lead the planning and delivery of inclusive council events.

4. Administration Officer (Part-Time)
Salary: £14.14 to £14.59 per hour (SCP7-9/LC1) plus local government pension.
Hours: Part-time (22.5 hours per week).

Applications for all positions close at 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026.


Full Vacancy Details:

Oakham Town Council Seeks New Town Clerk to Lead Day-to-Day Operations

Oakham Town Council is seeking a strong, dynamic, and forward-thinking professional to step into its top leadership role as Town Clerk.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary of £51,928 to £53,051 per annum (SCP39-40/LC3, dependent upon qualifications and experience) alongside a generous local government pension scheme. It presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to drive the council forward, guide its strategic direction, and make a tangible difference in the local community.

The Role and Responsibilities

As Town Clerk, the successful candidate will take charge of managing the council’s day-to-day operations while providing sound strategic and operational support to the Mayor, Councillors, and committees.
The role is varied and demanding, requiring the confidence to manage competing priorities, provide expert professional advice, and ensure the successful delivery of council services, projects, and objectives. Applicants must demonstrate strong leadership, exceptional organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to transparency and high-quality public service.

Requirements and Qualifications

Experience & Qualifications: Candidates should possess relevant experience or qualifications in local government administration—such as the CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration)—or be willing to work toward obtaining the qualification.
Key Competencies: Experience in finance and budget management, human resources, administration, project management, and people management is essential.
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week. A flexible approach is required, as the role involves attending evening meetings and occasional weekend work.

How to Apply

The closing date for applications is 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Interested applicants can download a full job description and application form directly from the Oakham Town Council Vacancies page.


Oakham Town Council Seeks Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) in Part-Time Role

Oakham Town Council is currently seeking a Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) to take charge of its financial administration and reporting, offering a part-time position with competitive pay and a generous local government pension scheme.

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the council's financial affairs are managed with transparency, accuracy, and efficiency. Responsibilities include maintaining precise financial records, monitoring budgets and expenditure, supporting audits and financial reporting, and ensuring strict compliance with relevant regulations and legislation.

While previous experience in local government finance is desirable, it is not essential as comprehensive training and support will be provided for the right candidate.

Role Details and Requirements

Salary: £17.17 to £18.44 per hour (SCP19-23/LC2), dependent upon qualifications and experience, plus a generous local government pension scheme.

Hours: Part-time, 15 hours per week. A flexible approach is necessary, as the role involves some evening and occasional weekend work.

Key Skills: Applicants must hold a relevant finance qualification and/or demonstrable experience in a financial role. Candidates should have a solid working knowledge of accounting, budgeting, auditing, procurement, asset management, and financial reporting, alongside strong IT skills (including Microsoft Office and specialized accounting software).

How to Apply

Applications close at 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026.
To obtain a job description and application form, please visit the Oakham Town Council Vacancies page.



Oakham Town Council Recruits New Communications & Events Officer in Part-Time Role

Oakham Town Council is expanding its team with a vacancy for a Communications & Events Officer, offering a rewarding part-time position with competitive pay and local government pension benefits.

The council is seeking a proactive, confident, and forward-thinking individual to champion its public engagement and elevate its community profile. The successful candidate will spearhead the development and delivery of effective communication strategies—utilizing digital channels, social media, newsletters, and website content to strengthen ties with residents, local businesses, and community groups. In addition to handling communications, the role involves taking the lead on planning, promoting, and safely delivering inclusive council events.

Role Details and Requirements
Salary: £16.08 to £16.61 per hour (SCP15-17/LC1), dependent upon qualifications and experience, plus a generous local government pension scheme.

Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week. Flexibility is required, as the position involves some evening and occasional weekend work to support council events and meetings.
Key Skills: Applicants should bring a proven track record in communications, marketing, website administration, social media management, community engagement, and event coordination.

How to Apply

The closing date for applications is 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Interested candidates can access the full job description and application forms by visiting the Oakham Town Council Vacancies page.


Oakham Town Council Seeks Proactive Administration Officer in New Part-Time Role

Oakham Town Council is currently recruiting for an Administration Officer to join its team, offering a part-time opportunity with a competitive local government pay scale and pension scheme.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of council services and governance. Responsibilities will include providing comprehensive administrative support to the Council, Clerk, Councillors, Mayor, and various committees. Key duties involve preparing for and administering meetings, maintaining accurate records, delivering high standards of customer service, and supporting the overall delivery of council objectives.

Role Details and Requirements

Salary: £14.14 to £14.59 per hour (SCP7-9/LC1), dependent on qualifications and experience, plus a generous local government pension scheme.

Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week. A flexible approach is required, as the role involves some evening and occasional weekend work.

Key Skills: Applicants must demonstrate a proven administrative track record, excellent organisational and communication skills, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft 365. The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities with high accuracy is essential.

How to Apply
Applications close at 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026.

For a full job description and to download an application form, visit the Oakham Town Council Vacancies page.


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.

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/highstreetoakham

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

Time Running Out to Have Your Say on Rutland's New Local Plan


Time Running Out to Have Your Say on Rutland's New Local Plan

Residents, local businesses, and community groups across Rutland are being urged to make their voices heard before the fast-approaching deadline for the county's new local plan scoping consultation.

With the window closing at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, time is running out to shape the initial stages of planning policy that will govern development in England's smallest historic county for the next two decades.

While Rutland currently has a local plan covering 2021 to 2041 undergoing independent examination, sweeping changes to national planning policy introduced in December 2024 dramatically shifted the landscape. Under the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Rutland’s annual housing requirement more than doubled surging from 123 homes to 269 homes per year.

Because the previous plan was already at an advanced stage, the government permitted the council to continue its examination on the condition that work on a replacement plan addressing the higher target began almost immediately.

As this is a preliminary scoping consultation, no decisions are currently being made regarding specific planning policies or development sites. Instead, Rutland County Council is seeking public feedback on:

The primary planning issues and challenges facing the county.

Preferences on how communities and stakeholders should be engaged throughout the plan-making process.

Feedback on an reopened "call for sites," though planning officers are still assessing submissions and no sites have been recommended for inclusion yet.

The brand-new plan will cover the period 2026 to 2046 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2029 to meet strict government mandates requiring new plans to be drafted within 30 months.

How to Take Part Before the Deadline

Submissions can be completed online via the Rutland County Council website ahead of the 14 October 2026 deadline.

For residents without internet access, alternative arrangements are available:

By Phone: Call the council directly at 01572 722 577 for guidance and information.

In-Person: Paper copies of the consultation documents can be picked up at Catmose House offices in Oakham or at local libraries.

Following the close of this scoping phase, the council will publish a summary of public comments, paving the way for a second major consultation on the proposed content of the plan in April 2027.


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.

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/highstreetoakham

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

Wednesday, October 07, 2026

Oakham Town Council Faces Scathing External Audit Over Transparency, Errors, and Repeated Failures



Oakham Town Council has narrowly avoided a formal financial qualification in its latest external audit, but the newly released report paints a troubling picture of systemic administrative errors, transparency failures, and repeated non-compliance.

While external auditor Moore issued an unqualified overall opinion concluding that Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) are in accordance with Proper Practices for the year ending 31 March 2026 the accompanying findings highlight a litany of regulatory breaches.

The auditor found that Oakham Town Council failed to fully meet Section 13(1) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. This regulation requires the final audited AGAR to be readily available for public access, including online publication.

While the council amended Sections 1 and 2 of its 2024/25 return during the review process, only the original version of Section 1 remained visible on the website.

The council also failed to publish the mandatory Notice of Conclusion for 2024/25, as required by Section 16 of the regulations.

Further complicating public transparency, the annual governance statements and accounting statements were not initially sent with the public rights notice. When a late explanation for a variance was provided, initial values were missing, and public rights periods had to be disrupted and re-commenced.

Several technical accounting errors were flagged in Section 2 (Accounting Statements),

Box 9 of the prior year column (2025) did not agree with figures provided on the previous year's form, and no explanation was given for the change.

The altered figures were neither marked nor labelled as 'Restated' to alert readers, which the auditor deemed a breach of proper practices.

Because of this unflagged alteration, the auditor noted that a "No" response should have been provided at Assertion 1 on the 2025/26 Annual Governance Statement, rather than the "Yes" submitted by the council.

Basic arithmetic errors were also uncovered: Boxes 1 through 6 failed to add down to Box 7, violating paragraph 2.20 of the Practitioners' Guide. A similar discrepancy appeared in the revised 2025 comparative figures. Internal Governance and Control Deficiencies

Internal controls at the town council have drawn sharp criticism.

The internal auditor answered "No" to several control objectives on the AGAR, reflecting ongoing, deep-seated issues surrounding compliance, governance, monitoring, and reporting.

The external auditor highlighted that the council has a history of failing to implement all points raised in previous auditor reports.

Furthermore, information required for intermediate testing was not provided upon request marking a repeated issue, though the auditor managed to salvage the review using data retrieved directly from the council's website.

Despite the severity of the criticisms, the auditor noted that because the current-year figures for 2026 appear correctly stated, these compliance failures should not impact the upcoming 2026/27 return.

Nevertheless, the report makes it clear that Oakham Town Council must urgently tighten its administrative processes. The external auditor expects the council to bring its publishing practices into line with statutory regulations, ensure robust supporting documentation is submitted annually, and fully action plans already in place to resolve internal control failures.

https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Signed-External-Auditor-Report-and-Certificate-2025_26.pdf


Personal Statement from Councillor Martin Brookes, Chairman of Oakham Town Council

"While the findings in this external audit report were entirely expected, I am personally very glad that I stood my ground and refused to sign the AGAR due to the serious failings highlighted in our internal audit reports.

It is clear that our locum clerk is working hard to implement necessary improvements and bring us into line with statutory compliance requirements. However, this is proving to be a very slow process, and I personally do not foresee 100% improvement being achieved within this financial year. Unfortunately, this uphill battle is the direct result of years of entrenched failings that have been continuously documented in past audit reports. We have a long way to go to restore full administrative diligence and transparency."


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.

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/highstreetoakham

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


Tuesday, October 06, 2026

HMP Stocken Overstretched and Undersourced, Warns Independent Monitoring Board



A stark new annual report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has revealed that while staff at HMP Stocken have maintained commendable dedication, the Rutland-based Category C training prison is facing mounting strain from infrastructure decay, a severe influx of drugs, chronic staffing shortages, and an unresourced surge in direct releases.

Covering the reporting year from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026, the newly published findings paint a complex picture of a major public-run establishment battling systemic pressures.

While the IMB considers HMP Stocken generally safe for both staff and prisoners, total acts of violence surged by 37% over the year, jumping from 188 incidents to 257. This spike is heavily linked to a steady flow of illicit items particularly drugs and an increase in gang-related conflicts brought into the prison. Drones have posed a particular challenge over the past 12 months, dropping contraband directly into precise locations within the perimeter.

The underground drug culture drives widespread debt, bullying, and self-harm. Although total incidents of self-harm decreased from 718 to 607, occasional dangerous spikes correlated directly with periods when prisoners were under the influence of substances (UTIs). Cutting and ligaturing remain the primary methods of self-harm.

Tragically, the Board reported three deaths in custody during the period: one appearing self-inflicted, one from a drug overdose, and one from natural causes in hospital. The IMB also expressed deep concern over a Coroner’s Regulation 28 Report issued in October 2025 regarding the tampering of fire detection systems at the prison.

On the enforcement side, the total number of use-of-force incidents rose by 18% to 570, driven largely by a 20% increase in unplanned interventions as staff managed volatile behavior. Meanwhile, body scanners and property X-ray machines introduced in 2024 continue to perform well in reception, and three illicit brewed alcohol detection dogs are actively utilised.

While newer wings like Newton (opened in 2019) and Oakham (opened in 2024) have improved overall living conditions, older wings continue to suffer from peeling paint, leaking pipes, and damaged flooring. Maintenance provider Geo Amey faces an uphill battle maintaining the massive rural site.

Severe infrastructure failures plagued the prison over the winter months:

From late October 2025 through February 2026, wings including the newly built Oakham Wing suffered intermittent losses of heating and hot water due to boiler failures. Temporary boilers were deployed to mitigate the outages.

The prison's ageing, inadequate sewage system forces private contractors to unblock drains and empty septic tanks daily, generating a disgusting stench that frequently impacts wings around mealtimes. A full sewage survey has been completed to map long-term fixes.

Rat populations on the wings remain a persistent concern, with the IMB noting that if infestations spread to food serveries, the consequences will be severe.

Physical healthcare has shown notable improvements. Following early-year complaints regarding slow responses and a failing pharmacy which left diabetic prisoners without medication a new Pharmacy Manager, reduced reliance on bank staff, and streamlined health clinics have drastically improved performance.

However, the IMB issued a grave warning regarding mental health provision:

Severely mentally ill prisoners continue to be housed in the C&S segregation unit while waiting weeks or months for secure mental health beds. One prisoner spent over 110 days in the C&S unit while acutely unwell, placing immense pressure on non-specialist prison staff.

Despite static numbers of mentally ill inmates, formal referrals have dropped substantially, which the Board attributes to an acute national shortage of secure mental health facility places.

Recruitment and retention struggles have resurfaced at HMP Stocken. Changes to the UK's Skilled Worker Visa earnings threshold threaten to worsen staffing levels.

These shortages have dealt a heavy blow to vital rehabilitative initiatives:

One-to-one keyworking sessions dropped by 54% compared to 2024, averaging just 740 sessions a month.

Weekend library sessions and time out of cell have frequently been cancelled due to officer shortfalls.

Staffing shortages at the national Population Management Unit have led to frequent, short-notice cancellations of prisoner transfer transport, directly triggering frustration-fueled acts of disorder among inmates seeking moves.

Though designated and funded strictly as a Category C training prison rather than a resettlement facility, HMP Stocken released 408 prisoners directly into the community during the reporting year a 42% increase and the highest direct-release figure for any Category C training prison in England and Wales.

With 40% of the population in their final 24 months of sentencing including many finishing sentences of 10 years or more—the prison is struggling without dedicated resettlement funding. While the prison has expanded employment support through a fully staffed Employment Hub (partnering with employers like Toyota, Greene King, and GXO) and established a DWP Discharge Lounge, it lacks the broader resources needed to adequately reintegrate long-term offenders back into society. Probation pre-release resources are constrained to just one day a month.

People Plus education services faced a 20% budget cut in 2025, leading to larger class sizes (averaging 14 students in English and Maths) and administrative hurdles accessing the digital "Curious" platform.

Vocational training remains robust, spanning barbering, barista training, bricklaying, and motor mechanics. Prison industries delivered over 500 accredited qualifications, highlighted by a new Blauberg workshop assembling bathroom fans, a John Lewis TV recycling partnership, and a food-drying recycling initiative praised as top-tier across the prison estate.

The prison's Equality Advisor received high praise from the High Sheriff of Rutland for supporting veterans in custody, including a monthly Armed Forces Breakfast Club. Foreign national prisoners (representing roughly 10% of the population) have access to translated TV channels in Romanian, Polish, Spanish, and Albanian.

During the 2025–2026 reporting year, the 10 active members of the IMB made 445 visits to HMP Stocken. Prisoners submitted 280 applications covering various subjects, most frequently concerning healthcare (50 applications), property during transfer (35 applications), and sentence management (31 applications).

https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/13/2026/09/Stocken-IMB-2025-2026-annual-report.pdf


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.

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/highstreetoakham

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