By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
Oakham Town Council moved swiftly to fill key leadership roles and reinforce its administrative backbone during its Monday evening extra meeting, signaling a push for stability and improved community engagement.
The headline of the evening was the appointment of Cllr David Romney, who was officially named the council’s new Deputy Chairman and Deputy Mayor. Cllr Romney, a familiar face in local politics, steps into the role at a crucial time for the council as it navigates several transitional phases. His appointment was met with support from fellow councillors, who noted his dedication to the town.
In addition to the leadership vote, the council tackled pressing operational vacancies to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of Oakham’s local government.
The council formally agreed to appoint its temporary Locum Clerk to the permanent status of Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO). and agreed extra hours. This move secures a qualified hand at the wheel to manage the council’s statutory duties, legal obligations, and financial compliance.
Recognising the heavy workload currently facing the clerk's office, councillors voted unanimously to appoint an Temporary Assistant to the Locum Clerk.
The creation of the assistant role once appointed is expected to directly benefit Oakham residents. The new staff member will be specifically tasked with handling administrative duties and resident communications.
For a council that has previously faced calls for greater transparency and quicker response times, this dedicated resource aims to bridge the gap between local government and the public, ensuring that community queries, complaints, and ideas are handled more efficiently.
"Securing our financial oversight and opening up better channels of communication with the people of Oakham were our top priorities tonight," a councillor noted following the decisions.
With a bolstered administrative team and Cllr Romney stepping into his new civic role, Oakham Town Council appears well-positioned to tackle its upcoming summer agenda with renewed focus.
