Oakham Rutland and Rutland News Martin Brookes

Friday, June 26, 2026

Uppingham Town Council Recent Progress and Future Planning

By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS

Uppingham Town Council has been busy finalising key community initiatives and preparing for its upcoming legislative agenda.

Following the recent Full Council meeting on June 10th and subsequent committee sessions on June 24th, 2026, the council has made significant strides in managing local assets and refining its governance policies.

A primary focus for the council has been the future of the land to the south of Aris Close. Following extensive feedback and a productive discussion, the council has agreed upon a phased approach to manage the site as a community asset.

The Clerk has been tasked with essential preliminary steps, including obtaining legal clarification on land use, seeking planning guidance, identifying access points for maintenance, and establishing potential walking areas for residents. In another move to support local services, the council decided to take over the organisation of this year’s December Late-Night Shopping event, ensuring the tradition continues despite the original organisers stepping down.

Financial and policy management also saw major updates. The council reviewed and amended its Grant Awarding Policy, while also electing to absorb road closure fees from Rutland County Council to ease the financial burden on local community groups.

Furthermore, to ensure rigorous financial oversight, the council approved a three-year internal audit engagement with Clark's Clerical Service, which will provide for both mid-year and end-of-year audits through 2029.

Investments in local infrastructure were also prioritised, with the council recommending over £11,800 for cemetery path improvements and specific funding for allotment security and maintenance.

Looking ahead, the Town Council will reconvene for a Full Council meeting on July 1st, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Uppingham Town Hall.

The agenda for this session is substantial and covers several critical topics.

Councillors will review various planning applications, including proposed works at 3 Market Place, Clatterpot Farm, and 38 Leicester Road. Additionally, the council will deliberate on the installation of automated door lock controls for the Market Place public toilets a move projected to save £1,550 annually in keyholding costs and discuss a major offer from Rutland County Council regarding the transfer of several local green spaces and play areas to the town.

The meeting will also address administrative and community growth matters, such as selecting names for the new development off Ayston Road, providing feedback on the revised housing allocation policy, and considering an application for co-option from Mr. J. Hayden. Finally, the council will formalise the tendering process for future grounds maintenance to ensure the continued upkeep of the town’s estate.

www.uppinghamtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-meetings?month=2026-07#item-2121757

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area,

visit:

Oakham and Rutland News

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/OakhamandRutlandWhatsOn

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/summer-2026-music-at-cutts-close-park-oakham-bandstand-rutland

Oakham and Rutland Sports and Fitness Events News

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/rutland-sports-and-fitness

UK Town of Culture Oakham Rutland 2028 Bid

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ukoakhamtownofculture2028

Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/OakhamandRutlandLGBTQ

Road Closures Rutland Highways

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/RutlandTravelUpdates

Discover Oakham

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/discoveroakham

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Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland

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Have Your Say, Rutland Residents Invited to Shape the Future of Local Wellbeing

By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter not affiliated to the BBC LDRS

Rutland residents are being encouraged to play a key role in the future of local health as the Active Together partnership launches its 2026 Physical Activity & Wellbeing Residents’ Survey.

The initiative, supported by Rutland County Council’s "Living Well Active" team, aims to gather a comprehensive picture of how local people view and engage with exercise. Whether you are a regular gym-goer, enjoy occasional walks, or currently do not take part in any regular physical activity, your voice is essential.

Active Together is the designated Active Partnership for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland. Their mission is to make movement and sport more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or current fitness level. By participating in this survey, you are helping to:

Understand the specific challenges that stop people from being active.

Learn what encourages people to move more.

Ensure that future physical activity opportunities are accessible to all, including those from diverse ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with disabilities.

"Being physically active can have a positive impact on both our physical and mental wellbeing, but we know that everyone's experiences and circumstances are different. This survey is an opportunity for residents to tell us what helps them to be active, what barriers they face and what opportunities they would like to see in the future." Cllr Tim Smith, Rutland County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families

The survey is open to all residents aged 18 and over. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is completely confidential.

Take the Survey: Visit www.active-together.org/pasurvey

All responses must be submitted by midnight on Friday, 10 July 2026.

Win a Prize for Your Input

As a thank you for sharing your time and experiences, anyone who opts in at the end of the survey will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of 25 Everywish Gift Cards, each worth £20.

By sharing your views, you aren't just answering a survey you’re helping to create a healthier, more active future for the whole of Rutland.

New Assistive Equipment Drop-Off Point Opens at Rutland Memorial Hospital

Residents in and around Oakham now have a convenient and sustainable new way to dispose of unwanted medical equipment. A new, dedicated Medequip return bin has been officially installed at Rutland Memorial Hospital, making it simpler than ever to clear out unused items while helping the local healthcare system.

If you have items that are no longer needed, you can now easily return them at the new collection point. The bin is designed to accept a variety of common assistive devices, including:

Crutches

Walking frames

Raisers for chairs and toilets

This new facility is the result of a collaborative effort between Rutland County Council, the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, and Medequip.

The primary goal of the initiative is to promote sustainability by reducing waste. By returning these items, they can be professionally refurbished, cleaned, and redistributed to other patients who need them. This not only prevents perfectly good equipment from ending up in landfills but also helps ensure that vital resources remain available within the community.

Where to Find the Bin

The bright blue Medequip bin is located in a highly accessible spot: right near the main entrance of Rutland Memorial Hospital in Oakham.

Important Tips for Donors

To ensure the process runs smoothly and the equipment can be quickly processed for reuse, organisers are asking the public to follow one simple instruction:

"Please ensure the Medequip barcode is clearly visible when placing items into the bin."

By taking a moment to check for that barcode, you help the team at Medequip track and manage the equipment inventory efficiently, ensuring these items get back into circulation as quickly as possible.

Do you have unused medical equipment taking up space at home? Help your local community and the environment by dropping your items off at the Rutland Memorial Hospital collection point today.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area,

visit:

Oakham and Rutland News

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/OakhamandRutlandWhatsOn

Music Bands Live music 2026 Bandstand Cutts Close Oakham Rutland

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/summer-2026-music-at-cutts-close-park-oakham-bandstand-rutland

Oakham and Rutland Sports and Fitness Events News

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/rutland-sports-and-fitness

UK Town of Culture Oakham Rutland 2028 Bid

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/ukoakhamtownofculture2028

Stay Connected with LGBTQ+ Gay Oakham Rutland News Events Advice and Support

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/OakhamandRutlandLGBTQ

Road Closures Rutland Highways

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/RutlandTravelUpdates

Discover Oakham

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/discoveroakham

Discover Opportunities with

Oakham And Rutland News

Job Vacancies Oakham Rutland

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/jobs

Have Your Say Help Shape the Future of Rutland and Stamford Sound

By Martin Brookes

Do you listen to Rutland and Stamford Sound? Whether you’re a daily listener or tune in occasionally, the station wants to hear from you.

The independent community radio station led by local broadcaster Rob Persani has extended its listener survey, giving you more time to share your feedback and help shape the future of local radio in the region.

As a not-for-profit community station, Rutland and Stamford Sound relies on the support and engagement of its audience. The data collected from this survey is vital for two key areas:

Your feedback provides direct insight into what the station is doing well and where it can improve, ensuring the content remains relevant and engaging for the people of Rutland and Stamford.

The results serve as essential evidence of the station’s community impact, which is crucial for upcoming funding applications and the station’s ongoing bid for an FM license.

By taking just a few minutes to complete the survey, you are directly contributing to the sustainability and growth of a platform that champions local stories, events, and voices.

Win a Smart Speaker

To thank you for your time and input, every person who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a smart speaker. It’s a great way to enjoy your favourite local station even more easily at home.