The International CiCLE Race Oakham

The CiCLE Classic team 

Dare2b extreme mountain clothing as its official clothing supplier for 2010

The Race started in Oakham Rutland around 11.00am

It was started by the Chief Executive of Rutland County Council

If you click on any photograph you can view a full enlarged photograph.

Oakham Town Partnership and Discover Rutland organised a Italian Market with very tempting unaffordable produce.

There was also a chance to see the Rutland Hippo's undecorated Arts 4 Rutland needs you sponsorship £2,000 there are quite a few stored in the council depot that need a good home.

  The East Midlands Team with members from Oakham

Below the start line

The Chief Executive Rutland County Council Helen Briggs getting ready to start the race.

Below Leicestershire Police (Right Inspector Johnny Monks)

Race Start

After the main race started a young peoples race started along Oakham High Street.

 At around 12 the lead group sprinted along Oakham High Street

Rob from Rutland Radio provided music and himself

The race finished in Melton, two years ago I cycled to the finish for photographs, 

I decided against that this year

The Discover Rutland CiCLE Tour

The Discover Rutland CiCLE Tour

The Rutland Tour has three cycling distances, 100 miles, 50 miles and a 30km family ride.

This event is run in conjuction with the International CiCLE Classic race to be held in Oakham Sunday.

This is the biggest one-day race in the UK.

Race will start near Market Place, Oakham on Sunday morning 

the race is one of the country's most prestigious cycling road races.

Top riders from at home and abroad will be racing in the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic.

If you have lots of cash Stalls will be selling Italian produce

The race circuits Rutland Water twice before heading out west of Oakham and finishing in Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray around 3pm.

Ice Cream At Cutts Close

99 bribe?

Ice cream seller set up shop in All Saints Church Yard.

Rutland Radio St George's Coffee Break Oakham

Oakham Bandstand

Work Progress

Oakham Town Council Complaints

I wish to make the following complaints:


1. Cllr Jan Fillingham
Failed to declare a prejudicial interest, when she made a decision relating to the council's rent as the Chairman whilst of sick but mentally capable to does so according to the town clerk. Cllr Fillingham stopped attending any meetings once I was elected and runs the council from her home.
Cllr Fillingham is a trustee for the Landlords Victoria Hall.




2. Cllr Jan Fillingham, Cllr Sharon Spencer, Town Clerk Richard White.
For making a decision effecting the rental agreement with out the full councils consent or knowledge.
I fear this is common practice.



3. Cllr Jan Fillingham, Cllr Sharon Spencer, Town Clerk Richard White.
For renewing the toilet cleaning contract and agreeing to a increese of the fee, without the consent or knowledge of the full council.

Council members only became aware of this decision two days before a full council meeting. The members were told the council could make a permanent decision at a later date. Council members could have decided at the full meeting.
This is unacceptable, public money has been spent without the full council approval.
I think this highlights my concerns, Oakham Town Council is run by a elite group and I hope Rutland County Council and the Standards Committee support my request for a full audit of Oakham Town Council to be carrried out by The Governments audit commission.

Cllr Martin Brookes

Hypocrites Oakham Town Council

Hypocrites Oakham Town Council


A year ago this is when most of my troubles started. I highlighted on my Flickr site the hypocritical chairman and councillors who sit on Oakham Town Council. They constantly complain to Flickr and cost me a £100 in membership fees which I can no afford. This is why I use. this blog and twitpic.

This started bulling using thier friends who were using a online forum. A councillor even provided photographs to assist the forum.

They have threatened and assaultedd me in the street.

They have sent me disgusting hate mail.

Nothing is done because Councillors sit on Police Committees and Standards Committees.


Now I have a blog that guarantees freedom of speech, I am re posting some of the original photographs Oakham Town Council Objected to.


Published in the Rutland Times The Chairman/Mayor claimed the designation order was a ban, and people had forgotten the ban.

Then she sits in the park with her fellow Councillors and drinks wine and beer.

Oakham Town Councillors Questions

OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL

PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
21ST APRIL 2010

Item 4 – Councillors Questions


Cllr Brookes has asked a number of questions: these are detailed below with the answers below each question.







1. Please can you explain how the chairman of Oakham Town Council can discuss the new rent when unfit and unable to attend any meetings at the Council, as a trustee of the landlords is this also not a conflict of interest?

Cllr Mrs Fillingham is currently not physically well enough to attend meetings. However, her mental capacity is in no way diminished and she is quite capable of discussing issues and making any decisions. Cllr Mrs Fillingham is one of the Town Council’s appointed representatives to the Trustees of the Victoria Hall and as such any interest she has is personal and not prejudicial. She was therefore able to discuss this matter.

(at the same meeting we were handed a reminder letter from Mr Pook head of legal services and it clearly states this is a prejudicial interest. It is also my view the rent should be agreed at a full council meeting, not solely decided by the chair, deputy and clerk)







2. Has Cllr Jan Fillingham attended the legally required number of meetings this year to continue to act as councillor and chairman from her home?

There is no minimum requirement for the number of meetings that a member has to attend.

3. Has Cllr George Swiffin attended the legally required number of meetings this year to continue to act as a councillor

As stated above there is no minimum requirement for the number of meetings that a member has to attend.

(So as a councillor it is acceptable to not attend any council meeting throughout the time they are a councillor?)







4. In the draft minutes of the meeting of Oakham Town Council held on Wednesday April 7th why is it stated, in the absence of the Chairman it was unanimously agreed that the Vice Chairman, Cllr Sharon Spencer chair the meeting.

I was not asked so it is not unanimous

Amended draft minutes, correcting a number of mistakes are circulated to you all at this meeting.

(This is typical of Oakham Town Council much council business is conduct by the elite few behind closed doors)







5. Is it normal for the chair to walk into the room, state its 7pm and move straight to the apologies, then for some very bizarre reason we are asked to vote on.

Councillors are disqualified if they fail to attend a meeting of the Council or any of its committees or sub-committees without an accepted reason for six months. That is why apologies are offered and accepted by the Council. Usually, the reasons for an absence are detailed to members in order that they can decide for themselves whether that reason is acceptable. Regretfully, this did not happen in this case. However, there may also be certain circumstances that dictate that a reason for an absence should not be given in public and in these cases members should be informed privately before the meeting of the reason for the absence.





6. What is Oakham Town Council’s Strategic Plan?
Is this private and confidential? Or is it because I am gay you do not share this with me?

Currently, Oakham Town Council does not have a Strategic Plan. If and when one is published this will be freely available to anyone.

(Oakham Town Council has aims or goals just spend spend the council tax payers money. This has come about because of public apathy with the political system in the UK.



7. Regarding the RAF Cottesmore closure rally, was it not the view of the Council that we made no comment? Why was I not included in that decision? When did we give the Town Clerk permission to speak on the Council’s behalf to the BBC?


The Clerk was contacted by the local press regarding the decision not to allow the rally to take place in Cutts Close. He decided not to make any comment. The Clerk suggested to the press that they contact members of the Council to see if they wished to make a comment. The Clerk does not know if this suggestion was followed up. As detailed in an e-mail and phone calls to members, the Clerk was contacted by East Midlands Today and then Radio Leicester regarding the event. The Clerk then took the view that the reasons why the rally was not allowed should be in the public domain and communicated these to Radio Leicester. It was then their decision, obviously, as to whether they wished to broadcast these.

Hindsight is a nice thing to have and the Clerk acknowledges that the reasons should have been given to the press in the first instance.

As members are aware a letter is being sent to the press.

It is part of the Clerk’s job description that he acts as the Council’s representative. He assumes that contact with the media is a part of this. However, this should only be in the instance when a decision has actually been made by the Council.

(The Town Clerk has told me I his employer. I do not feel this is the case. I have never seen is job description. I have always accepted he was my boss as he often shouts orders at me)

Mr Duncans Posters attacked around Oakham and some are homophobic

The above help leaflet new at

Rutland County Library Oakham

Oakham Town Council Meeting

Tonight's Oakham Town Council meetings will start at 7pm at Victoria Hall.


During tonight's council meeting 7 questions will be answered by Oakham Town Council and further questions put to members will be answered.

The public can attend and ask questions relating to the agenda at the correct time.

It would be good to see more public.

I like others are a little confused to why former members turn up when they resigned because they said they cant work with me. Intimidation and bullying springs to mind.

Sadly the town Clerk is sick so wont be attending.

Trade Sexual Health is a HIV and AIDS prevention charity

Trade Sexual Health is a HIV and AIDS prevention charity based in Leicester for anyone living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Trade Sexual Health provides FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice and support to anyone who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, man who has sex with men (MSM) or woman who has sex with women (WSW). Visit the Trade services page to see what services we provide and how they may benefit you.

On this website you will find information around sexual health, Trade services and other areas you may find of benefit to you.

We hope you find the website useful, and we welcome any comments you may have to improve the website or any comments on how useful the website was for you.

Volunteers are vital to the running of Trade Sexual Health project. More information on volunteers is available on the Volunteers Opportunities page.


http://www.tradesexualhealth.com/


SEX... LOVE...LIFE

To find out more information on sexual health, free condom packs, safer sex, testing for HIV and STIs, voluntering and other services that may be of help to you visit our website www.tradesexualhealth.com

or contact us at

Trade, 15 Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HH

Opening times: Mon-Thurs 9.30 am -5.30 pm

Friday 9.30 am - 5 pm

Tel No 0116 254 1747

Email: info@tradesexualhealth.com

company no: 3958484 charity number: 1081552

Oakham Town Council Forgot

Oakham Town Council has forgot it Serves the community.

There are seven Principles of public life.

Selflessness:

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

Integrity:

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in ways that protects the public interest.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Oakham Town Council is looking for new Councillors

Oakham Town Council is looking for new Councillors

Becoming a councillor can be a most rewarding experience. It could give you the opportunity to help your local community.


Being a councillor is a great way to gain political experience and useful skills in public speaking, debating and problem solving.



New councillors are good news. They bring fresh ideas and fresh enthusiasm, and that is good news for your council.



To be eligible you must be:

•A British subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic or the EU and resident in the UK.
•At least eighteen years old on the day you are nominated.
•Either on the electoral register for the council area in which you are seeking election, or have lived or worked in that council area for at least the last twelve months.

No election has been called for the two vacant seats in Oakham South East. Oakham Town Council has, therefore, been given permission to co-opt two people on to the Council.

For some unkown reason it has chose to delay co-opting this wont give much time to advertise and fill the seat's.

If Oakham Town Council fails to fill the seats in time Rutland County Council will be responsible for the appointments.

If you wish to register a interest please contact Oakham Town Council:

http://www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/contactus.asp

Oakham South East

No Parking anywhere in Oakham

I asked about a week ago for the cone to be removed from this lamppost not a difficult job for The Town Councils maintenance man. It will cost a lot more if the lamppost is damaged by people shaking it to get it down.

Another example of a councillor being ignored who is trying to serve the community.

Dear Editor and Members

RAF Cottesmore Protest Letter I am hoping the Rutland Times and Mercury will print my reply in the letters page, with no interference from the Town Council.

The author of last weeks letter is correct Oakham Town Council, should hold principles, Two of them are Accountability and Openness

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate.

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all decisions and actions they take. They should give reasons for thier decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands. Oakham Town Council in my view has long forgotten these principles and many others.

Cllr Martin Brookes Serving NW Ward Oakham Town Council

Rainbow Voices Leicestershire

Rainbow Voices

LEICESTERSHIRE

Rainbow Voices is a newly formed

choir for LGBT folk

which encompasses the

City of Leicester and the

surrounding County

All LGBT folk, their friends and supporters

(over the age of 18) are welcome irrespective of

musical background or ability.

The most important quality is a love of singing

and a willingness to perform and have

F U N

No auditions necessary

We look forward to hearing from you

We can be contracted on face book as Leicestershire Rainbow Voices or

on email leicestershirerainbowvoice@googlemail.com

Rehearsals now every Tuesday 7.30 pm

St. Nicholas Church, Leicester

Come and Join us!

sponsored by

Rainbow & Dove

Dover Castle

Oakham Town Council Audit?

The Following e-mail has been sent to the Governments Audit Commission requesting a full audit of Oakham Town Council


Councillor Martin Brookes
13 Willow Crescent
Oakham
Rutland
LE15 6EQ

Dear Sir/Madam
I was elected as a town Councillor to serve the people of Oakham Rutland.
I have serious concerns relating to the operations of Oakham Town Council.
I request the Audit Commission carry out a full investigation into the running of the town council.
I list a few of concerns below.
I have been subjected to Harassment, constant interference and intimidation that violates my dignity, this has created a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This has been homophobic.
I have raised this complaint with the local standards committee, It is my opinion this committee is not impartial. Because they adjourned to sweep this under the carpet, sorry I mean to suggest mediation. Mediation is not acceptable when you basic rights and laws have been broken by others.
I have also reported two members to Leicestershire Police.
At my first meeting, I was asked not to comment on a matter on the agenda by the deputy chairman Sharon Spencer.
I had concerns regarding the award of a £30,000 contract. The contract had only two tenders invited by the Town Clerk both almost the same and one not itemised.
After this I received an e-mail from a member of the public, I have shared this with The Town Clerk.
He is very angry and on three times he has demanded I give him the details of the sender. (Once in his words I am asking nicely)
It is clear the author of the email knows the town clerk, the town clerks over reaction suggests to me he has something to hide.
The town clerk often shouts at me insists the Town Council is like a football club and I should do as he says.
He now tells me I am his employer and says I am bullying him.
I am locked out of the office. A lock has been fitted to an internal door from the chamber.
It is common practice for other councillor to sit in the office on their own for many hours if the town clerk is absent.
It is my belief the Town Council is run solely as a club for the chairman, deputy and the town clerk and others.
The chairman has missed many meeting this year and not attended any since my election due to ill health.
Although the Town Clerk says she is mentally fit to make decision relate to council business over the phone.
I question this and he tells me as long as a member apologises for not attending the six month count restarts. So he is say you can be a councillor never attend a meeting as long as you send apologies that is fine you can remain a councillor.
I was forced to hold my surgery in the street this weekend and the public told me they liked the idea the council should serve them.
At the last meeting the Town Clerk reported a change of internal auditor because the council had become too close.
The Town Council is not accountable to the public it serves.
It does not have a strategic plan or continuity plan. It just seems to spend, spend!
I have asked Rutland County Council to let me know how many voters are required to call an election to abolish the council, after members of the public ask me to raise a petition. To date I have received no reply.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Martin Brookes

Lunch at the Gay Bar

Having lunch today a the Rainbow Dove in Leicester, not bad food. Buy 4 Meals and Get 1 free.
loyalty card.

Straight people are welcome.


Sitting eating my lunch the police arrived, I thought Oakham Town Council had called them. It was OK this time they stopped a driver to check him out.

I told the owner of The Rainbow Dove, Dover Castle and Helsinki all good gay venues in Leicester. He thinks Oakham Town Councils complaint about me having my birthday party at one of his venues was an outrage.

He told me his mother works at a local prison and many officers at that the prison are gay and lesbian.

So there is more gay people in Oakham and Rutland than I thought.

bullying and harassment of gay people in Rutland

In The UK People are legally protected from bullying and harassment, unless you are a Rutland resident or even an Oakham Town Councillor.

All over the UK people are protected from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

However, this is not the case in Rutland, where anti-bullying policies and procedures may be clear and established, lesbian and gay people still face barriers when it comes to reporting homophobic bullying and harassment. Oakham police just laugh about it.

Bullying which goes unchecked will have a negative impact on the wider community as well as on
the individual.

In addition to being legally required, robust protection of gay people in Rutland bullying and harassment benefits relations, within the community.

What is bullying and harassment?

It is generally agreed that bullying means offending, persecuting or excluding someone.

Harassment is usually defined as constant interference or intimidation that violates people’s dignity or creates a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

This explains Oakham Town Council meetings attended by former Councillors, Oakham Town Council does nothing to stop this.

I have experienced bullying and harassment specifically intended to demean me because of my sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation. Bullying and harassment of this sort is highly personal and NOT acceptable.

What is the impact of bullying and harassment?

Bullying and harassment has negatively affected me. The behaviour of Oakham Town Council and former members has had serious consequences, for me.

This, in turn, in turn has negatively affected the organisation as a whole and surely must undermine the confidence of the public.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual The Centre

The Centre is supported by Rutland County Council, if you live in Oakham you probably would not know this. These issue are never discussed in Rutland.



My experience recently at Oakham Town Council has shown me people are homophobic.



The Centre can help with many issues.



They have been a great help today.



I have completed a form reporting a homophobic incident after the last council meeting I attended.



This is form is sent direct to the Force Hate Crime Officer outside of Oakham. I believe this means my complaint will be dealt with correctly unlike previous complaints I have made over the past year at Oakham Police Station.