Friday, July 25, 2014

Oakham Town Partnership & Oakham Town Council working together, Sharing 50% 106 Contribution with Uppingham

Oakham Town Partnership & Oakham Town Council working together, Sharing 50% Hawksmead 106 Contribution with Uppingham

This week I witnessed another farce at Oakham Town Council.

Oakham Mayor Jayne Woodcock failed to declare an interest her husband a former Oakham Mayor and current Rutland County Councillor is registered as one of the directors of Oakham Town Partnership.

Other members of the partnership Cllr Alf Dewis Deputy Mayor who is the Chairman of the partnership

Cllr John Nowell, member the town partnership (former treasure)

Cllr Dr Guthrie, member of the town partnership

Those three did not vote on the two motions.

On the matter of sharing the 106 contribution with Uppingham the three remaining Cllrs Lowe, Woodcock and Stubbs voted to share Hawksmead 106 contributions with Uppingham.

They had no choice so I wonder why this was even brought to council? Cllr Dewis said an agreement drawn up by Rutland County Council and the developer states this should happen.

The next motion was also explained by Cllr Dewis his Town Partnership has set up  a working group that needs 8 members, he said four had all ready been filled by unkown people who were not Oakham Town Councillors.

The partnership wanted Oakham Town Council to provide 4 members to represent them on the group.

So Cllrs Woodcock, Stubs and Lowe voted for the following member to join the working group.

Cllr Dewis who is the chair of the Partnership.

Cllr John Nowell a member of the Partnership

Cllr Dr Guthrie a member of the Partnership

Cllr Lowe not a member of the partnership

With 3 members abstaining and 3 voting I wonder if this is a legal outcome?

It's my understanding 2 thirds majority of members voting is required.

The working group is expected to run for five long years the object is to plan
town centre improvements, once again consulting businesses and this time
residents.

Cllr Stan Stubs was asked if he would like to join the group he turned the request down
saying he was not qualified to serve on the Town Partnership.

Time is proving he is not qualified to serve as chairman of the parks and planning
committee.

He claims he is qualified in planning matters and tells members they cant vote against
a premises change of use!