Two Oakham Councillors Call Emergency Meeting Amidst Town Council Staffing Crisis

Two Oakham Councillors Call Emergency Meeting Amidst Town Council Staffing Crisis

Oakham Town Council is facing an extraordinary challenge as two of its members, Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth and Cllr Martin Brookes, have formally invoked a standing order to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Town Council. The emergency session is scheduled for Monday, June 2nd, 2025, at which the councillors will present a single, critical agenda item: to seek authority for the council to appoint a Locum Clerk.

The decision to call an extraordinary meeting comes as Oakham Town Council is reportedly experiencing significant operational difficulties due to a combination of staff illness and staff holidays. This has led to a situation where the council is "currently not functioning as normal," according to sources close to the matter.

The role of the Town Clerk is pivotal to the effective operation of any local council, responsible for ensuring legal compliance, managing finances, and overseeing administrative functions. A prolonged absence in this key position can severely hinder the council's ability to conduct its business and serve the community.

Cllr Wadsworth and Cllr Brookes' proactive move highlights the urgency of the situation. The appointment of a Locum Clerk would provide much-needed interim support, allowing essential council operations to resume and ensuring continuity of service to Oakham residents.

Cllr Martin Brookes shed further light on the situation, stating, "At our last meeting, the former Mayor, Cllr Paul Ainsley, requested a small budget for agency staff, and the council agreed to this. However, we weren't informed that the Deputy Clerk would be taking holiday within a few days of that meeting."

Both Cllr Brookes and Cllr Wadsworth recognise the critical importance of appointing a Locum Clerk to ensure that projects the council has previously agreed upon can commence.

"At the last meeting, we temporarily appointed Cllr Anne Douthwaite as our proper financial officer because she is a qualified accountant and is helping the council complete its annual return," Cllr Brookes explained. He added, "Councillors cannot be paid to work for the council, so we are extremely grateful to Anna for offering to help us."

The meeting on June 2nd is expected to be a crucial one for the future functioning of Oakham Town Council, as councillors will deliberate on the immediate steps required to address the current staffing shortfall and restore normal operations.