Oakham Town Council to Convene Amidst Potential New Appointment and Key Discussions

Oakham Town Council to Convene Amidst Potential New Appointment and Key Discussions

Oakham Town Council is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Wednesday, July 9th, at 6:30 PM. The meeting will take place at their Long Row Office in Oakham, and members of the public are welcome to attend. While public attendance at these meetings is reportedly rare, residents have the opportunity to speak with councillors.

A significant item on the agenda will be the consideration of a new co-opted member for the council. John Harris, a local resident of three years, has put his name forward to fill one of the currently vacant seats. With only seven of the twelve available positions presently occupied, Mr. Harris's potential appointment could help bolster the council's numbers.

In his application, Mr. Harris highlighted his extensive experience in both business and local government. He stated, "I have held senior positions in Local Government at Milton Keynes Council as head of public realm, I have been operations director at Focsa Services (UK) Ltd, an environmental services business which held several local authority contracts for waste collection, grounds maintenance, parks management, highways etc and I am a mentor at The King's Trust (formerly The Prince's Trust)." His background suggests a strong understanding of public services and community needs.

Key Issues on the Agenda

Beyond the potential new appointment, the council has several important matters to discuss:

• Finance Committee Restructuring: The council will consider abolishing its Finance Committee and establishing a finance working group. This proposed change aims to create a less structured approach to preparing the annual budget and end-of-year accounts. Additionally, the council will consider Cllr Anna Douthwaite continuing in her role as Appointed Responsible Financial Officer.

• Picnic Tables for Barleythorpe Field: The purchase of picnic tables for Barleythorpe field will also be deliberated, potentially enhancing the public amenities in the area.

• Market Place Electricity Supply: A critical discussion will focus on the electricity supply in Market Place. The current lack of sufficient power points is seen by the market manager as a barrier to attracting more traders. The council will consider funding the installation of a new supply with additional power points and a meter. The market manager has indicated a willingness to take responsibility for the bill, and stall holders would be issued special plugs with individual meters.

• Victoria Hall Survey Report: Councillors will note a survey report on Victoria Hall. The good news is that no major issues have been found with the hall. The Town Council still plans to relocate back to Victoria Hall, although a specific date for the move has yet to be set.

The meeting promises to be a busy one, addressing both the composition of the council and several initiatives aimed at improving local services and infrastructure in Oakham.