New 'Discover Oakham' Website Launches, But Future Remains Uncertain

New 'Discover Oakham' Website Launches, But Future Remains Uncertain

New 'Discover Oakham' Website Launches, But Future Remains Uncertain

https://discoveroakham.co.uk/

Oakham has a new digital home! A website, "Discover Oakham," has officially launched with the aim of promoting the town and its businesses. The site, a project initiated by Oakham Town Council, is designed to be a free advertising platform for local traders.

The project, which cost just over £5,000, was funded by the UK Prosperity Fund. Nitesh Bhundia, owner of Rutland Web Designer and a Mill Street business owner, spearheaded the website's creation. He described the site as a "seed which will grow into something great," acknowledging that it is not yet a finished product. The platform's success, however, hinges on the active participation of Oakham's business community, as traders are required to log in and manage their own pages.

Rutland Web Designer has committed to assisting with the site for the first six months, but after this initial period, the responsibility will fall to the town. This is where the project faces its first major hurdle. The Town Council has been actively seeking volunteers from the business community to take on the administrative duties of the site.

At a recent Town Council meeting, a member inquired whether the Oakham Town Partnership would assume ownership of the website. Cllr Christopher Clark, chairman of the Town Partnership, responded with a definitive "no." This response, coupled with the apparent lack of volunteers from the business community, casts a shadow over the website's long-term viability.

Editor's Note: A Project Rushed to the Finish Line?

This new website, a well-intentioned effort to boost the local economy, seems to be facing a number of critical issues. It appears the project was rushed to meet a central government spending deadline of March 31, 2025. Now, with the launch complete, the future of the site is in jeopardy.

The Town Council's temporary administrative assistant, who helped with the launch, has reportedly notified the website builder that their assistance cannot continue. This is due to the Town Council not having approved payment for the work. This raises a significant question about the use of public funds. The Town Council's precept, which comes from local taxpayers, can only be used to benefit residents directly. It cannot be legally used to support local businesses. This is precisely why the Town Partnership was formed, as it can legally use grants and other sources to support the business community. Unfortunately the Town Partnership seems to have lost its direction and is now registered as an Events organiser. The Town partnership runs the monthly farmers market.

This leaves us with a stark reality: if no volunteers are found to administer the site, it will likely fold after 12 months. This would be a terrible waste of public money and a missed opportunity for the town. The most pressing question remains unanswered: with local businesses being able to advertise for free, how did those involved in this project expect to cover the future costs of maintaining and developing the website? The "Discover Oakham" website has potential, but without a clear plan for its future administration and funding, its journey from a promising seed to a great tree seems increasingly uncertain. The Town Council did not tender for this project, Cllr Paul Ainsley is quoted in the local media as saying at a Council meeting there were no other website builders in Rutland who could build the site.

Rutland Charity Appeals for Volunteer Drivers to Keep Community Moving

Rutland Charity Appeals for Volunteer Drivers to Keep Community Moving 

Voluntary Action Rutland (VAR) is facing an urgent shortage of volunteer drivers and is appealing to the community for help. The charity, which has been providing vital community transport for decades, says that a number of long-serving volunteers have recently retired, leaving a significant gap in their team.

VAR's transport service is a lifeline for many in the Rutland area. Volunteer drivers help residents get to essential medical appointments, do their food shopping, and attend social activities. Without enough drivers, these crucial services are at risk of being reduced, impacting some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

A Flexible Way to Help

The organization emphasises that the role of a volunteer driver is flexible and can fit around your schedule. Volunteers use their own vehicles and are reimbursed for their mileage, so there's no financial burden. You have the freedom to choose when and how often you drive, whether it's once a week or a few times a month.

All that’s required to become a driver is a valid driving license, a friendly attitude, and a desire to help others. If you have some free time and want to make a real difference in someone's life, this could be the perfect opportunity.

To learn more or to express your interest, you can contact the team at VAR directly.

Transport Manager Jim: 01572 724705

Volunteer Coordinator Lorraine: 01572 723300

Website: www.varutland.org.uk

Rutland's new flexible bus service, Rutland Callconnect, is set to become available across the entire county starting Monday, August 4, 2025,

New On-Demand Bus Service Expands County-Wide in Rutland

Image: courtesy of Rutland County Council

Rutland's new flexible bus service, Rutland Callconnect, is set to become available across the entire county starting Monday, August 4, 2025. This expansion follows a successful phased rollout that began in March, initially operating in a single zone between Oakham and Melton.

Rutland Callconnect utilises smaller, minibus-style vehicles to offer an on-demand public transport option that complements the county's traditional fixed-route bus services. With the county-wide expansion, the service will be available in two new zones. Passengers can easily book their journeys using a dedicated smartphone app or by phone, with pick-up and drop-off points at existing bus stops.

The service operates from 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, and 8 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. As an added benefit, all journeys on Rutland Callconnect will remain free of charge until March 31, 2026. After this date, the service will continue to be free for concessionary bus pass holders.

Councillor Wise Hails Service Expansion

Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities, expressed her excitement about the expansion. "We've been building up to this moment for a long time and are excited to bring Rutland’s new Callconnect service to the whole County," she stated. "We've recorded nearly 3,000 passenger journeys on the service that’s been operating between Oakham and Melton since the end of March, with lots of positive feedback."

She emphasised the significant benefits of the new service, particularly for smaller villages previously without access to a public bus service. "Once we complete the rollout in August, a number of small villages located away from main routes will have access to a public bus service for the very first time," Wise added.

Changes to Fixed-Route Bus Services

In addition to the Callconnect expansion, Rutland is also making changes to two of its fixed-route bus services as part of a recent Transport Network Review.

R1 Service: The R1 service, which runs between Melton and Corby via Oakham and Uppingham, will now have an improved timetable. The frequency of this service will increase to generally operate hourly during the daytime, with additional journeys covering the full route. The route will also be amended in Corby to include service to the train station. This has been made possible through a partnership with North Northants Council and Leicestershire County Council, supported by the government's Bus Grant scheme.

R5 Service: An amended timetable is being introduced for the R5 service, which connects Uppingham and Stamford. These changes will ensure that communities along this route continue to have access to a fixed-route bus service during school term time. The new term-time only timetable will begin on Thursday, August 28, with the current timetable operating until Saturday, August 2. The service will be paused between these dates. This new schedule will retain a direct bus service from North Luffenham, Edith Weston, Ketton, and Tinwell to both Stamford and Uppingham. Outside of term time, the new Rutland Callconnect service will provide transport for these areas.

For more information on how to travel by bus in Rutland, including a video guide on how to book a journey with the Callconnect app, you can visit the new Rutland Buses website at www.rutlandbuses.info. Information is also available at bus stops and Rutland libraries for those without internet access.

One Year On: Progress On My Promises to You - An Update from Alicia Kearns MP

A year ago, Alicia Kearns was elected to represent Rutland, Stamford, and the Harborough and Stamford villages. In a recent update, she reflected on her work over the past year, highlighting progress on key issues and campaigns.

Community Support and Local Services

Alicia's office has provided support to thousands of residents on personal issues, and she has held numerous surgeries and market stalls in local villages and towns. She noted the resolution of a wide range of issues, from housing to welfare and utility billing.

Infrastructure and Transport

Significant progress has been made on local infrastructure. Safety upgrades have been delivered for the A1 from Colsterworth to Little Ponton, and work has begun on closing dangerous central reservation crossings. Alicia held one of the first adjournment debates in Parliament after her election on the A1. The debate addressed road safety and included proposals for new road signs and junction upgrades. You can watch the full speech here: A1 adjournment debate.

Additionally, Rutland’s new on-demand bus service has successfully launched, with a full rollout across all villages expected soon. Alicia also secured a commitment from Anglian Water to recommence pipeline work 18 months ahead of schedule, which is now underway.

Local Governance and Campaigns

Alicia successfully campaigned to save Rutland's fortnightly bin collection, with over 2,200 residents signing a petition. She is also actively campaigning against proposed local council reforms that could put Rutland’s ceremonial status at risk. A petition to save Rutland has gathered over 7,000 signatures.

Other campaigns include opposing Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby's proposal to expand the City of Leicester to include the Harborough villages. A petition against this "land grab" has nearly 9,000 signatures.

Healthcare and Community Spaces

Work is being done to improve healthcare in Stamford, with Alicia working to secure a second GP practice for the town. She also highlighted that the new Day Treatment Centre at Stamford and Rutland Hospital is nearing completion, offering improved local access to a range of treatments.

Government funding secured for community projects has led to the opening of the Barrowden Community Hub and the start of work on the Houghton Pavilion. Funding for the Casterton College re-build has been honoured, with survey work set to begin this summer.

Awareness Campaigns and National Issues

Alicia has been involved in several awareness campaigns and national issues. She re-launched "Rutland's Great Dementia Conversation" to improve dementia awareness and support. More information and resources can be found at: www.rutlanddementia.com.

She also hosted Rutland and Stamford’s first Disability Forum and has been working with local providers to improve mobile phone and broadband coverage. On a national level, she has campaigned for justice for women illegally dismissed from the Armed Forces, and for new legislation to improve allergy safety for children in schools.

As Shadow Minister for Safeguarding and National Security, she successfully secured a ban on non-fatal strangulation in pornography. She continues to campaign against the imposition of VAT on independent schools, a policy she believes harms local economies and families.

Other Highlights

A campaign for a FM license for Rutland and Stamford Sound has seen progress, with OFCOM committing to consider new licenses in 2026. Kearns also ran a campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit following winter fuel cuts.

To celebrate local businesses, she launched the "Rutland and Stamford’s Favourite Independent Shop Award," which saw over 20,000 votes, with Harrison and Dunn in Stamford crowned the winner.

Alicia noted her win for the Patchwork Foundation's 'Best Member of Parliament' award. She also mentioned the opportunity for constituents to tour Parliament and Big Ben. 

For more information: 

www.aliciakearns.com/visit-parliament-attend-tour  

www.aliciakearns.com/big-ben-tours