Local Democracy Reporter.
Public scrutiny of Oakham Town Council has intensified following reports regarding the ongoing absence of the Deputy Clerk and allegations of unauthorised spending. The situation has sparked a debate among residents and local officials concerning the management of public funds and the enforcement of local government regulations.
The Deputy Clerk has reportedly entered another period of long-term sick leave on full pay, following an incident within the council offices. This follows a pattern of intermittent absences over the past year.
Inside the council, there appears to be a stalemate. Reports suggest the Staffing Committee has been hesitant to initiate formal disciplinary or capability procedures, allegedly due to concerns regarding a potential employment tribunal. In the public sector, managing long-term sickness requires a delicate balance between supporting employee welfare and fulfilling the council’s fiduciary duty to taxpayers.
Recent council discussions have highlighted two specific instances of the Deputy Clerk allegedly committing council resources without prior authorisation:
It was revealed that advertising orders were placed with the Rutland Times despite the expenditure not being approved or budgeted by the council.
Reports indicate a band was booked for a council event without the necessary formal consent.
In response to the advertising issue, Cllr Paul Ainsley stated that the action did not technically constitute a breach of the council's financial regulations, as no funds had been disbursed at the time of the discovery and the order could be cancelled. This interpretation has met with mixed reactions, as critics argue that entering into a contract on behalf of the council without authority is a procedural failure, regardless of whether the invoice has been settled.
A central point of contention has emerged this weekend following the appearance of online media showing the Deputy Clerk performing voluntary work at a clothing sale at Rutland Hall Hotel while on paid sick leave. Cllr Sally Anne Wadsworth said "It's not right" as she shared one video with other councilors.
"Cllr Brookes stated: 'I am appalled by the way the council handles its staffing issues; the resulting cost to our local taxpayers is deeply unfair. It is my personal belief that if an individual is signed off sick with stress or any other condition and is providing fit notes stating they are unfit for work, then engaging in voluntary work at a busy event is unacceptable. I believe most council contracts include a "duty of good faith." Engaging in external activities that contradict a claim of incapacity can be viewed as a fundamental breach of trust or even "malingering." The cost to Oakham Tax Payers is unacceptable Oakham Town Council overspent its staffing budget by 31.3% this financial year and is heading for a further overspend before the next financial year has even begun.'
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