Oakham Town Council Meeting Recap: New Faces, Financial Shifts, and Victoria Hall Concerns, Cllr Evie Tempest Resigns, Cllr John Harris Co-opted. Video

Oakham Town Council Meeting Recap: New Faces, Financial Shifts, and Victoria Hall Concerns

Oakham Town Council convened last night for a productive meeting that saw a new councillor join their ranks, significant changes to financial procedures, and a re-evaluation of their plans for Victoria Hall.

The meeting began with apologies from Cllrs Paul Ainsley and Sally-Anne Wadsworth. Two members of the public arrived partway through, though there were no public deputations. Correspondence included a thank you card from Portsmouth visitors who enjoyed seeing the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Council Membership Changes

A notable announcement was the resignation of Cllr Evie Tempest due to personal reasons. Oakham Town Council extended their best wishes to Ms. Tempest, who had been absent for a short period. Following her departure, John Harris was co-opted as a new councillor.

Financial Reforms and Oversight

In a significant move to streamline its financial operations, Oakham Town Council has abolished its Finance Committee. This committee will be replaced by a less formal working group, tasked with collaborating directly with the Clerk on the annual budget and year-end returns. Cllr Anna Douthwaite has once again been temporarily appointed as the Responsible Financial Officer.

The meeting also addressed past financial irregularities, particularly regarding payments exceeding £5,000. Cllr Chris Nix, Chairman of Oakham Town Council, reiterated the council's commitment to strictly adhering to all legal requirements for such payments moving forward.

Market Place Electricity Upgrade and Internal Control Amendments

The council has agreed that the Deputy Clerk will consult with Oakham Market to address the pressing need for an updated electricity supply in the Market Place. The current lack of sufficient power points is hindering the expansion and potential of the market. At the same time the council will obtain a quote for Gaol Street.

In response to an internal auditor's report, Oakham Town Council made several amendments to its Systems of Internal Control. Notably, all references to petty cash were removed, as the council no longer operates such a system following a past incident where funds went missing. Furthermore, the council has removed references to being a "Quality Council" and the "Empowerment Act." This decision stems from the fact that Oakham Town Council currently does not meet the requirements to be a Quality Council, lacking a qualified clerk or responsible financial officer and having too many co-opted members. The council has never correctly utilised the empowerment act in the past, the loss of this power will limit its ability to undertake certain community initiatives, if the resident requested them.

Victoria Hall Survey Reveals Maintenance Deficit

A recently commissioned survey of Victoria Hall revealed a concerning lack of maintenance. The report estimates that bringing the hall up to standard would cost between £200,000 and £300,000. The survey also highlighted a potential boundary and ownership issues between the hall and Oakham School at the rear of the property there is an extension where the ground floor is used by the school and the top floor by Victoria Hall.

These findings have prompted Oakham Town Council to revisit its decision to relocate to Victoria Hall. This crucial discussion will be a agenda item at the August meeting.