OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL IN CRISIS, Chairmanship Challenge and Financial Questions Loom Over Victoria Hall. Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14th 2026
By Local Democracy Reporter
Oakham Town Council is bracing for one of its most contentious sessions in recent history. When councillors gather at Rol House on Wednesday, January 14th, they will not only be setting the taxpayer-funded budget for the coming year but will also face a dramatic vote to oust the current Chairman.
The meeting follows a turbulent session on December 10th, the fallout of which has left the council divided over chairmanship, unauthorised spending, and the future of local traditions.
The headline of the evening is a formal Motion of No Confidence in the Chairman, Councillor Chris Nix. The motion, proposed by Cllr Martin Brookes and supported by Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth, levels serious allegations of procedural failure.
The proposers claim that during the December meeting, Cllr Nix failed to uphold "Standing Orders" the council’s own rulebook by allowing a resident to air personal grievances and launch a verbal attack against a member during a public session. Because the meetings are live-streamed, Cllrs Brookes and Wadsworth argue the failure to intervene has brought the council into disrepute and allowed the public gallery to be used for "targeted bullying and harassment."
The Chairmanship vacuum is further complicated by the need to elect a new Deputy Chairperson following the recent resignation of Cllr Douthwaite.
Financial transparency has also come under fire. Recent records reveal payments totaling over £2,600 to contractor Anthony Adcock for electrical work in the Market Place and Gaol Street. However, reports suggest that this expenditure and the work itself was never formally approved by the full council.
Further questions surround payments to Rutland County Council for CCTV maintenance and street lighting electricity. It has emerged that no formal service agreements currently exist for these payments, though the Clerk has expressed hope that contracts will finally be signed this year.
In a rare move toward community involvement, a local resident has been co-opted onto a new working group to oversee the Christmas lights and Christmas tree projects, a significant undertaking for the town.
Confusion continues to swirl around the Victoria Hall Project. While the council recently committed £7,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds for "specialist advice," the project's ultimate goal remains "very unclear." With tenants currently moving out of the building, residents are left wondering what the council’s long-term vision or lack thereof truly is.
Social issues are also proving a flashpoint. A proposal to fly the inclusive Progress Pride Flag for the duration of LGBT History Month in February has hit a procedural wall.
Cllrs Brookes and Wadsworth are seeking to formalise the tradition, following a new policy that requires all flags (such as the recently approved County Flag for Rutland Day) to receive formal council consent.
However, Cllr Paul Ainsley has tabled an amendment that would drastically reduce the display. His proposal suggests flying a standard 6-stripe flag rather than the Progress version, and limiting it to just two days the 1st and 28th of February between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
This "six-hour window" has been criticised as a logistical sabotage; since the council’s flag-raising staff member is part-time, the flag would only be visible during a fraction of the month. Cllrs Brookes and Wadsworth have hinted they may withdraw the motion entirely if the amendment passes, claiming it "detracts from the purpose" of the event.
The debate has been further fueled by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. While the council office previously claimed "offensive" complaints prevented them from sharing public feedback with members, the FOI revealed that only one non-offensive complaint had actually been received.
Beyond the political fireworks, the council must also approve tenders for church wall repairs, tree works, and playground maintenance.
Also on the agenda is the Church Street Toilet Sign. This went missing during renovations last year.
The public is invited to witness the proceedings at Rol House, Long Row, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14th. With the 2025/26 budget and the Chairman’s future on the line.
.jpg)
.jpg)
