Oakham Town Council to Convene for Critical "UK Town Culture Bid" Talks

Oakham Town Council to Convene for Critical "UK Town Culture Bid" Talks

The push to put Oakham on the national map continues this Wednesday as Town Councillors gather at Rol House for a high-stakes follow-up meeting regarding the town’s ambitious UK Town Culture Bid.

Following the preliminary discussions held just last week, the Council has issued a formal summons for members of the committee to attend the session on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

The Agenda, Behind Closed Doors?

While much of the meeting follows standard local government procedure including public deputations and the approval of previous minutes the meat of the "Culture Bid" discussion appears tucked within the later, more sensitive stages of the evening.

Of particular note are Items 8 and 9:

Communications Review: Likely addressing how the Council will sell the "Oakham Brand" to national adjudicators and the local electorate.

Expression of Interest: This is the "make or break" moment where the Council decides whether to formally lodge its intent to compete for the prestigious culture title.

However, the public may be left in the dark for the most sensitive parts of the debate. 

The agenda includes a resolution to exclude the press and public under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, citing the need to discuss "financial affairs of persons" and individual details. 

For those wishing to witness the proceedings before the shutters are pulled for private session, the details are as follows:

Wednesday, 25th February 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, LE15 6LN

       Residents can pose factual questions during the designated public session.

https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/meetings-calendar/uktoc-committee-2/

UPDATE: it appears they may be a clerical error in the published agenda, a member of the committee has confirmed there are no exempt items to be discussed at the meeting.

Oakham Town Council

Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6LN

01572 723627

enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

TO: All members of the Town Council

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972, you are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of Oakham Town Council on Wednesday 25^th February 2026 at 5.00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Town Council Offices, Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, LE15 6LN.

Melanie Palmer

Melanie Palmer

Administration Assistant

19^th February 2026

NOTICE OF MEETING

Public Notice of the meeting has been given in accordance with schedule 12, Para 10(2) of the Local Government Act 1972. The Meeting is open to the press and public. Members of the public attending this meeting are advised that it may be filmed and recorded.

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE: To receive and approve apologies for absences.

2. DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION: Reminder to Members to disclose either a Pecuniary Interest or Other Interest in any item on the agenda. The clerk cannot advise members on this. Members are personally responsible for declaring an interest. Members are respectfully advised to read the Code of Conduct for more information. Councillors are also responsible for ensuring that their Registers of Interests are up to date (within 28 days of any changes)

3. DEPUTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: An opportunity for members of the public to speak in accordance with Standing Orders 1 (d)- 1(i)

4. MINUTES: To confirm the accuracy of the minutes from the Full Council meeting held on 18^th February 2026.

6. CHAIRMANS REPORT: To receive information

7. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE: To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they relate to individuals and the financial affairs of

persons. This information is classed as exempt under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972.

8. COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW:

9. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING:

NOTES:

a) The meeting is open to the press & public.

b) The Town Council allows a short period of time at meetings of the Full Council when residents can put questions to the council. At other times, the public are not able to take part in the proceedings except at the discretion of the Chairman who may at a convenient time in the transaction of business adjourn the meeting and suspend standing orders to allow any member of the public to address the meeting and ask questions requiring answers of a factual nature.

c) Mobile phones are to be switched to silent during the meeting