Turmoil at Oakham Town Council Staffing Crisis and Budget Overspend Revealed

Turmoil at Oakham Town Council Staffing Crisis and Budget Overspend Revealed

Oakham Town Council is currently facing a deepening administrative and financial crisis. For over a year, the council has been mired in staffing difficulties that have now escalated into allegations of misconduct, unauthorised spending, and a significant burden on local taxpayers.

The instability began over a year ago when Cllr Brookes filed a formal complaint regarding the Deputy Clerk, citing "extremely rude and unhelpful" behaviour. However, the situation was reportedly exacerbated by the actions of Cllr Paul Ainsley, then Chairman of the Staffing Committee. Allegations suggest that Cllr Ainsley acted unilaterally, deciding not to investigate complaints against the Deputy Clerk.

The situation took a turn for the worse when initial complaints were leaked to the Deputy Clerk, leading to an immediate period of sick leave. While Cllr Brookes eventually withdrew his initial complaint out of a sense of fairness, new complaints from another member of the council saw the Deputy Clerk take further leave over the Christmas and New Year period.

The crisis reached a breaking point last week. The Town Clerk informed Cllr Brookes of a "serious incident" in the office involving the Deputy Clerk. This was followed by a further update this week, in which the Clerk revealed he had personally experienced "extremely poor and serious conduct" from his deputy.

The Deputy Clerk has now reportedly entered a period of long-term sick leave and has notified the council that all future communication must be conducted through her solicitor.

The administrative friction has translated into a stark financial reality for the residents of Oakham. To cover the workload left by the Deputy Clerk’s prolonged absences, the council has been forced to significantly increase its staffing budget.

Financial Year	Budgeted Staffing Cost	Actual/Projected Spend
2025–2026	£80,400	£105,600
2026–2027	£105,600	£105,600 (Projected)

According to calculations by Cllr Brookes, this represents a £25,200 overspend for the current period. This fiscal gap was the driving force behind the council's decision to maintain the higher budget of £105,600 for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year.

Beyond the staffing budget, Cllr Brookes has raised two fresh complaints this week involving financial transparency. It is alleged that the Deputy Clerk authorised expenditure totaling over £5,000 without the knowledge or approval of the council, and prior to the budget being formally agreed upon.

Cllr Brookes has described the ongoing saga as "unacceptable" for local taxpayers, who are ultimately footing the bill for the internal dysfunction.

Editor’s Note

It is in the public interest to publish this report as it concerns the direct management of public funds and the conduct of public officials. Oakham residents have a right to know how their tax contributions are being allocated, especially when internal misconduct and procedural failures result in a documented budget overspend of over 30%. Transparency regarding the use of taxpayer money and the accountability of those hired to serve the community is fundamental to local democracy.