Oakham Town Council
Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6LN 
 01572 723627        
 enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4th February 2026 AT 6.30 P.M. IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
IN ATTENDANCE: Cllrs: C Nix (Chair) P Ainsley (Deputy Chair), C Clark, S Wadsworth, J Nichols, M Brookes and J Harris
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:	C Evans (Clerk) and M Palmer (Admin Assistant), Rutland County Councillor Raymond Payne and two members of the public.
Cllr Nix opened the meeting and welcomed all present.
02/26–01: APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE: None.

02/26–02: 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) 
None.

02/26-03: DEPUTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:  An opportunity for members of the public to speak in accordance with Standing Orders 1 (d)- 1(i). 
None.

02/26-04: MINUTES: The Clerk explained that there had not been enough time to complete the minutes from the Full Council Meeting on the 14th of January 2026.
Proposed acceptance by Cllr C Nix seconded by Cllr M Brookes. Carried.

02/26-05: TRANSFER OF FUNDS HSBC TO UNITY BANK: Cllr Nix proposed deferred this proposal until the March Full Council meeting with further details and a review the signatories, seconded by Cllr P Ainsley. Carried.

02/26-06: TOWN OF CULTURE APPLICATION: Cllr P Ainsley introduced this agenda item, which has a tight deadline of 31st March 2026 a real window of opportunity for Oakham and seeks to initiate a Town of Culture Committee with delegated authority to produce the necessary application and a use of a budget 4-6 K. This stage is a declaration of Interest and if selected to a second round where a more detailed application will need to be produced.
Cllr Brookes complimented Cllr Ainsley on the documentation produced to date and indicated although supportive he would not be involved in this project application.
The Councils Standing Orders were then proposed to be suspended by Cllr Nix and seconded by Cllr Wadsworth.  Carried.
Two Councillors from Rutland County Council declared their support for this application and the portfolio holder cabinet member stated that RCC were totally behind this application.
Cllr Harris and Cllr Nichols both declared their full support for this application, and Cllr Clark stated that this if nothing else would document what matters in Oakham and brings a focus to the community. 

Cllr Nix proposed to restore Standing Orders and seconded by Cllr Harris. Carried

The proposal by Cllr Ainsley and seconded by Cllr Nix is 

1.	Delegates authority to the Committee to develop, approve, and submit the Expression of Interest. Carried

The proposal by Cllr Ainsley and seconded by Cllr Nix is 

2.	Appoints a minimum of three councilors, with non‑voting external advisors, authorizes the Committee to establish advisory Working Groups with external representatives, and confirms it will operate within the approved Terms of Reference, budget, and report to Full Council. Carried

The proposal by Cllr Ainsley and seconded by Cllr Nix is 

3.	Approves a capped budget of £6,000 from General Reserves for development of the Expression of Interest. Carried

02/26-06: ADOPTION OF GOV.UK NOTIFY

Cllr Ainsley introduced this agenda item which is a free service from the government.

The proposal by Cllr Nix and seconded by Cllr Clark is that Oakham Town Council approves the adoption of GOV.UK Notify as its standard platform for resident messaging. Carried 

Cllr Nix proposed and seconded by Cllr Wadsworth that the Council authorises the Town Clerk to set up the system and begin collecting resident opt ins. Carried

02/26-07: GOOGLE WORKSPACE

The proposal is that Council approves 8 Google Workspace Business Starter licences (£566.40 ex VAT per year)., confirms Microsoft 365 remains the Council’s sole email platform and authorises the Clerk to configure Google Workspace and use Google Forms and shared drives to support consultation and collaborative working.
Proposed by Cllr Brookes and seconded by Cllr Ainsley. Carried

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Meeting Finished 19:30 pm.

Signed………………………………………………………………. Date……………….