Money from developer contributions will pay for adaptions to a historic hall before a town council relocates there. 

There has been long discussion of Oakham Town Council's move back to Victoria Hall in Oakham High Street and council papers released this week reveal how it's going to be paid for. 

The council will use £6,500 of community infrastructure levy (CIL) to create a new meeting room at the venue and take £2,800 from reserves. A further £2,000 of reserves cash will be used for moving expenses. CIL money is what comes into the council from developers for building in the area. 

The report says: "To better serve the entire community, we propose the creation of a new meeting facility by merging unit 39a with the existing meeting room." 

This upgraded space will feature: 

• Installation of a modern projection system to support presentations and events. 
• Integration of a hearing loop system to cater to those with hearing impairments. 
• Enhanced accessibility for individuals of all abilities. 

"Additionally, the room will be designed to accommodate use twice monthly as a council chamber, ensuring functionality for official proceedings while retaining flexibility for broader community use."  

The proposed annual rent of the venue at £8,500 is less than the £11,000 the council spends to rent its current premises at ROL House on Long Row. 

Victoria Hall, which is run by a charitable trust, has had financial issues for some months and was given a £3,000 emergency grant by the council at the end of last year to help it running. At its last meeting, the council also agreed to pay £18,000 of CIL funding to help pay towards a new boiler. A consideration for the council to take over the running of the hall, by becoming a controlling trustee, has now been dismissed. 

advertisement

Town councillors will be asked to approve the spending at the meeting on Wednesday, April 9.