In a recent Parish meeting an attending RCC Councillor flippantly stated that RCC would spend the reserves before the boundary changes in order that the money wouldn't be absorbed or lost to the new administration. The Sea Dragon should stay in Rutland - RCC has the money!

Lawrence Fenelon, Chair, Friends of Rutland County Museum
The main reason given for abandoning the Sea Dragon is financial. Examination of the Council's published finances show that they had £27m of reserves at the end of March this year. Looking at the breakdown around £17m are 'Rainy Day' allocations that may not be needed. I am told that since then in April - June over more than £1m more has been added to reserves. The Council has oodles of money it could spend on the £500,000 costs for the Sea Dragon. If these reserves are not spent by March 2028 they will probably be transferred to the Regional Authority which will take over. Does the Council take no notice of public opinion?

I work in franchising and spend some of my time working out where good brands should locate their premises. These are not fast food restaurants but other types of hospitality. What makes a great place like Oakham better, is the combination of community and visitors. We moved here about a year ago and I think we community, but not enough visitors. I do not know if this fossil will attract visitors or not, but there will be data available to those able to access and interpret it. If the indicative data supports the fact that the fossil will draw in people and their money to Oakham, that will increase spend, increase the likelihood of new retail and hospitality taking up the ever increasing number empty retail spaces, and the take that the council gets. This could help build the local economy.

This is so short sighted! The Sea Dragon is the literal embodiment of the County Motto - Multum in Parvum. The BIGGEST fossil found in Englans in its SMALLEST county.
The £1m shortfall could be covered in numerous ways and I am unconvinced that RCC have explored all avenues.
Could we have a local referendum on a local levy to fund the shortfall over a number of years? Could the cost be amortised and repaid from receipts from the exhibit? Has a fundraiser been considered? Is support available from academia or wealthy enthusiasts? Would Severn Trent take the opportunity for some good publicity for water companies?

I hope there is more that can be done before this opportunity is squandered.

I believe this should be here in Oakham. I find the figures quoted to house this wonderful fossil ridiculously high. Perhaps people with marketing experience are better placed to find a solution to this.
We have empty shops and at the moment the town depends pretty much on the draw of the nearby reservoir and the cafe culture to bring business in. I dont have the knowledge to know how to fix this but will be very sad if the fossil found here ends up in London.

I believe we are doing the wrong maths. Oakham High Street is in serious decline. We need a 'pull' to bring more tourists to the town and keep them here to brunch, lunch and spend money in our shops. We will never get a better opportunity to do this. This is a major find and there will be huge interest if it is marketed in the right way. The Sea Dragon was found locally, and ir should stay local giving us opportunity to sign post visitors from Rutland Water to Oakham.

Let's think rationally about this for a moment - is it more important to have a fossil in a museum that probably few people will ever see after the hype of its installation or would we rather spend the money on fixing potholes or care homes?