Tensions are continuing at Oakham Town Council after disagreements about whether to take on a new events officer. 

The authority is currently in a state of turmoil, following staff absence and disagreements among councillors and at the authority's staffing committee meeting on Wednesday (May 7) night the problems continued. 

The mayor Paul Ainsley had proposed that the authority take on a new events officer in part to run the new Discover Oakham website the council had paid around £5,000 to have developed to promote the town. He said an events officer was needed to upload to the website, plus help the deputy clerk with her event duties, so she could assist the clerk in council duties. 

Both the clerk and deputy have been away from work, although the deputy has now returned. Uppingham Town Council has agreed to support its neighbouring council with 'pro bono' admin support until Oakham's staffing issues are resolved. 

Cllr Ainsley said retailers had not shown an interest in running the new website as had been hoped and so the town council would be responsible for running it. 

He said: "I think it is necessary to promote the website, or it will wither on the vine."  

But Councillor Sally Anne Wadsworth was not convinced the extra staff member was needed as the additional wage had not been budgeted for. The details of how much an events officer would not be paid, but the chair said he thought the job would suit a young person looking for their first job rather than a marketing professional. 

The staffing committee, which is made up of three councillors, decided to put the additional staff member to the full council for approval.