The historic hall in Oakham could receive support from cash provided to the town council from developers. 

Oakham Town Council agreed to move forward with discussions with Victoria Hall to enter into a more formal partnership, which could see the council provide money it has received from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to help the hall. This money comes from developers who build in the area and is worked out by a national formula. 

Recently the authority gave the venue in High Street an emergency grant of just under £3,000 to help it continue. The hall, which has just celebrated its 125th anniversary, is also in need of some internal works such as a new boiler. 

Council chairperson Paul Ainsley told the meeting on Wednesday night (December 11) that initial discussions had been had and the hall's trustees had agreed a partnership could be favourable. The council approved a budget of up to £3,000 for external legal advice about setting up a formal agreement. 

Councillor Paul Ainsley was elected as Chairman and Mayor of Oakham Town Council in October (Photo: Oakham Town Council)

Cllr Ainsley said: "My overriding concern with any collaboration with Victoria Hall is that we protect the public money. We have asked Rutland County Council whether CIL money (community levy infrastructure) could be used to assist Victoria Hall." 

As part of a new partnership, the council, which is currently based at ROL House in Long Row, could make a move back to Victoria Hall. 

The council, which has had a number of changes of councillors over the past year, also discussed using CIL money to upgrade the toilets at Church Street. The council was due to approve works for £156,000, but after much discussion about the quotes it had received, decided to defer the decision until the next meeting, so it could find out whether it needed to use the government's contract portal to tender the contract. 

Cllr Martin Brookes said several years ago the authority had received criticism from auditors for procuring a contract incorrectly.