Oakham Town Council has finally welcomed a new clerk.

Following the reported loss of Council funds, and a subsequent review that found 'weakness' in Oakham Town Council's financial practice, Oakham Town Council and the former clerk parted ways in March.

Since then, the council has struggled to recruit, having been left with vacant seats in the April elections.

Finally though, a new clerk has been appointed.

Mayor Sally-Anne Wadsworth and members of Oakham Town Council welcomed Chris Evans as the new town clerk at a meeting last week.

Mr Evans said he would do everything he could to ensure the smooth running of the council in future, and that his door was always open to any councillors who wanted to speak with him and get advice on council issues.

In March 2023, Oakham Town Council confirmed that following an external appraisal of its finances, the officer responsible for managing its books had left the authority, a report having found that there were council petty cash funds missing.

A subsequent review stated that there were 'weaknesses in Oakham Town Council's financial practice', and that the previous clerk and the council had parted ways as a result.

Councillors warmly welcomed Mr Evans as their new town clerk and agreed that they were all looking forward to working with him.