In a recent statement by Oakham Town Councillor Martin Brookes described the authority as 'broken' after an important meeting on 11th June was cancelled due to low attendance. 

The authority has had a difficult few months, with internal disagreements and fallouts leaving an ever-dwindling number of Councillors to represent to authority. 

Speaking to Oakham Nub News, Councillor Brookes said: "Looking at the audit reports which you can read on the town council website I would say that Oakham Town Council has had issues for a number of years. Many of the issues stemming from before the present clerk, who is currently off sick. 

"The answer to resolve these issues is for new members to be elected to fill the vacant positions. People who actually want to be a councillor for the right reason, not those who join and then don't turn up for meetings. 

"I fully understand sickness cannot be avoided. I think it is wrong when we copy a new member, and they don't send apologies to meetings and don't respond any members communications. I was hoping this evening we would have authorised a locum clerk that would have put the council back on track." 

Just last month, Mayor Paul Ainsley stepped down after difficulties with conflicting personalities within the group, with new Mayor Chris Nix hoping to regain some of the authority's respect and impact the Council can have on Oakham. 

However, an important meeting on 11th June was due to make a decision on appointing a locum clerk and appoint a new auditor for the accounts had to be cancelled because only Cllr Chris Clark and Cllr Martin Brookes were available. In order for a meeting to legally proceed, a minimum of three councillors have to be present. 

Currently, the council has just six Councillors, out of the twelve they are supposed to have.  

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