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'We're not prepared to increase council tax to fit potholes' says Rutland council leader

Local News by Steve Thompson - Local Democracy Reporter 2 hours ago  
Rutland council leader has said she can not get the potholes filled on her road as part of larger discussion about the county's roads (Photo: LDRS)
Rutland council leader has said she can not get the potholes filled on her road as part of larger discussion about the county's roads (Photo: LDRS)
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The leader of Rutland County Council can't get the potholes fixed on her road.

The revelation came at a meeting of Rutland County Council's scrutiny committee last week (February 19).

Council leader Gale Waller (Lib Dem) said that she had reported potholes where she lives using the Fix My Street website – but was told they "didn't meet the threshold" to warrant repair.

Cllr Waller made the admission after being queried about the state of the roads in Rutland by Labour leader Ramsay Ross.

Cllr Ross said councillors did not have enough information about ongoing council works to be able to give adequate answers to residents.

He said: "What I see is not good on the roads. I don't think that officers are placing councillors in the best position to deal with this issue."

Cllr Ross asked that councillors are given up to date information about ongoing highways projects so they are better able to inform residents about work that is being done to improve the roads.

Cllr Waller, who represents the Normanton ward, said: "There are potholes on my street and I have reported them. They have not been repaired because they have not hit the threshold.

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"The government doesn't give us the resources and we're not prepared to increase council tax to fix potholes.

"Compared to other areas, we have a lot of roads for a small number of people.

"I will go away and talk to the portfolio holder about the issue to see if we can get better information for councillors. The department is also in the process of looking at Fix My Street."

Cllr Waller said there were issues with the Fix My Street website and app and that the council was working to improve the process for reporting potholes.

Cllr Mark Chatfield (Lib Dem) branded the current situation "an embarrassment". He said that when he asks about when particular roads or potholes are going to be fixed, he is just told "it's on the list".

The council has put aside £5.2million for highways and transport in its 2026/27 budget.

Separately, it will spend £1m to support improvements to the junction for Cold Overton Road, Barleythorpe Road, Melton Road and Station Road in Oakham.

     

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