Oakham Rutland Radio News
We recommend you listen to Rutland & Stamford Sound
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL OAKHAM SOUTH BY ELECTION RESULT
20/08/21
BY ELECTION RESULT
Oakham South, Rutland County Council
LD: 886 (67.8%, +9.8%)
CON: 420 (32.2%, -9.8%
Paul Browne (LibDem) Elected
LORD-LIEUTENANT OF RUTLAND PRESENTS WWII VETERAN WITH REGIMENTAL CAP AT OAKHAM ARMED FORCES & VETERANS BREAKFAST CLUB
07/08/21
Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Presented WWII Veteran Arthur Gale with his regimental cap at Oakham Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club who were celebrating it's 3rd birthday at the Grainstore Brewery Oakham
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL HAS LAUNCHED MYACCOUNT, A NEW WAY FOR LOCAL PEOPLE TO ACCESS A VARIETY OF COUNCIL SERVICES ONLINE, QUICKLY AND EASILY.
07/08/21
Residents can now sign-up for the new system to see information that is relevant to them all in one place - such as bin collections and recycling, roads, the environment, and their Council Tax account information.
As well as information, users can also access many of the key services delivered by the Council, report issues, self-serve and track the progress of service requests they make, via an online account that is completely personalised to them.
The features now available through MyAccount enable people to:
get customised information about their home and neighbourhood.
go paperless, accessing bills, paying Council Tax, and checking balances online.
tell the Council about issues with waste bins, waste collections and recycling.
say that they are moving home or have moved.
give feedback and raise general enquiries.
"Making it easier for our residents to get in touch with us, ‘self-serve’ and manage their transactions, and find the information they are looking is, for us, an absolute priority. In today’s world, many people expect to be able to access information or report problems instantly using their digital devices. MyAccount helps them do that, simply and swiftly. It is our aim to continue to expand MyAccount to include even more of our services over the next 18 months. MyAccount will operate alongside the existing ways that customers contact the Council. Customers can still use FixMyStreet, call our Customer Services Team or email in. Nothing is changing on that front but we would like to encourage residents to use MyAccount as it’s the quickest and most convenient way to interact with us. Residents can also see customised information and tell us about any issues all in one place, online.” Saverio Della Rocca, Strategic Director of Resources at Rutland County Council
Users can visit MyAccount at a time that suits them, from any device that is connected to the internet - PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Anyone living in Rutland who is registered for Council Tax, is aged 16 or over and has an email address can register. It’s simple and speedy to sign up to MyAccount – just visit the Council’s homepage: www.rutland.gov.uk, click the ‘MyAccount’ link and follow a few easy instructions.
Plans are already in place to introduce even more Council services to the user-friendly platform in the future, including reporting concerns about children and vulnerable adults to social care, making planning applications and asking for planning advice, parking permits, bus passes and school transport.
In addition to MyAccount, residents will still be able to get in touch with the Council by calling Customer Services on 01572 722577, emailing enquiries@rutland.gov.uk or by using one of the enquiry forms available on the Council’s website, at: www.rutland.gov.uk.
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL RESPONSE TO FAKE BALLOT PAPERS DISCARDED IN OAKHAM
30/07/21
Rutland County Council has recovered a number of fake ballot papers for the Oakham South by-election that appear to have been intentionally discarded near All Saints Church.
The council was first notified about the fake papers via a message and photograph on social media, shortly before 11.45am today (Friday 30 July). An officer from Rutland’s Elections Team eventually located the papers (of which there were 13 in total) in a bin close to All Saints Church, shortly after 12.15pm. The papers are now in possession of the Elections Team and have been removed to the Council’s Catmose offices.
Following a close inspection of the papers, they were quickly identified as clear and obvious fakes because they do not carry all of the information that would be found on a real ballot. A ballot paper envelope also pictured in the photograph on social media was found to be authentic. However, care had been taken to remove part of the envelope displaying a unique reference number that would have allowed the Council to trace it back to the property where it was originally delivered.
Phillip Horsfield, Monitoring Officer for Rutland County Council, said: “Based on our inspection of the papers found near All Saints Church this morning and comparing them to a real postal ballot, we can say with absolute certainty that they are fake. We are appalled by what appears to be a malicious and calculated attempt to create confusion and distrust, and undermine public confidence in the forthcoming Oakham South by-election. This is completely unacceptable. We have notified the Electoral Commission and will be handing over all evidence to a specialist unit of the police in order to investigate.
“We are grateful to the individual who first reported this to us on social media. Thanks must also go to our Elections Team, who responded quickly to locate and inspect the papers, and confirm that they are clear and obvious fakes.”
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCILLOR FOR OAKHAM SOUTH WARD NICK WOODLEY CONSERVATIVE HAS RESIGNED.
04/07/21
Nick Woodley was elected in May 2019 to represent the new Oakham South Ward.
GET INVOLVED IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THE FUTURE RUTLAND CONVERSATION
04/07/21
The Future Rutland Conversation is moving on to a new stage this week, with local people once again being encouraged to get involved.
A series of reports has been published and is now available to view online, summarising all the comments, feedback and survey responses that were gathered as part of an intensive county-wide discussion that took place over two months, from April to June. The aim of the Future Rutland Conversation is to develop a new shared Vision for Rutland – one that is based firmly on what matters to local people.
As part of the next stage of Future Rutland, Rutland County Council is asking people to review the summary reports and supporting information that have been published online, and comment on whether these summaries are a fair and accurate reflection of what’s important to local people. This is also a chance for people to say if they think anything has been missed or needs adding. You can do this regardless of whether you took part in the initial Future Rutland Conversation between April and June.
All of the additional feedback gathered as part of this next stage will be reviewed and then used to start developing the new shared vision for Rutland. The draft Vision itself will be shared later in the summer, to encourage even more discussion and feedback.
“If the first part of Future Rutland was about listening to people and understanding what’s important to them and for this county – both now and in the years to come – this next stage is about ensuring we’ve heard correctly. For all the feedback and ideas to be turned into a Vision that’s truly representative of what matters to local people, we need to check and make sure there’s nothing we’ve missed or that should be added.“We’re now inviting everyone across the county to read what’s been published and tell us if you think it’s a fair representation of what matters to you, your family and our local communities. You can do this even if you didn’t take part in the initial eight-week Conversation.”Councillor Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council
The Future Rutland Conversation began on 1 April and ran until 1 June, with more than 2,000 adults, children and young people taking part by sharing their views and comments. Together, they provided more than 4,500 responses across a range of themed surveys, and 1,000 contributions across nine online forums. Some 250 people also took part in live discussion events via Zoom. In addition, contributions to the Conversation also came from Rutland County Councillors, Parish Councils, and local partner agencies.
All the data, comments and feedback from this initial eight-week Conversation and submissions from stakeholders have been reviewed by an independent agency, Rutland Community Ventures CIC, to provide impartial analysis. This information has now been published by Rutland County Council as a series of summary reports for different Conversation themes and issues – from climate change and the environment to transport, leisure, healthcare and life in Rutland.
The additional feedback on these summary reports will be gathered up until 25 July, before being used to refine and shape the draft Vision for Rutland.
To see the summaries from stage one of Future Rutland, and find out how to provide further comments or responses, visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/futurerutland or call 01572 722 577 if you don’t have access to the internet.
RUTLAND RESIDENTS REASSURED ON RISING CASES OF COVID IN THE COUNTY AND BEYOND
04/07/21
Rutland has recorded an increase in confirmed COVID cases for the period from 18 to 24 June, with 40 people testing positive for the virus in that week. Over 90% of these cases are the Delta variant. This total equates to 102.7 cases per 100,000 people, a figure slightly higher than the current UK national average.
A majority of infections are in younger age groups – 27 (60%) amongst 10 to 19 year-olds and 6 (15%) in 20 to 29 year-olds. In the county’s remaining seven cases, two people over the age of 60 have tested positive.
Director of Public Health for Rutland Mike Sandys said that while local residents should not be alarmed by these numbers, everyone should continue to be vigilant:
“Case rates per 100,000 have increased across all regions and continue to rise, particularly among younger age groups. The surge in new infections everywhere is being driven mostly by the Delta variant, which is far more transmissible that the original strain of the virus, as it spreads through the country. As we have started to mix more, the number of infections is rising sharply in towns and cities across the UK.
“Thankfully, the number of Rutland residents becoming seriously ill from COVID is now much lower. This comes as the Government ramps up its drive to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of the expected last step out of lockdown in England on 19 July. It’s reassuring that 86% of adults in Rutland have now had the first dose of the vaccine, 65% the second dose. While many of us are already enjoying some relaxation of restrictions and being able to socialise more and go to events as summer begins, we all need to help in controlling these infections.”
More broadly, the Delta variant is contributing to rates of coronavirus infection among children in schools and younger people, including older teenagers, as well as 20 to 29 year-olds who are far less likely to have been vaccinated yet. In Rutland, a COVID outbreak reported by a school in the past week has impacted upon the increased numbers of 10 to 19 year-olds testing positive for the virus locally. Rutland County Council is working closely with Public Health England and the school to manage the outbreak.
Out in the wider community, Rutland residents should continue all they are doing to keep infection rates under control by always following the COVID-safe guidance. With around one in three people who have COVID-19 suffering no symptoms, the Council is also echoing Government advice and encouraging regular, quick testing to stop the mutation of further variants via virus transmission.
Mr Sandys continued: “Every time the virus passes from person to person, it has another opportunity to mutate into new variants such as Delta – which we know spreads more easily. We urge all residents to take rapid ‘lateral flow device’ tests two times a week if they don’t have symptoms, even if they’ve had one or both COVID vaccinations, and these can used by adults and children aged 11 and over. Children who go to primary school or younger children don’t need to be tested.
“To help us slow down the spread of infection again, rapid testing runs alongside getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, when invited; continuing to follow the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air; self-isolating and getting a PCR test if you or those around you have symptoms.”
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL CONNECTS WITH SERVICES COMMUNITY DURING ARMED FORCES WEEK OAKHAM RUTLAND
28/06/2021
Rutland County Council has encouraged the county’s Armed Forces community to be even better connected during Armed Forces Week.
Armed Forces Week is held every year in June as a way for people to show their appreciation and support for our Armed Forces, including current servicemen and women, service families, reservists, veterans of all ages and cadets.
As part of this year’s Armed Forces Week, Rutland County Council promoted Forces Connect – a free mobile app, designed to help those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces to access public services by directing them to sources of advice and support.
The app was originally launched as part of a project led by Surrey County Council, but has since been expanded to feature more counties, including Rutland. Opening the 'Rutland' tab within the app will display local and national services covering employment, education and training, housing, benefits, family support and care, health and wellbeing, and crisis support.
This is aimed at serving personnel, veterans, and dependants – including spouses, partners, children and parents – and those that work with the Armed Forces community. It is also available to reservists, who give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces and are ready to support the military should their country require them. In Rutland, the Armed Forces community makes up more than 15% of the total population in Rutland, with Reserve Forces accounting for around one sixth of this.
Forces Connect is free to download by searching for it in the App Store (for Apple iPhones or iPads) or the Google Play Store (for Android smartphones and tablets). Details for Rutland already feature on the app and can be accessed immediately.
“Rutland has a long history of supporting Armed Forces families and personnel who live here. The County Council is proud to assist the local Armed Forces community in Rutland, pledging our ongoing support for the services by signing the official Armed Forces Covenant more than a decade ago and achieving a Gold Award from the Covenant’s Employer Recognition Scheme in 2020.“The Armed Forces Covenant Fund provided the original funding for the Forces Connect app, which is now used by over 10,000 people across the UK. As a Council, we are committed to raise awareness of this brilliant resource locally and encourage our Services community to download and start using it. It is completely free, does not contain advertisements and requires no input of personal details. All the content available through the app, about services in Rutland and beyond, is updated monthly to keep it relevant and accurate.“Information that serving personnel, veterans and their loved ones who live in our county might want to look for is available in just a few clicks. That could be searching for an NHS dentist, starting a business, getting advice on housing - or finding out more about the next meeting of the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.”Rutland County Council’s Armed Forces Champion Councillor Ian Razzell, who is also a retired Army officer
As the county’s Armed Forces Champion, on Monday 21 June Cllr Razzell joined Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness for the annual flag-raising ceremony at Oakham Castle to mark Armed Forces Day and the start of Armed Forces Week. Also in attendance for the event, which was not held in public for the second year running due to COVID restrictions, were Rutland County Council Chairman Councillor Jeff Dale and High Sheriff of Rutland David Wood, together with a flag-raising party from 7 Regiment RLC, Kendrew Barracks.
During the rest of Armed Forces Week, Reservists Day took place on Wednesday 23 June, recognising the contribution reservists make to the Armed Forces and appreciate the integral part that they play in the UK’s Defence capability. In 2021, Reserves Day was celebrated on Wednesday 23 June, as part of Armed Forces Week. Over 3,000 reservists across the East Midlands commit their spare time, and balance their day jobs and family life for a career in the military, ready to serve should their country need them. More information from the national Reserves Day website at www.armedforcesday.org.uk/reserves-day/.
Thursday 24 June was dedicated to veterans of all ages and from all branches of the military. Armed Forces Week culminates on Saturday 26 with Armed Forces Day www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
Members of Rutland’s Armed Forces community, their families and the professionals who work with them across a range of services were encouraged to share #ForcesConnect on social media during this week. There is also a short film introducing the app.
A range of information for members of the Armed Forces and their families, including a Veterans Gateway, support for reservists and details of Armed Forces Discount Schemes, is available on the County Council’s website at www.rutland.gov.uk/my-council/armed-forces/.
The Veterans Gateway has a 24 hr support line on 0808 8021212. Rutland also has a dedicated Armed Forces Officer whose role it is to help and support serving members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and service families in Rutland. email: armedforces@rutland.gov.uk or call: 01572 722 577.
RUTLAND SHOWGROUND EVENT WILL VACATE SITE ON FRIDAY SAYS RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
23/06/2021
Rutland County Council has clarified a decision by multi-agency partners that the Light and Life event will close on Thursday (24 June 2021) and the site will be vacated on Friday (25 June 2021) as originally planned by the event organisers.
The Council has reviewed the event plans and risk assessments and made recommendations to the event organisers for improvements to the running of the event.
Councillor Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, explains: “This is not an ideal situation, and we are certainly not happy that we have had to retrofit processes to ensure the safe running of this event for attendees and our community.
“We have two main issues that the Council and its partners, particularly the Police, are currently handling. The first being the safe running of the event, including ensuring it is operated within Covid-19 regulations and that traffic, noise and waste is managed appropriately.
“The second is around a small, yet significantly impactful group of attendees which have chosen to disrespect our community. As a result, the Council and Police are having to manage the immediate impact of these attendees and will continue to do so to protect our community until the site is vacated on Friday.
“Allowing the site to be vacated on Friday, as originally planned by the event organisers, means the Council and its partners can develop and put in place plans to enable the safe departure of all attendees, minimising impact on our roads and infrastructure, ensuring attendees move on to their next destination, whether home or another event, without delay.”
In the meantime, residents, businesses and road users who have any concerns or information to report should follow the advice of Leicestershire Police - visit https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ quoting reference Log 186 of 19 June 2021 or to call 101.
For the latest statement from the Police, who are working with Rutland County Council on this matter, please visit: https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2021/june/light-and-life-event-in-rutland---update/
INCREASED COVID-19 CASES IN RUTLAND
23/06/2021
Rutland is currently experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases with 58 cases per 100,000 population being reported in the week of 12-18 June 2021.
Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Rutland, comments:
“In light of a recent school outbreak, we have seen an increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Rutland. We are working closely with Public Health England and the school to manage the outbreak.
“As reflected across the country, cases are more prevalent in younger unvaccinated groups, mainly among older teenagers. Schools across the county have been working hard to implement the latest COVID-19 guidance, but we urge families to keep testing twice a week to help reduce the risk of introducing the virus into schools.
“It’s also important to note that one in three people are asymptomatic and you don’t always need to have symptoms to transmit the virus which is why testing is so important. We urge everyone to follow the latest guidance, get vaccinated and remember hands, face and space.”
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL STATEMENT ON THE RELIGIOUS EVENT AT RUTLAND SHOWGROUND
21/06/2021
Rutland County Council is aware of the religious festival that is currently being hosted at Rutland Showground and the reports of disturbances in the community.
Our top priority is to protect residents and businesses and we are working closely with the Police and showground to do this.
The Police are increasing patrols around the county, particularly in Oakham and the surrounding area and are putting in place special measures to ensure the continued protection of the community. They are in ongoing communication with the event organisers.
We are also looking at any action that could be taken under COVID-19 regulations.
Residents are urged to report any crimes online at https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ (quoting reference log 186 of 19 June 2021) or by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
You can read the Police statement at: Extra patrols in Rutland due to event | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL OFFERS ADDITIONAL ADVANCE BOOKINGS AT RECYCLING CENTRES
18/06/2021
Rutland County Council has increased capacity for visitors to its two Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC) while temporary restrictions and advance bookings remain in place at both sites.
Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 and the Government’s decision to extend national restrictions until 19 July, the Council will continue to provide a bookings-only service at its HWRCs beyond Monday 21 June. These arrangements are in place to ensure that sites can operate as smoothly and safely as possible – protecting visitors and staff, while providing a seven-day-a-week HWRC service across the two sites at Cottesmore and North Luffenham.
Lighter evenings and seasonal changes to HWRC operating hours mean that both Centres are now open for longer. Cottesmore HWRC is open four days a week: Friday to Monday, 10am to 6pm (closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). North Luffenham HWRC is open six days a week: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm (closed on Mondays).
Rutland residents will not be able to use either site unless they have booked in advance. From this week, the number of pre-booked time slots available each hour has increased as follows:
Six cars at North Luffenham every 15 minutes (previously six cars were allowed every 20 minutes). That now allows for 24 cars per hour, apart from over lunchtime when the site closes for 45 minutes, totalling 174 per day.
At Cottesmore, three cars every 15 minutes (previously three cars were allowed every 20 minutes). That is now increased to 12 cars per hour, apart from over lunchtime when the site closes for 45 minutes, totalling 85 per day.
There are no changes to the current arrangements for trailers, which are permitted at North Luffenham but cannot yet be brought to Cottesmore. This decision continues to be kept under review.
“I know just how much people value our recycling centre services. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic and recent delay to the full easing of lockdown measures, we are still unable to return to a full, unrestricted service across our HWRC sites. We have been clear that we will only be able to do this once the Government has removed all legal limits on social contact, which we now expect on 19 July. The continuing need for an advance booking system to manage traffic at both sites will be reviewed after this date, with the intention of removing the need to book as soon as it’s safe. In the meantime, we’d like to thank people for their understanding and patience, and for continuing to following the COVID-safe measures that remain in place at Rutland’s HWRCs.” Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at Rutland County Council
To book a 15-minute time slot at either site, visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/hwrcbooking. Anyone who is unable to book online because they do not have access to the internet can book by calling 01572 722 577.
For more information about Household Waste and Recycling Centre services in Rutland, please visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/recycling.
CABINET APPROVES LEISURE GRANT FOR CATMOSE SPORTS CENTRE
18/06/2021
Rutland County Council’s Cabinet has approved a grant of just over £59,000 from the National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the running of Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham.
Responding to the severe impact that COVID-19 restrictions have had on the leisure industry, and specifically leisure centres, Sport England in partnership with Central Government launched a National Leisure Recovery Fund (NLRF) to support providers who are struggling.
In addition to the NLRF grant offer, Cabinet on Tuesday 15 June also approved additional funding of up to £43,000 to support the operators of Catmose Sports Centre, Stevenage Leisure Ltd (SLL), in light of COVID-19 and the continuing closure of Catmose swimming pool.
The Council’s leisure management contract with SLL expired on 31 March 2021 and the additional financial support is needed to continue operating the centre beyond August 2021.
The public swimming pool at Catmose Sports Centre remains closed following a condition survey that has raised concerns about the safety of the building. An assessment has shown that making the swimming pool operational would have cost over £500,000.
“Providing access to leisure services is important for health and wellbeing, which is why Cabinet has approved this short term investment to support Catmose Sports Centre and its operators, SLL. The Council has been working with a specialist consultant to consider options for the future of leisure in Rutland, to help inform our decision making for the future.” Councillor Alan Walters, Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure, Wellbeing and Adult Care