Council Tax and support for residents

Rutland County Council is being asked by Cabinet to approve an increase in Council Tax of 4.99%. This is 2% for Adult Social Care and 2.99% for the main council tax.

Given the concern expressed by many residents regarding the cost of living crisis and the severe impact it is having on their personal household budgets, we felt it only appropriate to scrutinise the proposed increases very carefully.

We have worked tirelessly to see where any reductions can be made in the budget, and we have identified several items which we feel can be reduced. The details of this can be seen on our website www.together4rutland.org/budget shortly.

We are proposing that the Council varies its approach to support those in need but who are not claiming Local Council Tax Support. We would like the Council to approve an additional £20,000 to support those residents who are currently struggling to meet their Council Tax Payments.

Together4Rutland wish to propose an amendment at the meeting for the Council Tax Rise to be capped at 3%,  made up of 2% for Adult Social Care and 1% for the main council tax.

However, we cannot do this on our own. The fate of Rutland Residents is in your hands – Please contact your ward member to discuss the various options open to the council.

Catmose Sports Centre – Fitness Facility

T4R as a group are fully aware of the depth of feeling surrounding the decision by Cabinet to close the Catmose leisure centre and the lack of consideration given to the many individual users of the Centre as well as the 17 organised groups that use it on a regular basis.

Through the Scrutiny process, where members of the Council consider proposed actions of the Cabinet and Officers, a cross-party group has been involved in reviewing the options and were presented with the alternatives. Originally in April 2022, Scrutiny recommended a cost-neutral solution position which has been the basis of the contract with the existing provider, Stevenage Leisure. The options for a new leisure contract were further reviewed in December 2022. Unfortunately, the recommendations from Scrutiny to Cabinet at that time are treated as exempt, in other words, cannot be disclosed for commercial reasons but were reported in the papers for the Cabinet meeting in January 2023, at which the decision to close the facility was decided. What we can say, based on the recommendation made, the decision was not in line with the December recommendations, and no reasons have been provided as to why the recommendations were ignored.

As a Group, we recognise the depth of feeling and know that a leisure facility is essential for health, well-being and for the young people in our community. It is also essential for GP referrals, and in a town with dwindling activities for young people, this will create a huge hole.

We have to put residents first. We are without doubt in difficult times, but having seen the options, we strongly feel there was an alternative solution which could have been seriously considered, but we are unable to explain why due to the confidential nature of the information.

Council Tax 2023/24

Earlier this month, Rutland County Council issued a statement about their plans to achieve financial sustainability, which basically means balancing their books by 2027/28 (details can be found on this link)

The original paper put forward by the Cabinet was requesting council approve a maximum rise in council tax for the next 5 years. Together 4 Rutland supported a motion to overturn this and remain with the existing policy for setting council tax in February of each year. We are concerned in the in the current climate an automatic tax increase at the maximum allowed by government would be a large burden on residents without considering the implication each year.

Fortunately, this amendment was agreed and Council will be discussing what the budget should look like, including the Council Tax level, between now and the end of February.

We would like to hear the views of you, the taxpayers of Rutland, as to what level of Council Tax increase you would believe to be appropriate recognising that the Council is facing  increases in demand for many of its services and inflationary increases which the Council is facing like many of you. That could range from 0% to the maximum allowed by government of 5%.

The Council, regardless of the Council Tax increase, needs to find further savings and the sooner the better. So which areas of Council expenditure would like to see cut, remembering that we a legal duty to the community to deliver services such as Adult and Children’s Social Care, Road Maintenance, Buses to transport children to school, etc.

Together 4 Rutland were formed to take politics out of Rutland, and want to do what is best for residents, not just to win votes. We fully understand the pressure households are under and will work tirelessly for the best outcome for all.

We want to hear your views, so get in touch.

Armed Forces in Rutland

Introduction

Cllr Paul Ainsley, a member of the Together4Rutland Group, is the County Council’s Armed Forces Champion. During a recent Council meeting, he updated Council Members on his activities and the support that Rutland County Council provides to our armed forces, both serving and veterans.

His Majesty’s Prison Stocken

On Wednesday, 17^th August, Cllr Ainsley and our Armed Forces Officer Ian Reynolds visited HMP Stocken to meet two prisoners, Baz and Pete, who, as veterans, are championing the approximately 50 veterans in prison.

Baz and Pete deliver information days and advice sessions to the veterans’ prisoners’ group under the guidance of Lindsay Beadnall, the prison equality officer.

They are enthusiastically embracing the preparations for Memorial Sunday in November. They are hopeful that the veteran’s group will be able to participate in the act of Remembrance in Oakham through a display of approximately 1,000 poppies made by the inmates.

Loughborough Veterans Wellbeing hub

Recently Cllr Ainsley and Ian Reynolds visited the Loughborough Wellbeing hub during a veteran-specific wellbeing session. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund funds the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Veterans Wellbeing Hub with the aim of offering advice, support and guidance.

They met with Councillor Rami Mahal, the Harborough District Council Armed Forces Champion, Brendan Daly, the Armed Forces Lead for the LLR NHS Trust and Helen Carter, the Chief Executive Officer, Loughborough Wellbeing Centre.

Paul and Ian intend to work actively with Cllr Rami Mahal, Helen and Brendan as we seek to establish satellite hubs for Lutterworth and Oakham. The initial well-being sessions in Oakham will be held in rooms kindly made available by the Whipper Inn. We want to take this opportunity to thank the Whipper Inn for their very generous support.

Merchant Navy Day

A flag-raising ceremony to commemorate all who work at sea, both past and present, was held outside Oakham Castle in August to mark Merchant Navy Day 2022.

We must recognise the sacrifices and dedication of those brave and often unsung individuals within the Merchant Navy community, past and present. It was Paul’s honour to attend the flag-raising event, and we were particularly pleased to see so many residents come out to show their support.

Armed Forces Covenant Project Board

In early September, we held the inaugural meeting of the Armed Forces Covenant Project Board. The Government has now published the Armed Forces Covenant Legislation Guidance, which will likely come into legal force in the Autumn. The board will ensure that we adhere to the legislation as we move from guidance to a more formal legal obligation. Fortunately, in Rutland, we are well down the road of meeting the legislative requirements because we have always supported our armed forces colleagues.

Our Armed Forces fulfil the responsibility for the realm’s defence on behalf of the Government. They sacrifice some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.

In summary, the requirements of the Covenant are:

We will have a legal obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force and their families to ensure that they are supported in seeking housing and medical treatments.

Those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in providing public and commercial services. It is important to remember that the covenant does not seek to give an advantage but rather to ensure a level playing field.

However, special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured and the bereaved.

Paul believes it is an honour to work to support our Armed Forces and Veterans Community and to recognise the contribution that our Armed Forces Community makes to our businesses, our county and our country.

At a Glance Guide to Cost of Living Support 2022

Should you require further assistance or have any questions then please contact Citizens Advice Rutland.

5 Year Housing Supply and Uncontrolled Developments

Rutland County Council published their updated report on the County’s 5 Year housing Supply which can be found on the link https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/planning/the-local-plan/housing-supply/

It is encouraging to note that, despite our general pessimism, the 5-year supply has improved to 4.1 years leaving us about 129 homes short to meet the 5-year target. However, in looking at the development sites included in the calculation, there is a significant number of homes which are missing where applications have been approved by the RCC Planning Committee, but because the Sect 106 agreements have yet to be finalised with the developers, these developments cannot be included in the calculations.

The sites in question are

If only one-third of the above homes could be delivered by the end of the 5-year period, we would be very close, if not ahead of the 5-year requirement.

T4R has proposed to the Portfolio Holder Cllr Rosemary Powell and RCC Director of Places, that in the best interests of the County, extra resources should be added to the Council’s Planning team to ensure that all the above Sect 106 agreements are completed as quickly as possible and certainly before the next time the 5-Year housing supply is calculated in September this year. This will then allow us to revert to the Local Plan spatial strategy and significantly reduce the risk of inappropriate development

We have also proposed that a new agenda item be included at future Planning Committee meetings to report progress towards the completion of Sect 106 agreements on all major applications.

Letter of Support to Cabinet

Yesterday we wrote to the new Leader of Rutland County Council wishing them well in their new roles, and our full support in areas we feel of greatest importance to Rutland residents. We are looking forward to working with the new alliance to deliver the best for the residents of Rutland.

Dear Lucy,

On behalf of T4R, we would like to wish the new Cabinet all success over the coming 10 months. There are many hurdles in front of you, but we trust that with this new alliance, you can make a real difference for Rutland’s residents.

We are sure you will be pleased to hear that the T4R Group will support all actions that the Cabinet take to address what we see as the main concerns of residents. The principal concern is obviously delivering the required cost savings, and we have every faith in and fully support the work Karen is undertaking, and look forward to being part of this process.

Next and maybe number one in the eyes of residents is planning. We all understand the position we are in, but ask that the new Cabinet should make a clear statement about the current position around uncontrolled development before the new Local Plan is put in place. We are pleased to hear that Cabinet will be considering an Interim Planning Statement although we are disappointed to learn that it has been put back to the June Cabinet meeting in the Forward Plan. In our opinion, the approval of this statement needs to be the next highest priority after the savings. What is clear, we need strong planning leadership to ensure we maintain what control we do have.

Our physical infrastructure, especially medical facilities are under the greatest strain, and we support any move to deliver that much needed Infrastructure as quickly as possible. Again a clear statement to the residents of Rutland would be welcomed by everyone.

Finally, when considering the findings of the recent Primary Care T&F group, we are keen to understand the progress of the Group’s recommendations following the adoption by the Rutland Health and Wellbeing Board.

With best wishes

Gordon Brown
June Fox
Paul Ainsley
Nick Begy

Launch of Vision and Objectives

Today, just 7 days since being created, Together4Rutland has launched its vision and key objectives which can be found at Vision and Objectives

The Vision will be to work with all the Councillors and Officers in the County Council to deliver quality, efficient services.

Our immediate and key objectives are

• • • Housing in the right place and the right size for young families
    • Medical Facilities to meet the needs of residents across the County
    • Seek the Council to deliver speed reduction measures in our towns and villages
    • Continue to push the central government for improved funding to help protect services and deliver the new services required by law.
    • Better engagement with you our residents.
    • To seek improvements to the appearance of Oakham High Street
    • Make sure we are prepared to support those most affected by the cost of living increases

We will continue to develop our ideas and if you want to hear more please sign up to our Facebook page at Together4Rutland

Together4Rutland – a new approach to working for Rutland residents

Launch of Together4Rutland

On 22nd April 2022, Cllrs Gordon Brown, June Fox and Nick Begy resigned from the Rutland County Council Conservative Group. They will continue as County Councillors and will form the new Together4Rutland  Group on Rutland County Council to focus on supporting the residents in their Wards and across Rutland.

In recent months, the three councillors have become increasingly concerned with the direction of travel of the Conservative group, and as backbenchers have felt marginalised, finding it harder to provide the support for the residents for whom they took up public service to help.

In addition, they cannot continue to support the national Conservative party on moral grounds, with Ministers and senior MPs having lost the respect of the public and failing to recognise the serious financial position of Rutland County Council caused by a lack of government funding compounded by additional burdens from new legislation.

The new Group feel that now is no time for party politics in local government in Rutland and wants the opportunity to openly question policy which impacts all residents and not just follow the Conservative party line. The three councillors look forward to working together with all members of the Council to avoid unnecessary political arguments and remembering why they hold these privileged positions. They are hoping that the other members of the County Council will agree with this position and look to join with the new Togther4Rutland  group to achieve the best outcomes for the whole of Rutland.

The new Group has also been joined by Cllr Paul Ainsley, who left the Conservative Group shortly after the HIF vote at the end of last year.