Saturday, October 10, 2015

Oakham Town Clerk Unauthorised Payments and Accounting Mistakes

Oakham Town Clerk Unauthorised Payment and Accounting Mistakes





Dear Richard

Please can you explain to me why you have misled me again.

This time i find this matter to be far more serious, if not dishonest.

I refer to payment no: 192 made on the 16/09/2015 Plantscape Ltd £6,960.00

Why has this been paid? when you told me on the 17/09/2015 you would
be contacting Plantscape Ltd to explain a short delay in payment so you
could obtain authority from the full council on the 14/10/2015

During a telephone conversation I had with you on the 16/09/2015
You said you were looking for the contract which would cover the
period of 2014 - 2015 eventually you told me there was no contract.

When I asked why is there no contract you responded, I don't know.

When you told me on the 17/09/2015 you were deferring the payment
until authority was approved by all Councillors at the meeting of the
14/10/2015 you were aware of my comments relating to the legal
position of Councillors, they could not approve the payment knowing
there was no contract, no tendering or approval from council.

On the 16/09/2015 in one of your emails you incorrectly state
because Councillors approved budgets they were approving the
expenditure.

As you paid this on the 16/09/2015 I believe you deliberately misled
me and were dishonest and as our Clerk you are in a position of
trust. I can't see how you can pass this of as one of your mistakes this time.

At the last council meeting I raised the issue of the skatepark payment.
You had a meeting with me at the skatepark and listed some
faults that needed attention. You understood the council had approved
payment but stated you would not pay until the company had rectified
the faults. After our meeting you paid the company in full and
they have not returned to fixed the faults.

Statement of Accounts

Oakham Town Council Debtors and Creditors at 30th September 2015

Please can you explain why you have listed.

9 creditors as debtors

in the creditors list it appears we owe Rutland House Community Trust 8 months rent.
what do we rent from them or do they owe us money?


From

Martin





Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 1:47 PM
From: "Richard White"
To: "'Martin Brookes'"
Subject: RE: Questions, Watering,
Martin
Re: Plantscape
Plantscape awarded three year contract for planting at Council meeting on 14/11/2012

Watering at £5800 approved for 2013 only at P and P meeting of 28/11/2012 (minute 141/12)

For 2014 a report to Council on 9/10/13 asked to approve budget for Floral Displays at £14000 which included watering
This was reduced to £13200 (Minute No. 168/13 (ii))

For 2015 Initial budget report to Council on 8/10/14 showing increase of £800 to £14000 for floral displays.
Budget approved at Council meeting on 14/01/15.

Therefore watering agreed for 2015 when budget approved on 14 January 2015


Richard White
Clerk to Oakham Town Council
01572 723627