Oakham Town Council has agreed to commission a forensic audit to examine its financial records after allegations were made that staff received duplicate salary payments and that a contractor was overpaid by £10,000. The decision was taken at a council meeting on Wednesday 12 August, following advice from the town’s clerk.
Why the audit was ordered
The audit follows complaints submitted to the town mayor, Coun Martin Brookes, by a former member of the council. According to the mayor, the allegations covered payroll anomalies and invoice irregularities. At the meeting, councillors accepted the clerk’s recommendation to bring in an independent auditor to carry out an initial review.
“It is a councillor's job to protect public money and take allegations of wrongdoing seriously,”
“I do not believe the council took these allegations seriously at the time. However, since the appointment of our locum clerk, this attitude has changed, leading us to appoint a forensic auditor to review the accounts,”
Coun Brookes stressed that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of Oakham Town Council. He said the audit was necessary to ensure the council had not been negligent in its duty to safeguard public funds:
“Agreeing to this audit, in my opinion, was essential to avoid being guilty of a dereliction of our duty to safeguard public money. If nothing is found, all is well, though it leaves the question of why such serious allegations were made in the first place.”
Process and scope
The council has engaged an independent auditor to carry out a seven-day preliminary review. The scope will cover the council’s accounts for the past three years. If the initial audit identifies discrepancies or irregularities, councillors will be asked to approve an extended contract to continue a deeper forensic examination.
- Council meeting agreed the audit on 12 August.
- Preliminary review by an independent auditor will last seven days.
- Accounts from the last three years are to be examined.
- A follow-up, more detailed audit will be commissioned only if discrepancies are found and approved by the council.
Police involvement and internal process
Coun Brookes said the matter was initially reported to Leicestershire Police but that the town was advised to pursue internal investigation procedures first. The council expects to report any criminal findings to the police once internal checks have been completed.
The course being followed reflects guidance often given to local authorities: internal financial review first, with referral to law enforcement if evidence of criminality emerges.
Local consequences and transparency
For residents and council taxpayers in Oakham, the audit represents an important step towards clarity. Questions remain about how the alleged errors occurred and whether they were administrative mistakes or something more serious. The council’s willingness to instruct an external review signals a change in approach since the appointment of the locum clerk, according to statements made at the meeting.
How the council communicates the audit’s findings will be closely watched. An independent preliminary review should provide either reassurance or the basis for a further, more detailed investigation. If follow-up work is authorised, councillors will need to weigh the cost and scope against the potential recoveries and the public interest in full transparency.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Council decision | Agreed to forensic audit at meeting on 12 August |
| Preliminary review | Seven days by independent auditor |
| Accounts covered | Last three years |
| Possible follow-up | Further audit if discrepancies identified and approved by council |
The coming days will show whether the preliminary review uncovers routine bookkeeping errors or issues requiring more substantial investigation. Residents seeking assurance have a clear path: the council must publish the outcome and, where appropriate, refer criminal matters to the police.
Locally, councillors and clerks alike face renewed scrutiny over financial controls. For a small town council, rigorous records and prompt action on allegations are central to maintaining public confidence.
