Oakham Town Council mayor Adam Lowe stands down to focus on clerk role at Uppingham Town Council

A town council chairman has stood down mid-way through his mayoral year due to commitments at another council.

Mayor of Oakham Adam Lowe took on the paid role of clerk to Uppingham Town Council recently and has decided to ‘change direction’ in order to give him time for his new job.

He was succeeded by fellow Oakham town councillor and former county councillor Paul Ainsley, who put on the mayoral chains at a special town council meeting held on October 22.

Coun Chris Nix proposed Coun Ainsley for the new ceremonial role.

Speaking afterwards, Coun Ainsley, who has lived in the town for more than 20 years following a military career, said his priority as a local councillor was the county's younger residents.

He said: “My priority is the youth of this county and provisions for them is something we need to look at.”

Coun Ainsley was a Conservative councillor on Rutland County Council but left the Conservative Party in 2021 and became independent over the authority's decision to reject the local plan, which he said ‘betrayed younger residents.’

He said another priority was ‘getting the fire back into the belly of the high street’ and is optimistic about the results of a meeting held last week between the county and town council and local traders.

On standing down Coun Lowe said: “My decision to resign as chairman of Oakham Town Council is simply a change of direction that allows me to give my time to a recent career move working with another town council serving another community.

“I joined Oakham Town Council in 2010, looking back over the last 14 years I have only happy memories. I have been volunteering in other organisations since 2002.

"To serve the Oakham community for 14 years as a councillor and to have raised or donated in excess £25,000 for various organisations and groups over that time has been the benchmark by which I judge my contribution.

"Since becoming mayor in May 2024 my wife and I have raised £2,095, that money has already been handed over with £1,645 going to the Poppy Appeal and £450 going to the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.

"I will continue to serve as a volunteer with two other organisations that are close to my heart.

"My heartfelt sincere thanks and appreciation are extended to all the councillors and staff I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with at Oakham Town Council.”