Working to achieve the best for Rutland

A council leader is determined to work with the community to achieve the best for Rutland.

Rutland County Council leader Oliver Hemsley was catapulted into the role just four years after becoming elected.

The death of former council leader Roger Begy and the subsequent resignations of Terry King and Tony Mathias thrust him into the role in February.

The appointment came early in his political journey and at a turbulent time for the council with the public losing faith over controversial plans to create a one-way system in Oakham town centre.

Coun Hemsley (Con) said: “There’s a huge amount to learn in this role and I didn’t expect to be leader of the council after just four years in local government.

“I have taken over at a turbulent time. Roger Begy and Terry King were a great team and the knowledge they had between them was massive. “

Coun Hemsley grew up in Rutland. He trained in the print industry but set up a gardening business in 1983. He was elected in May 2015 as ward member for Langham and progressed to deputy leader in 2017 and leader this year.

He said: “I wanted to give something back to Rutland after it has given 35 years of support to my family and my business.”

His first big decision was to halt the controversial one-way scheme. Development plans to build 3570 homes at St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham are also a thorny issue with strong opposition.

Coun Hemsley said: “It’s a myth that local governments have already made decisions behind closed doors. I welcome people asking questions and challenging us in a constructive way.

“I like to think 50 years ahead. We need to support an ageing population and make sure it’s possible for our young people to live in the county, bring up their children here and start their own businesses.”

Coun Hemsley will continue in his role until the election in May when he would love to be reelected and offered the chance to continue as leader “to provide stability for Rutland for the next eight years”.