The petition launched by Alicia Kearns MP and Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle to bring the Rutland Sea Dragon back to Rutland was debated at a Full Rutland County Council meeting tonight after securing over 2,000 signatures.
The petition reached the 1,500 signature threshold required to be debated by Full Council, giving Rutland councillors the opportunity to consider the overwhelming public support for bringing this internationally significant fossil home to Rutland.
Ahead of the debate, Rutland County Council refused to allow Rutland resident Jake Williams, Anglian Water's lead on the Sea Dragon project, to address councillors or ask a public question. Despite Anglian Water owning the Sea Dragon and being a direct party to discussions over its future, the Council ruled Jake’s submission inadmissible under Rule 25.1(b)(iii) of its Constitution, stating that it covered substantially the same subject matter as the petition already on the agenda. Jake’s submission was not a repeat, and the petition has not previously been put before Council. No further explanation has been provided by the Council.
Presenting the petition on behalf of campaigners, Lawrence Fenelon, Chair of the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle, told councillors that residents had made their views clear: they overwhelmingly want the Sea Dragon to be displayed at Oakham Museum.
Lawrence noted the estimated conservation cost has fallen to just over £500,000 and said the Friends group stands ready to contribute towards fundraising, but all that’s missing is the willingness of the Council and the cabinet to make it happen.
Seven councillors contributed to the debate following Lawrence's presentation.
(Photo: Matthew Power Photography)
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, said:
"The facts are all on the table. The Rutland Sea Dragon is one of the most significant discoveries ever made in our county, and Rutlanders have made it clear they want to see it displayed here where it was found.
“I secured funding to conserve our extraordinary Sea Dragon in 2023, yet without any discussion, the Council has re-allocated the funds to cover cost overruns elsewhere. That’s the wrong decision for our local economy.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported our petition. Now it's up to Rutland County Council to listen to our concerns and make the right decision for the future prosperity of our county.”
