Rutland County Councillor, Alan Walters, has spoken out about the handling of the closure of Catmose Sports Centre by Rutland County Council, dubbing it 'indefensible'.

On 26 January 2023, Rutland County Council announced that "sadly, the Council has been unable to find an operator who can run Catmose Sports Centre at zero cost", meaning that the centre will close to the public on 31 March 2023. 

Since the announcement, there has been an outpouring of support for the centre from local people, including a petition which has now surpassed 2,000 signatures..

You can sign the petition here. 

A Facebook page, Save Catmose Sports Centre, has also been set up and has well over 1000 members.

Following such support, Rutland County Council have announced that they will host a meeting concerning the closure on Monday 6 February from 7pm at the Council Chambers, Catmos Street.

However, Rutland County Council Leaders and Conservative Councillor, Lucy Stephenson, has said: "While the cabinet will not be reversing this decision, we want residents to have the chance to ask questions and hear directly from us as to why it has been taken and how we move forwards, together."

However, Independent Cllr Alan Walters has condemned the handling of the decision to close the centre.

Cllr Walters said: "Regardless of the merits or otherwise of the decision, the appalling way in which this has been mishandled is indefensible. Cabinet as a collective is now displaying a belligerence beyond belief. The people of Rutland deserve and expect better.

"I call on the leader of the council Cllr Stephenson and the portfolio holder Cllr Oxley to apologise for the distress they have caused and to resign from office. Let their places be taken by community leaders rather than community breakers. Cllr Alan Walters (ind) Cllr for Oakham North East."

Read more about the closure, and hear from local residents who have condemned the 'utterly disgraceful' decision.