Liberal Democrat Councillors Paul Browne, Ray Payne and Joanna Burrows saw their busiest surgery to date on Saturday following the announcement by Rutland County Council that Catmose Sports Centre will be closing at the end of March 2023.

The trio host a monthly surgery on the first Saturday of the month, where residents can pop by, share their thoughts and concerns with the councillors, and stay in touch with the Lib Dem team.

This meeting takes place at The Brook Whipper-In Hotel, Market Place, Oakham, LE15 6DT - a venue currently seeing some updates and renovations.

This weekend, Saturday 4 February, the councillors saw more visitors to the surgery than ever, many prompted by the closure of Catmose Sports Centre.

Cllr Ray Payne said: "We had the busiest Oakham South surgery to date on Saturday. It was dominated by the concerns of local residents over the proposed closure of Catmose Sports Centre. We were all very impressed by the commitment of those who came to see us and to ask our advice on the subject of the closure, they had a very impressive body of research to call on, far better than anything we had and we thought that we were well prepared!

"It was clear to us that the public opposition to the closure is well organised and professional in its outlook, mind you we should not be surprised given the high number of professionals who live in Rutland and who use the Catmose Sports Centre.

Cllr Payne also confirmed that he and his Lib Dem colleagues will be outside the Council offices today while the meeting take place, since "opposition Councillors are not eligible to attend".

Cllr Payne reminded residents that the team "now hold the Oakham South surgery on the first Saturday of the month, this was in response to requests from the public who felt that a Saturday would make it easier for them to attend."

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