This evening, Monday 6 February 2023, Rutland County Council hosted a meeting with 70 members of the general public regarding the closure of Catmose Sports Centre.

Rutland County Council announced on 26 January 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. 

Read more here.

Tonight, the Council hosted a meeting to discuss the concerns of the residents that have been voiced in the weeks following the closure announcement.

Alongside members of the public in attendance was Oakham's Mayor, Sally-Anne Wadsworth, business owners who run clubs at the sports centre, and members of the leisure centre.

On the panel were:

• Council Leader, Lucy Stephenson
• Cllr Karen Payne
• Cllr Rosemary Powell
• Cllr Marc Oxley
• Cllr David Wilby
• Cllr Samantha Harvey

A number of Councillors were not permitted to attend as they were non-cabinet councillors and the panel deemed that they would be taking up public seats.

Outside the meeting, councillors in attendance included Lib Dem and Independent Councillors Ray Payne, Joanna Burrows, Nick Begy, and Alan Walters.

Lucy Stephenson introduced the meeting, highlighting that the council made this decision out of the public eye due to the financial restrictions and caveats surrounding the discussion. She added that it was not up to the council to "prop up local leisure facilities with public money."

Cllr Oxley said: "The contract with SLL was always intended to be zero cost, but that did not mean that we provided no financial support - far from it.

"We provided more than £300,000 in support payments, and will pay up to £100,000 this year."

Transport was also brought up, with Cllr Powell explaining that the Levelling Up Fund finances were allocated elsewhere and so could not be sunk into supporting a leisure facility. Because the application for the fund was submitted in 2022, the need for transport was a key factor in submitting the bid. Rutland Council won that bid based on 'need' and, Cllr Powell, added "transport is a need in rural areas."

She added "this is a one-off fund and we need to be spending it wisely", about both the Levelling Up Fund and the income from recent housing developments.

Cllr Oxley then addressed the procurement process in which the council spent three months searching for a new supplier to take over the contract to run the gym. He explained that 16 companies registered interest, 7 participated, and 1 application was received that was "non-compliant".

He also confirmed that over £100,000 was spent on procurement.

Next, Cllr Harvey highlighted the interest that the council takes in healthcare, including a range of activities in schools, the annual walking and cycling festival, substance abuse awareness, and sexual health provisions.

Cllr Stephenson confirmed that the council would not consider funding a gym, but would support the use of existing spaces to run clubs and classes. She also recommended Oakham Leisure Club.

Image credit: Nub News

The first question from the public concerned the consultation of the members and casual gym users: "Why was it not put to us that, to keep this facility running, costs may have to increase?"

Cllr Stephenson confirmed that this was the responsibility of Stevenage Leisure Limited and did not come under the council remit. She added that the Future Rutland feedback indicated a satisfaction with the leisure facilities.

Another member of the public, who was met with applause, said that the survey was taken "before the decision to close Catmose was made. I certainly would not have said that I was satisfied with facilities if I knew that the centre would close."

Once again met with applause, another member of the public added: "You said it was a luxury to have a sports facility, but I consider it a basic need." She also asked: "Is there a reason that this decision cannot be reversed?

"I think that you won't do it because of ego.

"You said that you have spent £400,000 over ten years. Why not extend the contract for two more years [...]?"

Cllr Stephenson replied: "because you would be sat here this time next year."

The same member questioned why the council spent over £400,000 per year on provisions at Rutland County Museum, but could not foot the £400,000 cost of supporting Catmose Sports Centre over more than a decade.

Cllr Karen Payne explained that costs had to be cut somewhere.

Members of the public also brought up the loss of childcare facilities, a mother of two explaining that using Catmose Sport Centre's Wild Camp cost her only £27.50 per day per child, and one of the alternatives recommended by Rutland County Council would be costing £200 per day for both children, and would see her driving as far as Edith Weston.

She asked: "Can you promise that provision will be put in place before Easter?"

Cllr Wilby could not promise that provisions would be arranged by Easter. As a result, multiple members of the public questioned the organisation of this decision, suggesting that the council had not considered the implications or discussed the result with members who used the gym not only fir fitness purposes, but for childcare and children's groups and classes.

One individual added: "There is huge value in physical activity, but Catmose is also a place where people make friends and where they join together. Talk to us now."

This directed the discussion towards the cost of mental and physical health.

A member of Catmose Sports Centre added: "Did you know that isolation is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day?

"When mental health services are stretched, [...] when people die, what will you do?"

Another added: "You are closing a centre that offers so much to many."

Cllr Harvey responded: "We didn't set out to not procure a partner."

The meeting went on to consider costs associated, for the council, with having the building empty.

Members of the public would not go forward with the meeting until the question was answered: "Is it going to cost Rutland County Council if the building stands empty?"

Cllr Oxley responded: "The building will not be standing empty."

Following further pushing from the public, the council admitted that they did not know how much the building would cost to run going forwards.

A meeting attendee added: "Having this building empty will be hideous to the community."

Cllr Lucy Stephenson concluded: "Moving forward, there is clearly a need for Oakham residents to work together. [...] You have an Oakham Town Council, Oakham Town Partnership, County Councillors representing you."

"But us and the school are very aware of the time sensitivities. It would be inappropriate for me to put hard deadlines in place" in terms of promising that facilities will be put in place by 1 April 2023.

View the full meeting recording, courtesy of Martin Brookes below:

Mr Brookes, local blogger, photographer and videographer, added: "I was shocked by Rutland County Council's apparent lack of knowledge of anything that happens at Catmose Sports. It is clearly providing a wonderful community service."