The Rutland Liberal Democrat group have appealed to Rutland County Council's Tory-Independent coalition Administration to "reconsider their decision" to close Catmose Sports Centre.

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 2,100 signatures.

Adding their voice to the fray, Rutland Liberal Democrats have released a statement concerning the handling of the closure.

Image courtesy of SLL.

The group stated:

The Liberal Democrat Group on Rutland County Council are astounded at the way this Tory-Independent coalition Administration has conducted itself over their decision to close Catmose Sports Centre (CSC). 906 paying members and far more paying guests and various sports' clubs are now set to lose a superb local facility.

This is another example of what we as Lib Dem Councillors have been repeatedly told by our electors; that they are fed up with decisions made behind closed doors. 

This Council has trumpeted their aim of transparency in government, yet this decision (as have others) has been made in a "closed session" of Cabinet (the group of 6 Conservative and Independent councillors who form Rutland's administration).  

Further, ongoing discussions on CSC have been led by a project board which neither meets in public nor provides public minutes. This project board includes one Independent and one Conservative councillor.  

Rutland County Council's press release on the closure of CSC seeks to imply that cabinet had the approval of the cross-party Scrutiny Committee (a committee of the Council that helps develop policy and challenges the administration's policies). This is far from the truth. At a meeting in December the Scrutiny Committee made it clear that their preferred option was that CSC remain open for 2 years to enable all options for long term provision to be explored. Instead Cabinet chose the most convenient nuclear option; to close the centre.

As Liberal Democrats we appeal to this Administration to reconsider their decision. They can do this if 3 of the Cabinet members present a motion to reconsider. 

Come on, listen to your public!

Independent Cllr Alan Walters has also 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 here.

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

Alternatively, get in touch by emailing [email protected].