Rutland residents have written in to Oakham Nub News to condemn the recent Council decision to close Catmose Sports Centre to the general public following their "failure find an operator who can run Catmose Sports Centre at zero cost".

On 26 January 2023, Rutland County Council (RCC) 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.

While the Council received multiple bids to run the centre, which hosts over 900 members, as well as local clubs and groups, they could not secure an arrangement with any suppliers who could promise the run the centre at zero cost.

This follows a decision by RCC to increase Council Tax, once again, by 4.99%, the maximum increase allowed. Read more here.

This increase, coinciding with the closure of the popular local leisure centre, has encouraged residents to question where their money is going.

Local woman, Helen Sackey-Addo, said: "Having moved to Oakham a year ago from Windsor, where incidentally council tax is more than a hundred pounds cheaper per month - yes really! - it was a shock to find the local pool closed. Money being the issue as usual. So, the utterly disgraceful decision to close Catmose leisure centre to the public is scandalous.

"Where is the local council's responsibility to the health and wellbeing of the local community both young and old? Why is there not a plan in place to replace the facility if we can no longer access it? What exactly are the local council spending the extortionate council tax coffers on? Personally I would like a pool and a leisure centre, quite basic amenities really. 

"As new folk to the area, it's disappointing to see there are very few facilities for children in the area. The ageing population here is huge I understand that but there are now a great number of families in the area. We need services and access to community leisure facilities including a community swimming pool. The skateboard park was written off, so what exactly will they consider acceptable for the younger generations here?"

The skatepark at Cutts Close cannot be altered due to planning permissions, and a recent application to build a skatepark at Centenary Fields was rejected by Oakham Town Council in December 2022.

Ms Sackey-Addo added: "Say no, but give alternatives please, it's not fair to hard working families paying into the community piggy bank that have literally nothing to use other than some play parks and fields. I do understand it must be hard to balance the books and there are many areas which need resourcing but it feels like the younger generation here are being shamefully neglected. 

"Not to leave our lovely older Oakham residents out, I see some of them every time I use the gym facilities so it will be a massive loss to them as well. One of the things I love about Oakham is its compact size. If you needed to, you can walk pretty much walk everywhere or it's a very short car journey, this helps the older generation keep their independence. Gym access helps them keep the body and mind healthy and of course socialise to help ward off loneliness. I'm sure many of the older gym users are very upset about this awful news as well."

This "awful news" comes as a joint bid from Rutland and Melton Councils secures the injection of £23 million into the local area. This Levelling Up Fund covers 3 key themes:

1. Food Innovation
2. Health innovation
3. Sustainable Travel

However, this 'health innovation' will not cover health facilities such as Catmose Sports Centre, but will go towards developing a 'National Centre of Medical-Tech Excellence'. Read more here.

MP Alicia Kearns (left), Minister Lee Rowley (centre), and Cllr Lucy Stephenson (second right) welcoming in the Levelling Up Fund announcment at Rutland County Museum.

We asked Councillor Lucy Stephenson about the provision of local leisure facilities. Cllr Stephenson said: "A really good question and I think you capture what a lot of people will be asking. The criteria for this Levelling Up Funding was all around economic prosperity and development. Leisure was not part of that, so we wouldn't have been successful in our bid if we had included that."

"I am passionate about thinking about the residents first, so leisure and tourism is in our Rutland Future Vision and corporate strategy."

While this medical hub, as well as further improvements being made with the Levelling Up funds, will be a welcome addition, particularly with the building of many new homes in recent years, residents are voicing their concerns about the lack of local amenities to help maintain and support health and wellbeing to help prevent the need for medical intervention down the line.

Ms Sackey-Addo concluded: "RCC keep giving planning permission for more and more housing but then nothing is done to reflect that rise in population or changing demographic when considering local infrastructure. It's completely unacceptable and short sighted. 

"Rutland as a county is stunning. Oakham is a friendly, clean, safe and welcoming town and we are so happy to have found it and settle here for the long term. Incidentally, I have absolutely no problem paying the better part of £3000 a year in council tax but you do expect there to be a basic level of local services, a leisure centre being a very basic one in my opinion. So personally I'd like them to have a re think about the quite frankly bizarre business model they use for the running of the leisure centre and attempt to come up with an alternative. Hearing "not viable" all the time is becoming tedious and quite frankly insulting to my bank balance." 

In April 2022, it was revealed once again that Rutland's Council Tax is the highest in the country, with Band D properties paying over £2,300.

These costs are set to increase by 4.99%, the maximum amount permitted, in the 2023/24 Annual Budget. Read more here.

Council Tax is calculated at:

A: £1,537.58

B: £1,793.85

C: £2,050.11

D: £2,306.37

E: £2,818.89

F: £3,331.43

G: £3,843.95

H: £4,612.74

Rutland Water plays host to running, sailing and swimming events when the weather and water conditions permit.

Meanwhile, John Fowler added to the apparent discrepancy between the high Council Tax and diminishing amenities, saying: "Rutland has the highest council tax in the country - 17% above the National Average.

"Rutland has no public swimming pool, no cinema, no theatre, and now Catmose Leisure centre is to close. To access any of these amenities, you have to travel outside the county. 

"However, the council protects its tips against any non residents even if the live just over the county border."

Jason Tennant added that the removal of the centre "will have a heavy impact on some in the community especially the elderly in the community that relied on the centre as there hub for social interaction and exercise   

He continued: "As someone who workouts a lot and supports others I can't see the sense in this there will only be a backlash . It's another example of councils under a Conservative government making choices for themselves and not for the community. 

"This will not only take away but impact a community heavily in many ways..."

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