Catmose Sports Rutland County Council, Cabinet meeting 16th April 2024.
Video clip of Councillor Diane Ellison and Councillor Christine Wise
On April 16th, 2024, the council's cabinet convened to discuss leisure services funding.
A key point of public interest was the proposed allocation for the Catmose Sports Gym. Councillor
Councillor Diane Ellison Oakham South Liberal Democrats, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health raised concerns about the gym's necessity, citing various sports reports (though full details of these reports were not provided).
Councillor Diane Ellison Oakham South Liberal Democrats, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health raised concerns about the gym's necessity, citing various sports reports (though full details of these reports were not provided).
Cllr Ellison said: 'Women in particular fail to engage in physical activity there is research that says they don't like going to gym.'
'They don't like being in a environment like that. There are issues of religious restriction.'
She went on to question if sport was good for woman she said 'No, it's brisk walking which is free, it isn't jogging, cycling, dancing, but walking tops the list.'
Cllr Ellison also drew an unclear connection between a report on homophobia in sports and the item about the future funding of Catmose Sports, leading some to interpret the comment as suggesting gyms are inherently homophobic. Cllr Elison is a bit of crap speaker, so it is easy to understand why some people have misunderstood her on this occasion.
I listened to what she said carefully, using my video editing software to convert her said words to text.
She said: 'also support from Sport for England to increase the number of LGBTQ people involved in Sport, it is still homophobic'
Further comments made by Cllr Ellison regarding Catmose Gym have sparked controversy online. Local women have taken to the "Save Catmose Sports" Facebook page to express their disapproval. These comments, which some perceived as suggesting women have no interest in using gyms and would be better of going for a walk, have prompted users to share their positive experiences at Catmose Gym and highlight the importance of diverse fitness options.
Councillor Christine Wise (Uppingham, Liberal Democrats), Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities, delivered a brief address. Her voice cracked with emotion as she spoke against the proposed cuts to the flood officer and climate change officer positions. Councillor Wise referenced a recent public meeting in Rutland regarding flooding, highlighting the promises she made to residents. The implication was clear: eliminating these vital roles would undermine those promises.
The cabinet ultimately voted unanimously to recommend to the full council that funding for two new positions – a flood officer and a climate change officer – be redirected to manage Catmose Sports. This decision effectively nixed the creation of the two proposed officer positions.
The leader of the Council, Councillor Gale Waller, Normanton, Liberal Democrats, put her hand to her heart and said the recommendation is made with a heavy heart.
The next meeting of the full council will be held tomorrow evening.
SPECIAL, Council - Thursday, 18th April, 2024 7.00 pm
Video of Full Rutland County Council Cabinet Meeting Held on the 16th April 2024
