Sheffield City Trust chairman pens furious letter over councillors' criticism of Covid response

David Grey, chairman of Sheffield City Trust, which runs venues including Ponds Forge, sent the four-page note to members of Sheffield Council’s economic scrutiny and policy development committee and cabinet members.

It followed meetings in which the decision to give £16.6 million to the Trust to cope with Covid-19 and reopen facilities was discussed.

Councillors criticised its leadership for various things including being on holiday during crucial talks.

In response, Mr Grey sent a letter stating: “It is incredible to me that councillors do not recognise if facilities needed subsidy at a time of economic growth, when buildings were considerably younger and there was less competition from budget gyms why we suddenly do not need it now. Talk of bailouts is not only offensive, it simply does not recognise commercial realities...

"My trustees and I are neither paid nor expensed. We have collectively spent an enormous amount of time dealing with one issue after another.

“To say I was incandescent with rage when I heard the suggestion that I should have cancelled my foreign holiday to attend a scrutiny meeting is an understatement. That meeting was arranged with 10 days’ notice. The same goes for my chief executive. I instructed him to take his holiday as I am well aware of the long hours that he and the senior leadership team have been working...

“Sheffield City Trust has worked tirelessly in an effort to reduce the subsidy required from Sheffield Council for a number of years. Whilst the last 10 years of austerity provided a very difficult environment, with no significant investment available, the annual subsidy requirement has reduced by up to £2m per annum in the last five years.”

Paul Turpin, member of the committee, said it came as a “shock”, he added: “David Grey needs to understand that public subsidy requires public scrutiny.”

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said a public meeting with Mr Grey should be held in response.

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