LABOUR councillors in North Lanarkshire have been warned they would be “betraying” the public ahead of a crunch vote if they choose to close local facilities which they previously committed to keeping open.
Councillors will vote on Thursday on whether they should close eight community facilities, including a mobile library, despite local authority’s leader Jim Logue’s previous commitment to keeping them open.
Cllr Logue U-turned on the decision to close 39 facilities in September last year following an intervention from Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar.
At the time the reversal of the decision was seen as a huge win for local campaigners and the area's communities.
Some of the amenities proposed for closure include the Iain Nicholson Centre, Rochsoles Community Centre and Birkenshaw Sports Barn along with a mobile library service.
The SNP have said ahead of the meeting on Thursday that they will stand by their commitments and oppose the decision to close the community assets.
The SNP Group Leader, Councillor Tracy Carragher, will propose an amendment to save the facilities as she said it is “astounding” that Labour councillors would “betray the public in such a brazen manner”.
She said: “The SNP heard the communities fighting for these facilities loud and clear the first time round and will continue to stand up for the people we represent.
“It is astounding that Cllr Logue and his group would betray the public in such a brazen manner – and so soon after his previous promise. It was made very clear that these community facilities are cherished by their communities and this has not changed. This is just yet another example of the Labour party not listening to the electorate who put them there.
“Perhaps Anas Sarwar isn't paying attention to Cllr Logue’s dreadful decisions this time and keeping him in line as he is too busy trying to deal with Starmer's betrayal to the people of Scotland.”
Last year the Labour-run local authority had wanted to close the 39 local facilities including swimming pools, libraries and community halls, to save £4.7 million a year as it aimed to plug a budget shortfall of £64m over three years.
At the time the council reportedly said its finances remained “dire” after the U-turn on the decision.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “A report on the Active & Creative Communities Review – Updated Position will be considered by elected members at a meeting of the full council on Thursday 19 December.”
Labour declined to comment.
