Four libraries in West Lothian could be closed as part of drastic cost-saving measures which could also see swimming pools and community centres under threat.
A review of all facilities is underway, and with officers warning that some of the council’s assets will need to go to meet budget demands the message to councillors - after 15 years and £150m of cuts to council services, nothing is off the table.
Papers on some of the potential property closures went before a special meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP on Thursday.
It listed four standalone libraries which could be closed if councillors make the decision in late February.
Standout among these buildings is the elegant Edwardian West Calder facility. Others suggested include Craig Inn, Almondbank and Pumpherston. Footfall in all of these libraries is down.
Council officers stressed at the PDSP that any closures would be at least two years away and dependent on decisions made by councillors.
Julie Whitelaw, Interim Head of Housing, Customer and Building Services told the meeting of the council’s Corporate Policy and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel: “There will be no reduction in book stock and therefore the focus on stock would be greater in the fewer locations. The footfall across these libraries has significantly reduced since Covid, but was also reducing before Covid.”
Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick cautioned: “Can I remind people again that these are officer proposals, no decision has been made.”
A review of energy use across the council was launched in the Autumn as gas and electricity prices began to soar.
And Swimming pools - huge users of energy - are inevitably under the microscope as council officers study usage. Head of Finance Donald Forrest told the meeting he had never seen such extreme increases in energy costs in his 30 year career.
Mr Forrest said the number of swimming pools - 18 in West Lothian - is the highest per head of population in the United Kingdom. Neighbouring Falkirk has six and Edinburgh has 11.
He added: “At this stage there are no specific proposals relating to swimming pools. That would be after the conclusion of the full review which takes place throughout 2023.”
A far reaching mapping exercise of community centre use across the county is also underway. It is understood the council will look to transfer community control of these assets - recognising the real community value is in the groups which use the buildings.
Also under review are the number of council administrative buildings, though not Partnership buildings.
Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan said: “This report makes some very stark reading for all of us.”
West Lothian Council now faces a budget gap of £47.1 million between 2023 and 2028. The budget gap is caused by increasing costs and a rising population, combined with insufficient levels of government grant funding.
The council workforce numbers around 7,000. There are no compulsory redundancies, in line with long-standing council policy, and cuts are more likely to come from not filling vacancies and not replacing staff who leave or retire.
COSLA - the umbrella body for all Scottish councils requested £1 billion extra funding for Scottish councils to avoid massive cuts. The figure provided by the Scottish Government for core local services is £38 million and COSLA has since warned that all councils are left at real financial risk for the coming year, and it will be the people of Scotland and our communities who suffer as a result.
Graham Hope, West Lothian Council’s Chief Executive said: “We have been very open and clear with local residents and partner organisations that there is little doubt that local services will have to change in the face of such stark reductions in our budget.
“Whilst we still have a significant budget to deliver key services, there will be significantly less money to spend on local services, initiatives and programmes. It is simply not possible to continue all existing services with the budget we will have available to us.
“Nobody wants to have to make reductions to local services but, by law, the council must set a balanced budget. We are faced with reducing some services so that the council is financially sustainable in the years ahead.
“In preparation for the challenges ahead, we are working with our communities and partners in shaping the future of local services in West Lothian. We are very grateful for the feedback we have received to date and I’d like to thank all those that have taken the time to take part in the consultation to date.”
Labour Councillor Tom Conn suggested that the stark financial situation was perhaps a sign that the current system of tax valuation needed to be updated.
He said: “I would draw members attention to page 17 [of the report] where some respondents feel the council tax and bandings are no longer fit for purpose and should be replaced. This is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.
“I think it’s pertinent just to remind members that on the first of April it will be 30 years since the council tax came in, based on values of 1991. Surely the system of financing taxation should be a more modern and updated system. That’s perhaps why the Scottish Government is retaining it because it benefits them rather than the communities which taxation is supposed to serve."
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