Fallout continues over North Lanarkshire facility closures

dailyrecord.co.uk:

More than 21,000 North Lanarkshire residents have now signed a raft of online petitions protesting against the closure of 39 leisure centres, libraries and community spaces – including landmark spaces such as the John Smith pool, Aquatec, Shotts leisure centre and Sir Matt Busby complex.A public protest is now being planned for this Thursday afternoon outside the authority’s Civic Centre headquarters as members arrive for the latest quarterly full council assembly; while one party group is calling for an emergency meeting on the issue.Opposition politicians have vowed to campaign to save the five swimming pools, seven leisure facilities, seven libraries and 20 community centres; but council leader Jim Logue says there has been “collective amnesia” over an agreement for cuts being made in this year’s budget and says he warned MSPs of the likelihood of services being ceased.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The host of facilities will close over the next two years following two knife-edge votes at last week’s policy and strategy committee meeting, after a seven-month review considering each venue’s usage.

building condition and suitability.Both the SNP and Progressive Change North Lanarkshire groups opposed the closures and called for the decision to be delayed for public consultation and to be