Ellie Ames 02 October 2023

Council to shut 39 facilities

Council to shut 39 facilities image
Image: Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock.com

North Lanarkshire Council has decided to close 39 community facilities in response to its financial shortfall.

The Scottish council is facing a £64m funding gap over the next three years and said it could not afford to sustainably maintain the facilities.

Facilities including swimming pools, sports centres and libraries will be closed after a review of their usage, condition and maintenance costs.

North Lanarkshire said some facilities had an average weekly usage of fewer than 10 hours.

During a two-year phased closure the authority will engage with facility users to identify possible alternative venues, it has said, while admitting this would take time.

The council said it would consult with employees and trade unions where jobs would be affected and anticipated that facilities could close without the need for compulsory redundancies.

A spokesperson said: ‘Although the council is continuing with a hugely ambitious investment programme, which will see some facilities replaced in new hubs, the reality is that we need to meet the needs of people across North Lanarkshire in a way that sees services delivered through an overall reduced estate.’

North Lanarkshire’s policy and strategy committee voted to axe the facilities on 28 September.

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