By Democrat reporter
Council “cuts to the bone” risk “switching off the lights” at community centres and libraries forever, Scottish Labour has warned after it emerged that two-thirds of organisations managing them are mulling over sell offs.
Community halls and libraries were the most likely to be closed, according to a new report, with around a third of councils and arms-length organisations used to manage these services (ALEOs) already closing 32 such facilities since the pre-pandemic period.
One of these was Balloch Library, which the then Labour administration of West Dunbartonshire Council determinedly went ahead with despite demonstrations including children and old people and a petition against the move signed by 1500 people.
Demonstrations against closure were ignored by the then basket case Labour-controlled West Dunbartonshire Council, whose members have now quit in a huff because they did not get the Provost they wanted to replace Douglas McAllister who is now the local Labour MP.
According to Labour MSPs, more closures are looming, with one council planning to shut seven libraries alone.
Overall, local government investment in culture, sport and leisure services slumped by at least 20 percent in real terms between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with net revenue expenditure on culture falling by as much as 33 percent in real terms.
Future services at risk include libraries, music tuition, events and festivals, arts development, outdoor sports facilities, community sports programmes and sport events, according to a new review of culture and leisure services.
Neil Bibby, left, Scottish Labour’s Culture spokesperson, said: “Over the past 17 years, this centralised SNP government has cut council funding to the bone, and community centres are dying as a result.
“Libraries and community halls are the beating heart of local communities and a lifeline for families but in many the lights are being switched off.
“The SNP must act now or dozens more vibrant cultural venues will be extinguished forever.
“Scottish Labour will ensure that all communities have access to culture, wherever they live in Scotland.”
Facility closures so far
|
Service
|
No. of Councils/ALEOs*
|
Total number**
|
|
Libraries
|
3
|
7
|
|
Community halls
|
6
|
25
|
|
Sports facilities (outdoor)
|
2
|
3**
|
|
Cultural venues
|
1
|
1
|
|
Museums/galleries
|
2
|
1**
|
|
Heritage sites
|
0
|
0
|
|
Sports centres (indoor)
|
2
|
4
|
|
Swimming pools
|
1
|
**
|
* Arm’s length external organisation used by councils to deliver services
** Denotes where some or all respondents did not specify the total number of facilities.
Top of page picture: Alexandria Library in Gilmour Street has survived the cuts so far.