A LABOUR councillor has spoken out against her own party after North Lanarkshire Council announced it would be closing 39 facilities across the local authority.
Jim Logue, the leader of the Labour-run council, admitted that the facilities – which include libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities and community centres – were valued by locals.
However, he defended the decision taken by a committee on Thursday to close them down, claiming that the council could no longer afford to run them.
He said councillors were forced into the “unpalatable decision” by straitened economic circumstances, blaming years of council tax freezes and shrinking funding from central government.
But Ayeshah Khan, the Labour councillor for Motherwell North, condemned her own party’s decision.
READ MORE: North Lanarkshire sports clubs to protest against closures
In a statement posted on Facebook she said her opposition to the plans went “unheard” and vowed to keep fighting for the facilities to remain open.
“Thursday was a sad day for me,” she said.
“The decision made at the committee (which I wasn’t part of) was the wrong decision and up to the point of this decision being made I opposed it, but my voice has went unheard.
“While local people in North Lanarkshire continue to face some of the greatest challenges in terms of health and social inequalities in Scotland, it would be wrong an damaging to close 39 libraries, pools, community and sports centres.
“The detrimental impact on children, young people, the elderly and others who these facilities will affect physical and mental health and wellbeing, which will further exacerbate health inequalities.
READ MORE: Multiple injuries after Flying Scotsman collision at Aviemore
“These closures must be looked at again.
“A period of pausing and full public consultations must take place.
“The voices of ALL residents affected by these closures must be heard. I stand by you, not against you on this and I will keep fighting, I promise!”
It is understood just one Labour councillor on the committee - Heather-Brannan McVey – voted against the proposals.
The rest of the Labour councillors on the committee voted with the Tories and one independent to close the facilities.
Protests by sports clubs against the closures are already planned.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel