The fate of up to 40 council-run venues in North Lanarkshire hang in the balance
Councillors are meeting this afternoon to make some tough decisions
Budgets are expected to be top of the agenda later as North Lanarkshire Council meets to discuss all things financial.
Pools, leisure centres and libraries in the area are waiting to hear if their facilities will be closed after cuts are made.
The decision will be taken this afternoon.
Too little, too late
Councillor's will look at the findings of a review ordered earlier this year which is recommending axing up to 40 facilities.
Councillor Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We have been warning for some time that 15 years of insufficient funding to local councils from the Scottish Government will lead to cuts to services that are hugely valued by local people.
“We can see the same pattern repeated in councils the length and breadth of the country, and we are far from alone in making hard decisions about the sustainability of leisure and community facilities.
“In the face of these budget cuts we have done everything possible to protect services.
"But with £64million to save over the next three years, we are now in the realm of making some very unpalatable decisions, decisions that no councillor would wish to take."
The John Smith pool in Airdrie and the Sir Matt Busby centre in Bellshill are among those that are facing closure.
Shotts Leisure Centre is also on the list - it's used by disabled children with the Clyde Valley Beavers.
Andy Milligan is their chairman and said: "We've only four or five pools in the area. If you close two, there is less swim time for these kids.
"A lot of kids will just stop swimming altogether."
Just an excuse
It's being met with anger by the local politicians who say it's the families who will suffer.
SNP councillor, Tracy Carragher said: "No decision should by made by any politician without taking into account the impact this would have on the people who have put their trust in us.
"I call on all members of the Policy and Strategy Committee to listen to the people they represent. The SNP Group is putting together an alternative - closing these facilities is not necessary."
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