Protestors to gather outside council headquarters in Hamilton to stop library and hall closures

The futures of 37 facilities including Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre in Hamilton and the Tileworks pitches in Stonehouse are under threat.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 18th Feb 2024

Protestors are going to be outside South Lanarkshire Council's headquarters in Hamilton this afternoon over proposals to close 37 libraries, halls and community facilities.

Hillhouse, Blantyre, Bothwell and Forth libraries are being included in a "review of leisure and culture provision" as well as the Tileworks Park pitches in Stonehouse.

Harry Scott from the GMB union told Clyde 1: "There will be greenkeepers, bin men, road workers, school cooks, school cleaners out to fight for these essential services.

"It feels like there are cuts and savings being made every single year - it's terrifying.

"Morale amongst council workers is at an all time low."

The local authority is meeting on Wednesday to agree its spending plans for the next 12 months and leader Joe Fagan is warning there are tough choices to make.

He previously told Clyde 1: "We are facing a funding crisis and the money we are getting just isn't keeping pace with costs.

"We deserve better and if we don't get better then there will be very profound consequences for the local community."

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