List of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture venues at risk of withdrawal revealed
Multiple libraries and community hall's could be axed in a bid to save money
Multiple libraries and community centres could be axed by South Lanarkshire Council at a meeting later this month.
A list of venues which the region's leisure trust may withdraw from in a bid to save cash was revealed over the weekend.
It is the third phase of a consultation by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture to understand which amenities are prioritised within the community, before making "extraordinarily difficult" decisions to bridge a £1.5 million shortfall.
An online survey has been launched, which will remain open until 15 February 2024.
Among those venues at risk of withdrawal is Bothwell Library - a project which had seen the hub reopened only just last year.
Chair of Future Bothwell, Kevin Moore, told Clyde 1 News he will be working collaboratively with the leisure trust to find a solution - but seeing the library's name appear was disappointing.
He said: "We're disappointed, not for us, we're disappointed for the young people and the young families who see it as important for the literacy of their children to come along to things like Bookbug and other activities we hold in there for them.
"Disappointed for the schools because they were starting to use it quite regularly.
"We're really disappointed for our older people - they see that as a focal point in their life to be able to go along there once or twice a week.
"We always leave the area outside the library open, and we leave the tea and coffee on and there are biscuits, for the older people and younger people who want to mix and get a bit of support round about them."
'Extraordinarily difficult decisions'
Kevin said he recognises that the financial pressures on councils across Scotland do leave them in a difficult position.
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: “Unprecedented budget pressures mean some extraordinarily difficult decisions are having to be made across public services.
"This includes South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, which, as well as our existing financial gap, is facing a potential £1.5 million reduction in the income we receive from its biggest funder South Lanarkshire Council, which itself is having to save more than £20m this year.
“Through two public consultations we have asked local people to help us prioritise the services we provide.
"These have helped us consider the potential withdrawal of our service from some facilities as a possible saving.
"Affected staff have been informed of this and all potential savings will now be subject to further public consultation.
“The final decision will be taken by the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture after South Lanarkshire Council’s budget meeting on 21 February where a decision on the £1.5 million reduction in South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture’s management fee will be taken.
“If the withdrawal of SLLC is agreed, we will work together to assist the community in finding ways in which it can continue to operate the services.”