New consultation to be held after library and pool closures across Aberdeen
Legal action on their closures has been paused
Fresh consultation is set to be held over the closures of six Aberdeen libraries and the Bucksburn Swimming Pool earlier this year.
Aberdeen City Council announced their closures at the start of March as part of nearly £50m of cuts.
The Save Aberdeen Libraries and Save Bucksburn Swimming Pool campaigns then took legal advice, before lodging a legal challenge with the Court of Session in May.
Cornhill, Cults, Ferryhill, Garthdee, Northfield and Woodside libraries have all been closed since March.
'This is our chance to make a difference'
Hayden Lorimer, from Save Aberdeen Libraries, said: "We welcome Aberdeen City Council’s decision to do the right thing and hold a formal consultation on the closures.
"It’s a shame it took legal action to hold the council to account but our protests have finally been heard, vindicating our campaign against the closure of the six libraries and Bucksburn Swimming Pool.
"The decision constitutes a reprieve for the services we have been fighting for. We thank the public for their continued support and now urge them to respond just as actively and vocally as before and engage with the council’s consultation process. We were silenced by administration councillors several times throughout the campaign but this is everyone’s chance to finally be heard.
Kirsty Fraser, from the Save Bucksburn Swimming Pool campaign, said: "I hope this is a positive step in the right direction towards reopening these vital facilities.
"It will be very difficult for Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen to justify sticking to the decision to close them when considering the public consultation responses and the equality impact assessments, as the impact to our communities are vast and profound.
"It is vital for members of the public to engage in these processes and let the council know what the closures mean to them. This is our chance to make a difference."
Authority respond
In a short response, Aberdeen City Council said: "Aberdeen City Council acknowledges the outcome of discussions with the Petitioners and will assess the implications.
"A report on the subject is due to Full Council in December."