CONCERNS over a lack of consultation on which Glasgow Life venues will reopen in the coming months has sparked a row between councillors.

Opening dates were planned for 61 buildings over four phases between July and October.

Charity Glasgow Life, which runs cultural and sporting activities for Glasgow City Council, has 171 venues across the city.

Fears for the future of some facilities, which have not been included in the initial schedule, have been voiced by visitors and councillors.

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During a full council meeting, Tory councillor Robert Connelly asked Glasgow Life chairman, and depute council leader, David McDonald why councillors were not consulted about the reopening of facilities

Mr McDonald said: “We are not operating in a business as usual environment.

“From Cllr Connelly’s question and going by his frankly disrespectful attitude over the last few days on social media, it strikes me that he hasn’t really read the three page letter, or supporting documents, that were sent to all councillors.

“They detailed the process Glasgow Life would be taking to combat the impacts of a global health pandemic.

“If he had read that letter then he would surely have recognised the unprecedented challenges that we face.”

The chairman said Glasgow Life had lost £12m of income since March and is forecasting losses of up to £38m for the financial year.

He added there are currently 500 staff members able to work, with nearly 1000 on furlough, another 1300 unable to work due to the nature of their job and around 600 workers who are either shielding or have underlying health conditions.

“If Cllr Connelly would like to identify which members of staff, he would like to be removed from their vital posts in order to host consultation sessions, then I’d be delighted to hear from him.”

In response, Mr Connelly said: “I think it is clear that Cllr McDonald hasn’t read the email that I sent him four weeks ago.

“He certainly hasn’t answered it, where I ask him legitimate questions about Glasgow Life.”

He added: “I will not be silenced. My question is: How was it decided which facilities are in the schedule to October and which are not?”

Mr McDonald said: “After nearly three years in the council, I would have hoped that Cllr Connelly would have understood how operational decisions are taken.

“If he would like me to explain that to him, I would be happy to do so.”

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He said Glasgow Life is an independent organisation, with a board “who are legally responsible for the operational viability of Glasgow Life going forward”.

“I can assure him all board members receive weekly briefings and are fully updated on all the developments and actions that are taken.”

Another Tory councillor Kyle Thornton asked Lord Provost Philip Braat whether Mr McDonald’s “behaviour was in order”.

He said the depute leader had acted “in a very inappropriate manner”.

The Lord Provost said: “It is not appropriate for any member to make any comment of a personal nature to anyone.

“Can I ask that we cease this immediately? I will not tolerate it going forward from anyone.”

Mr McDonald added: “Perhaps if we are talking about conduct, then we may also which to consider the conduct of elected members online which leads to direct threats of violence to others.”