Community centres and leisure facilities in deprived areas should be given priority funding to get them re-opened after the coronavirus crisis a Glasgow MSP has said.
Bob Doris, SNP Maryhill and Springburn MSP, mentioned a number of facilities in the north of Glasgow that need support and asked what the Scottish Government was doing to address cash problems
He was told by Finance Minister, Ben Macpherson, that there was an expected budget shortfall for council run facilities well in excess of £100m across Scotland due to loss of income during the lockdown.
Mr Doris highlighted closures in Glasgow.
Glasgow Life has previously warned the future of services is uncertain as it is moving to a phased re-opening after furloughing 1000 staff and losing income form charges for the first quarter of 2020/21
Mr Doris said: “Glasgow Life’s clear financial challenges are a key driver in the delay in reopening much of its sport and community estate.
“I was pleased that the First Minister confirmed to me that the Scottish Government is working with COSLA to see how the Scottish Government can support councils in that area.
“During those discussions, can there be an examination of how any financial support or partnership financial package will focus on reopening facilities in deprived areas and communities, such as my constituency’s Petershill complex, John Paul academy and Maryhill community centre?”
Mr Macpherson said: “We are aware of the impacts of Covid-19 on local authority culture and leisure services.
“We recognise the importance of leisure provision and that communities, as in the places that Bob Doris mentioned in his constituency, will need access to those services as we recover from the pandemic—especially those communities that have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.”
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