GLASGOW councillors had to wait six months to get a reply from the Scottish Government over calls for more money to help reopen community venues.

The city council passed a motion in December which urged the government to improve funding to Glasgow Life – the arms-length body running sports, arts and culture facilities in Glasgow.

A letter was sent to finance secretary Kate Forbes on December 16, but a response wasn’t received until earlier this month – June 8.

Opposition councillors say the delay is “deeply disappointing”.

They also feel the letter did not “sufficiently address” the issue and are unhappy it was sent by a government official, not a Scottish minister.

A new motion has been passed asking for a “further, timely, and relevant response”.

SNP members backed the motion but argued there are constant talks between the council and the Scottish Government.

Glasgow Life’s income was wiped out by Covid-19 restrictions. A £100m guarantee from the council has allowed 90 venues to reopen, but many more remain closed, including libraries and community centres.

Green councillor Jon Molyneux, who brought forward the motion, said: “This is about the council taking a stand for what seemed disrespectful even if that wasn’t the intent.

“I don’t think this council should have to wait six months for a response from any government, even in a pandemic.

“Nor do I think we should be content with the content of the response, which doesn’t engage with the specific issues faced in Glasgow.

“I think we all agree there is a strong case for a new funding model and for greater national funding of Glasgow’s cultural assets.”

Labour’s Archie Graham added: “It is deeply disappointing the finance minister hasn’t had the courtesy or the manners to respond to this council.

“That is bordering on contemptuous. It’s indicative of the way that this city, and this council, is treated by the Scottish Government and has been for over a decade now.”

The response did apologise for the delay, adding the government has received “an unprecedented amount of correspondence during the pandemic”.

“The Scottish Government has already taken exceptional measures in every area of government to deal with the challenges of Covid-19 and that is particularly clear in the support for local services,” the letter added.

SNP councillor Ricky Bell, the city treasurer, said: “Of course, we would want a ministerial response but I would remind colleagues that we are in the middle of a pandemic.

“We also have had a Scottish Parliament election, where the SNP government has been returned to power with an increased share of the vote.”

He added: “The way to get the Scottish Government to respond is not by hitting it with a big stick.

“The way to get a response is through negotiation and discussions. I can assure colleagues that we are in constant discussions.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said “Ministers recognise how difficult it has been throughout the pandemic for local authorities like Glasgow City Council, who are the guardians of the city’s cultural and community assets.

“We take seriously the council’s concerns; the value of the overall Covid-19 support package for councils now totals more than £1.5billion.

“The Scottish Government has received an unprecedented amount of correspondence during the pandemic and has apologised for the time it has taken to respond to the motion on the reopening of the Glasgow Life venues.

“We recognise the huge importance of the role Glasgow Life performs and we are doing everything we can to ensure this vital work continues as soon as the pandemic allows.”