Community facilities to stay open

Monklands campaigners battling to save local facilities saw their efforts pay off as £ 1.1 million of cuts to North Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture NL were rejected.

It means Chapelhall senior citizens’ centre will remain, along with centres in Caldercruix and Old Monkland, Kirkwood sports barn and current opening hours at John Smith pool.

Kilbowie outdoor centre – which hosts Primary Seven pupils for a week of adventurous activities – is also being retained, with a further report to go before councillors later this year.

Council leader Jim Logue said: “Usage of these community centres is very low. If we keep those which aren’t utilised, it drains the budget [and] other areas are adversely affected.

“Kilbowie generated a lot of opposition; it gives a good experience but we’re the only authority with an outdoor centre outwith our boundary, and the challenge is to reflect on that.

“There are concerns [on] the customer numbers at the leisure centres; usage has to increase.”

Airdrie South councillor Michael Coyle, who led a public meeting against the loss of the Chapelhall centre, said: “I welcome all parties proposing to retain these.”

Councillors also rejected suggestions for car parking charges, new costs for school meals or special uplifts, or to end fireworks, festive lights and golden wedding celebrations.