Row over schedule for opening city venues
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 have been voiced by visitors and councillors.
Tory councillor Robert Connelly asked Glasgow Life chairman, and depute council leader, David McDonald why councillors were not consulted about the reopening of facilities
The chairman said Glasgow Life had lost £12million 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.”
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.”