LABOUR COUNCIL AXES CUTS PLAN

A LABOUR council has scrapped plans for the mass closure of sports and leisure facilities after a backlash.

- PAUL HUTCHEON

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue is now facing a motion of no confidence as a result of the debacle.

The council planned to shut 39 pools, sports centres, libraries and other community services to plug a budget shortfall.

The proposals came out days before the Rutherglen and Hamilton West byelection. Local people were furious about the closures Form and 18 senior Labour figures protested to Logue, who performed a U-turn.

He said: "We have taken the decision to protect these important community assets, despite a total lack of support from the Scottish Government to do so.

"The SNP has refused to offer a single penny more to support these facilities despite receiving £6million to support swimming pools from the UK Government.