A LABOUR council has officially reversed a package of swingeing cuts to local services it passed just a week ago after huge public outcry.
Councillors in North Lanarkshire voted unanimously to stop the cuts at a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Labour council leader Jim Logue narrowly survived a no-confidence motion over his role in the scandal, sparked by plans his councillors passed to close 39 facilities such as nurseries, libraries and leisure centres.
Logue (below) conceded defeat during a council meeting but warned the council was facing a £64 million funding black hole in the next three years.
He said: "It’s become abundantly clear from the articulated views of residents over the last few weeks that there is no appetite, if any, to disinvest in smaller local facilities to subsequently invest in larger venues.
"As such, the council will now retain these facilities but we need to fully recognise and accept that the cost of doing so will be a recurring £4.7 million at a time when revenue and capital costs are becoming increasingly limited.
"Sadly, reality cannot be wished away. We have £64m of savings in the next three years to make. That, colleagues, is the stark situation of the council’s financial position. I wish I could sugarcoat this reality but, regrettably, this would be a dishonest and flawed perspective."
'Our role is to represent, not dictate'
Tracy Carragher, the leader of the SNP group in the council, hailed the U-turn as a victory for residents and praised the thousands who had signed a petition in opposition to the plans.
She said: “I am happy to second this motion today on behalf of the people of North Lanarkshire.
“To every single adult and child who signed the petition, sent an email, took part in interviews: you should be so proud of yourself.
"I’ll state this on record here today: the SNP group are proud to represent you. Should we have got to this stage? No, absolutely not.
"You’ve all given elected representatives of this council a big wake-up call. Every councillor in this room has had a reminder that their role is to represent you, not dictate to you.
"There is no doubt that lessons will have to be learned moving forward.”
