SNP MSP Neil Gray has celebrated North Lanarkshire's Labour-run council's decision to U-turn on planned community facility closures, saying it is a win for those councillors willing to put the residents first.
Prior to the announcement that the decision would be rolled back, the SNP group in North Lanarkshire had been working on an emergency motion which was submitted on Thursday.
In the days since the decision was initially made, local residents had been filling out petitions, emailing elected members and protesting outside their threatened venues.
A letter from rebelling Labour councillors, Labour MSPs and election candidates was also submitted to the council.
Gray, the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Airdrie & Shotts and North Lanarkshire in general. This move would have ripped the heart out of communities.
“The SNP group put a forward credible alternative which was rejected but may now have to be taken up by the leading Labour/Tory alliance to ensure the future of the 39 facilities including John Smith Pool and Shotts Leisure Centre.
“I also must give huge credit to the Labour councillors who have spoken out against the closures, signed the letter and, most of all, have had their residents’ interests at heart all along.”
