As a resident of North Lanarkshire, I am deeply concerned about the recent decision made by the North Lanarkshire Council to close 39 facilities across our region, including libraries and sports centres. These facilities play a vital role in our community, providing essential services and opportunities for education, recreation, and social interaction.

I was disheartened to learn that this decision was made without fully considering all available options and without adequately consulting the community. It is crucial that decisions of such magnitude are not taken lightly or hastily. The closure of these facilities will have a significant impact on the lives of many residents, particularly those who rely on them for access to books, fitness activities, and community events.

During the council meeting on September 28th, there was mention of potential additional funding through the Strathclyde Pension Fund reduction. This presents an opportunity to reconsider the closure of these facilities and explore alternative solutions that could help save at least some of them. We urge the North Lanarkshire Council to thoroughly investigate this possibility before finalising  their decision.

Furthermore, we believe that it is essential for there to be a full public consultation before any irreversible actions are taken. The opinions and concerns of local residents must be heard and considered in order to ensure transparency and accountability from our elected representatives.

It is important to note that closing these facilities would disproportionately affect vulnerable members of our community who rely on them as safe spaces for learning, exercise, and socialising. The facilities will be a lifeline for many. By closing libraries alone we risk limiting access to knowledge for children who may not have resources at home or adults seeking employment opportunities through online resources.

We understand that difficult decisions need to be made due to budget constraints; however, it is imperative that all possible avenues are explored before resorting to closures which will undoubtedly have long-lasting negative effects on our community.

We, the undersigned residents of North Lanarkshire, call on the North Lanarkshire Council to:

1. Reconsider their decision to close 39 facilities across our region, including libraries and sports centres.
2. Thoroughly investigate the potential additional funding available through the Strathclyde Pension Fund reduction and use it to save as many of these facilities as possible.
3. Conduct a full public consultation to ensure that the views and concerns of local residents are taken into account before any final decisions are made.

Our community deserves better than hasty decisions that disregard the importance of these facilities in our daily lives. Let us work together to find alternative solutions that preserve our cherished community spaces for generations to come.