Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson has today raised Falkirk Council’s proposal to close a number of community swimming pools with the First Minister.
During First Minister’s Questions Mr Simpson asked Nicola Sturgeon to acknowledge that the council’s proposal to shut the swimming pools was evidence of the difficult situation they find themselves in as a result of SNP budget cuts.
The question followed a recent announcement from Falkirk Council that four high school swimming pools and one public pool could be shut down within the next three years.
Falkirk Council have said that the proposed action is necessary to help offset a £60 million gap in their funding. This follows the Scottish Government’s highly damaging budget at the end of last year.
However, the First Minister’s response did little to reassure residents. Instead she blamed the UK Government for Falkirk Council’s woes.
Mr Simpson says this response “will not be of little comfort” to Falkirk residents who have contacted him to raise their concerns about this issue.
He added that if the SNP had funded local authorities properly during their time in office then difficult decisions such as this could have been avoided.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “I have received numerous emails from concerned residents who are devastated by this proposal and Nicola Sturgeon’s response will be of little comfort.
“These local swimming pools are not only used by Falkirk residents to remain active but also host lessons, swimming clubs and hydrotherapy sessions.
“The First Minister may be in denial, but this decision is a result of her Government’s damaging budget which dramatically cut local authority funding.
“If Nicola Sturgeon had properly funded our local authorities during her time in office then difficult decisions such as this one could have been avoided”.
