Campaigners and trade unions are due to gather on Saturday to demonstrate against council plans to relinquish ownership of a number of public facilities across the city.

By Sam Doak

Glasgow Against Closures is preparing for a demonstration this weekend in opposition to the council’s plan to relinquish ownership of a number of public assets across the city. The campaign group will be joined by the trade unions GMB, UNISON and Unite as they advocate for the protection of our public spaces and the jobs of those who maintain them.

According to the council and Glasgow Life, a total of 59 venues including libraries, museums and sports facilities across the city are due to be transferred to various local organisations in the coming months. Opponents of these plans claim that this poses a threat to the longevity of these assets and puts them at risk of closure. This is because, once these facilities are transferred from public ownership, the groups that assume responsibility over them become financially responsible for their upkeep. Campaigners state that this is a much less secure position than public ownership, under which facilities and services do not have to generate a profit to operate.

At present, a number of venues in the Southside of Glasgow are due to be affected by the council’s decision relating to community asset transfers. These include Scotland Street School Museum, the Couper Institute Library, Langside Hall and Pollokshields Community Centre.

When queried by Greater Govanhill, Jim Monaghan, an organiser affiliated with Glasgow Against Closures, summarised the concerns of campaigners, stating:

“The main concern is a lack of democratic accountability. These are our assets and we demand that the council looks after them. Right now, councillors are absolving themselves of everything.”

Glasgow Against Closures has announced that it intends to continue to oppose community asset transfers in Glasgow until the council and Glasgow Life reconsider their current plans. Over the past few months they have organised a number of public events, such as read-ins outside local libraries. A previous demonstration held in George Square attracted hundreds of attendees including members of the Scottish Parliament.

This weekend’s demonstration is due to begin on Saturday at 12.30pm outside St Mungo’s Museum. This gathering will be followed by a procession through the city which will end at The People’s Palace.