Council chiefs have u-turned on a decision to close 39 community and leisure facilities.

A meeting held on September 28 pushed through the controversial proposals that will impact swimming pools, libraries, town halls and neighbourhood hubs despite furious backlash from parents and youngsters.

It was part of a plan for the local authority to save £64million over the next three years.

Now bosses have rescinded the decision and will in fact protect the facilities. 

North Lanarkshire Labour leader Cllr Jim Logue said: “We have taken the decision to protect these important community assets, despite a total lack of support from the Scottish Government to do so.

“The SNP has refused to offer a single penny more to support these facilities despite receiving  £6 million to support swimming pools from the UK Government.

“North Lanarkshire Labour will protect these important facilities for the duration of this council term.

“However, our financial situation remains dire after more than a decade of cuts to our budget from the SNP in Holyrood, but Labour will always stand up for families here.

“It remains the case that North Lanarkshire Council will face difficult budget decisions as a result of failure of the SNP to properly resource local government.”

We previously reported that parents blasted decision-makers for how the cuts have been implemented after a group of schoolchildren penned heartfelt letters in a bid to force a U-turn.

Glasgow Times:

They said the young people of North Lanarkshire felt 'abandoned' by the council and that closures would have a "devastating long-term impact" on the communities. 

Aquatec in Motherwell, Sir Matt Busby Leisure Centre in Bellshill, John Smith pool in Airdrie, Kilsyth pool and Shotts Leisure Centre were at risk, as well as seven libraries, 20 community centres, Lochview and Palacerigg golf courses and Airdrie’s @home youth centre.

Bellshill Sharks Amateur Swimming Club, which regularly uses the Sir Matt Busby, launched a petition calling for the centre to be saved.