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Councillor Anne McNair has expressed outrage following the decision taken by East Dunbartonshire's Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat councillors to support the transfer to a Trust of the council's leisure and cultural services.
Cllr Anne McNair said "This dreadful decision is based on a tax dodge.
"East Dunbartonshire currently runs some excellent leisure and cultural facilities. Our leisure centres and museums will be affected and potentially our libraries too.
If this decision is implemented these services will be transferred out to be run by a trust over which the council will have little or no control but which the council would still be expected largely to fund.
Council staff will be transferred and no longer be council employees. Despite years of council service they will have no choice in this matter and no control over the decision. Employment matters relating to terms, conditions and rates of pay will become the responsibility of the trust.
Any claims about the trust being able to attract additional external funding are extremely misleading, particularly in tough economic times. East Dunbartonshire will still be expected to provide the main funding for services which will be outsourced and externally run.
East Dunbartonshire's Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat councillors should think again before implementing this dreadful decision."
Author : Cllr Anne McNair
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