Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council regarding funding the capital works necessary to fully reopen Whitehill Pool in Dennistoun.
The Scottish Government understands the important role that sport and leisure services play in improving people’s lives, and the physical, mental, and social health benefits they can bring.
The Scottish Government recognises the financial challenges that local government are facing and that local authorities and their employees play a crucial role in communities and that is why the 2025-26 Scottish Budget provides record block grant funding of over £15.1 billion for local government, an increase of £1.1 billion or 5.5 per cent in real terms compared to 2024-25.
In 2025-26, Glasgow City Council will receive over £1.8 billion to support day to day services and capital investment plans, which equates to an extra £96.8 million or an additional 5.5% compared to 2024-25. In addition, all Councils will receive their fair share of the currently undistributed sum of £245 million and £144 million allocated for employers' National Insurance Contributions.
While it is for local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, we will work together to find collective solutions about issues that matter to the people of Scotland.