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Month: December 2024

Update: Freedom Of Information Request

Published 18/12/2024 by Admin Admin

I submitted a freedom of information request to Glasgow Life last month regarding the costs and I received a reply!

Unsurpsingly, the request was declined! However, the reason for the rejection is interesting. They declined it under FOI law that if they are planning to publicly share that information within three months. The three months is from the date of my request (late November). So by late February, I am anticipating the costings to rectify Cardonald Library to be made public.

I think we are approaching the business end of Cardonald Library’s fate.

Does The Council Have Any Money For The Library?

Published 12/12/2024 by Admin Admin

Call me a sceptic, but this article last month by the Evening Times really doesnt fill me with confidence about Cardonald Library.

The Council “blows budget” by £25m already. Where will they get the money for the library?

Then it is reported that Audit Scotland beleive there is a weakness in the council for not having a proper financial management team ?

Update from Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Meeting

Published 12/12/2024 by Admin Admin

As we discussed earlier this month, Glasgow Life were to meet the Glasgow City Council finance department to discuss Cardonald Library. Councillor Alex Wilson posted the update that he received about this meeting. Picture below. I admire Alex on his tenacity on the topic.

Admitedly, it seems like a convoluted approach. On face value it looks like Glasgow Life have got surveys and various options for Cardonald Library. Then spoke to GCC finance department who then said speak to our property team. Then come back to capital board. Why so many layers?

Freedom Of Information Request

Published 01/12/2024 by Admin Admin
Freedom Of Information Request

Over the past few months I have noticed the official communications regarding Cardonald Library seem to suggest its a waiting game on the seeing whether the finances of the council will allow for remedial work to be done at Cardonald Library.

I submitted the request on the 22nd of Novemeber to Glasgow Life and i am only getting round to blogging about it now. I have no real experience in submitted freedom of information (FOI) requests, so I am hoping I have done it correctly.

The main purpose of the FOI is to try and assertain how much the various rectification costs will be. It has been reported the Library is significantly impacted by RAAC. The sceptic in me thinks that the cost will be significant and could make it a real uphill battle to get the funding to re-open it. I really hope that this isnt the case.

The other reason is that Glasgow Life are legally required to respond to me in 20 working days. Assuming i have done everything right, that means that the information should be with me around the start of the 2025. In turn, i would imagine the Glasgow Life & Glasgow City Council would treat this as being information available to the public at this point.

There has been an update that this week Glasgow Life will be meeting with Glasgow City Councils finance department. So perhaps all this information will be forthcoming before my FOI request is due to be returned?

Gies Back Our Books Protest – Round 2

Published 01/12/2024 by Admin Admin
Gies Back Our Books Protest – Round 2

After a very successful round 1 last month, there is another Christmas edition to be held at the library on Sunday 15th December at 10am.

To quote the organiser:

Hi everyone, following on from the hugely positive support our Cardonald Library campaign received last month we’re at it again with ‘Gies back our books’ Christmas special 😅 on Sunday 15th December at 10am.

We have further press interest & cross party support which will provide us with a bigger platform so that we can continue to put pressure on Glasgow Life to engage in dialogue now with regards to reopening our library & providing a local, accessible & alternative provision in the interim.

This time we are really keen to engage those not on social media & will be looking to blitz the area with posters & flyers & spreading the word to as many community groups as possible.

If you can support us particularly in the printing & distribution of flyers we would love to take advantage of your kindness.

We appreciate its a very busy time of year, one where the library would have at one point been the focal point of the community, & that you all have lots of commitments. Joining us for 10 minutes would be great, more…even better!

I’ll post nearer the time with specific details but who knows maybe even Santa might make an appearance 😁

Glasgow Life To Meet Council Finance Department

Published 01/12/2024 by Admin Admin
Glasgow Life To Meet Council Finance Department

Councillor Alex Wilson has posted an update to this facebook post around another community gathering to be held in December. He states that this week Glasgow Life will be meeting the finance department of Glasgow City Council. Glasgow Life want to re-open the library but it currently is in the hands of whether Glasgow City Council can find the money in their budget for it.