Reduction of Public Services in Aberdeen

That the Parliament recognises and commends the efforts of local people in Aberdeen, and the surrounding areas, in what it sees as their months-long struggle to raise concerns about the closures of Buckburn Swimming Pool and six public libraries, proposals to close six schools in Aberdeen, and the allocation of the green space St Fittick’s Park, which is considered an opportunity site; believes that these services are vital to community development and health; considers the statutory provision of schools, libraries, swimming pools and green spaces to be an essential role of local government; regrets the reported decision to reduce access to these services without, it understands, adequate community engagement and full impact assessments, and calls on Aberdeen City Council to ensure that it provides statutory public services to all communities, reverse the closures so far, and halt future closures until it has assessed the full impact on communities and truly engaged with the people who are most affected, to ensure that the people of Aberdeen have full access to local services.