Glasgow City Council plans to hive off the city’s assets into a charitable trust over which the citizens, whose treasures they are, will have no control.

The plans which are being rushed through the Council on Friday 2 February involve all 13 major buildings such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the People’s Palace. They will be leased to the new charitable trust for a notional rent. It also includes all 34 community libraries, 23 pools and leisure centres, 42 community centres and major venues such as the City Halls and the Tramway.

The plan will be in place by April 1 and operational by the end of May. Council Leader Steven Purcell said, ‘This move would save £5.6 million in rates as a charitable trust does not pay commercial rates. But SNP Councillor John Mason, asked, ‘Why has there been no public consultation. And why the rush immediately before an election? Would the public not prefer councillors to manage public assets like museums?  At least people can sack them every four years. They won’t be able to sack the new trustees.’