SNP question timing of re-branding exercise

Commenting on reports that Culture & Sport Glasgow have spent £50,000 developing a new brand identity, at a time when they have withdrawn vital funding from community facilities across the city, SNP councillor Craig Mackay commented: "The council have just approved Culture & Sport’s recommendation to close eleven community centres and halls across the city, based on a budget shortfall. I was therefore stunned to hear that at the same time they are spending tens of thousands of pounds on external consultancies to re-brand themselves.

"£50,000 would have been enough to keep several community halls open for a further year, which would have been sufficient time to develop sustainable community management structures outwith Culture & Sport. These halls provide a vital service to grassroots community organisations and sports clubs, and are one of the core functions Culture & Sport was set up to support. A shiny new logo will do nothing to help these groups, and this re-branding exercise could easily have waited until the financial situation was more favourable.

"I have been working with community organisations in an effort to save the Overnewton Recreation Centre in Yorkhill, and this news is simply a further kick in the teeth for the groups who will be displaced by its closure."

Notes:

Glasgow City Council voted to close 11 community centres on 28th January, as part of Culture & Sport’s recommendations for budget savings.

Figures provided by Culture & Sport Glasgow show that the Overnewton Recreation Centre had an average annual budget deficit of £1860 between 2005 and 2009.

The new brand, which will be publicly launched early this summer, cost £50,000 in external consultancy fees. It replaces a familiar logo which has only been in use since Culture & Sports inception in 2006.