Glasgow parks “suffering” due to short staffing

The Government’s £60m pledge to renew all parks in Scotland has fallen short as a Glasgow councillor claims that understaffing is to blame.

Labour Councillor Paul Carey said Glasgow parks are “suffering” due to a steep decline in staffing.

Due to an “ageing workforce” and “unattractive work”, the number of operational staff across Glasgow City Council has decreased by 12.5% since 2019.

The ex-First Minister launched an initiative to renew all playparks across the country in 2021 and only 521 of 5000 have been restored since.

Ruchill Park, where Nicola Sturgeon launched the pledge, lies in a state of disrepair as all of the three playparks have yet to be renewed.

The council recently announced a £6m refurb plan for Glasgow playparks, but GMB trade union convener, Chris Mitchell, says that staff have been “stretched too thin.”