Gordon Street, Glasgow
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
One Glasgow street has shown a “significant” rise in a type of air pollution while all other locations across the city centre have stayed stable.
Gordon Street, which is home to Glasgow Central Station, recorded an increase in Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in 2025 compared to 2024 while all other city centre sites only showed slight differences in one type of tests.
Glasgow City Council intend to investigate the spike for Gordon Street, which has a taxi rank.
Speaking at yesterday’s net zero and climate progress monitoring city policy committee, an official said there is an “average reduction of 20 per cent in NO2 levels across the city centre” according to diffusion tube monitoring.
The council officer added that levels in the centre between 2024 to 2025 are “relatively stable” with slight increases and decreases noted.
He added: “However it is worth noting that the result from the Gordon Street diffusion tube observed a more significant increase between these years. It will be the subject of more investigations and ongoing monitoring.”
He later told the meeting: “Gordon Street station will warrant closer study to potentially identify if there are any site specific factors that apply here.”
Gordon Street measured 29.8 µg/m3 NO2 in 2024 and 37.9 µg/m3 in 2025 – but measured levels were still within 10 per cent of objectives last year.
Commenting on the wider city centre air quality situation, a council report said: “Comparing 2025 with 2022, the last full year before the introduction of the Glasgow LEZ, shows locations within the zone have observed an average reduction in annual mean NO2 of 20 per cent.”
A council report said: “Monitoring of NO2 is undertaken using a combination of both automatic monitoring stations and diffusion tubes.
It added: ” Levels of NO2 in 2025 at all automatic monitoring stations were below the objective levels.
“No exceedances of the annual mean NO2 objective in 2025 were recorded in monitoring conducted by diffusion tube, continuing the compliance seen in 2024.”
Another air quality measurement – particulate matter – was assessed as satisfactory in 2025 in Glasgow with objectives met.
Glasgow councillor Paul Carey BEM says these figures should serve as a “wake-up call” for everyone responsible for education in Scotland
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Assaults carried out by pupils against staff at Glasgow primary schools have risen over the last five years according to the latest figures.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request shared exclusively with the LDR service shows that the number of physical assaults against staff in primary schools was 2346 in 2025/26.
The figures also show that the number of assaults sat at 930 in 2021/22, 1456 in 2022/23, 2396 in 2023/24 and 2459 in 2024/25 with 662 members of staff affected by the incidents in 2025/26 compared to 626 and 618 in 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively.
Over the same period there were 707, 926, 2112, 1979 and 2499 assaults in Additional Support Learning (ASL) schools in Glasgow and 556 members of staff affected in 2025/26, 439 in 2024/25 and 443 2023/24.
There were just 156 assaults on secondary staff in 2025/26 compared to 172 and 125 in the previous two financial years.
Glasgow councillor Paul Carey BEM says these figures should serve as a “wake-up call” for everyone responsible for education in Scotland.
Councillor Carey said: “Behind every statistic is a member of school staff who has gone to work to educate and support children and has instead faced violence or abuse.
“No one should go to work expecting to be punched, kicked, bitten, spat at, threatened or assaulted. Teachers and school staff deserve exactly the same protection and respect that we would expect for workers in any other profession.
“This is not about blaming children or ignoring the complex challenges faced by some young people. Schools have a responsibility to support pupils, including those with additional support needs and behavioural difficulties. But supporting children and protecting staff are not competing priorities. We must be able to do both.”
Councillor Carey also says that teachers should not feel that reporting these incidents are pointless.
He added: “There is a responsibility on employers to protect their staff, and that responsibility cannot be brushed aside because the perpetrator happens to be a pupil.
“This is why the council and Scottish Government must work closely with the trade unions representing teachers and school staff. The people working in our classrooms every day are often best placed to tell us what is actually happening on the ground.
“And we need to ensure schools have access to the specialist staff and resources required to support pupils whose behaviour presents serious challenges.
“We want to attract and retain talented teachers, and we expect them to provide the best possible education for our children. But we cannot expect people to remain in a profession if they do not feel safe doing their jobs.
“The vast majority of pupils are not violent. The vast majority of parents want their children to learn, behave and respect their teachers. But a relatively small number of serious incidents can have a huge impact on staff, pupils and the wider school community.
“We should also remember that violence in schools affects children too. A classroom where teachers are dealing with repeated disruption or violence is not an environment where pupils can learn properly.
“Teachers should be able to walk into their classrooms knowing they will be supported.
“They should never have to wonder whether going to work means putting themselves at risk of being attacked.
“No one should go to work to be assaulted — and teachers should be no different.”
According to the city council, Glasgow has around 80,000 young people across 300 establishments.
The local authority says it continues to work with schools, families, young people and partners to reduce inappropriate behaviour.
A council spokeswoman said: “There is no place for physical or verbal abuse in our schools. It is not tolerated, and appropriate action will always be taken. No one should feel afraid to go to work or attend school.
“Our schools are actively encouraged to report any incidents and have measures and support in place to address challenging behaviour and its root causes.
“Figures in isolation however can be misleading and are best understood in the context of the city as a whole. Glasgow has around 80,000 young people across 300 establishments, and we will continue working with schools, families, young people and partners to reduce inappropriate behaviour.
“Glasgow invests significantly in early intervention and nurturing approaches across all school sectors to promote respect, tolerance, and kindness. We all have a role to play.”
This Open Letter has been written by the Scottish Beacon, a collaborative of 24 independent, community-based publications dedicated to strengthening local communities and amplifying stories.
Local news is one of the foundations of a healthy democracy and strong communities.
It keeps people informed about the decisions that affect their daily lives, holds those in power to account, celebrates local achievements and gives communities a shared understanding of the places they call home.
At a time when public debate is increasingly shaped by polarisation, misinformation and social media algorithms that reward outrage over understanding, trusted local journalism has never been more important. Research suggests that communities with stronger local news are more resilient to misinformation and political division, while people who engage with local news feel more connected to their communities and less isolated.
Yet across Scotland, local news is under increasing pressure. Newsrooms have closed, journalists have been lost and many communities have seen a significant decline in local reporting.
This is not simply a challenge for the media industry. It is a challenge for Scotland’s democracy, communities and civic life.
Through its recent Local Media Action Plan, the UK Government has recognised that local journalism deserves public investment, launching a new Local News Fund worth up to £12 million. However, because support for the press is a devolved matter, local news organisations in Scotland are excluded from the main funding programme. Welsh publishers can apply to the UK fund while also benefiting from a dedicated Welsh Government Local News Fund. Scotland has neither.
We are calling on the Scottish Government to work with the local news sector to deliver three practical measures. Add your name here.
1. Create a Scottish Local News Fund
Governments across the world are already recognising that local journalism is essential public infrastructure and journalism funds are becoming increasingly common. The UK Government has launched a Local News Fund worth up to £12 million to help sustain and innovate local journalism. However, Scottish publishers are excluded from applying in the first year because support for the press is a devolved responsibility. Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has established its own £210,000 Local News Fund, while Welsh publishers are also eligible for the UK scheme.
Scotland should not be left behind.
If support for local journalism is a devolved responsibility, Scotland should establish its own Scottish Local News Fund to ensure Scottish publishers are not disadvantaged while equivalent support is available elsewhere in the UK. This could support public interest journalism, innovation and sustainability across Scotland’s diverse local news sector, ensuring communities continue to have access to trusted local reporting.
2. Invest public advertising in local news
A meaningful proportion of Scottish Government and local authority advertising should be directed towards local news publishers, ensuring that public information reaches trusted local audiences while supporting the journalism that keeps communities informed. Internationally, New York City has adopted a policy that directs a significant proportion of its public advertising to community media, recognising that public spending should also strengthen local information ecosystems.
3. Invest in the next generation of local journalists
Scotland should create funded journalism placements that are accessible to local news organisations of all sizes, helping grow the workforce, diversify journalism and strengthen reporting in communities across the country. Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative shows how targeted investment in journalism jobs can strengthen local reporting, particularly in underserved communities.
These are practical, achievable measures that would strengthen democracy, improve access to trusted information and help ensure every community in Scotland has access to high-quality local journalism.
Supporting local news is not simply an investment in journalism. It is an investment in stronger communities, better-informed citizens and a healthier democracy.
We urge the Scottish Government to seize this opportunity and work with the sector to develop a long-term strategy that secures the future of local news in Scotland.
If you believe Scotland’s communities deserve strong local news, we invite you to add your name.
This open letter has been initiated by The Scottish Beacon and is open to anyone who believes local news is essential to Scotland’s future.
If you’re happy to be included, please sign here.
Glasgow skyline
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
Glasgow is aiming to deliver over 1,000 new affordable homes this year after accepting a Scottish Government grant of over £123m.
Targets for 2026/27 also include securing approval for 670 properties across a range of new projects. However, officials admit the figures “do not reflect the response required to Glasgow’s housing emergency”.
Housing chiefs at Glasgow City Council say the city is “well placed to increase the number of additional affordable homes” should more funding be made available.
Councillors agreed to accept the Scottish Government grant at a meeting on Thursday. They heard how the city is targeting 1,007 completions, 747 site starts and 670 approvals in 2026/27.
It comes after the targets for 2025/26 were missed, reportedly due to high construction costs and delays linked to securing consents.
Cllr Ruairi Kelly, SNP, the council’s housing convener, said the vast majority of the affordable housing supply programme is focused on social rented developments.
It aims to tackle the housing emergency, reduce homelessness and develop family-sized homes, he told councillors.
Of the proposed approvals this year, 502 properties are for social rent, with 168 for mid-market rent. Cllr Cecilia O’Lone, Labour, questioned why 25% of homes would be available for mid-market rent rather than social rent.
She said: “In the context of the housing and homeless emergency, how is it justified to divert a quarter of the approvals away from the most affordable housing tier?”
Cllr Kelly said there is “housing need across the board” with “a lot of people who require access to mid-market rent (MMR) housing who won’t qualify for social rent”.
“It’s also a way of working with local areas to do regeneration, because quite often the MMR is the first step to getting a greater number of private and other developers into an area as well, so that can help supplement the social housing.
“We do look to have mixed communities wherever we are developing. We try not to have siloed communities.”
Cllr Kelly added the number of MMR properties in 2026/27 is “slightly larger” than normal as there are two “quite sizeable” projects included.
He said alternative funds for MMR developments are being considered so the “vast majority of our money can go to social rented accommodation, which there isn’t the same variety of funding sources for”.
Council leader Susan Aitken, SNP, said: “I think we need to be slightly careful about making assumptions about the different drivers behind homelessness.
“There are a diverse range of reasons, and one of those reasons is family breakdown, and also domestic abuse, and actually MMR could have a really important role to play.
“It’s not always the case that people who become homeless don’t have incomes. It’s often the case, but it isn’t always the case.”
A report to the council’s city administration committee stated Glasgow has delivered a “significantly greater number of new-build affordable homes compared to other cities within the United Kingdom”.
Figures, for completions between 2019/20 and 2025/26, showed 4,249 in Glasgow compared to 3,362 in Birmingham and 2,769 in Manchester.
New projects planned for approval in 2026/27 include:
47 Craig Road Cathcart (8) (Social Rent)
Glenacre 2 Craigdale (31) (Social Rent)
GCC Acquisition Strategy 26/27 Govanhill (3) (Social Rent)
61 Albert Road Govanhill (1) (Social Rent)
Davislea Linthouse (36) (Social Rent)
Shakespeare Street Maryhill (1) (Social Rent)
40 Coburg Street New Gorbals (3) (Social Rent)
Sorby Street Parkhead (12) (Social Rent)
1660 Gt Western Road Partick (17) (Mid Market Rent)
Beechwood Drive acquisition Partick (1) (Social Rent)
639-645 Garscube Rd Shop conversion Queens Cross (2) (Social Rent)
48 Linnhead Drive Rosehill (6) (Social Rent)
40 Ravenscraig Drive Rosehill (4) (Social Rent)
Victoria Carpark Sanctuary (46) (Social Rent)
Schoolhouses Southside (2) (Social Rent)
Queen Mary Street School Thenue (30) (Social Rent)
Ruchazie Place Thenue (12) (Social Rent)
Belvidere Hospital Tollcross (73) (Social Rent)
Belvidere Hospital Tollcross (11) (Mid Market Rent)
City Wide acquisitions Various (40) (Social Rent)
St Enoch Square West of Scotland (28) (Mid Market Rent)
Allander Street West of Scotland (33) (Social Rent)
Abbotshall Wheatley (81) (Social Rent)
Duke Street Hospital Wheatley (19) (Social Rent)
Caledonia Road Wheatley (29) (Social Rent)
Circus Drive Wheatley (2) (Social Rent)
Newlands Centre Wheatley (25) (Mid Market Rent)
Cook Street Wheatley (112) (Mid Market Rent)
Medwyn Street conversion Whiteinch & Scotstoun (2) (Social Rent)
All projects legally committed to as of April 1 this year can be found here.
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Two old Glasgow schoolhouses, bungalows and a flat are to be sold off by the council as it seeks to tackle the housing crisis.
The empty St Francis Primary school house in Hutchesontown and the vacant Battlefield Primary school house are among the homes, which could be used by homeless people or those needing supported living.
All of the five properties, which include a four bedroom empty tenement flat in Hyndland in Clarence Drive and a five bedroom Cranhill bungalow, are to be let to the Health and Social Care Partnership.
Glasgow City Council officials got the go -ahead from councillors to start negotiations for the disposal of the homes to City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP.
If the deal goes through City Property is then to lease the homes to the Health and Social Care Partnership, which provides accommodation for homeless people and residents requiring support.
A council official said: “The council are keen to explore all options to address the current housing crisis. And in respect of the properties, the Health and Social Care Partnership have noted that they have had difficulties finding suitable accommodation of this size for the placement of homeless families.”
Speaking at the most recent Contracts and Property Committee, she added: “They have noted the substantial cost that they incur in locating within shared spaces. Therefore subject to receiving authority today, negotiations would be undertaken and should terms be agreed then they will be brought back to committee for approval.”
The Cranhill bungalow in Fettes Street already has tenants needing supported living measures.
Another five bedroom bungalow in Mosspark’s Arran Drive, formerly a library, also currently houses people requiring supported living arrangements.
A council report states the homes at Fettes Street and Arran Drive “are currently leased by Glasgow City Council to Thenue Housing Association who then sub-let to Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to provide supported accommodation”.
It adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed disposal shall not alter the existing arrangements with HSCP or their tenants. Glasgow City Council will renounce the lease to Thenue Housing Association Ltd and City Property Glasgow (Investments) will enter into a lease with HSCP to continue to provide the current services.”
Glasgow skyline
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Glasgow’s tourist tax must work for everyone according to a local councillor who is urging the city council to invest more in public safety measures.
Councillor Paul Carey (BEM) says that the council should “think bigger” on how the money made from the Visitor Levy Scheme, which will launch in January 2027 and apply to all hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and self-catering accommodation is used.
He says the money should be used for more street lighting, safer routes home, and managed taxi ranks to make sure people, especially women, feel safe going home late at night.
Councillor Carey said: “I fully support our pubs, restaurants, clubs, theatres and music venues.
“They are a huge part of what makes Glasgow, and they provide thousands of jobs.
“We also need to listen to what people – particularly women – are saying about getting home at night.
“For many women I speak to, the biggest concern isn’t the price of the bus. It is feeling safe.
“A cheaper bus fare doesn’t necessarily make someone feel comfortable getting off at midnight and then walking home from a bus stop. For some, paying more for a taxi is worth it because it takes them directly to their front door.
“So if we want people to enjoy Glasgow at night, we need to think about the whole journey home.
“That means better lighting, safer walking routes, properly managed taxi ranks, reliable late-night taxis and private-hire cars, and visible community safety measures around busy transport hubs.
“It also means thinking about the people who keep Glasgow running while the rest of us are asleep.
“Hospitality workers, cleaners, security staff, healthcare workers and many others can finish shifts at 1am, 2am or even later.
“They need to know they can get home safely and reliably. Glasgow needs a boost. That is another reason I believe we need to think bigger about how this money is spent.”
The visitor levy has already been subjected to considerable public and industry consultation.
During the consultation, there were a range of suggested projects that could be funded by the scheme.
The three areas identified during the consultation and agreed by committee were city operations and infrastructure, culture and events and destination marketing and management.
A spokesman for the city council said: “As the councillor will be aware, a significant consultation process on how the proceeds of any levy should be used took place last year, with the results reported to the City Administration Committee.”
2026 Student Celebration Event Early Years
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
More than 250 young people from across North Lanarkshire have been recognised for their achievements at a special celebration event after taking part in the council’s growing early careers programmes.
Held at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility on Friday 7 August, the event brought together students, modern apprentices, interns, placement providers, mentors and employer partners to celebrate another successful year.
A record 207 students completed this year’s seven-week paid Summer Placement Programme, up from 191 last year and almost nine times the number who took part when the initiative launched in 2023. The event also celebrated North Lanarkshire Council’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme, which currently supports 73 apprentices, and its first Internship Programme, offering opportunities to 15 university students across a range of professional disciplines.
Across all three programmes, participants gained valuable experience in council services and with employer partners in areas including health and social care, digital, education, business support and the built environment. Together, the programmes help young people build confidence, develop workplace skills and explore future careers while supporting workforce development across North Lanarkshire.
Provost Kenneth Duffy said: “It was a real pleasure to meet so many talented young people. Every one of them should be proud of what they’ve achieved over the past few weeks and months. I also want to say a huge thank you to our council services, placement providers, mentors and partners who have shared their time, experience and encouragement. Programmes like this simply wouldn’t happen without their support.
“I’m also grateful to our event sponsors – Virgin Media O2, QA Ltd, McLaughlin & Harvey, McTaggart Construction, Mears Group, Brakes, sportscotland, Adult Health & Social Care and Active NL. Their backing helps create opportunities that can genuinely change lives.
“These programmes are about so much more than work experience. Our young people have built confidence, learned new skills, worked as part of a team and discovered what they’re capable of. North Lanarkshire needs talented young people like them, and I hope many will go on to build their future right here in our communities.”
The Summer Placement Programme forms part of North Lanarkshire Council’s One Workforce Plan and Brighter Futures initiative, helping create meaningful opportunities for young people while building the workforce of the future.
Fiona Whittaker, Chief Officer (People & Organisational Development), said: “It’s fantastic to see how these programmes continue to grow, giving more young people the chance to gain experience, build confidence and take their first steps towards rewarding careers.
“My thanks go to our dedicated teams, managers, mentors, placement providers and employer partners. Their commitment has made a real difference, and it’s wonderful to see so many participants leaving with new skills, greater confidence and, for some, the opportunity to move into employment with us or one of our partners.”
The event celebrated the achievements of everyone who took part and highlighted the strong partnerships helping develop the next generation of talent across North Lanarkshire.
For more information about career pathways and opportunities with North Lanarkshire Council, visit www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk.
Inverclyde Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Inverclyde businesses interested in securing contracts with the council are being encouraged to sign up to a free networking event.
Meet the Buyer is being held at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, on Tuesday 25 August from 9.30am till 12.30pm.
Businesses and social enterprises of all sizes and sectors are welcome to attend. A similar event held in Inverclyde in February 2023 had very positive feedback with 90 per cent of attendees saying they were more likely to bid for public sector contracts.
Confirmed exhibitors include Inverclyde Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the Supplier Development Programme, Business Gateway Inverclyde, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), Flexibility Works, Living Wage Scotland, Riverclyde Homes, Scotland Excel and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
In the 2024/25 financial year, Inverclyde Council’s total procurement spend was more than £105 million , of which £54m was spent with small to medium enterprises (SMEs), £21m with Inverclyde-based suppliers and service providers, and nearly £18m with third-sector organisations.
These local businesses were supplying services such as transport, catering, social care, environmental, vocational training, demolition, architectural and professional services, trade supplies and many more.
Convener of environment and regeneration, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to create valuable links with the public sector.
“We are very aware we are the custodians of the public purse here in Inverclyde and we want to make sure we get value for money as well as working with the best people for the job.
“At the last Meet the Buyer event in 2023, we had 34 unique Scottish businesses attend from Inverclyde and it would be great to increase that number this time around.”
This event is hosted by the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), a business support organisation which is publicly funded and led by local authorities, and partnered by Scottish Government and Scotland Excel.
SDP Programme Manager, Gillian Cameron said: “SDP is thrilled to be bringing Meet the Buyer back to Inverclyde.
“Events like this are a great opportunity for local businesses, giving you the chance to meet buyers face to face, learn about upcoming contract opportunities, and start building the relationships that can help your business grow.
“Whether you are new to public sector procurement, or looking to expand your supply chain presence, this is your chance to get the information and connections you need.”
To book your space at the Meet the Buyer event in Inverclyde, go to www.sdpscotland.co.uk.
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
More than £3.44 million has now been successfully awarded to Glasgow City Council in a bid to deliver a citywide public-health response to gambling harms.
The money will be granted to the local authority over the next three years to help them deliver “The Glasgow Project” which has already made significant progress in addressing gambling harms by raising awareness of the issue, reducing stigma and promoting education and peer-led initiatives.
It comes after the UK Government confirmed in 2024 it would bring forward a statutory levy on gambling operators to generate £100 million for research, prevention and treatment on gambling harms.
A report being presented to members of the wellbeing committee next week highlights how the previous Glasgow Gambling Harms Group worked collaboratively to develop a whole system approach to reduce gambling harms—known as ‘the Glasgow Project’.
This was supported by three years of funding from the UK Gambling Commission settlement and Public Health Scotland (PHS).
The new award now enables partners to build on the previous work and fund a multi-agency partnership and team to provide gambling harm education in schools and youth services, support for young people affected by gambling-related debt, workforce training across healthcare, community and public services and investment in three neighbourhoods with the highest density of gambling outlets.
The city already has more bookmakers than anywhere else in the UK outside of London.
So far priorities for 2026/7 include recruitment to the prevention team, re-establishment of the Multi-Agency Gambling Harms Partnership Group and developing a specialist financial inclusion service for those financially harmed by gambling.
A report being presented to members next week states: “The Gambling Levy funding will enable and support the re-establishment of a Glasgow Project Partnership —one that is collaborative, informed by lived experience, and rooted in public health principles.
“Many of the other fund recipients across Scotland will seek to include Glasgow in their developments, which will be coordinated through the reestablished partnership.”
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
More cleansing and refuse collection vehicles are needed across Glasgow to help keep the city’s streets clean according to two prominent city figures.
Councillor Paul Carey (BEM) and GMB convenor Chris Mitchell say that fewer vehicles makes it harder for the workforce to do their job and empty bins on time.
It comes after an FOI, submitted by councillor Carey and sent exclusively to the LDR service, revealed that the number of cleansing vehicles had dropped slightly from 192 in 2021/22 to 187 in 2025/26 respectively.
The number of vehicles sat at 175, 171 and 187 during the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial period.
The FOI also asked how many vehicles were out of commission each year, the reasons why they might be out of commission, the average length of time vehicles were out of service and the cost of repairs and maintenance for out-of-service vehicles each year but Glasgow City Council did not hold the information requested.
Speaking about the FOI councillor Paul Carey said: “It is pretty disappointing there has been a decrease, it should be an increase in vehicles.
“It is also pretty disappointing that the council doesn’t keep the data on how many times the cleansing vehicles get repaired.
“This is shocking from the biggest local authority in Scotland, that they can’t tell us how often they repair a cleansing vehicle and how long it is off the road for.
“The number of refuse or cleansing rounds affected, delayed, or cancelled due to vehicle unavailability
“That again affects hundreds of people in the city and it is incredible that we can’t get access to this information.
“We can’t scrutinise if we don’t know how much money we have.”
GMB trade union convenor Chris Mitchell agreed and stressed that there should be a contingency plan in place to keep the refuse collection system running smoothly.
Chris Mitchell said: “It looks like there has been a reduction in the fleet but we had to get rid of the old green fleet that needed to be replaced.
“The newer yellow fleet is owned by Glasgow City Council but that took between 13 and 15 years to replace them.
“We need to be in a situation like other councils in Scotland. We can’t be in a situation again where we are running the fleet into the ground.
“There should be a contingency plan in place for vehicles so that when one breaks down there is a spare vehicle sitting there right away owned by the council that can help keep the refuse collection going and get people’s bins emptied.
“The life expectancy of a vehicle should be five years, not 13 years, before we look at getting different vehicles again.
“The council should be in a situation where they own their vehicles as it costs more to run and maintain them through a private company.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Our frontline services have been the subject of various reforms over the years that allow these services run more efficiently.
“The number of vehicles in use is appropriate for how our frontline services are currently operated.
“Our fleet is well managed and record keeping is up to date. We are taking steps to digitise our fleet management data which will improve ease of reporting of statistics.”
