Controversial plans to privatize all council sport and leisure services

United Kingdom: Controversial plans to privatize all council sport and leisure services in the Scottish city of Stirling have been dropped after angry protests. “Stirling had been expected to push through a £25 million deal with private contractor, Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) to take over the running of all its swimming pools, gyms, sports clubs and fitness classes until 2042. But at a meeting of the full council last night, the Tory-Labour run administration accepted an amendment calling for the deal to be cancelled. Stirling will now look to set up a charitable trust similar to those operated in Glasgow, Edinburgh and other Scots councils to run sport and leisure facilities.”