By The SANE Collective
Understanding the reality of policy making in Glasgow is key to an effective struggle towards our vision. Undeniably Glasgow has insufficient resources to enhance the public good, but even within these limitations, why and how public money is spent should be open to more democratic accountability than is currently the case. Solidarity Against Neoliberal Extremism (SANE) has commissioned a series of reports that highlight the type of thinking that is driving Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government policy for the city, and its implications for the people who live here.
Glasgow’s Money explains how, and why, there are too few financial resources available for adequate services, and examines the Council’s spending priorities during the period of austerity. It also highlights Glasgow City Council’s sizable debt portfolio, its impact on the Council’s finances currently and the impact it is likely to have in the future. Importantly, this report provides a critical assessment of the Council’s neoliberal strategy for managing its assets and investing in new infrastructure. It concludes with a series of recommendations for far reaching reform.
Many of Glasgow’s community facilities still remain closed, even though Covid 19 restrictions have been eased. Many more would have remained shut if it hadn’t been for a fightback by Glasgow residents. Glasgow Strife does a deep dive into what was really happening with the decisions made by Glasgow Life, and how the pandemic became an opportunity to set in motion policy decisions that, in reality, had been made long before.
Glasgow’s Alchemy examines a way of thinking that prizes the role of the private sector in what appear to be public assets – stand anywhere with a view in Glasgow and you will see an edifice which has been financed, either wholly or partly, by the public purse. Despite this, it’s more than likely that the school, hospital, care home, house, office block or bridge that you see is either owned privately, or the private sector has made a substantial profit in its construction. Those who benefit are not local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): the big profits go to big business.
As the climate crisis worsens, moving towards zero carbon is essential. Glasgow has made a commitment to net zero but Glasgow’s Greenwash considers whether this approach is adequate, examines the targets that have been set and shows how the Council’s climate emergency implementation plan is merely full of reviews, feasibility studies and pilots, or proposals to “encourage”, “enable” or “lead by example” rather than meaningful action.
As other research and analysis is undertaken, it too will be added to this website.
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