CHARGES for bulk uplift collections, an increase in street parking costs and bin collections every THREE weeks are being considered to save Glasgow City Council cash next year, the Evening Times can exclusively reveal.

Leaked draft budget options seen by the Evening Times declare dozens of vital city services could be in the firing line when councillors meet to discuss spending plans for the year ahead.

Among the options are shifting green bin collections from fortnightly to every three weeks, as well as the cancellation of the popular Glasgow Mela event and the closure of seven libraries.

Free bulk uplift collections and pest control services are also at risk, with the introduction of a £25 fee to dispose of heavy items, and an hourly charge of £35 to tackle the likes of wasps’ nests.

READ MORE: 10 possible cuts revealed in leaked Glasgow City Council 2019 budget document

The news sparked outrage among unions and opposition councillors, who anticipate job cuts if the ideas get into the budget.

Brian Smith, secretary of Glasgow Unison branch said: “Unison have consistently opposed cuts in jobs and services.

“Much more could be done in the short term to hold off further cuts via borrowing powers, through the refinancing of PFI/PPP deals, by the use of reserves and by the Scottish Government using its tax raising powers more progressively. This would not be a panacea but a tactic to protect services whilst fighting for more money and revenue raising powers.

“We also believe that the current Scottish local government funding arrangements disadvantage Glasgow. Glasgow has had the third largest decrease of the 32 councils in recent years.”

On-street parking charges out with city centre inner zones could be increased.

READ MORE: Council accepts top-secret gift of £235K Rolls Royce for Lord Provost

Closing the city’s six golf courses and all community facilities has been costed, and sports facilities could also close their doors.

Barlia Sports Centre, Bellahouston Bowls, Drumchapel Pool, Lister Street Bowls, Whitehill Pool, Greenfield, Ruchill Golf, Haghill, Ibrox, John Paul, Lochend and Stepford are all listed.

Frank McAveety, Labour group leader, said: “The options councillors are being asked to look at are the worst I have ever seen. After 11 years of cuts we are now down to the bone and we are talking about services which affect the quality of life of people.”

Councillor Paul Carey, who has campaigned against the closure of the Drumchapel leisure centre, said: “The suggestion that Drumchapel Pool should be closed is an absolute disgrace when Drumchapel has some of the top 10 most deprived areas in the UK.

“[The bin collection change] would lead to extra vermin and foxes, and could possibly lead to people not getting their domestic refuse picked for six weeks if they miss the original schedule.

“However, if the proposals are as brutal as I am led to believe, then this minority administration must stand up to the Scottish Government and tell them ‘enough is enough’ and put the people of Glasgow first.”

READ MORE: Council sets up cross party group to look at £60m budget cuts

Fans of popular outdoor events Summer Sessions and TRNSMT could also see a rise in ticket costs.

A “per head” environmental levy of £1.50 would be added to each ticket price along with a 10 per cent admin fee in a bid to tackle park and street cleaning costs.

Tory councillor, Euan Blockley, branded the ideas “bonkers”.

He said: “I haven’t seen them myself but I’m not surprised because last year’s budget was filled with things that hit pensioners and young people. There’s only so long before the SNP city government, as they like to be called, can go before they start to criticise the Scottish Government.”

SNP councillors remained tight-lipped on the suggestions, but Richard Bell said: “These are just suggestions and there’s still an awful lot of discussions before we decide.

“We still don’t know how much we’re going to be getting so we don’t know what we’re going to be looking to cut.”

A Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefing shows the city is getting a budget cut in real terms by 1.6 per cent.

The average across Scotland is a 0.6 per cent cut. Glasgow’s cut is the second highest of all mainland councils.

READ MORE: Universal Credit causing ‘misery’ since roll-out in Glasgow

Jon Molyneux, Greens local democracy spokesman, said: “Derek Mackay’s cuts budget means that councils across Scotland are faced with intolerable decisions over the future of vital local services, which have already been cut to the bone.

“If SNP councillors are going to stand up for Glasgow like they promised in their manifesto they need to join us in telling the Finance Secretary how his budget will mean cuts to front-line services and cause huge harm to local communities.”

The Scottish Government insists it provided a “fair funding settlement” to all local authorities.

A council spokesman said: “Like any other year, officers from across the council family are working up a wide range of options and costings for members of all political groups.

“This is a technical exercise designed to help members consider the value and also the impact of potential investments or savings.

“The options do not constitute any group’s proposed budget – and it is normal for options to be reviewed and refined over a number of weeks and months, prior to members deciding if they wish to include any of them in their proposals.”