FUNDING to replace income lost by Glasgow City Council as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic could be confirmed in the “very near” future.

City Treasurer Ricky Bell told councillors “very detailed” talks are ongoing with both the Scottish and UK Governments.

He hopes to announce financial support, which would make a “dent” in the £90million deficit currently facing the council, soon.

Council leader Susan Aitken said the money would be “absolutely crucial” for Glasgow Life, which is facing a shortfall of around £25m.

The council’s cultural and sporting arm has reopened some museums, gyms, libraries and community venues but many more remain closed.

Ms Aitken said she understood the “pretty intense” talks were continuing to decide how a lost income scheme would work, how much money would be available and when it would be paid.

When and how some Glasgow Life venues reopen is “dependent on making sure we get at least some of that lost income restored”, the council leader added.

“That will make a very big difference to Glasgow Life’s ability to get those facilities back up and running – and back up and running to the fullest possible extent as well.

“We will update elected members more widely as soon as we have that information available.”

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which has been involved in the discussions, previously submitted information on councils’ lost income to the Scottish Government.

Mr Bell said the council would not receive all the money it had lost during lockdown, when venues had to close and income plummeted.

“We are hopeful that we might be in a position in the not too distant future to have some announcement about what funding is going to be available to us,” he added.

“We are not going to get all of the money that we have lost but if we get some of it back then it will obviously help Glasgow Life.

“It will be a dent at least in the £90m deficit the city is currently facing.

“That will be very good news and we are hoping that will come to us in the very near future.”

Greens in Glasgow, who have been calling on the Scottish Government to bail out Glasgow Life, welcomed the City Treasurer’s comments.

Councillor Jon Molyneux said: “The indication that a funding announcement is expected soon is, of course, very welcome.

“That’s a big thanks to everyone who has made their voices heard on this issue.”

He added: “However, Glasgow Life is facing losses of around £25m so it’s clear that this needs to be a very substantial package of support indeed to allow the vast majority of venues to safely reopen soon.

“It is also vital that where decisions need to be taken on which venues are priorities for reopening, there’s proper engagement with local communities, so that people are clear on why those decisions are being made and what that means for them.”