Labour-led West Dunbartonshire Council votes to freeze council tax in pre-election budget move

The Labour administration used the extra money from the Scottish Government's deal with the Green Party and more of their reserves to keep tax levels as they are, except for the higher bands which are changing because of central government.

A rent rise of 2.25 per cent was also approved despite a proposal by the Community Party to freeze it too.

The lenghty and raccous meeting featured more than an hour of Labour councillors celebrating their administration's successes in the past five years, including the tax freeze, which they previously criticised the Scottish Government for imposing.

As well as the freeze, they opened up spending for other projects, some expanded and some new as part of the £212 million budget.

Councillors agreed in December to block cuts proposed by council staff but still presumed a 3 per cent tax hike to balance the books.

The SNP group presumed that would still be necessary and their own partial budget pitched the tax rise along with new spending on roads, dog fouling and other consistent issues faced by residents.

They then wanted a week of consultation with the public before an emergency meeting to set the budget.

The Community Party pitched an ethos change and refinancing debts, but not a budget.

Among the projects to be launched in 2017/18 from the Labour budget are:

· a new Community Centre for Westbridgend

· a new changing facility in Duntocher

· a refurbished sports pavilion at Mountblow

· a new all-weather pitch at Levenvale Primary School

· a new games area and play area at St Patrick’s Primary

· a new play and recreation area at Radnor Park

· A £500,000 investment to create mandatory 20mph speed limits in estates across the area to improve safety for residents.

Martin Rooney, West Dunbartonshire Council leader

There will be more money for 100 new apprenticeships for young people, exampnding their free driving lesson schemes to include adults over 21, and £75,000 for a West Dunbartonshire Design Forum to ensure new buildings are of good quality for the area.

In a statement after the meeting, Council leader Martin Rooney said: "This budget will protect our residents from the burden of a council rax rise being introduced in many councils across Scotland.

"It also transforms our communities by investing in a range of projects in local areas to ensure our residents directly benefit.

"We know the value of play and sport and we want to ensure every community in West Dunbartonshire has facilities that support these activities.

“We also want to do everything we can to tackle deprivation in our communities and support those who are struggling due to welfare reforms.

"We are investing heavily in education to ensure our young people are fully equipped to compete in the world of work.

"We’re continuing to invest in apprenticeships but also recognise that unemployment is not restricted by age, so we’ll be launching apprenticeships for adults who are seeking work or the opportunity to retrain. We’re also extending our free driving lesson scheme to include adults over 21.

"We are committed to improving our communities and growing West Dunbartonshire for the benefit of all of our residents, and this budget delivers that.”