SNP councillors look set to form a minority administration running West Dunbartonshire Council when new members meet for the first time tonight.

Councillor Jonathan McColl and his team won 10 seats during this month’s council elections but it was not enough to take overall control of the 22-seat local authority.

And, despite speculation that the Nationalists could form a pact with the eight Scottish Labour councillors to form the new administration, Cllr McColl would appear to have dismissed that option ahead of Wednesday’s statutory meeting of the full council.

Instead he accused Labour of trying to go in bed with the two Conservative councillors – something Labour flatly rejected.

They said the SNP is the largest group and it is for them to run government, unless they are “too scared”.

Cllr McColl told the Post: “Following the SNP group’s AGM, we have strong and competent individuals ready to take on the various lead roles in the council. And while open discussions with others continue, it is still our intention to seek approval from council on Wednesday evening to form a minority administration.

“As a minority administration we will work to find consensus across the council, especially on key strategic issues such as education, housing and economic development.

“Every councillor elected by their community has the right to express their views in the chamber, and we will ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

“We will work to protect our constituents and staff from the worst effects of austerity and the council’s policies will reflect the expressed wishes of the communities who elected us.”

Despite the consensus message, he added yesterday: “All I can reiterate is that we will not enter into any discussions with the Conservative group, although we hear that despite Cllr Martin Rooney’s assurances of the same, the Labour group have in fact done a deal to give them at least 10 votes with the Conservatives on board at the council meeting.”

Labour’s Cllr Lawrence O’Neill said Cllr McColl was “at it”. He said they had to notify the party last week if they were having any discussions to form a partnership with other parties – and they have not.

Cllr O’Neill said: “It’s not happening, as much as Cllr McColl wants it to – cast iron guarantee. He is desperate to put us [Labour and Conservatives] together.

“The SNP have 10 councillors – they will form the council. He clearly has a split within his group. We will be an effective opposition unless he decides he can’t carry his group.”