COUNCIL bosses have admitted they shouldn’t have spent £2,250 for staff to have a day out on Loch Lomond last week.

A total of 35 staff from West Dunbartonshire Council’s criminal justice social work office went on a “team building” exercise which included a speedboating trip and lunch.

Reports of the day out were circulating in Dalmuir Park on Thursday evening as residents and union officials protested the state of parks and green spaces after budget cuts.

Both Labour and SNP politicians admitted the recent team trip was “inappropriate”.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “We regret this incident took place. This was arranged with the best of intentions as part of a team building exercise but it is accepted that this is not an appropriate use of resources.

“Steps have been taken to ensure there is no repeat.”

When told of the day out by the Post, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill said: “I’m outraged by the criminal justice day out and the decision that was taken somewhere high up to sanction this.

“I hope that there was no alcohol involved as staff were working, albeit on a morale boosting day. It’s another example of the administration having no handle on what is happening.”

The criminal justice social work department is responsible for preparing reports on the backgrounds and potential sanctions for courts.

They were criticised repeatedly by sheriffs last year for delays in reports and in starting unpaid work punishments.

Dalmuir campaigner Craig Edward said: “That’s a shocking waste of public funds. I bet there’s lots of jolly outings we pay for that aren’t publicised costing thousands at a time.”

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson told the Post: “This was clearly an inappropriate use of funds as West Dunbartonshire Council have admitted so it is right that they take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Council leader Jonathan McColl did not reply to a request for comment.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie told the Post the admission by the council was a “mature approach”.

But she added: “Team building exercises are important, but at the end of the day when the council refuses to cut grass and plant flowers, this does seem like an irresponsible use of money.”