CUSTOMER service problems at West Dunbartonshire Council are to be investigated following a vote by elected councillors.

The authority’s Labour group asked for a report to be brought before members next month in a bid to hold the local authority to account when it came to issues raised by the public.

A motion supported by the Conservatives, the Community Party and Alba, which also raised concern at the backlog in housing repairs in the area, passed by 11 votes to 10.

Clydebank councillor John Mooney said he had received two housing repairs complaints both predating the pandemic. One tenant had been without heating or hot water for more than a year while another had been waiting for her back door to be secured for 18 months.

His Labour colleague, Councillor David McBride, added: “A concern highlighted by residents has been the difficulty in contacting the council. This has included the phones going unanswered; and for those who do get through they can find themselves being passed from pillar to post with no resolution.

“In addition, tenants who have submitted enquires via email, have also highlighted that they have been unlikely to receive a response from council staff.”

SNP council leader Jonathan McColl said Labour members already had the information they required, and to bring another report back to council would increase workload for staff.

But after the Labour motion was carried, a fresh report will be brought to the council this month.