COUNCIL bosses have insisted the safety of staff will not be put at risk as plans are made to reopen the local authority’s buildings to employees and the public after Covid.

The pledge comes after concerns were raised by the GMB union’s West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) branch at what it says are plans to return to “pre-Covid” cleaning levels after buildings start to open again.

The Scottish Government is hoping to bring in Level 0 Covid protection levels across the country from July 19 if all necessary vaccination and harm reduction measures are met.

That would pave the way for a phased return by staff to council buildings from that date.

But David Scott, the convener of the GMB branch at the council, says he and other union officials were told last week that the council will be “returning to pre Covid cleaning regimes” when buildings start to reopen.

Mr Scott said: “We were completely horrified. We have our members’ safety to protect.

“This Delta variant is extremely transferable and has resulted in Dumbarton Academy being closed early.

“Cleaning levels should not be allowed to return to pre Covid levels in council buildings or schools.

“The prospect of returning to twice a week cleaning leaves us horrified. The council has a duty of care to their employees and service users.”

Last month the council agreed to extend the contracts of the 55 additional cleaning staff it has employed in the area’s schools as a result of the Covid pandemic until at least the October school holiday as part of a range of measures aimed at protecting school staff and young people from the virus.

A spokesperson for Unison’s WDC branch declined to comment.

A council spokesperson said: “Under the Scottish Government protection levels, Level 0 would mean a ‘phased and limited return to offices’.

“The council awaits further guidance from the Scottish Government on the physical distancing and cleaning requirements for office return, and once these are available we will be able to determine how this can happen.

“The health and safety of our employees is our priority and as soon as we have the information required to ensure offices can reopen safely, we will share our plans.”