TRADE unions in West Dunbartonshire have revealed plans to hold a demonstration against local authority budget cuts when the local council meets to decide on its spending plans next month.

The West Dunbartonshire Joint Trade Unions, in association with Clydebank Trades Council and various community partners, say the demo will take place outside the headquarters of West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) on Wednesday, March 1.

The rally is in protest at planned council budget cuts, as councillors look for ways to plug a £15 million funding gap.

A spokesperson for the JTU said: "Our community says enough is enough - council services are cut to the bone, members are already significantly struggling to do their jobs as it is without this going ahead.

"Tory austerity in West Dunbartonshire has been rife and rampant for years, with cuts to the Scottish Budget or below inflation increases resulting in the Tories cutting Scottish budgets successively.

"However, the Scottish Government need to accept accountability for their failures towards local government in Scotland as they have passed on significant increases in cuts to local government over the years forcing local authorities to implement even harsher cuts to services."

Unison has written to all MSPs urging them to lobby the Scottish Government for more money for local councils at the upcoming 'stage three' discussions on the government's own budget - which is set for next week.

The West Dunbartonshire demonstration will take place at 3.20pm on Wednesday, March 1 outside the local authority's headquarters in Church Street, Dumbarton. 

The full council meeting to set the authority's budget, council tax rates and fees and charges for the 2023-24 financial year starts at 4pm that afternoon.