Labour to lead minority administration on West Dunbartonshire Council as deadlock broken

Labour will lead a minority administration on West Dunbartonshire Council, after the political deadlock at Church Street was broken.

The party had quit power last month after two Clydebank members resigned their membership, with outgoing leader Martin Rooney challenging the SNP, Community Party and independents to form a coalition.

However at Church Street today (September 25) members agreed to support a Labour minority administration taking charge until at least December - with key budget decisions due to be made by the end of the year.

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A motion from SNP group leader Gordon Scanlan said: “Council recognises that there is no SNP alliance and that almost every council in Scotland operates by minority administration.

“Council also recognises that, as the group with the greatest numbers, it is for Labour to seek to fulfil their mandate and lead the council. Minority administration requires compromise and more collegiate working than simply ruling by majority but is achievable and can lead to better outcomes for our communities.”

Labour’s Martin Rooney, who will return to being leader of the local authority, added: “At the August meeting, the Labour group of councillors indicated their intention to step down from the political leadership to allow the SNP opposition councillors to form an administration.

“It is clear that neither a Labour coalition nor an SNP coalition is forthcoming, so an alternative solution needs to be found as a matter of urgency.

“The uncertainty over the political leadership is a real; concern for the public and our staff. Therefore, council agrees that we need to work together in the best interests of the people of West Dunbartonshire.

“In particular, we will work to ensure that a balanced budget can be delivered by West Dunbartonshire Council in each of the next three years.

“The council will use its earmarked reserves over the next three years to help work towards financial sustainability.

“It will ask the Chief Executive to explore with the parties on potential joint working arrangements.

“In the short-term the Labour group of councillors will take on responsibility for the political leadership until the December council meeting while working arrangements are put in place that demonstrate the new minority administration can cooperate with members to deliver the vital services and financial sustainability that the council requires.”

Whilst Councillor Rooney remains leader of WDC, Leven member Michelle McGinty will no longer be his deputy - and is replaced by Dumbarton member David McBride.

Other changes see Councillor Rooney replace Councillor McGinty as convenor and spokesperson of the Corporate Service committee, whilst Lomond member Hazel Sorrell replaces John Millar as Depute Provost.

Councillor Sorrell’s appointment means that two women will serve as Provost and Depute Provost of West Dunbartonshire for the first time, with the SNP’s Karen Murray Conaghan elected to the Provost role last month.

Speaking about the changes, newly appointed deputy Labour leader David McBride said: “We called this meeting because we didn’t believe the uncertainty could continue any further.

“We anticipated that there was going to be some form of administration coming following the votes at the last meeting. That hasn’t happened so we now have a different reality.

“We have the next three months for this council to see if we can work in a minority administration with some compromise and willingness on all sides.

“We will be a minority administration of nine. Which will be a very tough gig. Without compromise and agreement that will not last.

“Hopefully we can get some stability that our residents and staff deserve. It’s time for us to begin a new chapter.”

However, questioning what happens in December after the budget is set, Clydebank independent Danny Lennie said: “I have queries about the position this will leave us in in December if there is no realistic give and take during these discussions. Which is possible.

“Are we going to come back in December and find ourselves without an administration the day after? How much give and take will there be across the chamber? Because this has to work. We can’t go on like this.”