Ms Higgins claimed this was symbolic of a deeper issue within the council over its inability to be transparent about how public money is used.

She drew attention to Mr Booth, who she claims was behind the disputed education proposals and was linked to the concerns of secrecy around more than £1 million in exit payments to council staff, which was flagged by the public spending auditor.

Ms Higgins raised this issue with the Ethical Standards Commissioner claiming there was a “pattern” within the council “of not being appropriately transparent about public money” that needs “closer attention”.

Two things link this with West Dunbartonshire Council’s ongoing travails over secrecy and cock-ups.

The first is the councillor’s claim that the council is “not being appropriately transparent about public money”.

And the second is  linked to the concerns of secrecy around more than £1 million in exit payments to senior council staff, which was flagged by the public spending auditor.

The Democrat has suggested that “golden goodbyes” to senior officials from West Dunbartonshire Council should be re-investigated after it was exposed that some of them were involved in golf and champagne dinners at luxury Cameron House Hotel with a contractor who was awarded work from the council.

  • Remarkable that Labour councillors in Glasgow are claiming there’s too much secrecy when their colleagues in Dumbarton are imposing bans and restrictions designed to keep matters from the press and public. Editor