Council takes first steps to close £9.2million budget gap …

West Dunbartonshire Council leader Martin Rooney, Cllr David McBride and Bill Heaney, editor/owner of The Dumbarton Democrat.

by Democrat reporter

A range of savings and adjustments, otherwise widely known as budget cuts, were agreed by West Dunbartonshire councillors last night in the first steps taken towards closing a £9.2m budget gap for 2026/27.

Councillor Martin Rooney, leader of the Labour administration, made his first contact with The Dumbarton Democrat in years to announce proposals for forthcoming budget cuts since his news platform was banned from asking questions of Council officials and councillors.

This followed a stushie in the Council chambers when Dumbarton Democrat owner/editor Bill Heaney was wrongly accused of interupting a meeting – it had ended by that time – to remonstrate with councillors when all he did was ask Provost William Hendrie, who had chaired the meeting, if the the sound system could be adjusted so that people in the public gallery could hear what was going on.

Heaney himself had previously been consigned to the public gallery as no press bench has been provided since the £16 million refurbishment of the old Burgh Hall as offices and a council chamber had been completed.

Mr Heaney was told that he was not permitted to sit in the body of the hall and that if he wanted to ask questions then he would have to join the public queue to do so or submit a Freedom Of Information (FoI) request which would not allow him to do his job properly.

The delay would be such that any reports he wished to publish would be out of date by the time he received any answers by contacting either of the routes suggested.

Heaney claimed the allegations made against him were either lies or a misunderstanding/mishearing of what was said  and that he was being denied his democratic right to freedom of speech.

Heaney has been asked on occasion to stand outside the door of the chamber while important “public” meetings were taking place.

At the meeting on Wednesday night it was explained that the Council budget process is undertaken in two phases with a view to agreeing a balanced budget and assisting with future projected gaps.

Council members were told how the difference between the council’s income and cost of delivering services, compounded by increased costs across the board, has led to the shortfall and an ongoing financial challenge.

They considered a range of savings options to help address this, including political options which require their approval and management adjustments, which can be implemented as part of normal business and have no frontline service impact.

Some options agreed will involve the council investing to save, including introducing additional mini buses to support ASN school transport; upgrades to CCTV at Council depots; and the purchase of a new vehicle for gully cleaning.

A proposal about the rotation of temporary accommodation was excluded, subject to it being revisited as part of the budget setting meeting in March.

Adjustments going forward include a review of Non-Domestic Rates budgets; the introduction of a centralised, in-house Portable Appliance Testing service; and participation in an HMRC pilot scheme to reduce unpaid Council Tax.

The total savings generated by the option and adjustments is around £1.5m, meaning the funding still required to close the 2026/27 budget gap will be approximately £7.5m.

The full report detailing all options and adjustments is available on the CMIS section of the Council website.

Delays to the UK Autumn Budget mean the Council will not be told of Scottish Government funding until after their budget is set on January 13.

A second tranche of savings options is currently under development and will be presented at a meeting on 4 March 2026, when elected members will consider the best path to delivering a balanced budget.

Council leader, Councillor Martin Rooney, said: “We are determined to protect vital services, and while we don’t want to see reductions or changes, taking these smaller steps now is essential to safeguard the future of our Council services.

“After years of financial uncertainty, the options for savings are limited. However, our priority remains clear: to protect the services our communities rely on most.

“As we work towards closing the budget gap by March, confirmation of Scottish Government funding will give us a clearer picture of what further action is required.”

Deputy Council leader, Councillor David McBride, added: “Bridging a £9.2 million gap is a significant challenge, but the decisions taken at this Council meeting show we are moving in the right direction.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but we are focused on making the necessary changes to deliver a balanced budget while continuing to provide the essential services our residents depend on the most.”