West Dunbartonshire Council closes multi-million pound funding gap

Published 05 March 2026

West Dunbartonshire Council’s budget for 2026/27 has been set with a 7.8% Council Tax rise agreed to help close a multi-million pound funding gap.

During a meeting yesterday, elected members agreed to continue to fund external organisations including Lomond and Clyde Care and Repair, Y Sort It and West Dunbartonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau. They also agreed to retain funding for bowling clubs and chose to continue providing free swimming lessons for P6 and P7 pupils.

Early start clubs ensuring young people can access a nutritious breakfast and music tuition will still be available free of charge. The current budget for out-of-authority day and residential placements will also be maintained.

The Elderly Welfare Grant will continue to be administered to those aged 66 or over within West Dunbartonshire and motorists parking within Council car parks across the authority area will continue to be able to do so for free.

Out of School Care will be retained at St Eunan’s and Linnvale primaries though, in order to reduce the amount the Council subsidises the service, fees to attend will rise.

To provide a balanced budget some savings options have been taken which include all five secondary schools moving to a common senior phase timetable, introducing a minimum class size and offering pupils who cannot access a specific course at their school the opportunity to attend another site. Utilising internal minibus transport instead of taxis for pupils attending partner schools and colleges will also provide a saving. Meanwhile, secondary school staffing will reduce to reflect the large number of young people enrolled in school but attending college and placements each week.

In addition, to align with a declining pupil roll in West Dunbartonshire, a reduction of five temporary teaching posts will progress and a review of the allocation of clerical hours will be undertaken.

Reviews of office accommodation at Aurora House, Carleith Primary School Campus and Clydebank Library will be undertaken to ensure maximum usage and a comprehensive review will also be carried out on the current and future uses of the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton. An increase in Council tax for long-term empty and second home was also agreed.

To protect essential services and jobs where possible and to aid in balancing the Council’s £6.44m budget gap, Council Tax has been increased by 7.8%. This equates to £2.34 per week for a band D bill.

While it was agreed in December that Council sales, fees and charges would rise by 5%, it was agreed at the meeting that this would exclude the garden waste permit charge, which will remain at £60 per season.

Council leader, Councillor Martin Rooney said: “This budget is shaped not only by financial necessity, but by a commitment to our communities.

“It seeks to protect essential services wherever possible, invest in what matters most, and support West Dunbartonshire through one of the most challenging periods in recent memory.

“We have carefully considered the options presented to us and taken difficult choices but ones which we believe best reflect the priorities of our communities.

“The decisions taken by the Labour administration this year have undoubtedly been difficult, but they are essential not just to safeguard the long-term sustainability of Council services in 2026/27, but in future years too. The steps we have agreed this year has helped reduce the anticipated gap for next year by half.”

Depute leader, Councillor David McBride said: “The budget setting process continues to be incredibly challenging and I know that this can be an unsettling time for communities.

“The decisions have not been taken lightly but, where possible, we have focused on retaining services in a sensible and proportionate way.

“The savings taken help close the budget gap as well as ensure continued support to West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust and Valuation Joint Board for 2026/27.”

View the agreed budget motion.

Following the budget, members discussed a report on social care charges and agreed there would be no increase introduced.