Agenda
West Dunbartonshire Council · 17 December 2025
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 17 December 2025 and its agenda
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Agenda West Dunbartonshire Council Date: Wednesday, 17 December 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Time: 16:00 ___________________________________________________________________ Format: Hybrid meeting ___________________________________________________________________ Contact: Carol-Ann Burns, Senior Democratic Services Officer Email: carol-ann.burns@west-dunbarton.gov.uk committee.admin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Dear Member Please attend a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council as detailed above. Members will have the option to attend the meeting remotely or in person at the Civic Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton. The business is shown on the attached agenda. Yours faithfully PETER HESSETT Chief Executive
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Distribution:- Provost Karen Murray Conaghan Councillor June McKay Councillor James Bollan Councillor John Millar Councillor Kevin Crawford Councillor Lawrence O’Neill Councillor Ian Dickson Councillor Lauren Oxley Councillor Diane Docherty Councillor Chris Pollock Councillor Fiona Hennebry Councillor Martin Rooney Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal Councillor William Rooney Councillor Daniel Lennie Councillor Gordon Scanlan Councillor David McBride Councillor Hazel Sorrell Councillor Jonathan McColl Councillor Clare Steel Councillor Michelle McGinty Councillor Sophie Traynor Chief Executive Chief Officers Date of issue: 4 December 2025 Audio Streaming Audio recordings of the meeting (including the attendance or contribution of any party participating or making a contribution) will be published on the Council’s website and the Council’s host’s webcast/audio stream platform. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the General Data Protection Regulation. Data collected during this audio stream will be retained in accordance with the Council’s Privacy Notice* and Retention Schedules including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2025 AGENDA 1 STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING 2 APOLOGIES 3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Members are invited to declare if they have an interest in any of the items of business on the agenda and the reasons for such declarations. 4 RECORDING OF VOTES The Council is asked to agree that all votes taken during the meeting will be carried out by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record. 5 OPEN FORUM The Council is asked to note that no open forum questions have been submitted by members of the public. 6 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 9 – 23 Submit, for approval as a correct record, the Minutes of Meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 29 October 2025. 7 MINUTES OF MEETING OF AUDIT COMMITTEE To Follow Submit for information, and where necessary ratification, the Minutes of Meeting of the Audit Committee held on 24 September 2025. 8/
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8 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER ANNUAL REPORT 25 – 107 Submit report by the Head of Children’s Health and Justice Services (Chief Social Work Officer) providing the Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) Annual Report for 2024-25 (Appendix 1) which details information on the statutory work undertaken on the Council’s behalf, including a summary of governance arrangements, service delivery, resources and workforce. 9 GLASGOW CITY REGION CITY DEAL – UPDATE 109 – 113 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration providing an update on the Exxon Infrastructure Project, and matters being discussed by Glasgow City Region. 10 FINANCIAL UPDATE 115 – 170 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the financial challenges facing the Council, the estimated 2026/27 to 2030/31 revenue budget gaps and presenting the first tranche of savings options for Members’ consideration to help the Council deliver a balanced 2026/27 budget. 11 OPEN SPACE GRASS CUTTING 171 – 182 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood and the Chief Officer – Housing providing the information requested by Council at its meeting on 27 August 2025 in relation to the appropriate budgets for funding additional grass cutting, and providing assurance that the Council has appropriate asset management records to identify ownership of all material assets. 12 2024/25 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND 2024/25 183 – 234 ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources:- (a) presenting to Members the opportunity to scrutinise and approve the 2024/25 Audited Annual Accounts for the Charitable Trust Funds administered by the Council for the year ending 31 March 2025; and (b) providing an update on the accompanying 2024/25 Annual Audit Report. 13/
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13 ERECTION OF 118 FLATS AND 16 HOUSES 235 – 258 (SUBSTITUTION OF HOUSE TYPES AND AMENDMENTS TO LAYOUT) AT FORMER THOMPSONS YARD, LEVEN STREET, DUMBARTON BY TURNBERRY HOMES LTD Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration seeking determination of the planning application for a national development, the application site of which sits within the Clyde Mission area as set out in National Planning Framework 4, under the terms of the approved Scheme of Delegation, and therefore requires to be determined by Full Council. 14 GRUGGIES BURN FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME 259 – 267 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood providing an update on the progress in delivering the Gruggies Burn Flood Alleviation Scheme, advising of the associated costs, and confirming the Scottish Government funding position. 15 GENERAL SERVICES REVENUE BUDGETARY 269 – 295 CONTROL REPORT TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (PERIOD 7) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget position at 31 October 2025 and the forecast position of the General Fund Reserve as at 31 March 2026. 16 GENERAL SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL 297 – 306 REPORT 2025/26 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (PERIOD 7) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the General Services capital financial performance to 31 October 2025. 17 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETARY CONTROL 307 – 316 REPORT TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (PERIOD 7) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the 2025/2026 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget position on 31 October 2025 and the forecast position of the HRA reserves as at 31 March 2026. 18 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) CAPITAL 317 – 325 BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (PERIOD 7) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the HRA capital programme to 31 October 2025.
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19 TREASURY MANAGEMENT MID-YEAR REPORT 2025/2026 327 – 341 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on treasury management to 30 September 2025. 20 REVIEW OF WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL’S CAPITAL 343 – 354 PROGRAMME Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing the outcome of a review of the Council’s capital programme and presenting recommendations to reduce the programme in response to concerns about financial sustainability. 21 NOTICE OF MOTIONS (a) Motion by Councillor David McBride – Firework Misuse and National Fireworks Licensing Scheme Council notes with deep concern the escalation of dangerous antisocial and criminal behaviour linked to fireworks misuse across West Dunbartonshire in recent weeks. Residents have reported prolonged disturbances, distress to animals, and intimidation of vulnerable individuals, including war veterans and young families. These incidents have undermined community safety and wellbeing, particularly in areas such as Dumbarton West and Dalmuir in Clydebank, where reports suggest deliberate targeting of those who raise concerns. Council further notes the Scottish Government’s decision to pause the implementation of the national fireworks licensing scheme, as originally set out in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. This reversal removes a critical tool for preventing inappropriate purchases and enforcing responsible use, leaving local authorities and emergency services without adequate powers to protect the public. Council condemns both the recent disorder and the failure to deliver promised legislative safeguards. We reaffirm our support for robust national regulation, including mandatory licensing, restricted sales, and enforceable usage windows. Council therefore resolves to: 1. Write to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Justice, urging an immediate reconsideration of the decision to pause the licensing scheme.
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2. Request a renewed commitment to implementing the full provisions of the 2022 Act, including mandatory training and tighter sales controls. 3. Continue working with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Trading Standards to mitigate local risks and consider whether Firework Control Zones may offer an effective means of reducing disturbance through the misuse of fireworks. 4. Share this motion with COSLA and neighbouring councils to build cross-authority pressure for national action. (b) Motion by Councillor Chris Pollock – Celebrating Scotland’s National Men's Team and Clydebank’s John McGinn for Securing Scotland’s First World Cup Qualification since 1998 Council congratulates the Scotland National Men's Football Team on their outstanding achievement in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This accomplishment reflects the hard work, skill, and determination of the players, coaching staff, and all those involved in Scottish football. Council also commends the Scotland fans for their passion, loyalty and exemplary spirit; recognises their unwavering support at home and abroad; celebrates the positive atmosphere they bring to every match; and congratulates them for representing Scotland with pride, humour and sportsmanship. Council further recognises the contribution of John McGinn, who grew up in Clydebank, and commends his pivotal role in the team’s success. His dedication and performances continue to be a source of pride for the local community and an inspiration to young athletes across West Dunbartonshire. Council agrees to write to the Scottish Football Association conveying our congratulations and best wishes to the squad ahead of the tournament. (c) Motion by Councillor Lawrence O’Neill – Our Freedom: Now & Then Council congratulates all involved in the production of the above graphic novel created in partnership with our communities and schools across Clydebank and thanks our Libraries staff, our School Library Co-ordinators and Paul Bristow for their huge input to this successful project remembering the 80th anniversary and events associated with VE day.
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Survivors of the Clydebank Blitz in 1941 recalled the events of those fateful days then and the journeys undertaken and reflected in the contemporary world, as well as the pupils of Whitecrook Primary School, Clydebank High School and St. Peter the Apostle High School – this very well researched and produced graphic novel was very warmly received at its launch on Friday, 28th November 2025. Council is asked to agree that copies of the novel, Our Freedom: Then & Now are made available within our public lending libraries and across the School Estate with the cost funded from existing revenue budgets. (d) Motion by Councillor Gordon Scanlan - Commemorating All Lives Tragically Lost in the Ibrox Stadium Disaster which took place on January 2nd 1971 This includes the 3 Faifley men, George Adams, Charles Dougan and John Gardiner who sadly perished. The disaster was a watershed moment in stadium safety not just for Rangers Football Club but clubs across the United Kingdom. Council further asks that a wreath be laid at the Ibrox disaster memorial in Faifley to commemorate the occasion of its 55th anniversary. 22 DATE OF NEXT MEETING Members are requested to note that the next ordinary meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 at 4.00 p.m.