Appendix 3
West Dunbartonshire Council · 4 March 2026
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 4 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
SNP Budget Motion 2026/27 Council agrees the recommendations at 2.1 of the report, subject to the following provisions: Council agrees to a Council Tax increase of 10.4%. Council agrees to amend policy on the Prudential Reserve Target, and sets this at 2.5% Notes the Cost of Living Fund has several elements that are underused or unallocated and agrees to right-size this fund releasing £305,400 to free reserves. The people of Scotland continue to bear the consequences of decisions taken at Westminster that have placed sustained pressure on public services, household finances, and the wider economy. In this context, we have a responsibility to do everything within our power to protect essential services and support residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis. The Scottish Government’s 2026/27 Budget reflects these priorities by focusing on eradicating child poverty, supporting economic growth, and improving public services including the NHS. The Scottish Budget contributes to maintaining Scotland’s social contract, including: • Free prescriptions • Free university tuition • Free school meals • 1,140 hours of funded childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds • Free bus travel for almost 2.3 million people • Capped and frozen rail fares • An NHS free at the point of use • Seven social security payments with no UK equivalent, including the Scottish Child Payment Appendix 3
Page 2
The Budget received cross-party support from the Scottish Liberal Democrats and independent MSPs. Scottish Labour and Scottish Green MSPs chose to abstain. To safeguard the local services relied upon by the people of West Dunbartonshire, this SNP budget includes no cuts to services and no compulsory redundancies. .This budget rejects all of the savings options presented and protects: • Funding for organisations providing vital community support, including Y Sort It, West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau, Lomond Care & Repair, and Shopmobility • Swimming lessons, breakfast clubs, music tuition, and school meals for school pupils • Essential Working4U services, including employability support and adult learning • Budgets for CCTV and street lighting to keep communities safe • Investment in modern apprenticeships, supporting young people into positive destinations • Recreational spaces such as Bowling Clubs, promoting physical and mental wellbeing • Access to public facilities including Clydebank Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings • Outdoor spaces through continued street sweeping and litter collection Budget Gap as reported £5,210,000 Additional Spend HSCP increase £1,004,000 Leisure Trust increase £234,000 New Gap £6,448,000 Measures to close gap C Tax set at 10.4% £4,721,600 Pru Reserve to 2.5% £716,000 MGT Adjustments £705,000 Rightsize cost of living fund £305,400 Total measures to close gap £6,448,000