Document Pack (Bookmarked) 29.04.26
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 April 2026
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 29 April 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Agenda West Dunbartonshire Council Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ 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 Page 1
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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: 16 April 2026 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. Page 2
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL 2026 AGENDA 1 STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING The Chair will be heard in connection with the above. 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 5 – 13 Submit, for approval as a correct record, the Minutes of Meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 25 March 2026. 7 STATUS UPDATE ON REVIEW OF SCHEME FOR 15 – 17 ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration providing an update on the progress of the review of the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils, as agreed by Council on 17 December 2025. 8/ Page 3
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8 GLASGOW CITY REGION CITY DEAL – UPDATE 19 – 24 Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration providing an update on the Exxon Infrastructure Project, and reporting on matters being discussed by Glasgow City Region. 9 NOTICE OF MOTIONS The Council is asked to note that no motions have been submitted by Members. 10 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, 17 June 2026 at 4.00 p.m. Page 4
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL At a Hybrid Meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held in the Civic Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 at 4.04 p.m. Present: Provost Karen Murray Conaghan, and Councillors Jim Bollan, Ian Dickson, Fiona Hennebry, Gurpreet Singh Johal, Daniel Lennie, David McBride, Jonathan McColl, Michelle McGinty, June McKay, John Millar, Lawrence O’Neill, Chris Pollock, Martin Rooney, William Rooney, Gordon Scanlan, Hazel Sorrell, Clare Steel and Sophie Traynor. Attending: Peter Hessett, Chief Executive; Laurence Slavin, Chief Officer – Resources, and Section 95 Officer; Alan Douglas, Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration (Legal Officer); Victoria Rogers, Chief Officer – People and Technology; Peter Barry, Chief Officer – Housing Services; Gail Macfarlane, Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood; Gillian Hamilton, Chief Officer – Education; Beth Culshaw, Chief Officer – West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP); Michelle Lynn, Asset Manager; Ryan Chalmers, Section Head – Resources; Graeme Forrester, Manager of Democratic and Registration Services; and Carol-Ann Burns, Senior Democratic Services Officer. Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Kevin Crawford, Diane Docherty and Lauren Oxley. Provost Karen Murray Conaghan in the Chair STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING Provost Murray Conaghan advised that the meeting was being audio streamed and broadcast live to the internet and would be available for playback. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of business on the agenda. ITEM 6 Page 5
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RECORDING OF VOTES The Council agreed that all votes taken during the meeting would be carried out by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record. OPEN FORUM The Committee noted that no open forum questions had been submitted by members of the public. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The Minutes of Meetings of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 17 December 2025 (Special), 17 December 2025 (Ordinary), 11 February 2026 (Requisitioned) and 4 March 2026 (Budget) were submitted and approved as correct records. MINUTES OF MEETING OF AUDIT COMMITTEE The Minutes of Meeting of the Audit Committee held on 10 December 2025 were submitted and noted and all decisions contained therein were approved. VARIATION IN ORDER OF BUSINESS After hearing Provost Murray Conaghan, the Council agreed to vary the order of business as hereinafter minuted. NOTICE OF MOTIONS (a) Motion by Councillor Jim Bollan – Health & Social Care Partnership Service Redesign Councillor Bollan moved:- In view of 96% of GMB carers recently balloted on the so-called “redesign” of their service agreeing to take action, including strike action, to defend the quality of services for their service users and to ensure those in detriment are dealt with as a priority, Council requests in the strongest possible terms that the H&SCP immediately suspend the implementation of the redesign and engage urgently with the Unions to try and avoid a damaging strike in this vital care sector. As an amendment, Councillor McBride moved:- Page 6
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Council notes that the motion passed at the requisitioned meeting on 11 February 2026 has since been considered by the HSCP Joint Board members, and that they have agreed to continue with the implementation timetable previously approved in September 2023, which is being introduced in three phases: Phase 1: December 2024 Phase 2: March 2025 Phase 3: March 2026 Council recognises that decisions relating to the redesign can only be altered by the Integration Joint Board (IJB), not WDC. Council also notes that the Council Administration comprises a minority of 8 councillors out of a total of 22 elected members. The 14 non-Labour councillors collectively hold a majority and therefore have the ability, at any Council meeting, to take overall control of the Council should they choose to do so. This would enable them to implement their own revised policies at Council Committees and to change the Council-appointed voting members on the IJB, should that be their preferred direction, if they are serious about overturning the IJB decision. Until then, Council therefore agrees to take no further action. Councillor Lennie then seconded the motion and Councillor McGinty seconded the amendment. On a roll call vote being taken between the amendment (Councillor McBride) and the motion (Councillor Bollan), 8 Members voted for the amendment, namely Councillors Singh Johal, McBride, McGinty, Millar, O’Neill, Martin Rooney, William Rooney and Sorrell, and 11 Members voted for the motion, namely Provost Murray Conaghan and Councillors Bollan, Dickson, Hennebry, Lennie, McColl, McKay, Pollock, Scanlan, Steel and Traynor. The motion was accordingly declared carried. (b) Motion by Councillor Martin Rooney – West Dunbartonshire Council Welcomes the UK Government Announcement of an Additional £921m of Funding to the Scottish Government Councillor Martin Rooney moved:- This Council welcomes the Spring Statement, delivered by the Chancellor on 3rd March, which announced an additional £921m of Barnet Consequentials for the Scottish Government. Page 7
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The consequentials include Transport, Business Rate Relief, and Special Educational Needs and Disability. The additional funding is split as follows: £900m resource and £21m capital The funding will be phased over the three years 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29. Transport: The Transport element comprises £21m in capital funding linked to the rail fares freeze in London. This provides £7m a year for the three-year period. Business Rates: The additional business rate relief element is for pubs and comprises of £40.4m of resource funding as follows: 2026/27 £8.8m 2027/28 £13.3m 2028/29 £18.3m Special Educational Needs and Disability Provision: The additional funding provides £533m of resource for special educational needs spending in 2026/27. In addition, the Scottish Government will receive a further £326.5m of revenue in 2028/29, which is expected to be recurring for Special Educational Needs and Disability. Council recognises that there is a risk that the Scottish Government is unlikely to pass the funding to local government to support education and additional support needs. Council notes that if the £533m of special educational needs spending was allocated across all 32 Scottish councils based on the normal distribution WDC would get 1.8% which would be £9.59m. West Dunbartonshire Council calls on the next Scottish Government to prioritise the £533m of funding for local government in Scotland, to support local services such as education and special educational needs. The Council also calls on the next Scottish Government to prioritise the additional £326.5m of revenue that becomes available in 2028/29 should also be prioritised for local government in Scotland to help councils to support local services. Based on a share of 1.8% this would mean an uplift of £5.877m of recurring revenue for local services. Page 8
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Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Scottish Government and to the other 31 councils in Scotland, requesting that they consider supporting a similar motion at their next council meeting. As an amendment, Councillor Scanlan moved:- Council welcomes all new funding from both UK and Scottish Governments. Additionally, Council agrees that members should refrain from asking the Chief Executive and other officers to intimate our agreed motions to other Councils, as this is a waste of Council resources. Members have their own political networks should they wish to share party political broadcasts through motions which they have moved. Councillor McBride then seconded the motion and Councillor Traynor seconded the amendment. On a roll call vote being taken between the amendment (Councillor Scanlan) and the motion (Councillor Martin Rooney), 11 Members voted for the amendment, namely Provost Murray Conaghan and Councillors Bollan, Dickson, Hennebry, Lennie, McColl, McKay, Pollock, Scanlan, Steel and Traynor, and 8 Members voted for the motion, namely Councillors Singh Johal, McBride, McGinty, Millar, O’Neill, Martin Rooney, William Rooney and Sorrell. The amendment was accordingly declared carried. NON-DOMESTIC RATES HARDSHIP APPLICATION A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources requesting consideration of a non-domestic rates hardship application. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s question, Councillor Pollock moved:- That the Council agrees:- (1) to confirm the Chief Officer – Resources’ recommendation to not award hardship relief; and (2) that authority be delegated to the Chief Officer – Resources to determine any future applications for Discretionary Relief from Non- Domestic Rates. As an amendment, Councillor Bollan moved:- That the Council agrees the small amount of money requested to help progress this idea [a non-medication approach to tackling diabetes based on diet and a healthy lifestyle], subject to the applicants agreeing a timetable for the completion of all necessary repairs to Dalmoak Castle. Page 9
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Councillor Traynor then seconded Councillor Pollock’s motion and Councillor McColl seconded Councillor Bollan’s amendment. On a roll call vote being taken between the amendment (Councillor Bollan) and the motion (Councillor Pollock), 6 Members voted for the amendment, namely Councillors Bollan, Hennebry, Lennie, McColl, McKay and Steel, and 13 Members voted for the motion, namely Provost Murray Conaghan and Councillors Dickson, Singh Johal, McBride, McGinty, Millar, O’Neill, Pollock, Martin Rooney, William Rooney, Scanlan, Sorrell and Traynor. The motion was accordingly declared carried. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy, and the indicators contained within. Th Council agreed:- (1) to approve the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy and the indicators contained within; (2) to approve the continued use of the asset life method (using either annuity or equal instalment) for the repayment of loan fund advances with the exception of spend to save schemes where the funding/income profile method could be used; (3) to approve the ability to continue to use countries with a sovereign rating of AA- and above; (4) to note the removal of Lender Option Borrowing Option as an approved source of borrowing; and (5) to note the report would be referred to the Audit Committee for further scrutiny. GENERAL SERVICES REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 JANUARY 2026 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget position at 31 January 2026 and the forecast position of the General Fund Reserve as at 31 March 2026. The Council agreed:- Page 10
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(1) to note the overall favourable variance (underspend) on the General Fund Revenue Budget of £3.146m, an improvement in forecast of £0.091m since last reported (£3.055m); (2) to note a projected adverse variance (overspend) on the General Services Delivery Budget of £0.311m (0.10% of total budget), an improvement in forecast of £0.124m since last reported (£0.435m); and (3) to note a projected in-year use of earmarked reserves of £2.601m, offset by a transfer in of £6.996m and a transfer from unearmarked reserves of £0.858m thus increasing the overall forecast earmarked balance to £14.196m. GENERAL SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT 2025/26 TO 31 JANUARY 2026 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the General Services capital financial performance to 31 January 2026. It was noted that an addendum to the report by the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood had been provided to Members in advance of the meeting and that this provided an update on the increase of construction costs since December 2025 to deliver the Gruggies Burn Flood Alleviation Scheme and souught approval to finalise and sign the construction contract to deliver Option 1 – Full Scheme Delivery. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood and the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s question, the Council agreed:- (1) to note the current position of the 2025/26 General Services capital budget; (2) to approve the revised completion dates in respect of 9 projects detailed in Appendix 2 to the report (paragraph 4.4); (3) to note the reprofiling of 18 projects in Appendix 3 to the report (of £8.178m) over the project life; (4) to note that, following receipt of all project costs, the construction cost for the Gruggies Burn Flood Alleviation Scheme had increased by £3.46m since Council approval in December 2025 which increases the Council’s capital contribution by £0.692m with an annual revenue implication of £0.032m; (5) to approve that the capital plan budget details for RN11 Gruggies Burn Flood Alleviation Scheme be updated to reflect the increase in capital costs to construct Option 1 – Full Scheme Delivery; and (6) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude negotiations in relation to the finalisation and signing of the construction contract to deliver Option 1 - Full Scheme Delivery. Page 11
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HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 JANUARY 2026 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the 2025/2026 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget position on 31 January 2026 and the forecast position of the HRA reserves as at 31 March 2026. The Council agreed:- (1) to note the HRA was forecasting a 2025/26 surplus of £1.079m, a projected favourable variance (underspend) of £1.044m; and (2) to note the forecast 31 March 2026 HRA reserve position of £1.690m which was £0.530m above the HRA prudential target of £1.160m. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 JANUARY 2026 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the HRA capital programme to 31 January 2026. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Housing Services and the Chief Officer – Resources in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed:- (1) to note the position of the 2025/26 HRA capital budget and the HRA capital plan on 31 January 2026; (2) to note project life performance is monitored against a £345.311m project life expenditure estimate, an £80.378m project life income estimate and a £264.933m five-year borrowing requirement; (3) to note that eleven projects were forecast to deliver a total underspend of £9.249m against their five-year project life budgets; (4) to note in-year financial performance is monitored against a 2025/26 capital expenditure budget of £55.547m, 2025/26 capital income budget of £6.290m and a one-year borrowing requirement of £49.257m; and (5) to note there was an anticipated underspend of £10.477m against 2025/26 budgets reducing the forecast one-year borrowing requirement to £38.780m. CRESCENT COURT LIFT – INFORMATION AND TIMELINE A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Housing Services providing information on the events, timeline, challenges and learning in relation to the breakdown of the Crescent Court lift. Page 12
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After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed to note the content of the report. COUNCIL RESPONSE TO THE FUTURE OF COUNCIL TAX IN SCOTLAND CONSULTATION A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Future of Council Tax in Scotland. The Council agreed to note the content of the report and the consultation response at Appendix 1 to the report. ACQUISITION OF FORMER CARE HOME KNOWN AS FRANK DOWNIE HOUSE, OTTAWA CRESCENT, CLYDEBANK A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the discussions with CCG (Scotland) Ltd regarding the acquisition of the former care home site at Frank Downie House, Ottawa Crescent, Clydebank, outlining the position reached through partnership discussions and seeking approval to proceed with site acquisition. Following discussion and having heard the Asset Manager, the Chief Officer – Housing Services, and the Chief Officer – Resources, in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed:- (1) to approve the acquisition of the former Frank Downie House site at Ottawa Crescent, Clydebank, from CCG (Scotland) Ltd for a consideration of £379,000, representing the land cost incurred by CCG with no profit applied; (2) to note that the Scottish Government has committed £379,000 in grant funding to fully cover the land acquisition costs; (3) to authorise the Chief Officer – Resources to conclude negotiations; and (4) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Members noted that the next ordinary meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at 4.00 p.m. The meeting closed at 6.17 p.m. Page 13
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Council: 29 April 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Status Update on Review of Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Council on the progress of the review of the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils (the Scheme) as agreed by Council on 17th December 2025. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Council note the status update on the review of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils. 3. Background 3.1 Council agreed on 17th December 2025 to undertake a review of the Scheme. As noted at that time, undertaking the review provides an opportunity for meaningful consultation and community engagement on all aspects of the Scheme, while presenting the opportunity to promote and publicise community councils more generally in accordance with the Council’s Community Engagement Strategy. 3.2 The report to Council on 17th December 2025 set out a timetable for the completion of the review process, noting dates upon which special meetings of Council would take place. In accordance with the requirements of section 53 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, any occasions when Council is being asked to take decisions on the amendment of the Scheme will be constituted as special meetings of Council convened for that purpose, while updates on progress of the review, when required, can be included in the regular business of Council. 4. Main Issues 4.1 As recognised at the time of starting this review, a key aspiration of the review is to support all areas within West Dunbartonshire to have an active and sustainable community council. 4.2 Within West Dunbartonshire, there are seventeen defined community council areas. Currently, only eleven areas have an active community council, and within this number many operate with membership levels close to the minimum required. ITEM 7 Page 15
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4.3 The first phase of the consultation process has involved engagement with community councils, citizens, community anchor organisations and other stakeholders. A range of drop-in sessions in local libraries and online discussions have taken place, and direct engagement has taken place with existing community councils, and with targeted conversations have taken place in areas where community councils are not currently active. Through these processes, the principles of co-production are supported, with community councils and citizens actively contributing to the development of ideas. 4.4 Within this ongoing first phase of the Review, the focus has been on community council boundaries and options for supporting increased membership to improve sustainability of the community councils. Through continuing discussion with community councils and other stakeholders, options which have been raised so far will be further considered to identify proposals which are practical to support the sustainability of community councils, and also recognise the needs and ambitions of communities within the area. 4.5 Proposals for formal consultation on community council boundaries will be brought forward for Council consideration once phase one of the Review is completed. 4.6 Looking ahead to stage two of the Review, this will consider and propose changes to the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils, the Code of Conduct, and the Community Council Handbook. Through initial engagement on the Review, including engagement with the Community Council Forum, feedback has been received which suggests that there is scope to beneficially simplify and modernise these documents, and proposals for these changes will be developed through working groups. 5. People Implications 5.1 The process will be led by the Council working closely with key community stakeholders including the Community Council Forum. Officers from Legal and Democratic Services will be fully engaged in the process. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 There are no financial implications arising from the consultation but there may be some financial implications from any proposals to be considered in due course. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 Developing and supporting community councils is a key part of the Council’s approach to Community Empowerment, as laid out in the Community Page 16
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Engagement Strategy. Failure to review the Scheme using the correct process could have a negative impact on the reputation of the Council. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The review will be conducted as an inclusive process involving residents and stakeholders from a variety of equality groups in the area. Equality and accessibility considerations will be taken into account during the process and a full EIA will be presented to Council when considering the final recommendations on the Scheme. 9. Consultation 9.1 Officers from legal and finance have been consulted on the content of this report. The review process contains a series of consultations with local residents and stakeholders. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The review is being carried out in manner which supports the Council Community Empowerment Strategy. Alan Douglas Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Date: 14 April 2026 Person to Contact: Graeme Forrester, Manager of Legal and Democratic Services; Tel: 07903 010 404; Email: graeme.forrester@west- dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: None Background Papers: None Wards Affected: All Page 17
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer (Regulatory and Regeneration) Council: 29 April 2026 Subject: Glasgow City Region City Deal – Update 1. Purpose 1.1 To provide an update on the Exxon Infrastructure Project, and to report on matters being discussed by Glasgow City Region. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Council: i) Notes the update on the Exxon Infrastructure Project; ii) Approves the request to remove the Eastern Access Road; and iii) . iii) Notes the update and progress of the Glasgow City Region programme. 3. Background 3.1 The Glasgow City Region City Deal Infrastructure programme equates to £1.13bn of investment during period 2015-2035. Projects are progressing and have reached various stages of development. 4. Main Issues 4.1 This report provides information on City Region progress and includes the latest position on Exxon site infrastructure project development. Exxon Infrastructure Project 4.2 The Exxon project is progressing well on site and remains on programme. The Western under-bridge was successfully completed during the December 2025 disruptive possession and is a key milestone for the delivery of the project. 4.3 As with any large scale construction project on a brown field site there have been a number of challenges encountered during project delivery. While a number of these are the subject of active discussions regarding responsibility, it is now clear that there will be cost implications which have to be managed in order to keep the project within the agreed budget. To address this the Project Board have reviewed the project scope to identify any potential mitigation. ITEM 8 Page 19
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4.4 Following review the Project Board recommend the removal of the Eastern Access Road from the current scope. The total cost of this element is £1 million and the removal of this element will keep the project within the agreed budget. The construction of this element is programmed for commencement in May 2026 therefore if removed at this time there will be no adverse cost implication. The removal does not impact of the completion of the spine road and its ability to operate as a relief road, however the eastern element of the site may be less desirable for future development. 4.5 In recent months, there have been a number of funding initiatives announced by both UK and Scottish Governments aimed at growing the economy and jobs, and the Exxon Project Board continue to explore these and other external funding opportunities to deliver this element of the project. Updates will be provided to Council. Glasgow City Region - General Update 4.6 A Glasgow City Region Cabinet Meeting was held on 17 March. Items on the agenda included a report on Programme Management Office annual budget, proposed changes to the Clyde Metro Case for Investment Governance Arrangements, a report on Regional Empowerment, updates on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Local Growth Fund, and a Glasgow City Region Quarterly Performance Report. 4.7 The Draft Programme Management Office budget noted overall increase of £753,786 compared with 2025/26 which is attributed mostly to additional payroll costs as well as increased marketing budget. The increase will be covered by temporary loan interest earned on grant sums held by Glasgow City Council and member recharges should remain unchanged in 2026/27. 4.8 Updated governance arrangements for developing the Clyde Metro Case for Investment were agreed by the Cabinet. Glasgow City Region Cabinet becomes a Clyde Metro Project Sponsors, recognised as the ‘owners’ of the Case For Investment document and will be expected to have a lead role in supporting the local delivery of the Clyde Metro. The Chief Executives’ Group will provide executive support by coordinating Member Authority input, escalating unresolved issues, and ensuring each authority supplies the necessary resources and the Programme Steering Group will expand to include senior representatives from all eight Member Authorities. 4.9 To date, SPT’s role has been to lead the delivery of the Clyde Metro Case For Investment. Going forward, SPT will become the lead and accountable body for the entire Case for Investment stage, taking responsibility for all workstreams, programme management, staff, and procurement. This change also means City Deal funding will flow directly to SPT. The aim is to strengthen decision-making, manage dependencies, and keep the project on track for Case For Investment completion in 2027. Page 20
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4.10 An update was provided on the regional devolution process. Recent announcements, including the First Minister’s commitment to new regional legislation, and the UK Government’s shift to funding via Regional Economic Partnerships - signal a strong move toward enhanced regional governance. These developments support Glasgow City Region’s long-standing aim to secure a more formalised, empowered regional role as well as securing fiscal tools and flexibilities that would support long-term investment within the region. 4.11 The Cabinet approved establishment of a suite of workstreams covering key policy areas (e.g., innovation, investment, infrastructure, planning, skills) alongside two joint workstreams with Edinburgh City Region focusing on governance and fiscal powers. These groups will over the next 12 months develop detailed proposals on the powers, responsibilities and delivery models Glasgow City Region seeks to secure through forthcoming legislation and funding reforms. All partners will be invited to participate in the workstreams, and further updates will be provided to the Cabinet. 4.12 UK Shared Prosperity Fund Quarter 3 Update report noted the Quarter 3 spend. It also highlighted that the costs may now relate to activity that takes place on or before the 30 September 2026 which is a 6-month extension to the previous spend eligibility deadline 4.13 An update on the on the new Local Growth Fund was provided, including budget allocations, policy intentions, and the proposed methodology for distributing both revenue and capital funding. Following the UK Government’s 2025 Spending Review, Scotland will receive approximately £76 million per year from 2026/27 to 2028/29 to support regional economic growth. This replaces the UK Shared Prosperity Fund There are four funding steams that make up the Local Growth Fund: Pride in Place Programme Phase 2 Pride in Place Impact Fund New Local Growth Fund Growth Mission Fund 4.14 Pride in Place Programme Phase 2, The Pride in Place Impact Fund and the Growth Mission Fund were all confirmed on, or before, the UK Government Autumn Budget Statement (26 November 2025) with the new Local Growth Fund allocations announced on Thursday 8 January 2026. Allocations have been determined at a Regional Economic Partnership level, rather than individual Local Authority, with Glasgow City Region due to receive £60.9 million across the three-year funding period which amounts to 43.5% of the overall Scottish new Local Growth Fund allocation. The allocations are noted in the Table below. Page 21
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2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 Total Revenue £6,900,000 £6,700,000 £4,800,000 £18,400,00 Capital £15,800,000 £14,800,000 £11,900,000 £42,500,00 Total £22,700,000 £21,500,000 £16,700,000 £60,900,00 4.15 The Local Growth Fund has a different policy focus from previous funds, emphasising economic growth through infrastructure, business support, and skills development. It is not considered a successor to UK Shared Prosperity Fund. However, due to widespread reliance on UK Shared Prosperity Fund revenue for local authority services, the UK Government has agreed to a transition year in 2026/27. 4.16 The Cabinet approved that for 2026/27 FY only, revenue allocations will follow the 2025/26 methodology (for UK Shared Prosperity Fund), enabling councils to maintain continuity in business support and employability programmes. West Dunbartonshire will receive £400,200, which is just over 5.80% of the region’s £6.9m revenue budget for that year. This is a significant reduction in comparison to the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund revenue allocation for West Dunbartonshire which was in the region of £1.2 million. 4.17 Capital funding is expected to focus exclusively on regional-scale projects that deliver meaningful economic outcomes Increased development-ready land and sites Increased housing supply Improved utilities and energy upgrades Increased physical connectivity Increased digital connectivity 4.18 The Glasgow City Region Programme Management Office will now work with partners to prepare a “Credible Plan” which sets out proposed investments for the full funding period. This plan will require approval by the Chief Executives’ Group and the Cabinet before submission to the UK Government. 4.19 Glasgow City Region Quarterly Performance Report (Q3 2025/26) was presented, including updates on the Regional Economic Strategy Action Plan; the City Deal Programme; and the City Region Team workplan. The City Deal Programme continues to perform strongly, 21 projects reporting Green status and no projects in Red or Amber. Major construction activity is advancing across multiple councils, including significant progress on Westerhill Development Road, Bishopbriggs Town Centre, Balgray Station, Eurocentral Access, East Kilbride Town Centre and the Exxon site. Formal approval of the Investment Zone Government 5-stage Gateway Process was received on 23rd December 2025. Individual project Business Cases are now being developed for approval by Glasgow City Region Chief Executives’ Group Page 22
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5. People Implications 5.1 There are several senior officers involved in the Glasgow City Region wider programme as noted at City Region Update paper at Council on 26 August 2021. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 Spend to date on the Exxon Infrastructure Project for financial year 25/26 is £14.3 million. Overall expenditure to date is £25.7 million. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There are several project risks associated with the development at the Exxon project site, and these are contained within the project risk register and updated by the Project Board on a regular basis. The Project Board is made up of senior officers from all key services. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 Previously completed. It is not considered that the proposed change to the scope will have an impact on any matter addressed in an Equalities Impact Assessment. 9. Consultation 9.1 Consultation with all key stakeholders is progressing as we continue to work as part of the Glasgow City Region. 10 Strategic Assessment 10.1 At its meeting on 26 October 2022, the Council agreed that one of its main strategic priorities for the Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027 is ‘A Strong local economy and improved employment opportunities’. 10.2 The proposals within this report are specifically designed to deliver on this priority. Alan Douglas Chief Officer: Regulatory and Regeneration Date: 29th April 2026 Page 23
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Person to Contact: Alan Douglas Alan.Douglas@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix: None Background Papers: Glasgow City Region City Deal- Council 13 August 2014. “City Deal Initiative” Clyde Valley Investment Fund-Council 30 April 2014 (Memorandum of Understanding). Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership – City Deal Initiative – Council 28 August 2013. Wards Affected: All Page 24