Agenda
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 August 2025
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 27 August 2025 and its agenda
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Agenda West Dunbartonshire Council Date: Wednesday, 27 August 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: 14 August 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, 27 AUGUST 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 11 – 20 Submit, for approval as correct record, the Minutes of Meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 18 June 2025. 7 MINUTES OF MEETING OF AUDIT COMMITTEE 21 – 22 Submit for information, and where necessary ratification, the Minutes of Meeting of the Audit Committee held on 19 February 2025. 8 REVIEW OF HYBRID MEETINGS OF COUNCIL AND 23 – 31 COMMITTEES Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration advising of the current issues relating to the provision of hybrid meetings of Council and its committees and setting out the various options available to the Council.
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9 THE PROMISE 33 – 75 Submit report by the Head of Children’s Health and Justice (Chief Social Work Officer) providing an overview of the work and ambition in relation to the implementation of The Promise in West Dumbartonshire between 2020-2025. 10 GENERAL SERVICES REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 77 – 105 REPORT TO 30 JUNE 2025 (PERIOD 3) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget position at 30 June 2025 and the forecast position of the General Fund Reserve as at 31 March 2025. 11 GENERAL SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL 107 – 116 REPORT 2025/26 TO 30 JUNE 2025 (PERIOD 3) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources advising of the General Services Capital financial performance to 30 June 2025. 12 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETARY CONTROL 117 – 123 REPORT TO 30 JUNE 2025 (PERIOD 3) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Housing advising on the 2025/2026 HRA revenue budget position on 30 June 2025 and the forecast position for HRA reserves on 31 March 2026. 13 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) CAPITAL BUDGETARY 125 – 130 CONTROL REPORT TO 30 JUNE 2025 (PERIOD 3) Submit report by the Chief Officer – Housing providing an update on the HRA capital programme to 30 June 2025. 14 NOTICE OF MOTIONS (a) Motion by Councillor Sophie Traynor – Shameless Youth Council recognises the work of the Shameless Youth campaign run by West Dunbartonshire Youth Council (WDYC) in partnership with the NSPCC which looked at promoting useful information and productive conversations which supports young people to understand what healthy relationships and consent online looks like.
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Council congratulates the young people involved for their dedication to this project and notes the positive impact that they have made within the local community. (b) Motion by Councillor David McBride – Rename Athletics Facility at Posties Park in Honour of Lachie Stewart Council notes with great sadness the recent passing of Lachie Stewart, a proud son of West Dunbartonshire and one of Scotland’s most celebrated athletes. Lachie Stewart rose to international prominence by winning the gold medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, in what remains one of the most iconic moments in Scottish sporting history. He went on to represent Scotland and Great Britain with distinction in multiple major international competitions, including the 1972 Munich Olympics. Council further recognises Lachie’s lasting contribution to Scottish athletics, not only through his remarkable achievements in competition, but also through his continued advocacy for the sport following his retirement. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of athletes, both locally and nationally. In recognition of Lachie Stewart’s extraordinary sporting accomplishments and his lifelong connection to our community, this Council agrees to: • Formally commemorate Lachie Stewart and acknowledge his contribution to athletics and to West Dunbartonshire; • Agree to rename the recently opened athletics track and field facility at Posties Park in his honour; • Engage with Lachie’s family, local sports organisations, and the wider community to ensure the commemoration is respectful, meaningful, and reflective of his legacy. The Council will meet the small costs of signage from appropriate budgets and consider appropriate logos and the signage should meet the Scottish Parliament requirements of both English and Gaelic.
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(c) Motion by Councillor Lauren Oxley – Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Council notes that 1st to 7th August marked World Breastfeeding Week, an annual opportunity to raise awareness of and celebrate the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, mothers, and families. Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the risk of infections for infants, while also supporting the health of mothers. It offers additional advantages such as lower costs, convenience, and fostering a strong bond between the mother and child. Despite these benefits, many mothers continue to face barriers to breastfeeding, particularly in public spaces, due to outdated stigmas and attitudes. Council recognises important progress in promoting breastfeeding and reducing inequalities for mothers, including: • The 20th anniversary of the Breastfeeding (Scotland) Act 2005, which protects the right to feed an infant in public spaces. • The development of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) Scheme, a free national initiative enabling businesses to signal that their premises offer a safe and welcoming environment for breastfeeding. However, Council notes that only 10 premises in Clydebank are currently registered with the BFS scheme, the majority being Council- managed facilities. Council therefore encourages local businesses and community organisations to take a small but significant step and sign up to the scheme, helping to make West Dunbartonshire a more welcoming and supportive place for mothers and families. (d) Motion by Councillor Lauren Oxley – Strathclyde Pension Fund - End Investments in Companies Linked to War Crimes in Palestine Council notes with deep concern the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, and the findings of the United Nations, Amnesty International, and other human rights organisations that Israel’s actions constitute war crimes and serious violations of international law. Since October 2023, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that over 58,500 Palestinians have been killed and more than 139,600 injured by Israeli forces. As of 16 July 2025, over 86% of the Gaza Strip falls within Israeli-militarised zones or has been subjected to displacement
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orders. Gaza now faces an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with over 80% of the population facing food insecurity, and experts warning the region is on the brink of famine, with conditions classified as ‘extreme starvation’. Council understands that the Strathclyde Pension Fund - one of Europe’s largest pension funds with over 277,000 members - continues to invest in companies that supply arms, military technology, or other support used in Israel’s war crimes and violations, including those operating in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Council believes pension funds should not be invested in companies complicit in breaches of international law, particularly amid this ongoing and escalating crisis. Our investments must reflect our commitment to justice, human rights, and ethical governance. Council therefore asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Strathclyde Pension Fund Committee to express our strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people, and to urge the Fund to review its investment portfolio and divest from companies linked to or complicit in Israel’s war crimes and violations of international law. (e) Motion by Councillor Chris Pollock – Remembering the Accused Witches of West Dunbartonshire Council recognises and commemorates the women and men of this authority area who were accused and persecuted as witches in the 17th century. Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland is a charity that was established with the aim of promoting and honouring the memory of these individuals that once lived in Scotland. The charity aims to work with the council to teach the stories and history of the accused witches in schools and libraries and where possible a memorial be raised to commemorate the victims. In 2022 The Scottish Government and The Church of Scotland issued apologies over what had happened all those years before. In the 17th century, Dumbarton tolbooth stood near the entrance to the Artizan Centre, directly opposite Quay Street. The execution site is thought to be located behind Church Street in the present council office car park. This area was once where Dumbarton prison stood, with most of the building now long gone. Amateur historian and local resident Louise Wilson has been researching the subject, and her findings show that there were 31 accused of witchcraft in the area. Using accounts held by the library and researching the common good accounts, it was
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discovered that there were 27 women and 4 men that were persecuted for these supposed crimes. It is important to remember that these people were probably tortured and put through imprisonment before being executed in the majority of cases. There were many reasons a person could be accused of witchcraft including their religion or beliefs and the notion that certain people in the community were devil worshipping, and they had to be identified. Neighbours accusing each other of witchcraft over petty arguments. Missing a church service could have been enough to get the religious zealots to accuse you. The accused were often tied to a stake and strangled before being burned to death and their ashes swept away with no grave marker. The Scottish Witch Trials were a period of intense witch hunting and persecution in Scotland, lasting from the 16th to 18th centuries. They were particularly severe with Scotland executing more witches than most other parts of Europe. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people were accused with around 2500 executed this was around five times the European average. Out of all those accused it thought that around 84% were women reflecting prevalent societal beliefs about women’s susceptibility to the Devil’s influence. Names of the 31 accused witches of West Dunbartonshire- 1624 Jonet MacKinley (executed) Marioun MacLintock (executed) Marioun Fallisdaill (executed) John Taylor (unknown outcome) 1628 Jonet Boyd (executed) Marioun MacLintock (unknown outcome) Janet Weill (unknown outcome) 1629 Janet Donald (executed) Jonet Neill (executed) Margaret Hunter (unknown outcome) 1630 Janet Mitchell (unknown outcome) 1632 Lord John Colquhoun (absconded) Thomas Carlipis (unknown outcome)
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1643 Bessie Bargillie (executed) 1649 Margaret Corruith (executed) Jonet Davisonne (executed) Agnes McKen (executed) 1650 Jonet Patersone (executed) Margaret McMurich (executed) Jonet McClintock (unknown outcome) Jonet Colquhoun (executed) Margaret McInlay (executed) Jonet Ewing (executed) Jonet Stewart (unknown outcome) 1656 John McWilliam (executed) 1671 Jonet Howat (unknown outcome) 1677 Margaret Wright (executed) Issobell Laing (executed) Jonet Munn (executed) Margaret Paterson (executed) 1697 Margaret McKillope (executed) 15 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, 29 October 2025 at 4.00 p.m.