Item 21 Appendix 1 2026-27 Budget Survey results October 2025
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 October 2025
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 29 October 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Budget Conversation 2026/27 - Resident Survey results The 2026/27 budget conversation resident survey was carried out between 2 June – 10 August 2025. Overall, 618 responses were gathered, of that: Post code No & % of respondents Tenure No. & % of respondents G13 1 0.16% Homeowner 482 78% G14 1 0.16% Social tenant 105 17% G60 46 7.44% Private tenant 18 3% G81 212 34% Other 13 2% G82 199 32% G83 142 23% Postcode out with WD 17 2.75% Residency No. & % of respondents Resident 593 96% Employee 137 22% Business owner 29 5% Community organisation 57 9% Parent/carer of school age children 177 29% Appendix 1
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Strategic Priority 1: Our Communities Q1. Thinking about your community and neighbourhood, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 3.99 Community safety including CCTV and response to anti-social behaviour and noise complaints 2 3.23 Maintaining additional funding for identified vulnerable groups of people 3 3.13 Funding partner agencies such as community organisations supporting areas such as young people and the environment 4 2.52 Supporting community led initiatives and creating opportunities for residents to get more involved in their community 5 2.13 Youth Work and practical support for community groups Q2. Thinking about Libraries and Arts & Heritage, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 3.64 Investment in community events (i.e. book bug, wellbeing sessions, art and heritage classes, exhibitions) 2 2.98 Investment in digital services and equipment (online reading materials, heritage collections including family history and computers/devices) 3 2.89 Investment in physical amenities (i.e. reading materials) 4 2.83 Maintaining operating hours/access at current levels 5 2.66 Investment to maintain buildings even if this means there are less of them Q3. Thinking about Education services, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 2.8 Supplies and materials to support learning and teaching 2 2.71 Maintaining the current number of primary schools 3 2.31 Support staff for children and families across establishments 4 2.19 Support for provision such as early start clubs, music tuition, swimming lessons and transport enhancements
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Q4. Thinking about community services delivered by our Health and Social Care Partnership such as social work, home care and care homes, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 4.14 Support for children and adults who require to be protected and are at risk of harm 2 3.38 Support for older people within their own home or within a homely setting to enable them to be well cared for and remain independent for as long as possible 3 3.34 Support for children and adults with a disability to enable them to be supported in the community with family or to live independently 4 2.47 Support for children and young people to help them be supported with family in their communities and provide alternative care such as fostering if required 5 1.67 Support for people with mental health and or addictions to help them recover and live independent lives Q5. Do you have any further comments about how we invest in services to support our communities? Overall, 172 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however, each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Grass cutting (18%) - comments include reference to support for grass cutting to be reinstated, felt that the area looked in a state of decline. Education (12%) - comments include reference to support for increasing teacher numbers as well as permanency for teachers, more support for young people with additional needs within schools and investment in school resources and equipment. Health services (12%) - comments include reference to support for investment in care services particularly for elderly and adults and children with disabilities and additional needs All services (9%) - comments include reference to support for all services such as healthcare, schools, libraries and arts as they were all identified as important to protect. Children services (8%) - comments include reference to supports for young people such as community activities and youth groups. Comments also included
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reference to cost of childcare and support for the reinstatement of 1140 childcare offer to the previous offering. General appearance of the area (4%) - comments include reference to general physical appearance of the area including accessible pathways, maintenance of parks and litter. Staffing (6%) comments include reference to ensuring employees are working to full capacity, reducing use of external contractors and improving pay for lower grade employees. Community (8%) - comments include reference to increasing community events and social amenities and building on community capacity. Financial efficiency (9%) - comments include reference to improved long term financial management, ensuring waste is eliminated and more joined up working to bridge the budget gap. Community facilities (4%) - comments include reference to libraries and support for maintaining/increasing opening hours and provision of social spaces for families and older people. Community partners (4%) - comments include reference to support for community partners to support the Council with providing community services, the closure of the Clydebank Women’s Aid was particularly mentioned. Other (5%) - comments include reference to campaigning for better funding from the Scottish Government and protection of vulnerable groups. Strategic Priority 2: Our Environment Q6. Thinking about our environment in West Dunbartonshire such as open spaces, parks, roads and walking, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 4.77 Investment is focused on maintaining pathways, pavements and walking routes 2 4.61 Investment is focused on road maintenance and street lighting, including potholes, road markings, signage 3 4.24 Investment is focused on maintaining public parks and recreational areas such as play parks and pitches 4 3.48 Investment is focused on all other ground maintenance including maintenance of high amenity areas such as play parks and play areas, around public buildings and adjacent to roads and walking routes 5 2.26 The number of play parks and areas of high amenity are retained 6 1.64 Investment is focused on maintenance and running costs for bowling greens
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Q7. Thinking about Waste, cleansing services and tackling climate, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 3.05 Investment is focused on the cleanliness of our area including street cleaning and public bins 2 2.82 Investment is focused on refuse collection and recycling facilities such as civic waste sites and neighbourhood recycling hubs 3 2.47 Investment continues to offset costs of waste and special collections including bulky items, garden and food waste 4 1.65 Investment is focused on climate change solutions including reducing the carbon footprint of Council services through the likes of reducing waste, increased use of electrical vehicles and LED lighting and having energy efficient buildings Q8. Do you have any further comments about how we invest in services to support our environment? Overall, 176 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however, each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Grass cutting (26%) - comments include reference to the poor appearance of the area, prevalence of ticks and vermin as a result of long grassed areas. Physical environment (24%) - comments include reference to general decline in attractiveness of the area due to reduced grass cutting and weeding. Litter and fly tipping were noted as concerns and respondents felt more street bins and street cleaning would improve the area. Respondents felt that the physical appearance would have a negative impact on attracting visitors and businesses to the area as well as the wellbeing of residents. Recycling (9%) - comments include reference to provision of more household recycling bins including glass bins, more education around recycling and, improved recycling facilities including access and opening hours. Climate (10%) – comments include reference to reduced community support for the council investing in climate/net zero projects such as electric vehicles, fewer responses commented that the Council should raise awareness and encourage climate change projects and practices.
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Garden waste charges (9%) – comments include reference to dissatisfaction with charges for garden waste and felt this should be included within council tax and for the extension period of garden waste collection for 12 months. Waste services (7%) - comments include reference to increase bin collections felt they were not frequent enough which leads to increased vermin infestations. Roads/pavements (4%) - comments include reference to condition of roads, pavement parking and accessible pavements Other (11%) - comments include reference to efficiency in service delivery. Strategic Priority 3: Our Economy Q9. Thinking about the economy, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 4.65 Regeneration of town centres and neighbourhoods 2 3.83 Supporting young people into employment 3 3.53 Supporting individuals and families to maximise income and reduce debt 4 3.41 Supporting people with barriers to maximise opportunities into employment 5 3.11 Supporting local businesses (including new businesses) 6 2.47 Supporting residents to access training and learning opportunities Q10. Thinking about the economy, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 3.67 Focus investment in areas with the highest child poverty rates 2 3.19 Target resources into services that are used by the most people 3 2.90 Target resources and investment in areas with most low- income households 4 2.82 Target resources at families and individuals who need them most including those on low incomes or who are disadvantaged 5 2.42 Target resources into services that are used by the highest number of people experiencing disadvantage Q11. Do you have any further comments about how we invest in services to support our economy?
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Overall, 82 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however, each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Support for all (37%) - comments include reference to support for working families and traditional middle earners, felt the focus should not just be on supporting low-income families as cost of living is affecting all. Businesses (16%) - comments include reference to focus should be on attracting a variety of business to the local areas, felt that by doing this it would improve employment opportunities as well as improving amenities in the area and making area more attractive. Efficient (11%) - comments include reference to a range of issues from suggestions of exploring other ways of delivering services with a focus on stop doing things that are deemed cosmetic, or where other agencies could lead on such as community service. Young people (9%) - comments include reference to focus of services should be to support young people with more services focusing on early intervention. Employment (5%) - comments include reference to employment opportunities and support for adults to enter the labour market. Regeneration (6%) - comments include reference to getting regeneration projects right first time, encouraging the private sector to take the lead and associate risks in development projects. Poverty (5%) - comments include reference to investing in areas that support the most disadvantaged people including support services. Grass cutting (4%) - comments include reference to the support for grass cutting in the area to support the general physical appearance of the areas. Salaries (4%) - comments include reference to Elected members salaries being too high, particular reference to recent pay rise. Other (5%) - comments include reference to general comments on physical appearance of the area, retaining teachers and support for Women’s aid. Strategic Priority 4: Our Council Q12. Thinking about the Council overall, please rank in order of importance what is most important to you (1 = most important) Rank position Ave. score 1 2.77 Maintain current opening hours and service provision for services and buildings 2 2.6 Charges for services (i.e. licences, environmental health) reflect costs of running the services and protect the delivery of them, even if this means charges may increase
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3 2.48 Maintain the number and location of public buildings including offices, depots, libraries and community facilities 4 2.15 Maintain service delivery even if this means a reduction in standards such as waiting longer for applications to be processed or queries to be answered Q13. Would you be prepared to pay more council tax in order to reduce the savings required? Yes 39.48% No 60.52% No response 0% Q14. Do you have any further comments about how we invest in services to support the delivery of Council services? Overall, 273 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however, each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Council tax & value for money (34%) – comments include reference to the Council tax rise did not represent value for money; community can’t see benefit of the rise. Majority of people said wouldn’t support a Council tax rise and others said would only support it if they knew how the rise was being spent and that it would have to demonstrate value for money. Poor management of assets and services (22%) – comments include reference that WDC did not demonstrate good financial management of budgets, efficiency of spend and contracts and efficient services. Poor appearance / grass cutting (11%) – comments include reference to the decline in appearance in the area largely as a result of reduction in grass cutting as well as roads and general appearance of the area – felt a lack of pride in the area. Salaries (7%) – comments include references to levels of salaries being paid, felt they were too high particularly at the management level. Staffing (4%) - comments include references to looking at efficiencies around staff levels and ensuring they are working to capacity. Communities (4%) – comments include reference to engaging the community more to get involved, felt fairness geographically across the area had to be demonstrated. Income generation (3%) – comments include references to generating income to offset budget shortfall. Cost of living (3%) – comments include reference to support and awareness of the impact of rising costs for low-income families.
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Other (12%) – comments include reference to more influence should be put upon national government for funding support and supporting local/small businesses. Q15. Overall, are there any services that you feel should be protected from reductions in budget? Please specify what services these are. Overall, 571 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however, each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Education (22%) - comments include reference to increasing/retaining teacher numbers, maintaining schools, adult learning and increasing ASN provision. Health & Social care (17%) - comments include reference to supporting adults to live independently, social work services, mental health services and supporting vulnerable people including children. Grass cutting (13%) - comments include reference to improving grass cutting across in all areas, improve weed killing to improve overall appearance of the area. Waste Services (8%) - comments include reference to increasing frequency of waste bin collections. Physical environment (maintenance) (8%) - comments include reference to general upkeep of the area including grass and grounds maintenance. Road maintenance (4%) - comments include reference to potholes, pavements and lighting. Libraries (3%) - comments include reference to retaining libraries and provision within. Service delivery (3%) - comments include reference to retaining front line services and services that support vulnerable people. Children services / childcare (3%) - comments include reference to retaining any service that supports children and providing funded nursery places. Community resources (6%) - comments include reference to funding leisure facilities, community safety, facilities community partners. Other (13%) – including leisure, housing, street lighting, staffing, reducing elected members salaries, support for people with additional needs and all services. Q16. Where would you target spend reductions? Overall, 564 comments were received, these have been grouped into thematic areas with the percentage of responses noted. It should be noted that the majority of the suggestions related to more than one topic/category in their response, however,
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each response has been categorised by the main concern or suggestion from the respondent. Key themes include: Efficiency (18%) – comments include reference to ensuring services and structure are efficient and provided value for money, improving productivity, reducing number of external contractors and focusing on statutory services. Management (18%) – comments include reference to senior management salaries, expenses, structure of management hierarchies and reduction in number of managers. Elected Members (13%) – comments include reference to Elected Members salaries, expenses and reduction of number of Elected Members. Council Officers (13%) – comments include reference to salary of council officers, reduction in number of council officers, more efficient ways of working. Rationalise council assets/ buildings (8%) – comments include reference to selling off unused equipment/ buildings and reducing number of buildings being used including primary school estates, office buildings and community facilities. Community Partners (5%) – comments include reference to funding community partners that serve few people or where the service is already provided by the Council. Environment/ climate (3%) – comments include reference to reduction in spend on climate change projects. Hospitality (2%) – comments included reference to spend for hospitality events including civic events. Vanity projects (2%) – comments include reference to reducing spend on projects that were noted as for vanity purposes but felt they served no real purpose. Other (18%) – comments include a range of areas identified for saving including reduction on; services used by the few; leisure facilities, support for businesses; capital projects. Included within this, 1.5% noted no cuts should be taken. Diversity Monitoring Age % response 0.65% 16-24 9.39% 25-34 18.61% 35-44 23.46% 45-54 25.08% 55-64 21.04% 65 and over 1.77% Didn’t say
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Sex % response 30.1% Male 65.53% Female 0% Intersex 1.94% I would describe my sex in another way 2.42% Didn’t say Sexual orientation % response 3.24% Bisexual 3.07% Gay or Lesbian 86.08% Heterosexual (straight) 3.07% Other 4.53% Didn’t say Religious Belief % response 37.22% No religion 0.16% Buddhist 52.1% Christian 0.16% Hindu 0.16 % Jewish 0.32% Muslim 0.16% Sikh 5.99% Other 3.72% Didn’t say Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the terms given in the Equality Act 2010? The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people; it defines a person as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. % response 22% Yes 74.76% No 3.23% Didn’t say Ethnicity % response 91.75% White or white Scottish or white British 1.78% White Irish 0.16% White Polish 0.97% White other
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0.32% African or African Scottish or African British 0% Arab or Arab Scottish or Arab British 0% Black or Black Scottish or Black British 0% Caribbean or Caribbean Scottish or Caribbean British 0% Chinese or Chinese Scottish or Chinese British 0.16% Indian or Indian Scottish or Indian British 0.15% Pakistani or Pakistani Scottish or Pakistani British 0.65% Mixed/ Multiple ethnicities 1.13% Other 3.07% Didn’t say