Just weeks after they stood down from their political leadership and senior positions within the council, Labour has formed a minority administration with its remaining nine councillors.
West Dunbartonshire’s Labour and SNP groups have been accused of completing a “behind the scenes deal” and excluding the remaining opposition councillors after a minority administration was formed.
During the meeting councillor Jim Bollan of the West Dunbartonshire community party claimed that it was “quite obvious” that a deal had been done behind the scenes. “These documents that have been put in front of us have been agreed by the SNP and Labour - fair enough that is what happens in politics.Independent councillor Dannie Lennie raised concerns that West Dunbartonshire might find themselves without an administration after December’s full council meeting.“What kind of position would that leave us in by December. There is no realistic give and take during these discussions.
Both the SNP and Labour tried to reassure the five councillors, four of which sit as independents, that all documents had been shared as would any future papers. “The reality is we don’t have the numbers to form an administration. The Labour group has made their position clear going forward and we feel that the Labour group has the largest number of members and are in a position to form an administration than we are.Depute Leader councillor David McBride agreed and pointed out that this had been a difficult time for the council.
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