The new leader of West Dunbartonshire Council will be confirmed tomorrow after Labour took control of the region at the local elections.
All 12 of the party’s candidates across Dumbarton, the Vale and Clydebank were elected – with Lomond member Martin Rooney expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the council.
He previously held the role between 2012 and 2017, and vowed that the new administration would “hit the ground running.”
A council meeting will take place tomorrow where the council leader, provost and up to 10 senior councillor positions are expected to be agreed.
A report prepared by officers reveals the leader position carries a salary of £39,148 per annum which is set by regulations, with the council unable to change remuneration
levels.
The council may also appoint a civic head, usually the provost in West Dunbartonshire, which comes with a salary of £29,361, and was previously held by SNP councillor Karen Conaghan who has taken over as leader of the opposition.
A maximum of ten senior councillors, which include depute leader, depute provost and service spokespersons can also be chosen, with the maximum allowance payable being £29,361.
The report states: “The council will also decide the level of remuneration to be paid to each senior councillor as long as no councillor receives more than £29,361 per annum and the total sum paid out to senior councillors does not exceed the budget allocation.
“All councillors who do not hold the position of leader, civic head or senior councillor will receive a basic remuneration of £19,571 per annum.”
At the meeting, the council will also consider appointments to a number of committees and other constituted bodies.
Dumbarton councillor Karen Conaghan will lead the SNP’s opposition on West Dunbartonshire Council, as she took over from Jonathan McColl as the group’s leader.
Speaking after his election, Martin Rooney gave a glimpse of what could lie ahead, vowing to give money to foodbanks and those struggling with fuel costs.
He said: “We’re guided by our values. Whenever we look at issues we look at them from a values perspective and at what practical measures we can take.
“The cost of living is a huge issue. We put a lot of measures in our budget proposals that could’ve been implemented. They are still on the table. We want to give £1000 a week additional support to foodbanks. We want another £1000 a week to help people with fuel costs, and another £1000 a week distributed through foodbanks for the Shop Local initiative that we hope can help support local businesses.
“People have other needs which cost a lot of money.
“And we want to hope to help out with that.”
Outgoing leader Jonathan McColl said: “I have to say that I’m delighted with the quality of candidates we now have elected. We have an influx of very talented young people.
“There are positives to come out of this.
“We will work as an effective opposition to scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile way.”
