COUNCIL Tax across Clydebank will rise by almost five per cent in a bid to fund free school meals for every primary pupil.

The SNP’s “no cuts” budget for 2020/21 was presented at a full council meeting last week and will invest £950,000 in the programme which will be phased into schools over the next two years.

Political decisions and management adjustments to balance the £9.8million budget gap include a reduction in funding for local events, reduction in levels of street cleaning, and a drop in the number of council staffed school crossings.

Free school transport will only be provided to primary pupils who live more than two miles away and secondary school pupils who live more than three miles away.

Labour had proposed a 3 per cent increase in Council Tax for the coming financial year compared to the administration’s 4.84 per cent.

The agreed budget will, however, see £8m invested in road and pavement improvements, £1.85m to support residents into employment, and more than £250,000 set aside to fund additional learning assistants in schools.

SNP councillor Ian Dickson said: “Last summer a budget priority session was carried out. The most valued service in the survey was primary and secondary education where a lot of people asked for extra investment.

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“We are adding a further £250,000 to increase the number of learning assistants across our schools.

“We will continue to roll out the provision of early learning to 1,140 hours to give everyone growing up in West Dunbartonshire the best start possible and creating over 100 jobs within the council.”

Improving roads was also ranked very highly during the consultation.

Steps will be taken to ensure all the community centres remain open across West Dunbartonshire while the council aims to increase their usage.

Labour blamed the Scottish Government for not awarding local governments enough funding.

Councillor Martin Rooney said: “The Labour group want to invest in our communities and public infrastructure. If you believe as we do these are the right priorities for West Dunbartonshire, then back the amendment.”

Eleven councillors voted through the SNP budget. Nine members agreed with Labour’s amendment.