West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) isn't getting the money it deserves from the Scottish Government, the authority's leader has claimed.

Councillor Martin Rooney wrote to depute First Minister John Swinney and finance secretary Kate Forbes stating the local authority needed more money to meet the pay deal being offered to their staff.

Negotiations for pay of local public sector workers is dealt with between the government and the body for councils, COSLA.

When there is a national deal, councils either get a bump in funding from central government or they have to make up the gap.

WDC already faces crippling finances after more than a decade of austerity from both the UK Government and Scottish Government.

And Cllr Rooney said West Dunbartonshire has a greater need because of levels of deprivation in the area.

He wrote: "Without the Scottish Government financial support, local residents will be faced with the prospect of the loss of public services as trades union members take industrial action affecting such things as waste collection, early years, primary schools and secondary schools.

"This is wholly unacceptable and could have a devastating impact on the learning and achievement of young people in Scotland.

"West Dunbartonshire Council needs additional financial assistance from the Scottish Government to help fund the local government pay rise."

Cllr Rooney also blamed the previous SNP-led administration for leaving bigger funding gaps for future years.

He said: "The previous SNP administration had left the council with a number of unfunded burdens for future years and had used up the councils 'free reserves' in setting the 2022/23 budget.

"This left the council with a forecast budget gap of £14million for financial year 2023/24 which to be frank, we will really struggle to close without a massive negative impact on both the quality and quantity of services we provide on behalf of the Scottish Government.

"West Dunbartonshire needs assistance with closing the £14m budget gap and with funding fair pay for all our local government staff."

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.