THE SNP has officially taken control of West Dunbartonshire Council – after forming an alliance with an Independent.

At last Wednesday’s statutory meeting of the new-look authority in Garshake Road, SNP group leader, Jonathan McColl, was installed unopposed as the new leader of the authority, with Caroline McAllister as his depute.

Cllr McColl said: “I would like to thank the council for electing me and Caroline [McAllister]. We will do the best job we can and to the best of our abilities.”

Their party gained 10 seats in this month’s council elections but not enough to gain a majority in the 22-seat local authority area.

But they formed the new administration after convincing Clydebank Waterfront councillor and Independent Denis Agnew to join forces with them, taking their seats to 11.

Mr Agnew was also unveiled as the first Bailie in the history of the authority, a ceremonial title which describes a civic officer within the local government.

Baiie Agnew will also take on a senior councillor role as convenor of, and spokesperson for, Communications, Museums and Cultural Development.

Bailie Agnew said: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be elected Baillie, the first in the history of West Dunbartonshire. We have to work together for the greater good.”

A motion that went before members read: “Council recognise the SNP group and Denis Agnew as the administration.

“Council invites the Labour group, as the largest single group not in Administration, to form the official opposition and to appoint appoint the leader of the opposition and any shadow spokesperson positions as they see fit.”

The motion was agreed and seconded.

Also elected on the night was the new Provost, Clydebank Waterfront Councillor, William Hendrie.

Councillor Hendrie said his election as Provost, which went unopposed, was a “great honour,” promising to be a “fair Provost” during his term in office.

He also thanked his predecessor Douglas McAllister for his hard work and commitment during his five-year stint in the role.

The new administration also picked nine senior councillors, who were appointed to the various committees and other bodies, while a further one senior councillor role will taken up by the leader of the opposition, currently Martin Rooney.

The confirmed senior councillors were as follows: Caroline McAllister, Ian Dickson, Denis Agnew, Marie McNair, Karen Conaghan, Diane Docherty, Iain McLaren, James Finn, James Brown.

And the statutory meeting proved historic too, as Sally Page (Lomond ward) and Brian Walker (Dumbarton ward), took their seats as the first Scottish Conservative and Unionist Councillors in the local authority’s 21-year history.

The new administration will now begin work on a budget which they will unveil in due course.

In addition, the leader of the council Jonathan McColl, will shortly outline his vision for the area after assuming control.

His party was the biggest single party in the area after the May 4 council elections- but their 10 seats fell just shy of a majority.

However, they recruited Independent councillor Denis Agnew as part of the new-look administration, giving them even more sway on voting matters.

Now McColl and his colleagues will outline what they want to see in West Dunbartonshire, including protecting services at Vale of Leven Hospital.

After his confirmation to leader of the local authority last Wednesday, Cllr McColl said: “I would like to thank the council for electing me and Caroline (McAllister).

“We will do the best job we can and to the best of our abilities and bring forward our policy vision in due course.

“We appreciate the Council having confidence in us at this stage.”

During his election address Cllr McColl told how he “loved” his previous job working in care, but the challenge of “improving things for the whole community” as a councillor was “gratifying.”

One priority for Mr McColl is campaigning to ensure NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deliver the services that local people need from the Vale hospital.

He said: “The health board must stop their Glasgow focussed approach to health and start delivering the services our community needs.”