A DUMBARTON councillor is aiming to secure monthly meetings of the full council – in the interests of “openness and transparency”.

There have only been three full council meetings since the local authority elections in May, when the SNP regained power from the Labour group.

And one of them was merely procedural, with the formal election of Provost William Hendrie and confirmation of the various committee members.

Now Councillor David McBride is to raise a motion at the next full council meeting on October 25 asking that meetings are held each month.

Cllr McBride’s motion states: “This council is committed to promoting openness and transparency in its decision making and in the scrutiny of its performance.

“Therefore, this council believes that in order to enhance our transparency, the council is to move to monthly council meetings at the earliest opportunity.”

Cllr McBride said that “ideally” this should be introduced by January 2018 and the chief executive, Joyce White should “review” the meeting arrangements with a view to the early implementation of monthly council meetings.

Cllr McBride’s motion continues: “The estimated annual cost of £4500 per annum should be included in budget calculations for 18/19 and beyond.

"Any shortfall for the remainder of 17/18 should be met from reserves.”