WEST Dunbartonshire Council is being urged by a regional MSP to improve its performance in collecting waste as residents across the area are becomingly increasingly frustrated.

MSP Maurice Golden has spoken out after a Freedom of Information request revealed that there were 122 complaints for every 1,000 households in the region of 2016/17 – compared to 88 three years before.

Recycling rates have also fallen in West Dunbartonshire, with only 47.6 per cent of waste recycled in 2017, down from 48.5 per cent in 2016.

Mr Golden said: “This is the sort of basic, everyday service that the SNP administration need to ensure that they are delivering to a high standard for residents.

“Instead, coupled with below average recycling rates, we appear to have a council which is not tackling this issue seriously enough, inevitably leading to complaints from people who are affected.

“Waste collection is one of the most important services residents pay for through their council tax.”

SNP council leader Jonathan McColl replied: “During the first ever West Dunbartonshire SNP administration of 2007-2012, the SNP ensured that West Dunbartonshire led the way in Scotland for recycling, and we continue to take our responsibilities and commitments in this area seriously.

“This is the first I am hearing of Mr Golden’s concern in this regard. Indeed his Conservative colleagues on the council have not raised this issue with either myself or the convener.

“Nor have they spoken about it at the numerous committee and council meetings where performance figures are scrutinised and actions taken to rectify issues of concern.

“If this is an issue that genuinely concerns Mr Golden, he is welcome to write to me.”