At a specially arranged meeting yesterday (Wednesday) the Labour administration moved for a report to be produced into the consequences of staying and leaving the organisation.

Council leader, Martin Rooney said it would offer the administration a chance to have all the facts to hand before making a decision.

Addressing the full council, Councillor Rooney said: “It really is self evident. We are using this to protect the council's interests. We are using it as an insurance policy so we have an exit policy for leaving CoSLA if necessary and agreed.

“We are asking for a report to allow us to make an informed decision in six months time.” However, there was opposition to this from the SNP party who said there was no need to leave the organisation and doing so could cost a penalty fine of £200,000.

Raising his concerns, Councillor Jonathan McColl said: “If we leave CoSLA, we will no longer be part of consultations and debate. Our collective bargaining will be lost." The administration's motion to file for a report, having a debate on membership in six months time was upheld by 13 votes to six.

So far nine councils across Scotland have said they will leave the organisation.