West Dunbartonshire’s full council meetings will now start at 10am amid concerns about women’s safety as previous evening meetings didn’t finish until after midnight.

Until 2018, most full council meetings began at 6pm and sometimes didn't finish until close to midnight.

Since then the majority of meetings have begun at 2pm, though until the move to virtual meetings during the pandemic, many winter meetings didn't finish until after dark.

On Wednesday, at the first 'hybrid' meeting since the Covid crisis forced the move to online meetings 18 months ago, the authority's SNP administration brought a motion before members seeking approval to change the start time of full council meetings to 10am.

Supporters of the motion said they hoped hoped the move would encourage more women to get involved in politics, particularly those with family commitments, as well as promoting female safety.

But the Labour group said the move was “unacceptable” and put forward an amendment which requested that full council meetings continue to start at 2pm at the earliest to allow people with other work commitments to attend.

Their amendment suggested the SNP's proposal was driven by the election in May of Clydebank SNP councillor Marie McNair as the MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie.

The Labour amendment read: “The council is not opposed to meetings being scheduled after 2pm and recognises that evening meetings might be more accessible to members of the public. Council meetings should not be set to meet the needs of the MSP for Clydebank.”

Councillor David McBride (Labour, Dumbarton) explained: “Provost, 10am meetings are simply unacceptable for members of the public to witness activities. The SNP made a huge play when 6pm meetings were changed to 2pm. What is the change here?”

Councillor Caroline McAllister (Alba Party, Leven) said: “I have a number of issues with the assertions that are being made with regards to accessibility. 

“Our work patterns have changed considerably over the last decade or so and actually there are a lot of shift workers who don’t get access to these meetings.

“Late night meetings are not conducive to family life and that is a huge barrier for any young woman coming forward to stand for council who has young children.”

It was also pointed out that recent council meetings which had started at 2pm did not finish until nearer 9pm. 

Had these taken place in the chambers, and begun at 6pm councillors would have been working into the small hours and putting themselves in potential danger.

Councillor Diane Docherty (SNP, Clydebank Central) added: “As a woman I don’t feel that I should have to make my way home at 12 o’clock at night a lot of the time. 

"I’m lucky I have a car and don’t have to try and book a taxi or public transport.

“Times have changed. People can see the papers or log into Zoom to view this meeting.

Members of the public don’t have to hold me accountable by coming to a 6pm meeting.”

Following the debate the majority of councillors agreed to the new 10am start. 

A full list of meetings can be found on the council’s website.