West Dunbartonshire Council's new leader has pledged to move the authority forward, in the wake of a damning report from the Accounts Commission. The council's former leader, Cllr Andy White, resigned before Christmas after the commission published its findings following a ‘best value' hearing, which said the council was ‘not in a position to deliver best value and must accept the need for effective leadership and external assistance'. Accounts Commission for Scotland chairman, Alastair MacNish, said: ‘There are serious problems at West Dunbartonshire Council. We hope our findings will mark a turning point for the council.' Among criticisms levelled at the authority were – decision-making not transparent or open, poor staff morale, inadequate scrutiny regime, lack of effective leadership, and poor relations among members and between members and officers. Now Cllr Martin Rooney (Lab) has taken the reins at the authority. He said: ‘We will take on board the recommendations and remain committed to ensuring that the improvement plan is fully implemented.' The full council is set to meet on 17 January to discuss the issues arising from the commission's findings.