INVERCLYDE Council could be set to mount a legal challenge over the budget offer it received from the Scottish Government.

Council leader Stephen McCabe says he is holding discussions with other local authorities about a judicial review of 'sanctions' proposed by the Scottish Government in the event of no deal being struck.

He was asked to respond by a deadline of February 9 indicating acceptance or otherwise of the allocation on the table from Edinburgh, which involves signing up to the council tax freeze for another year.

In his formal response to the government's offer, Mr McCabe says he does not intend to propose a council tax increase when it is set on February 18.

But he also attacked the settlement and warned it will have a 'devastating impact' on Inverclyde.

He said: “In all my years in local government I cannot recall such a draconian settlement both financially and in terms of the penalties threatened.

"You should be aware that I am in discussion with colleagues in other councils about the possibility of seeking a judicial review of your draconian sanctions. 

“I find it totally baffling that a government which portrays itself at every turn as being anti-austerity would support a settlement that will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on local communities, services and jobs in the years to come when it had other levers at its disposal to avoid such an outcome." The Tele has asked the government for a response to the council's announcement this morning.

The council has, for the first time in its history, delayed the setting of its budget. It will take place on March 10.