LEGAL advice over responsibility for the planned reopening of Inverclyde's schools is being sought amid a suggestion that the council could unilaterally decide to keep them closed.

The view of the local authority's head of property and legal services, Gerard Malone, is that national guidance should be followed - but a second opinion has now been called for.

Officers working for the umbrella organisation for all Scottish councils, COSLA, have been instructed to seek the counsel of other legal experts ahead of next month's scheduled return.

The revelation came at the latest meeting of Inverclyde's governing policy and resources executive sub-committee, in response to a question posed by SNP group leader Chris McEleny.

He said: "Is there going to be a situation where it's going to be up to us as a council to determine when it's safe for schools to go back?

"And if we determined that we don't think it's safe then would we be in a position to perhaps have schools not go back on August 11?"

Mr Malone declared that his advice remained to follow the national guidance set out by the Scottish Government.

He added: "We would obviously take into account any further legal advice that comes from COSLA, or any other source.

"Our position quite clearly is to follow the national guidance because that's in the best interests of the public, pupils and the authority.

"I would listen to any legal advice that comes to the contrary but our position has been to follow the national guidance."

Mr Malone said that the council would retain all its statutory responsibilities and liabilities associated with the reopening of schools.

However, the overall situation remains unresolved because COSLA is yet to receive its own legal advice.

Council leader Stephen McCabe confirmed: "COSLA leaders have asked COSLA officers to seek legal advice around who is responsible for agreeing to reopen schools, who is responsible legally for closing schools and that advice hasn't yet been provided."