Forty workers made redundant by a recycling firm which went into administration look set to be offered jobs with the council.

West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) is planning to spend £320,000 on creating the positions, as well as taking recycling and collection services in-house.

Greenlight Environmental Ltd left 109 workers redundant when it went into administration in August and 19 staff members received temporary contracts with the council.

The firm processed more than 15,000 tonnes of recycling every year and carried out garden maintenance for West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils.

Hazel Nolan, Scotland organiser of the GMB union, welcomed the recommendations but warned there would have to be clarity on the quality of jobs offered.

She said: “This is definitely encouraging, especially as it could give reassurance to workers just before Christmas.

“If approved, it’s a really good move by the council.

“We do have to ensure though that the quality of these jobs is sufficient and not zero-hours contracts.

“It is important that work is not pushed on to existing employees and that new roles are created.

“We know that some of these jobs were seasonal, for example the care of garden scheme.”

Under the plans, which will be discussed at the full council meeting on November 28, glass, dry recycling and cardboard collections would all be taken over by WDC, along with the operation of recycling centres in Dalmoak and Old Kilpatrick.

A report recommends that the care of garden scheme which was operated by Greenlight is also provided by the council.

Some other recycling, processing and confidential waste services would be delivered by external companies.

The report states that the annual cost of the services will amount to £321,000 and is included in the budget proposals for 2019/20.

Costs for the remainder of 2018/19 could amount to £140,000 and the council could run the risk of overspending.

However, the report states: “The additional cost for bringing the services in-house during the interim period are being offset by the payment to Greenlight that is now stopped and the services are attempting to manage budget pressures within their existing resources.”

The council spent a total of £1.4million annually on contracts and service agreements with Greenlight before the firm entered administration in August this year.

The report by council officers states: “Staff that were previously employed by Greenlight would improve their terms and conditions if employed by West Dunbartonshire Council.”

Greenlight collapsed with debts of up to £1.2million, according to administrators. The firm will be liquidated and creditors will receive 0.02p out of every pound they are owed.

Councillor David McBride said: “The Labour group welcome the recycling work being taken back in-house.

“We called for the council to do so in the event that Greenlight would not be in a position to continue trading.

“We welcome the 40 new jobs being created at an additional cost but with improved terms and conditions for the workers.

“Clearly, there will be some Greenlight workers who will not be re-employed as only 40 jobs will be created and the Labour group will be seeking assurances there will be sufficient staff to cover all required duties or seek additional appointments if required”.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “A full report on Greenlight will be submitted to the council on November 28.

“It will be for council to decide the way forward.”