Inverclyde Council has announced it is delaying setting its budget for the first time due to "uncertainty over future Scottish Government funding".

It had been due to set out its spending plans on February 18, but the decision will now be delayed until March.

Council leader Stephen McCabe said the local authority needs more time to consider its options before making any decisions.

He said: "We are expected to be able to balance our budget for the next financial year (2016/17) without the need for any new budget savings or service reductions beyond anything already in place.

"However there is an estimated funding gap of almost £4 million for the following year and there is still uncertainty around the settlement from the Scottish Government. On that basis, it is only right that we give ourselves more time to consider the options before making any decisions."

He said Scottish Government funding had been reduced by £6.6 million, £4.2 million beyond what was originally expected.

Local government organisation Cosla said talks between councils and the Scottish Government over this year's budget had ''hit a new low''.

The funding agreement from the Government includes maintaining the council tax freeze, £250 million for integrating health and social care services, and maintaining the pupil/teacher ratio in schools.

Cosla says councils are facing £350 million of cuts, while some local authorities are considering breaking the council tax freeze.

The deadline for councils accepting the deal has been put back to February 2.