Councillor R Glen presided.

Councillors R Glen; and B Lawson (Renfrewshire Council); B Davidson, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce; S Graham, Engage; I McLean, Forum for Empowering Communities; M Crearie; A Morrison; and R Cooper (all Renfrewshire Council); N Shields and S Frew (both Scottish Enterprise); M Gilligan, Skills Development Scotland; J Binning, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; M Dunn, University of the West of Scotland; and A Dick, West College Scotland.

J Ballantyne, DWP; S Varu and T Stewart (both Paisley First); Y Farquhar and C MacDonald (both Renfrewshire Council).

There were no Declarations of Interest intimated prior to commencement of the meeting.

L Hammell, DWP; R Nimmo, Glasgow Airport; S Clocherty and H Cunningham (both Health & Social Care Partnership); and J Downie, Police Scotland.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Jobs & the Economy Thematic Board held on 9 September, 2015.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

DECIDED: That the Rolling Action Log be approved.

S Varu and T Stewart delivered a presentation relating to Paisley First - Paisley's Business Improvement District (BID). S Varu advised that the BID was established to revitalise the town centre and strengthen the town’s business environment and was dedicated to improving Paisley town centre by encouraging residents, visitors and businesses to think Paisley First.

The presentation outlined the concept of a Business Improvement District and highlighted the work currently being undertaken. The marketing strategy was summarised and T Stewart gave a “Chairman’s perspective” of the BID and what Paisley First was trying to achieve.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

A report was submitted by the Director of Development & Housing Services relevant to revisions to the Single Outcome Agreement.

The report indicated that at a meeting of this Thematic Board held on 12 December 2014, members discussed the implications of new major projects and the impact upon the Board’s targets and outcomes. It was noted that the range of targets set for the Board had been significantly exceeded and as a result there was a need to further develop the Jobs and Economy element of the Single Outcome Agreement. A short term officer working group had been established to review the relevant impact measures and the final version and details of the amendments were contained within the report.
 
A Morrison advised that within Table 2 measures three and four had been derived from taking into account the following factors:






- general growth in rail passengers in city regions;

- calculating the likely additional passengers and services once the Airport Access Project was in place (10 year target); and

- likely enhancement of train services via Gilmour Street over time to other destinations

The board agreed that a footnote be added to Table 2 within the report detailing where the baseline figures had derived from.

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be agreed that a footnote be added to Table 2 within the the report detailing where the baseline figures for measures three and four had derived from: and

(b)  That the revisions to the Single Outcome Agreement as detailed within the report be agreed.

R Cooper submitted a report relative to the establishment of the Enterprise Renfrewshire Forum and the plans for Global Entrepreuneurship Week.

The report advised that as part of the increased focus on entrepreneurship within the Invest in Renfrewshire programme a new local Enterprising Renfrewshire forum had been established to promote Enterprise and Self Employment across the area. The Forum would co-ordinate and influence local partnership working and aimed to be one of the biggest Scottish contributors to Global Entrepreneurship Week which would run during November 2015.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Board note the establishment of the Enterprising Renfrewshire Forum and the plans across Renfrewshire for Global Entrepreneurship Week; and

(b)  That Board Members advise the Lead Officer of any additional events that could be included as part of Renfrewshire’s contribution to Global Entrepreneurship week.

A verbal update was given by Allan Dick, WCS relative to the establishment of the West Region Developing Young Workforce Group.

He intimated that one of the key recommendations from the Wood Commission report was the establishment of Regional Invest in Young People Groups. The three year plan had been agreed and funded by the Scottish Government.

Allan advised that the Group had now been established and West College Scotland were host employers. The next steps for the Group were outlined and it was intimated that regular updates would be submitted to the Board.

DECIDED:

(a)  That regular updates relative to the West Region Developing Young Workforce Group would be submitted to the Board; and

(b)  That the update be noted.

R Cooper gave a presentation relative to the provision of services available to local residents aged 50+ to support them into employment. Reference was made during the presentation to the number of Job Seeker Allowances claimants within various age categories; the reductions achieved in each category of claimants over the previous three year period; short and long term unemployment trends for those aged 50+; and current local service provision to support those aged 50+ into employment together with details of new services available from January 2016. It was highlighted that it was also proposed to identify a 50+ champion to promote the service, increase targets and re-align budgets.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing  Services relative to the regeneration of Paisley Town Centre.

The report provided a summary of the various regeneration activities currently being taken forward, and included progress on the Paisley Heritage Asset Strategy, City of Culture and City Deal. The report advised that a number of key milestones had been reached: the Outline Business Case for the Paisley Museum redevelopment was nearing completion; the City of Culture bid was formally launched on 13th / 14th November; and Strategic Business Cases had been progressed for all 3 of the Renfrewshire City Deal projects.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

A verbal update was given by Bob Davidson, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce on the recent activities of the Chamber.

DECIDED: That the verbal update be noted.

There was submitted a newsletter by Economic Development which provided an overview of employment activity and economic development in Renfrewshire at the end of October 2015.



The newsletter illustrated the Renfrewshire labour market position and advised how Renfrewshire fared in comparison to the rest of the country. It also included a brief summary of the progress made to date by the Council’s Invest in Renfrewshire Programme and Business Gateway Programme and provided information on wider economic development activity across Renfrewshire.

DECIDED: That the newsletter be noted.