There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the Soil Association Food for Life Catering Mark scheme which aimed to raise standards of food quality, provenance and sustainability in public and private sector catering. The accreditation was awarded at three levels, bronze, silver and gold, based on steps that a caterer took in terms of the Catering Mark values.

The report outlined the current catering service style provided in local primary schools and referred to the establishment, as part of the Better Council Change Programme, of the two central production units (CPUs), located in secondary school kitchens, which produced high-volume items for the full school estate. As a consequence there was deemed to be capacity in primary school kitchens to produce more freshly prepared food on site. It was also noted that catering staff regularly provided feedback that they wished to improve their cooking skills by freshly preparing more meals on site. As a result the Service had explored options for introducing greater food production within primary school kitchens. These options had been investigated and tested in conjunction with discussions with the Soil Association in terms of their Food for Life Catering Mark bronze award accreditation scheme. The standards which required to be met to achieve the bronze award were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

Following analysis of the school meal menu it had been evident that, with some minor alterations to the menu and method of production, it would be possible to meet all of the criteria required of the bronze scheme. The report indicated that to support the process and provide continuing professional development for staff, the catering service was working in partnership with West College Scotland to provide a bespoke Cooking Skills training programme for primary school catering staff. The 10-week programme would provide training for 14 staff, on a day-release basis, and enable staff to gain a college qualification. The training programme would run twice per year on an annual basis. Details of the course outline were detailed in Appendix 2 to the report. Accordingly it was proposed that an application be submitted, in due course, for the Catering Mark bronze award in respect of the catering service in primary schools.

DECIDED: That the service developments and progress towards application for the Food for Life Catering Mark bronze award for primary schools be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the Scottish Government air quality strategy entitled Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future (CAFS).

The report stated that the purpose of CAFS was to provide a national cross-government strategy which set out how the Scottish Government and its partner organisations proposed to achieve further reductions in air pollution in order to fulfil Scotland’s air quality responsibilities as soon as possible. The strategy outlined a series of actions across a range of policy areas and introduced a number of important initiatives. These included a National Modelling Framework intended to provide a standard air quality assessment methodology for use across Scotland; a National Low Emissions Framework which would assist local authorities in determining effective measures for addressing air quality issues within their areas; and a national air quality public awareness campaign. The key overall outcome to be achieved, by 2020, through implementation of the strategy, was full compliance with EU air-quality legislation, together with significant progress towards revocation of all Scottish Air Quality Management Areas.

The majority of action measures would be implemented by the Scottish Government and partner organisations, however, there were actions that local authorities would be expected to deliver. These included the production of corporate travel plans which were consistent with air quality action plans and the encouragement of Freight Quality Partnerships. It was noted that a Renfrewshire-wide air quality action plan was currently being developed which would take into account actions for all three Renfrewshire Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA's). The specific local authority actions detailed within CAFS would be considered in more detail during the Council’s action planning process, would consider the Clean Air for Scotland strategy and outline how it would assist in delivering the aims and objectives of the strategy.

DECIDED:

(a) That the publication of the Scottish Government’s air-quality strategy ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future’ be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the aims and objectives of the strategy would be considered and that the specific action for local authorities, detailed at paragraph 3.5 of the report, would be included within Renfrewshire Council’s Air-Quality Action Plan.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the strategy published by the Foods Standards Scotland (FSS) entitled “Shaping Scotland’s Food Future – Our Strategy to 2021”.

The report advised that the strategy set out a clear vision for FSS and outlined a broad remit. In this way FSS would put consumers first, and be a credible, consistent and trusted voice on food matters in Scotland. The strategy provided a focus for what FSS would do in the period to 2021 in terms of six strategic outcome targets. The strategy aligned with the Renfrewshire Council Business Regulation Service Plan and was also consistent with the Better Regulation and Enforcement Guidelines (Integrated Enforcement Policy) previously adopted by the Council.

DECIDED:

(a) That the publication of the FSS strategy entitled “Shaping Scotland’s Food Future - Our Strategy to 2021” be noted; and

(b) That the purpose, vision and outcomes of the FSS strategy and their alignment with the work being undertaken by Renfrewshire Council be welcomed.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the Renfrewshire Responsible Dog Ownership Strategy.

The proposed strategy, a copy of which was appended to the report, recognised that the significant majority of dog owners were responsible and that having a dog could be a hugely rewarding experience, but also recognised that owning a dog came with responsibilities. Across Scotland there continued to be a persistent minority of dog owners who adversely affected communities through their lack of control over their dogs’ behaviour. As well as causing welfare issues for their pet, irresponsible dog owners allowed their dogs to cause a nuisance or even a danger to others.

A summary of the local and national landscape in terms of dog control issues was provided. Particular reference was made to the significant number of complaints received annually related to dog fouling and the work undertaken locally to tackle dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership. The introduction of legislation during 2016 had provided an opportunity for a review of the Council’s procedures in relation to dog controls. A key outcome of this review was the development of a strategy for promoting responsible dog ownership, which brought together successful elements, including education, communication and enforcement campaigns, into a single planned co-ordinated approach to promote and support responsible dog ownership in the area.

The proposed strategy focused on four priorities which had been highlighted following consultation, namely: (i) enhanced partnership working; (ii) promoting responsible behaviours; (iii) tackling persistent offenders and improved enforcement; and (iv) tackling out of control dogs and the delivery of a number of key outcomes.   A copy of the proposed Responsible Dog Ownership Pledge was attached to the report as Appendix 2.

Subject to approval it was proposed that the strategy be implemented throughout 2017 in three key phases, Phase 1: Initial Communications and Enforcement Activities, Phase 2: Partnership Engagements, and Phase 3: Targeted Campaigns and Enforcement. The strategy would be reviewed during December 2017 and March 2018 to determine the success of the approach and the key priorities for 2018/19.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Renfrewshire’s Strategy for Responsible Dog Ownership, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(b) That the responsible Dog Ownership pledge, set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved; and

(c) That it be noted that update reports on progress with implementation of the strategy would be submitted to future meetings of the Policy Board.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the Renfrewshire Cycling Strategy 2016/25, a copy of which was appended to the report.

The current local cycling policy had evolved in response to the Cycling Strategy for Renfrewshire, produced in 2004, and the Renfrewshire Local Transport Strategy 2007, which had updated the cycling strategy objectives and aims as a consequence of significant developments in both national policy and various initiatives within the Council.  The report highlighted an increased focus on cycling within a national context, with national targets set for cycling and a Cycling Action Plan published, the Scottish Planning Policy, which strongly supported cycling, and the SPT Regional Transport Strategy 2014/17.  Renfrewshire City Deal projects included substantial elements of cycling infrastructure and the report referred to cycle routes which had been designed and constructed throughout Renfrewshire, including strategic routes.

The proposed Renfrewshire Cycling Strategy 2016/25, reviewed the context and performance of cycling uptake and infrastructure, set objectives for moving forward and achieving 2020 targets and made a number of recommendations in respect of actions required to achieve a step change.

DECIDED: That Renfrewshire’s Cycling Strategy for 2016/25 be approved.