Councillors B Brown, Cameron, E Devine, Andy Doig, Glen, Harte, Henry, Holmes, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, M Macmillan, McCartin, I McMillan and Williams.

Councillor M Macmillan, Convener, presided.

S Black, Chief Executive; P MacLeod, Director of Children's Services; S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources; M Crearie, Director of Development & Housing Services and A Russell, Director of Finance & Resources; D Amos, Head of Policy & Commissioning, A Armstrong-Walter, Strategic Lead Officer (Tackling Poverty and Welfare Reform) and L McIntyre, Strategic Planning and Policy Development Manager (all Chief Executive's); O Reid, Head of Public Protection (Community Resources); A Morrison, Head of Regeneration (Development & Housing Services); K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance and L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager (both Finance & Resources); D Leese, Chief Officer (Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership) and J McKellar, Chief Executive, and N Bristow, Creative Learning Co-ordinator (both Renfrewshire Leisure).

The Convener indicated that there was an additional item in relation to an emergency motion from Councillors Holmes and E Devine concerning civic amenity sites in Renfrewshire, which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting. The Convener, being of the opinion that the item, which was dealt with at item 1 below, should be considered by the Board as a matter of urgency, authorised its consideration.

Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor E Devine, moved that Council recognises the need to provide services that meet the needs of residents across Renfrewshire. Council recognises there has been a material change in circumstances insofar as the changes were having a greater impact on usage than anticipated. Council agrees to restore services at the civic amenity sites in Erskine, Johnstone, Linwood and Renfrew to previous levels and will fund this in the current year from a draw down from the Strategic Waste Reserve and account for the ongoing cost in setting the general fund revenue budget for 2017/18.

Council further calls on the Scottish Government to restore our funding to a level that does not result in the reduction of services.

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren moved that the paragraph "Council further calls on the Scottish Government to restore our funding to a level that does not result in the reduction of services." be removed.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Cameron, Andy Doig, Lawson, K MacLaren and M MacLaren.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, E Devine, Glen Harte, Henry, Holmes, M Macmillan, McCartin, I McMillan and Williams.

5 members having voted for the amendment and 10 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That Council recognises the need to provide services that meet the needs of residents across Renfrewshire. Council recognises there has been a material change in circumstances insofar as the changes were having a greater impact on usage than anticipated. Council agrees to restore services at the civic amenity sites in Erskine, Johnstone, Linwood and Renfrew to previous levels and will fund this in the current year from a draw down from the Strategic Waste Reserve and account for the ongoing cost in setting the general fund revenue budget for 2017/18.

Council further calls on the Scottish Government to restore our funding to a level that does not result in the reduction of services.

Councillor Henry declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item as she was a member of the Board of West College Scotland.

Councillor I McMillan left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.  Councillor Henry subsequently declared an interest in relation to item 5 of the agenda.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Making Futures project, run by Renfrewshire Leisure, within the Tackling Poverty Programme. 

 

The central aim of the project was to use creative cultural participation, along with innovative literacies and ICT projects to support children and families through life transitions.  The project was based around three strands: Junior Makers (for young people up to the age of 8); Makerversity (for young people ages 15-25) and Make Do, which offered a range of 'try out' activities, open to all.

In June 2016, all three strands of the project were brought together in a dedicated 'Maker Space' at Paisley Museum.  The summer studio ran from June until September 2016 and attracted 1765 participants, 707 of whom attended facilitated sessions with the remaining 1058 attending drop-in activities.

The Creative Learning Co-ordinator, Renfrewshire Leisure, gave a presentation to the Board which outlined the different strands of the project and the areas covered, including for Junior Makers: the creative café, bedtime reading, loan to learn and coding clubs; for Makerversity: club animate plus, Wee Red Dot (youth voice film and media programme); class dismissed and Renfrew on Film; and for Make Do: the Crafternoon Tea, craft collectives and 10 Pieces (a cross-curricular project  of dance, music and drama, delivered in eight schools across Renfrewshire).

DECIDED:     That the report and presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the new release of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) which was issued on 31 August 2016.  The SIMD provided new data on relative deprivation across Scotland at local authority and small-area level.  The SIMD was first released in 2004 with further updates in 2009 and 2012.  The report highlighted the key findings of the new release for Renfrewshire in terms of planning and resource allocation, partnership engagement and current programmes of work.

The report intimated that while one datazone within the Ferguslie Park area of Paisley was ranked as the most deprived in the country, Renfrewshire as a whole saw its share of the most deprived areas nationally decrease.  It was noted that further analysis would be undertaken which would be presented for discussion at the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Board and to each local area committee in order to explore the key actions and activities to be prioritised at a local level.  This analysis would in turn inform the development of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan 2017.

The report outlined that the number of people in Renfrewshire identified as income and employment deprived increased by 6% and 15% respectively on the 2012 release.  These reductions were mirrored in Ferguslie Park where there were 6% fewer income deprived and 17% fewer employment people identified.  It was important to note that the SIMD identified deprived areas not people.  Not all deprived people lived in deprived areas and nationally two out of three people who were income deprived did not live in areas identified as the most deprived.  The converse was also true: not everyone in a deprived area was deprived.  Just fewer than one in three people living in a deprived area were income deprived at a national level.

 

DECIDED:

(a)     That the publication of SIMD 2016 and the summary information provided at a Renfrewshire and national level in the report be noted;

(b)     That it be agreed that further analysis of the data be undertaken and reported to Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Board to explore required action at a partnership level;

(c)     That it be agreed that the SIMD 2016 information released should inform the development of Renfrewshire's Local Outcome Improvement Plan which would be developed in early 2017;

(d)     That it be agreed that detailed locality level analysis will be undertaken and presented to each local area committee; and

(e)     That it be noted that information available from SIMD would inform service and corporate planning activities going forward, particularly in relation to the Tackling Poverty and Raising Attainment programmes of work.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a proposed response to the Scottish Government's consultation on a Child Poverty Bill for Scotland.

The consultation sought views on the Government's proposals, including: putting in legislation an ambition to eradicate child poverty; reinstating statutory income-based targets to reduce the  number of children living in poverty; placing a duty on Scottish Ministers to develop a Child Poverty Delivery Plan; and to report annually on their progress towards developing that plan.

DECIDED:     That the proposed response be approved for submission to the Scottish Government. 

There was submitted a revenue budget monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources.  The report intimated that following changes in the remit of the Board to include oversight of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and the Glasgow & Clyde Valley City Deal, the Board would now receive budget monitoring information relative to these services.

DECIDED:     That the budget position be noted.

There was submitted a capital budget monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources.  As indicated at item 3 above, the Board would now receive budget monitoring reports relative to Renfrewshire Leisure Limited, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Glasgow & Clyde Valley City Deal.

DECIDED:     That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the possible implications for Renfrewshire of the vote to leave the European Union.  The report outlined at a high level the potential implications for both the Council and Renfrewshire communities and businesses from the vote to leave the EU (Brexit) across a range of areas.  It was highlighted that the implications for Renfrewshire were likely to take several years to become fully apparent, during which ongoing uncertainty was likely to adversely impact on the Council's financial outlook.  Brexit was a process which would require the Council to be continually vigilant in understanding the implications of decisions taken prior to and throughout the exit negotiation period and subsequent to this as the UK trade and legal position developed.

The report outlined key messages in relation to the economy; future Council resources; the City Deal and the City Region; legal and procurement; EU nationals and employees; community planning partners; local businesses and connectivity; and housing.

It was proposed that the Chief Executive obtain the up-to-date position in relation to Ryanair and that this be included in the next report to the Board on Brexit.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the information contained in the report be noted;

(b)     That it be noted that the Chief Executive would form a working group, including representation form Community Planning Partners, to examine and continually monitor the implications of Brexit for the Council and Renfrewshire communities;

(c)     That it be noted that the financial and economic risks associated with Brexit would be appropriately recognised in the Council's financial planning arrangements, and that those risks would be highlighted to the Scottish Government;

(d)     That it be noted that the Head of OD and Workforce Planning would communicate regularly with all employees to update them with regards to any employment issues which result from changes in legislation linked to the Brexit process;

(e)     That it be noted that specific discussion with regards to the implications for Brexit would be included as a regular item on the Community Planning Partnership agenda;

(f)     That it be noted that the Chief Executive would ensure the implications of Brexit for the Glasgow City Region City Deal would be regularly discussed with partner Councils and the City Deal PMO; and also that the City Deal Cabinet had agreed where possible to accelerate infrastructure investment projects;

(g)     That it be noted that future briefings would be provided as appropriate to members as the exit process developed; and

(h)     That the Chief Executive obtain the up-to-date position in relation to Ryanair and that this be included in the next report to the Board on Brexit. 

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) which had been developed with West College Scotland.  The SPA was structured around four key strategic themes of place, economy and jobs, learning and expertise and innovation.  These four key themes would ensure that workstreams developed through the SPA would remain focused on issues that delivered the greatest benefit to the Renfrewshire economy and residents.  Strategic priorities aligned to each of the four themes had been developed and identified from the Council Plan and the West College Scotland strategic priorities document "Collective Ambition, Pride and Passion 2015-2020".  Details of opportunities for collaboration between the Council and West College Scotland had been identified and these were highlighted in the report.

The report intimated that the partnership with West College Scotland would complement the SPA agreed previously by the Council with the University of the West of Scotland.

DECIDED:     That the SPA with West College Scotland be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an overview of the key principles of the new Best Value approach and the changes to the auditing requirements for this new approach and the impact for the Council.

The report intimated that in 2014, Audit Scotland reviewed the Best Value 2 audit process, which covered 17 local authorities and included 26 audits across five years.  Following on from this review, the Accounts Commission approved a new approach to Best Value audits which set out that all Scottish councils would have a Best Value Assurance Report in the next five years, in order to provide greater assurances to the public that all local authorities were meeting their Best Value duties, rather than focus on local authorities where improvement was required.  The Accounts Commission had identified six councils for whom a Best Value Assurance Report would be completed between October 2016 and April 2017, and Renfrewshire Council was one of the six.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the report be noted; and

(b)     That it be noted that Renfrewshire Council would be subject to a Best Value Assurance Report in 2016/17.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the dispersal of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who were currently based in Kent.  The report intimated that officers from the Council had been exploring options to support a small number of these children in Renfrewshire and a proposed service model had been developed for implementation during Autumn 2016, subject to Board approval and agreement with the Home Office and Care Inspectorate.

The report outlined the legal and financial implications, the proposed model of support and integration, including the establishment of an integration network.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the work undertaken by officers to consider the legal and financial implications of supported unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Renfrewshire and the role of officers in related national working groups be noted; and

(b)     That it be agreed that the Director of Children's Services now implemented the proposed local support arrangements for unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Renfrewshire, subject to Care Inspectorate approval and final Home Office agreement.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to a proposed 10-year action plan for Paisley Town Centre. 

The report intimated that the regeneration of Paisley Town Centre remained one of the key priorities of the Renfrewshire Council Plan.  The action plan aimed to achieve an identification of the key priorities for Paisley Town Centre in the current context of the investment in the three Renfrewshire City Deal projects and the preparation of the bid for UK City of Culture 2021, and having identified priority locations to outline a series of short, medium and longer-term objectives for each area.

The key elements of the action plan included the goals of building on the success of the culture and heritage strategy; a positive image for Paisley; a town centre that worked better for Paisley and the region; was forward thinking and innovative; provided opportunities for local people, was a stimulus to property investment, development and re-use; and the establishment of Paisley as a destination in its own right.  The vision was defined by a series of goals which set out the strategic activity areas of Gilmour Street Gateway; High Street and University of the West of Scotland Campus; Abbey and River Precinct; and improving connections.

The report outlined the next steps in the development of the action plan, including public consultation and how this would be undertaken.

The Head of Regeneration gave a presentation on the Vision for 2026.

DECIDED:     That the draft Paisley Town Centre Action Plan be approved for consultation during autumn 2016 and that it be agreed that the outcomes of the stakeholder consultation be reported to the Board thereafter together with a final version of the Action Plan.    

 

 

 

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council's Living Wage Accreditation under the scheme organised by the Poverty Alliance in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation. 

The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation initiative was established in 2014 with the aim of increasing the number of employers in Scotland who were recognised for paying their staff the Living Wage. The purpose of applying for accreditation was to demonstrate the Council's commitment to the Living Wage and to the difference payment of the Living Wage could make to the lives of its employees and to tackle low pay by contractors who provided services funded by the Council. In order to be accredited, the Council was required to undertake phased implementation of measures identified in the application. In addition the Council had also produced a Living Wage action plan to respond to any areas of development to maintain accreditation along with any wider actions that the Council could undertake to demonstrate commitment and leadership around the benefits of the Living Wage.  The Council's accreditation was confirmed in July 2016.

The Living Wage was an hourly rate set independently and updated annually and was calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK.  As part of the nationally negotiated pay settlement, the Council had been paying the Living Wage plus 1% from 1 April 2016 which was £8.33.  In 2015 there were approximately 15,000 jobs across Renfrewshire which were paid below the Living Wage and that equated to 20% of the jobs in the area.  This was an improvement on the figures from 2014 where 16,000 jobs were estimated as paying below the living wage.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the Council's accreditation as a Living Wage employer in terms of the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Scheme be noted; and

(b)     That the Living Wage action plan, as appended to the report, be approved to support the payment of Living Wage across Renfrewshire.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to "Digital Renfrewshire" the Council's digital strategy for 2016/19, which set out a vision and approach to tackling digital exclusion in Renfrewshire.  It followed on from the digital participation plan which was an important component of the Council's Tackling Poverty programme.  The digital participation plan identified the  need for an overarching digital strategy that would co-ordinate existing and future digital initiatives so that they had the maximum impact on digital participation across Renfrewshire.

The digital strategy sought to raise awareness of the growing digital divide and to address this though an action plan, which would be refreshed on an annual basis in response to changing needs and emerging digital developments.  The strategy included detail on governance and consultation mechanisms for measuring success.

 

DECIDED:

(a)     That the evidence of digital exclusion in Renfrewshire and the need for a digital strategy which put digital participation at the centre be noted; and

(b)     That the Digital Strategy appended to the report be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to a proposed integrated enforcement policy to ensure that enforcement decisions made by the Council were consistent and transparent.

The proposed policy, which was appended to the report, intimated that the Council had statutory powers and duties to determine applications and consider suspension of licences and to enforce certain legislation within Renfrewshire.  The policy governed how these regulatory controls were applied across the Council in services including consumer protection, environmental health, community safety, building standards, civic government licensing and housing.  The policy took into account the requirements of the Regulators' Code for reserved matters and the Scottish Regulators' Strategic Code of Practice for devolved matters.  These codes exemplified best practice and stressed the need for regulatory services to adopt a positive and proactive approach towards ensuring compliance.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the Renfrewshire Council Integrated Enforcement Policy, appended to the report be approved; and

(b)     That officers be authorised to prepare guidance notes relevant to individual service areas as appropriate.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to applications to the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF).

The report intimated that a fund of £500,000 had been established to support relevant activities to support the development of Paisley's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.  The key objectives of the fund were set out in the report.  The applications referred to in the report related to the second of three rounds in 2016.  A further three rounds were planned for 2017, during the City of Culture bidding period.  It was noted that 36 applications had been received by the deadline date of 1 August 2016, with a total value of £309,096.  The assessment panel, in consultation with the Paisley 2021 Partnership Board had recommended 18 applications for approval.

Potential applicants received guidance on the aims, objectives and outcomes required to be successful for grant funding.  A clear evaluation framework was established to allow assessment of applications.  

 

 

The report sought approval to make adjustments to the guidelines and application form in advance of the next funding round, in particular to introduce a bespoke application form, rather than the current generic Council form and to amend the guidance to highlight that applications were encouraged in particular from communities that were under-represented in the applications received to-date.

DECIDED:

(a)     That the high level of interest again generated in this second round of the CHEF be noted;

(b)     That the grant awards as recommended by the Paisley 2021 Partnership Board as detailed in section 4 of the report to the total value of £128,396 be approved;

(c)     That the status of the additional projects supported by delegated authority during the first round of applications be noted;

(d)     That the need for the development and approval of a bespoke application form - specific to the CHEF - that supported the description and outputs of cultural and creative projects be noted; and

(e)     That an amendment to the CHEF guidelines that would advertise the next funding round in December, as outlined in paragraph 6.3 of the report, be approved.