Councillors E Devine, Mack, Henry and M Macmillan.

Councillor Henry, Depute Convener, presided.

J Creighton, Glenburn Tenants’ & Residents’ Association; S McLean, Glenburn Community Forum; J McPhail, Renfrewshire Environment and Restoration Group; E McWaters, Hawkhead & Lochfield Community Council; H Muir, Foxbar Resource Centre; and D Polson, Greater Foxbar Community Building.

Dr C Johnstone, Renfrewshire Community Health and Social Care Partnership and Inspector T Harkins, Police Scotland.

J Trainer, Head of Early Years and Inclusion (Lead Officer), C Cunning, Social Work Manager and L Moore, Co-ordinator, Women and Children First (all Children’s Services); D McAllion, Data Analytics & Research Manager (Chief Executive’s); C Dalrymple, Regulatory Enforcement Manager and C Robertson, Warden Services Manager (both Community Resources); A Morrison, Head of Regeneration and J Cameron, Project Director, Paisley 2021 UK City of Culture Bid (both Development & Housing Services); and D Low, Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) and K Brown, Committee Services Officer (both Finance & Resources).

In terms of Standing Order 16, the Convener intimated that she proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering item 2 of the agenda prior to item 1 of the agenda and that after item 7 of the agenda the remaining items would be taken in the following order: items 10,11,8,9,and 12.

Councillor M Macmillan left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

Councillor Mack left the meeting at this point.

At this point the meeting fell below the level required for a quorum and the meeting concluded.

Councillors Glen and McCartin; and J McQuade, Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) relative to the formation of the HSCP in terms of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014; the development of a performance framework for the HSCP; and the development of new projects in the community to improve health.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources providing a progress update on Renfrewshire Community Safety Partnership activities carried out in the Paisley South Local Area Committee (LAC) area during the period 1 April to 30 September 2016.

The report provided information on Paisley South community safety statistics; environmental enforcement and improvement activities; protecting vulnerable residents; building safer communities; diversionary activities; and a spotlight on adult protection.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

The Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) intimated that representatives from the Residents Action Initiative were in attendance at the meeting and had requested to submit questions to the LAC in relation to item 6 of the agenda – Former Royal Alexandra Infirmary (RAI) Building. It was agreed that the representatives from the Residents Action Initiative would be afforded the opportunity to submit questions to the LAC during item 6 of the agenda.

 

DECIDED: That it be agreed that the representatives from the Residents Action Initiative be afforded the opportunity to submit questions to the LAC during item 6 of the agenda.

C Cunning, Social Work Manager gave a presentation on gender based-violence including details of what gender-based violence was, the number of people affected by it, Renfrewshire’s multi-agency response to the issue and ongoing and specific actions being undertaken to tackle gender-based violence.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to the award of a grant by this LAC at its meeting held on 17 May 2016 as a contribution to the cost of a replacement boiler at the Coats Memorial Church, Paisley.

The report intimated that the estimated cost of replacing the boiler exceeded greatly the estimates previously submitted and that as a result of the new projected costs Community Resources was investigating opportunities to undertake a temporary fix to the boiler system to enable the building to remain heated and open for use. In the event that a temporary fix was not possible, the funding would be returned to the LAC.

DECIDED: That the retention by the Trustees of the awarded grant of £15,000 for temporary repairs to the boiler and heating system to enable the building to remain in active use be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the former RAI building.

The report intimated that the former RAI building had become an attraction for anti-social behaviour since it fell into dereliction following its closure in 2005. Despite daily visits from the Community Safety Wardens, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue incidents and complaints were still being raised on a regular basis. A formal Residents Group, Residents Action Initiative, had been set up to liaise with relevant bodies and attempt to promote development of the building or bring it back into use.

The report detailed the actions that had been taken by Renfrewshire Council to date and advised that officers from Renfrewshire Council and other partners continued to visit on a daily basis to assess the issues at the former RAI building and its environs.

Representatives from the Residents Action Initiative submitted a number of questions to the LAC relating to the issues currently being experienced by the local residents including health, safety and security concerns; the listing review being undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland; a meeting which had been held with Historic Environment Scotland, the Residents Action Initiative and George Adam MSP in relation to this matter; the urgent need for planning input into the process; and an action plan for future progress on the site.

Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Mack, moved that, in addition to the report’s recommendations, the Local Area Committee write to Renfrewshire Council’s Chief Executive and Head of Planning & Housing Services seeking an urgent meeting with representatives from the planning section, Historic Environment Scotland, Police Scotland, the owner of the RAI site and the Residents Action Initiative in relation to this matter. This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report and the work undertaken by Renfrewshire Council and other partners to alleviate issues related to anti-social behaviour and securing of the site be noted;

(b) That the limitation of powers and legislation when it came to privately owned land and this type of building be noted;

(c) That the on-going work to try and ensure the site remained secured to prevent access be noted; and

(d) That it be agreed that the Local Area Committee write to Renfrewshire Council’s Chief Executive and the Head of Planning & Housing Services seeking an urgent meeting with representatives from the planning department, Historic Environment Scotland, Police Scotland, the owner and the Residents Action Initiative in relation to this matter.

D McAllion, Data Analytics and Research Manager, gave a presentation on the publication of SIMD 16 which compared overall deprivation of small areas; compared the seven domains of deprivation; compared the proportion of small areas in a council that were very deprived; found areas where many people experienced multiple deprivation; and found areas of greater need for support and intervention.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the May 2016 early years strategy impact evaluation report which was the third in a series of formative self-evaluations of the impact of Renfrewshire’s “Families First” Early Years strategy. The evaluation commenced in December 2015 and was completed in April 2016.

The early years implementation plan had produced 57 actions and these were detailed in the appendix section of the evaluation report. Telephone interviews were conducted with the lead officers responsible for the 57 actions and this helped to inform the impact which the strategy was having on parenting skills and wellbeing; attachment and child wellbeing; and professional skills, structures and services.

DECIDED: That the contents and conclusions on the May 2016 Impact Evaluation Report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to project feedback received from community and voluntary groups in receipt of LAC funding.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Paisley South LAC budget for 2016/17.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.