Councillor J Henry, Depute Convener, presided.

E McWaters, Hawkhead & Lochfield Community Council; H Muir, Foxbar Resource Centre; and D Polson, Greater Foxbar Community Building. 

J Trainer, Head of Early Years and Inclusion (Children’s Services) (Lead Officer); S Graham, Partnerships Planning and Development Manager and  A Armstrong-Walter, Policy Lead (Strategic Lead Officer Tackling Poverty and Welfare Reform) (both Chief Executive’s); C Dalrymple, Regulatory Enforcement Manager and M Faichney, Land Services Manager (both Community Resources); and D Low, Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) and C MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officer (both Finance & Resources).

The Depute Convener intimated that there was an additional item of business in relation to a presentation on the regeneration of Barshaw Park which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting.  The Depute Convener being of the opinion that the presentation, which is included as item 7 in this Minute, was urgent due to the imminent commencement of work in Barshaw Park, authorised its consideration.

The Land Services Manager gave a presentation relative to regeneration of Barshaw Park.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

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

The Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) advised that no one from the Health & Social Care Partnership was available to attend the meeting.

It was proposed that a letter be sent to the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership requesting that a representative of the Partnership attend future meetings of the Local Area Committee (LAC) to provide updates.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:  That a letter be sent to the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership requesting that a representative of the Partnership attend future meetings of the Local Area Committee (LAC) to provide updates.

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 October to 31 December 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 gender-based violence. 

The Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) advised that two questions and one composite question had been submitted for consideration at the Open Session as follows:

(a)       S Ryan, Paisley

"In response to the concerns raised at various meetings with Council representatives, can the Council set out a realistic and achievable strategy for addressing the concerns of residents in the vicinity of the former Royal Alexandra Infirmary (R.A.I) with respect to security, public health and safety and anti-social behaviour?"

(b)       C Gilfedder, Paisley

"In regard to the RAI problem, the Planning Department don't have a plan.  When is a process plan going to be made?"

(c)        G Downes, Paisley

"What do you realistically see as the future of the (RAI) property?

            What actions will be taken against the owner, with timescales?

            What measures are to be instructed to reduce the anti-social behaviour?"

Having heard the Regulatory Enforcement Manager respond in part to the questions, the Depute Convener advised that a written response would be provided for each question within 10 working days of the date of this meeting.

DECIDED: That it be noted that a written response would be provided for each question within 10 working days of the date of this meeting.

Under reference to item 10 of the Minute of the meeting of Renfrewshire Council held on 15 December 2016, there was submitted a report by the Director of Development and Housing Services relative to an update on Coats Memorial Church.

The report advised that following consideration of the reports by Paisley North and South and Renfrew & Gallowhill LACs in November 2016, the Paisley North LAC decided that the committee would refer the issue to the next full Council meeting on Thursday 15 December 2016 with a proposal that a full investigation was carried out on this application including the progress towards establishing a new community trust to own the building and options for funding the boiler replacement or repair, in part or in full, from other Council budgets such as the £1.85 million underspend from last year’s Council budget.

At the Council meeting on 15 December 2016 it was decided that the Council would carry out an investigation into the costs of the repair or replacement of the heating system at Coats Memorial Church.  Council agreed to work with the trustees of the church and support them with funding applications to heritage and other bodies to meet these costs.  Council would also consider what other financial support it could provide to assist the church.  The Council further noted the decision of Paisley North, Paisley South and Renfrew & Gallowhill LACs to support Coats Memorial Church by providing grant funding and remitted the decision to recall these grants to the respective LACs.

DECIDED:

(a) 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; and

(b) That it be noted that officers would continue to support the Trustees of Coats Memorial Church in their pursuit of identifying a solution to the heating system and the future use of the building.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development and Housing Services relative to an update on Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021 and the key dates for the bidding process during 2017.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

The Partnerships Planning and Development Manager gave a presentation relative to the Community Planning Partnership development of a Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP), Locality Plans and Local Area Committee Review.

It was noted that engagement with communities on development of the LOIP/LocalityPlans would take place in February/March and May/June 2017. The Local Outcome Improvement Plan and Locality Plans would require to be signed off by September 2017 prior to publication by 1 October 2017 and proposals for the LAC review would be developed by October 2017.

DECIDED: That the presentation 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. 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the date of the first meeting of this LAC in the new financial year following the local government elections being held on 4 May 2017.  The report proposed that the next meeting of this LAC be held on 6 June 2017 and this was agreed.

DECIDED: That the next meeting of this LAC be held at 6.00 pm on 6 June 2017.