There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the 2017/18 Service Improvement Plan for Environment & Communities which highlighted performance during the period 1 April to 30 September 2017. The report outlined the key achievements of the Service, detailed how the work undertaken by the Service contributed to the priorities set out in the Council Plan and provided an overview of priorities for the Service over the next six-month period.  Appendices to the report provided an update on progress achieved in terms of implementation of the action plan together with an assessment of performance in relation to the service scorecard of core performance indicators. 

DECIDED:

(a)That the progress made on service performance be noted;

 (b)That the progress made on actions and performance in the action plan be noted; and 

 (c)That it be agreed that an out-turn report in respect of areas of activity delegated to this Board be submitted to to the meeting of this Board to be held in spring 2018.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the review of car parking charges across Renfrewshire.

The report outlined the current arrangements for Council-controlled on and off-street parking and pay and display parking charges in Paisley Town Centre and detailed the annual income generated.  The Council’s current parking meters were between 10 and 30 years old, only accepted cash payments and many were approaching end of life with many parts for the machines  no longer manufactured.  In addition the report highlighted that parking permits for residents in Paisley who lived within the pay and display zones were currently issued free of charge.   

The report detailed proposals to streamline Council-owned on and off-street parking provision and charges across Renfrewshire, with the aim of increasing  usage, generating turnover of parking spaces, benefitting shoppers and subsequently generating  increased footfall in the Town Centre and reviewed the current free parking permit scheme for residents within the Paisley pay and display zones. In summary the report proposed to (i) increase parking tariffs between Monday and Friday, with effect from April 2018, by 10p for 30 minutes parking up to approximately 50p for four hours parking, with parking continuing to be free on Saturdays and Sundays; (ii) progress the introduction of pay and display parking charge proposals for on and off-street Council-controlled parking facilities in Renfrew and Johnstone; and (iii) introduce charges for the issue of residents' car parking permits.  Furthermore it was proposed to fully replace/upgrade the parking meters in Paisley with modern meters capable of taking payment by methods other than cash. 

It was proposed that an impact assessment of the approved parking scheme proposals for Johnstone and Renfrew be carried out, over a three-month period, as part of the implementation of the approved parking and charges changes.  The Convener indicated that she accepted this proposal.  In addition the Convener accepted a further recommendation to suspend the  application of a fee for residents' parking permits, to recover costs for all areas within the pay and display parking zones in Paisley until a thorough review was carried out on all parking permits (residents and businesses) and a subsequent report was brought to the next appropriate Board. 

Councillor McEwan, seconded by Councillor Adam-McGregor, then moved:-

(a) That the increase of parking tariffs in Paisley, by 10p for 30 minutes parking up to approximately 50p for four hours parking, be approved;

(b) That the widening out of charges for Council-owned on and off-street parking to include Renfrew and Johnstone, streamlining the cost of Town Centre parking for Renfrewshire residents, be approved; 

(c )That investment in a modern parking meter supply be approved, to facilitate the introduction of meters that can accept other methods of payment including contactless payment;

(d) That an impact assessment of the approved parking scheme proposals for Johnstone and Renfrew be carried out, over a three-month period, as part of the implementation of the approved parking and charges changes; 

(e) That the introduction of an annual charge for residents' parking permits, to recover costs for all areas within the Pay and Display parking zones in Paisley, be approved and that it be agreed to suspend the application of a fee until a thorough review was carried out on all parking permits (residents and businesses) and a subsequent report was brought to the next appropriate Board; and 

(f) That it be agreed to continue to charge for parking in Pay and Display for on and off-street zones Monday to Friday only, with Saturday and Sunday remaining free.

Councillor Hood, seconded by Councillor Davidson, moved as an amendment that the report be rejected.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment:  Councillors Binks, Davidson, Devine, Graham, Hood, Kennedy and J MacLaren.

The following members voted for the motion:  Councillors Adam-McGregor, Burns, Cameron, Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don and McEwan.

7 members having voted for the motion and 7 members having voted for the amendment the Convener, in terms of Standing Order 31, used her second and casting vote in favour of the motion which was accordingly declared carried.

 DECIDED:

 (a) That the increase of parking tariffs in Paisley, by 10p for 30 minutes parking up to approximately 50p for four hours parking, be approved;

(b) That the widening out of charges for Council-owned on and off-street parking to include Renfrew and Johnstone, streamlining the cost of Town Centre parking for Renfrewshire residents, be approved; 

(c)That investment in a modern parking meter supply be approved, to facilitate the introduction of meters that can accept other methods of payment including contactless payment;

(d) That an impact assessment of the approved parking scheme proposals for Johnstone and Renfrew be carried out, over a three-month period, as part of the implementation of the approved parking and charges changes;

(e) That the introduction of an annual charge for residents parking permits, to recover costs for all areas within the Pay and Display parking zones in Paisley, be approved and that it be agreed to suspend the application of a fee until a thorough review was carried out on all parking permits (residents and businesses) and a subsequent report was brought to the next appropriate Board; and 

(f) That it be agreed to continue to charge for parking in Pay and Display for on and off-street zones Monday to Friday only, with Saturday and Sunday remaining free.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the Council’s Waste Management Strategy.

The report outlined the external drivers and global market conditions affecting the Council’s Waste Strategy.  It was highlighted that Renfrewshire’s recycling performance had shown incremental increases from 37.4% in 2009 to 48.5% in 2016, driven by a number of service delivery changes. To further improve Renfrewshire’s recycling performance fundamental changes were required to both waste collection and current disposal arrangements, taking cognisance of external drivers and reflecting global market conditions.

A review and analysis of the Council’s kerbside waste collection arrangements, waste tonnages, waste disposal contracts and recycling performance had been undertaken to develop a refreshed Waste Strategy for Renfrewshire.  It was noted that the timescale for implementation of the proposed service delivery changes was autumn 2018 and that the implementation would be supported by a comprehensive education, awareness and communications strategy to engage householders and support behavioural change.  

Councillor McEwan, seconded by Councilolor Don, moved:-

(a) That the service delivery changes to the kerbside refuse collection service provided to Renfrewshire’s households, as set out in paragraphs 4.2.1 to 4.2.4 of the report be approved;

(b) That the development of a comprehensive education and awareness strategy, with a supporting communications campaign to support a refreshed Waste Strategy for Renfrewshire and implementation of the service delivery changes, as set out in paragraphs 4.2.1 to 4.2.4 of the report be noted; and 

(c) That the requirement for the development of a business case for the future long-term collection and disposal arrangements required for glass collections be noted.

Councillor Hood, seconded by Councillor Davidson, moved as an amendment that the report be rejected.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment:  Councillors Davidson, Devine, Hood and Kennedy.  

The following members voted for the motion:  Councillors Adam-McGregor, Burns, Cameron, Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don, Graham, J MacLaren and McEwan.

 Councillor Binks abstained.

4 members having voted for the amendment, 9 members having voted for the motion and one member having abstained, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: 

(a)That the service delivery changes to the kerbside refuse collection service provided to Renfrewshire’s households, as set out in paragraphs 4.2.1 to 4.2.4 of the report be approved;

(b)That the development of a comprehensive education and awareness strategy, with a supporting communications campaign to support a refreshed Waste Strategy for Renfrewshire and implementation of the service delivery changes, as set out in paragraphs 4.2.1 to 4.2.4 of the report be noted; and 

(c)That the requirement for the development of a business case for the future long-term collection and disposal arrangements required for glass collections be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the consultation by the Scottish Government on Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones.  A copy of the Council’s draft response to the consultation was appended to the report, together with a copy of the consultation document.

The consultation sought views on the proposed introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) within towns and cities in Scotland with a focus on improving air quality, but also as a means of improving road network operations; tackling congestion; supporting a modal shift to active travel and public transport; supporting climate change mitigation; and supporting placemaking to improve town and city spaces. The report indicated that while air pollution from transport-related sources was declining across Scotland it continued to remain higher than the European limit values and Scottish Air Quality Objectives.   In addition it was highlighted that the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2017 stated that, in partnership with local authorities, LEZ would be introduced in Scotland’s four biggest cities between 2018/20 and into all other Air Quality Management Areas, where National Low Emission Framework appraisals advocated such mitigation, by 2023. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the publication of the Scottish Government consultation on Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones and the requirement to respond by 28 November 2017 be noted; and 

(b) That the draft consultation response, appended to the report, be approved for submission to the Scottish Government.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the proposed disposal of land at Broomlands Street, Paisley, as identified on the plan attached to the report, to Nixon Blue Limited.

The report advised that Nixon Blue Limited had concluded missives in principle to acquire the former Ogilvie Club, 18 Broomlands, Paisley and had subsequently approached the Council to purchase land adjacent to the site extending to approximately 1,538 square metres.  The report detailed the Council’s ownership of land in Broomlands Street, Paisley, intimated that discussions had taken place  between the Council and representatives of  Nixon Blue Limited and outlined the provisional terms and conditions of sale provisionally agreed.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the Head of Property Services and the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude the disposal of the land at Broomlands Street, Paisley, identified as shaded and hatched on the plan attached to the report, to Nixon Blue Limited, subject to the terms and conditions contained within the report; and 

(b) That both the shaded and the hatched areas of ground detailed on the plan attached to the report be declared surplus to the requirements of the Council in order to progress the proposed sale to Nixon Blue Limited.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the proposed declaration of the former museum store and associated buildings at 31 Whitehaugh Avenue, Paisley, as identified on the plan attached to the report, as surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and seeking authorisation to market the buildings and site for sale. 

The report advised that the site, which had also formerly been Whitehaugh Barracks, was situated in an established residential area to the east of Paisley Town Centre and extended to approximately 0.597 acres of land.  A summary of the buildings located at the site was provided.  It was proposed that the site and buildings not be marketed until there was sufficient opportunity for potential uses to be identified and considered.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the buildings and site, at the former museum store, at 31 Whitehaugh Avenue, Paisley, identified on the plan attached to the report, be declared surplus to the Council’s operational requirements; and 

(b) That the the site and buildings not be marketed until there was sufficient opportunity for potential uses to be identified and considered. 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the proposed declaration of an area of ground at Centreholm, Erskine, identified on the plan attached to the report, as surplus to the Council’s requirements.

The report advised that at the meeting of the former Planning and Property Policy Board held on 11 November 2014, an area of ground at Centreholm, Erskine, had been declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.  The site had been marketed and the offers received reported to the meeting held on 12th May 2015 of the former Planning and Property Policy Board, when it had been agreed to proceed to offer the site to the top bidder with instructions to seek to conclude missives for sale.   

Discussions with the selected bidder, LIDL, had progressed to the point that they had revised their plans and now sought additional land to facilitate their revised model.  The additional land was held within the General Services Account and confirmation had been received that there was no planned future use for the land.

DECIDED:

(a) That the supplementary area of land at Centreholm, Erskine, identified on the plan attached to the report, be declared surplus to requirements; and 

(b) That the Head of Property Services and Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to progress with the disposal of the ground along with the original surplus site identified on the plan attached to the report.