Councillor Steel, Convener, presided.

A Armstrong-Walter, Partnerships and Inequalities Manager and S Graham, Partnerships Manager (both Chief Executive’s); E Gordon, Community Learning Officer and F Taylor, Youth Services Team Leader (both Children’s Services); C Dalrymple, Regulatory and Enforcement Manager and C Robertson, Warden Services Manager (both Environment & Communities); and D Low, Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) and A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (both Finance & Resources).

M Ferguson and G Dykes (both Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership); and Chief Inspector C Glass (Police Scotland).

D Blair and J Anderson raised concerns about the decision by the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board on 8 November 2017 relative to the review of car parking provision and charges across Renfrewshire and specifically to the introduction of parking charges in Johnstone Town Centre.

It was intimated that Johnstone Community Council would hold a public meeting to discuss this matter and gauge the views of all interested parties on 5 December 2017. 

DECIDED: That the position be noted.

Under reference to paragraph 2 of the Minute of the Johnstone & the Villages LAC meeting held on 25 August 2016, J Anderson raised concerns that the meeting, to be facilitated by the (former) Head of Amenity Services, between Transport Scotland and local community groups to discuss road safety issues on the A737 had not yet taken place and a report on the outcome of this facilitated meeting had not yet been submitted to this LAC.  As a member of a local community group, he requested that he be invited to attend such a meeting once the necessary arrangements were in place.

DECIDED:  That the position be noted.

Councillor J Hood and A McBain (Johnstone Seniors Forum).

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

In terms of paragraph 2.2 of Renfrewshire Council’s Scheme of Decentralisation, it was noted that Johnstone High Parish Church had expressed an interest in participating on Johnstone and the Villages Local Area Committee (LAC) and had nominated William Crawford as a member and James Wallace as a substitute member.  It was noted that William Crawford no longer represented Renfrewshire Walking Network.

It was further noted that David Blair had resigned from Kilbarchan Community Council and could no longer represent the community council on this LAC.  It was intimated that he would now represent Renfrewshire District Scouts and that Kilbarchan Community Council would nominate representative(s) in due course.

DECIDED:   

(a)  That it be agreed that Johnstone High Parish Church be represented by William Crawford or his substitute James Wallace;

(b)  That Renfrewshire District Scouts be represented by David Blair; and

(c)  That it be noted that Kilbarchan Community Council would nominate a representative and substitute in due course.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities providing a progress update on Renfrewshire Community Safety Partnership activities carried out in this LAC area during the period 1 July to 30 September 2017.  

The report provided information on 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 Partnerships Manager gave a presentation on the review of LACs and highlighted feedback received in response to the recent consultation in terms of the function and remit of LACs; LAC boundaries; LAC membership, including voting issues; and grants.   

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

The Youth Services Team Leader gave a presentation on the work of Youth Services, specifically highlighting its work with Renfrewshire Youth Voice; Youth Councils; MSYP's; school-based work; community-based youth work; outreach youth work; Duke of Edinburgh award scheme; and youth volunteering.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

The undernoted key issues were considered:

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.  

M Dougan, Renfrewshire Youth Voice, gave a presentation on the recent Positive About Youth awards ceremony that had been funded by a grant from this LAC.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

G McFarlane, Feis Phaislig, gave a presentation on the activities of the group that had been funded by a grant from this LAC.

DECIDED:     That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Johnstone & the Villages LAC budget for 2017/18.  The report advised that there had been one budget adjustment since the last meeting reflecting the return of £558.27 of unused grant funding by Johnstone Community Council.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to an application from Johnstone Phoenix Youth Theatre for a local area committee grant towards the cost of equipment, clothing and other materials. 

DECIDED: That Johnstone Phoenix Youth Theatre be awarded the remaining grant budget of £558.27 towards the cost of equipment, clothing and other materials.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the date, time and venue of the next meeting of this LAC.