Councillor Tom Begg, Councillor Bill Binks, Councillor Andy Doig and Councillor Audrey Doig (all Renfrewshire Council); and Councillor Innes Nelson and Councillor David Wilson (both Inverclyde Council).

Councillor Audrey Doig, Chair, presided.

F Carswell, Interim Park Co-ordinator, F Carlin, Head of Planning & Housing Services (Lead Officer), M Ball, Principal Accountant (Management Accounting), R Devine and T Slater, both Senior Committee Services Officers (all Renfrewshire Council); S Jamieson, Head of Regeneration & Planning (Inverclyde Council); and M Ferris, Senior Manager, Auditor (Audit Scotland).

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

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 4 September 2020.  

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 4 September 2020.  

DECIDED: That the Minute be noted.

There was submitted a revenue budget monitoring report by the Treasurer in respect of the Joint Committee for the period 1 April to 24 July 2020.

The report intimated that gross expenditure was currently £118,000 underspent and income was currently £160,000 under recovered resulting in a net overspend of £42,000, which was projected to climb to £119,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the closure of the regional park at the end of March 2020. The projected year end overspend has reduced from £166,700 to £119,000 due to activities resuming in part at Castle Semple, the café at this location opening for a takeaway service and various savings being made within each of the individual budget headings.

It was noted that at this stage in the financial year, the projected year-end over-spend of £119,000 was above the total value of the current reserves balance of £112,036.  It was anticipated that historic project balances would be released during 2020/21 which would also be directed to address the in-year projected deficit.  In the event that the total of project balances and general reserves was insufficient to meet the actual deficit incurred, it was proposed that funding to address the remaining deficit would be provided by requisitioning councils, in proportion to the requisition payments made for 2020/21.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Interim Park Co-ordinator relative to the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Annual Report 2019/20, a copy of which was appended to the report. 

The annual report provided a summary of outputs and achievements for the year and detailed Leisure Activity and Health, Education and Outdoor Learning and Environmental Management activities. 

Members asked to be kept regularly informed of events taking place in the Park and that the data regarding the volume of visitors be reviewed to ensure that Clyde Muirshiel’s status as a national tourist facility was recognised.  On behalf of the Joint Committee, the Convener expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts in attaining the achievements detailed within the Annual Report.

DECIDED: That the content of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Annual Report 2019/20 be noted.

The Convener reminded members that the next meeting of the Joint Committee was scheduled to be held at 11.30 am on 19 February 2021 and took the opportunity to wish all in attendance the compliments of the season.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Joint Committee would be held at 11.30 am on 19 February 2021.