Councillor Hughes declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 9 of the agenda as she was Chair of the Board of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited. Councillor Hughes indicated that as she had a general dispensation from the Standards Commission which allowed her to take part and to vote in relation to such matters it was her intention to remain in the meeting during consideration of this item.

Councillor McCartin declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 9 of the agenda as she was a member of the Board of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited.   Councillor McCartin indicated that as she had a general dispensation from the Standards Commission which allowed her to take part and to vote in relation to such matter it was her intention to remain in the meeting during consideration of this item.

Councillor McCartin declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 10 of the agenda as she was a member of the Old Paisley Society.  

S Black, Chief Executive; M Crearie, Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services; G McNeil, Director of Environment & Infrastructure; A Russell, Director of Finance & Resources; S Quinn, Acting Director of Children's Services; L McIntyre, Head of Policy & Commissioning, L Mahon, Head of Marketing & Communications; A Morrison, Head of Regeneration, S McFadden, City Deal Project Director, B Walker, Depute City Deal Project Director and R Cooper, Economic Development Manager (all Chief Executive's); K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, L Neary, Head of Transformation & OD, A MacArthur, Head of Finance, C Crosby, Finance Manager and L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager (all Finance & Resources); and V Hollows, Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Leisure and P McCulloch, Acting Head of Health & Social Care Services, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership.

There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance & Resources and the Chief Finance Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership. The report summarised the financial position for services reporting to the Board for the period to 9 November 2018. 

DECIDED: That the budget position be noted.

There was submitted a capital budget monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources.  The report summarised the position for the period to 9 November 2018 for those services reporting to the Board.  Since the last report budget changes totalling £5.285 million had arisen which related to Paisley Art Centre redevelopment; St James' Playing Field; travel and accessibility infrastructure; and City Deal projects.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to Year 2 of the Tackling Poverty programme.  The report intimated that the Council at its meeting held on 1 March 2018 had agreed £5 million of funding over five years to support a new Tackling Poverty programme.  It was highlighted that the proposed programme outlined in the report continued key projects from within the programme throughout Year 2.  However, it was recognised that there were a number of opportunities to review projects throughout the programme, to make sure delivery models were the most effective and to explore opportunities to align more closely to mainstream service provision and to respond to the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017.  A Local Child Poverty Action Report was currently being developed for Renfrewshire, to meet the requirements of the Act.  It was noted that over the next four years the Tackling Poverty programme would continue to provide investment to specific initiatives that supported the Council’s aspiration to tackle poverty: targeting support to families that needed it most; removing barriers to participation for children and young people; and supporting health and wellbeing of young people.   

It was proposed that the Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Leisure be asked to provide members with further information on the Skoobmobile initiative.  This was agreed

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the Tackling Poverty programme as detailed in the report be approved; and

(b) That the Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Leisure be asked to provide members with further information on the Skoobmobile initiative.

Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of the Board held on 5 December 2018, there was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to negotiations relating to the withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU which continued to be undertaken within a fast-paced and complex environment.   The report provided an overview of the key areas of risk for the Council that had been identified by officers specifically in relation to a 'no deal' Brexit scenario being realised.  Preparatory activities underway were proportionate and pragmatic, and were targeted to address specific issues identified through wider risk assessment.  These activities were being progressed in light of available information, and the Council would require to continue to respond flexibly and at pace to new priorities or areas of concern as these emerged through the later stages of negotiation. Due to the increasing uncertainty and limited time now available to reach agreement on withdrawal prior to 29 March 2019, contingency planning arrangements for the proposition of a “no deal” Brexit were being scaled up across both the EU and the UK. The report focused specifically on the implications of a “no-deal” Brexit for Renfrewshire Council, and sought to provide assurance in relation to activities being undertaken by the Council to prepare for this scenario. It was noted that a further update would be provided to the Leadership Board in May 2019, with officers working with partners to identify risks and mitigating actions required in the intervening period and in response to emerging information and developments. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the update information within the report be noted;

(b) That the activities being undertaken by Council officers to prepare appropriately for EU withdrawal internally and with community planning partners be noted; and 

(c) That it be noted that preparations were actively being progressed in relation to a "no deal" Brexit scenario being realised.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the next steps for the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) Project including approval to submit the Full Business Case which provides the enabling infrastructure for the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).  The report intimated that the GAIA project comprised the realignment of Abbotsinch Road between Arran Avenue and Greenock Road/Inchinnan Road; a new bridge across the White Cart and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, all aimed at improving connections between the Westway, Inchinnan and Airport Business Parks and as an enabler for the delivery of a business and commercial offering located around the airport. The GAIA project would also provide cycling infrastructure including a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Black Cart water.  GAIA also provided the enabling infrastructure for the AMIDS which would house both the new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (UK).  The report intimated that the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Full Business Case (FBC), Appendix 1 to the report, was scheduled to be presented to the Glasgow City Region Chief Executives' Group meeting on 28 March 2019 for approval to proceed to draw down grant funding to implement and complete the elements of the project set out in the FBC. This was a requirement in line with the City Region City Deal governance arrangements. City Deal Business Cases would be assessed and scrutinised by a central independent assessment team located within the Project Management Office. This team would make recommendations for a decision on the Business Cases to the Glasgow City Deal Chief Executives' Group.

DECIDED:

(a) That the submission of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Full Business Case to the Glasgow City Region Chief Executives Group for approval, be approved, subject to the Tender for the GAIA Construction contract being considered and approved by the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board;

(b) That the Chief Executive be authorised to insert into the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Full Business Case the final contract award sum (subject to approval by the FInance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board) and to make such minor changes to the FBC that may be requested by the City Deal Programme Management Office prior to submission to the Glasgow City Region Chief Executives' Group; and

(c) That the potential for the successful delivery of AMIDS in collaboration with our partners to maximise the benefits for Renfrewshire and the City Region be noted.

Under reference to item 15 of the Minute of the meeting of Renfrewshire Council held on 13 December 2018  there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the decision that there be a review of car parking in Paisley town centre together with the financial implications which was to include consideration of three hours free parking; the provision of electric charging points; disabled parking spaces and improved car park signage.  The report intimated that a desktop review had commenced.  Paisley town centre had approximately 2140 on and off-street car parking spaces.  These were either owned by the Council or private operators Paisley and Piazza shopping centres, all of which were chargeable.  There were also a number of free on and off-street car park locations on the periphery of the town centre.  It was proposed that a working group be established involving businesses, the Council, officers, the Leader of the Council, a member from each of the largest political groups, private car park operators and associated shopping centres in Paisley town centre.  The remit of the working group would be to consider the financial, economic legal implications of the current parking policy and proposed alternatives.  It was noted that the current arrangements and parking tariffs had applied to Paisley town centre since the 1970s and details of these were provided in the report.  The report also referred to the introduction of additional disabled parking bays and the modernisation of car park signage.  The report also referred to the proposal to install 26 charging spaces across four public car parks in Paisley town centre following an award of funding from the Scottish Government and the report proposed that a no-cost tariff be introduced for those vehicles parked and being charged within an off-street electric vehicle charging bay within Zones 1-3 of Paisley town centre.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current parking provision available within Paisley town centre and the income generated by the Council through the Council Car Park Policy be noted;

 (b) That it be agreed to establish a working group to discuss and review the parking provision within Paisley town centre as set out in the report and that the Leaders of the three largest political groups advise the Head of Corporate Governance by 28 February 2019 of their representative on the working group;

(c) That it be agreed that the officer representation on the working group shall be one senior officer each from Environment & Infrastructure and the Chief Executive's Regeneration Services;

(d) That the introduction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure as set out in the report be noted and that it be agreed that a no-cost tariff for those vehicles parked and being charged within an off-street electric vehicle charging bay within Zones 1-3 of Paisley town centre be approved.

(e) That the introduction of additional disabled parking bays as set out in the report be noted;

(f) That the improvement and modernisation of car park signage in addition to discussion through the working group, would be taken forward over 2019/21 as part of the Public Realm and Transportation improvements in Paisley Town Centre; and

(g) That it be noted that updates on the outputs from the working group would be brought back to a future meeting of the Leadership Board for consideration.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to recent discussions between CoSLA and the Scottish Government on developing closer partnership working on employability which had culminated in a framework for partnership working to shape future provision between the Scottish Government and local authorities.  The report intimated that the partnership would promote better use of existing resources with alignment of funding streams and the potential to maximise outcomes.  This would involve more funding coming directly to local authorities and local government being recognised as a key strategic partner in this field.  The report noted that employability was a key agenda of both local and national government and was recognised as a major contributor to both local economic development and work to tackle poverty and deprivation.  The report outlined future funding arrangements and provided an overview of the Partnership Working Framework for Employabilty, including governance and leadership.  It was noted that two new groups would be developed to underpin the Framework - the Joint Scottish Employability Group and the Scottish Local Government Alignment Group.  Renfrewshire Council's Economic Development Manager would be the representative for the eight Glasgow City Region local authorities on the Alignment Group. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the report and the proposed changes to funding be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that Renfrewshire Council's Economic Development Manager would represent the eight local authorities in the Glasgow City Region area to take forward the additional work required to move the partnership forward as part of the Scottish Local Government Alignment Group.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a proposed programme of engagement that would take place between April and June 2019, initially with employees, and then with local communities, to update and identify core values for the Council.  This would help shape the Council's future marketing and communications strategies and become the foundation for an informal agreement with staff and communities on how, by working together, a better Renfrewshire could be built.  The report further proposed that a programme of engagement with elected members would take place in April with one-to-one and group discussions as required, to identify how the Council could continue to build its relationships with communities, partners and employees and the values that were important to collective success.  It was noted that feedback would be provided at the end of the engagement period.  A new Council narrative, key messages and brand model would be developed for roll out in Autumn 2019 through ongoing communications and marketing campaigns that support future Council policy and decision making.

DECIDED: That the work to deliver a programme of engagement activity that would be delivered by the Council's Transformation & Organisational Development and Marketing & Communications and Policy teams, be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Leisure (RL) Annual Report 2017/18 which highlighted its main achievements, business performance and summary financial statements, including information on attendance at facilities and the important role of RL in terms of delivering Renfrewshire's cultural infrastructure programme.  The annual report, which was appended to the Chief Executive's report, formed part of the Council's monitoring arrangements of RL.  The report also noted the appointment of Victoria Hollows as Chief Executive of RL.   The report referred to the requirement each year for RL to develop a business plan for agreement by the Council, setting out RL's priorities for the year ahead in light of the resources that were expected to be available.   It was noted that the business plan would be submitted to the meeting of this Board to be held on 1 May 2019 for approval.     

It was proposed that information in relation to RL’s risk strategy and the operation of Business World concerning the processing of invoices be provided to members of the Board.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a) That RL's annual report 2017/18 be noted;

(b) That the update on the development of RL's annual Business Plan for 2019/20 be noted; and

(c) That information in relation to RL's risk strategy and the operation of Business World concerning the processing of invoices be provided to members of the Board.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed award of grants from the ninth round of Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF) applications.  The report intimated that CHEF, which was administered by Renfrewshire Leisure on behalf of the Council, had been established to develop cultural and heritage activity as part of the Paisley's UK City of Culture bid and continued to support the development and delivery of cultural and heritage projects and events across Renfrewshire.  The deadline for submissions to this round was 10 December 2018 and 17 applications had been received of which nine were recommended for award, leaving a balance of £144,233.  It was noted that there was a shortlisted application for the Outspoken Arts project, which required further development in some areas and the report sought approval to delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services to approve the funding of that project, prior to the next meeting of this Board, subject to satisfactory progress.

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor J MacLaren, moved that this Board notes the tremendous artistic and creative imprint which the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and the Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Company make on community arts and culture across Renfrewshire, and agrees to award them the monies they applied for from the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund at the recent tranche.

It was proposed that officers revisit the applications by Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and the Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Company which had been recommended for refusal, to determine if there were elements of the applications that would meet the criteria for award, and that it be delegated to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning to approve the award of any eligible funds.  This was agreed.

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillor Andy Doig and Councillor J MacLaren then agreed to withdraw their motion.

The Chief Executive intimated that prior to future meetings of the Board at which applications to the CHEF fund were being considered members would be provided with details of why applications recommended for refusal had not met the criteria for award.  Details of the geographic spread within Renfrewshire of all grant awards would also be provided.

DECIDED:

(a)      That the high level of interest generated in this ninth round of the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund be noted;

(b)      That the recommended grant awards, as detailed in the report, be approved; and that authority be delegated to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services to approve funding of £20,722 to the Outspoken Arts project, should the necessary required information be provided as set out in section 5.1 of the report”.

(c)     That officers revisit the applications by Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and the Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Company which had been recommended for refusal, to determine if there were elements of the applications that would meet the criteria for award, and that it be delegated to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning to approve the award of any eligible funds.  

(d)      That it be noted that prior to meetings of the Board at which applications to the CHEF fund were being considered members would be provided with details of why applications recommended for refusal had not met the criteria for award; 

(e) That details of the geographic spread within Renfrewshire of all grant awards would be provided; and

(f)     That the committed funds to date of £995,767, leaving £144,233 available from the fund for projects up to 2021 be noted.