Councillor Nicolson, Convener, presided.

S Black, Chief Executive, M Crearie, Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services; G McNeil, Director of Environment & Infrastructure; S Quinn, Director of Children's Services; A Russell, Director of Finance & Resources; L McIntyre, Head of Policy & Commissioning, L Mahon, Head of Communication & Marketing; A Morrison, Head of Regeneration, L Adamson, Communications & Public Affairs Manager,  A Armstrong-Walter, Strategic Partnerships & Inequalities Manager, R Cooper, Economic Development Manager and S McMillan, Policy & Regeneration Manager (all Chief Executive's); K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, A MacArthur, Head of Finance, R McGrath, Head of Business & Customer Services, L Neary, Head of Transformation & OD and L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager (all Finance & Resources); F Naylor , Head of Finance & Corporate Services (Renfrewshire Leisure); and D Leese, Chief Officer (Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership).

Councillors J Cameron, Hughes and Shaw having declared an interest in the following item, remained in the meeting.

Councillors Hughes and McCartin, having declared an interest in items 13, 14, 15 and 16 remained in the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership relative to activity and performance of the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) for 2018/19. 

The report referred to the functions which had been delegated by the Council to the Integration Joint Board (IJB). It was noted that regular reports in relation to these services were submitted to the IJB and it had been agreed that regular updates would be provided to the Leadership Board in relation to the delegated services in order to ensure oversight of key achievements, challenges and the wider context relating to the delivery of these services. The report set out national developments in adult health and social care integration and the strategic context in which the HSCP operated; service development activities; an overview of adult social work performance; and current adult social work services performance.

It was proposed that the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership provide members with information in relation to the recommendations of the review of the Addictions Services in Renfrewshire and on the ongoing service reviews for older people and learning disability services, noting that the Chief Officer had indicated that he would be happy to meet with the Leaders of the Political Groups, and Councillor McCartin to discuss these issues.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the report updating activity and performance of adult social work services delegated to the IJB be noted;

(b) That it be noted that the six-monthly performance report would be presented to this Board on 4 December 2019; and

(c) That the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Heath & Social Care Partnership provide members with information in relation to the recommendations of the review of the Addictions Services in Renfrewshire and on the ongoing service reviews for older people and learning disability services, noting that the Chief Officer had indicated that he would be happy to meet with the Leaders of the Political Groups and Councillor McCartin to discuss these issues.

Councillor Cameron declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 11 of the agenda as she was a member of KAIROS.  However, she intimated that as her interest was insignificant she would remain in the meeting and take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Hughes declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 11 of the agenda as she was the Council's representative on PACE.  However, she intimated that as her interest was insignificant she would remain in the meeting and take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Shaw declared a non-financial interest in respect of item 11 of the agenda as his daughter attended PACE.  However, he intimated that as his interest was insignificant he would remain in the meeting and take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Hughes declared a non-financial interest in respect of items 13, 14, 15 and 16 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 these items.

Councillor McCartin declared a non-financial interest in respect of items 13, 14, 15 and 16 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 matters it was her intention to remain in the meeting during consideration of these items.

There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive, Director of Finance & Resources and Chief Finance Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership summarising the financial position for services reporting to this Board for the period to 1 March 2019, and in respect of which there was a breakeven position.

DECIDED: That the budget position be noted.

There was submitted a capital budget monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources detailing capital expenditure to 1 March 2019 for those services reporting to this Board, and in respect of which there was a breakeven position.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress with the Council Plan 2017/22 which had been approved by Council on 28 September 2017.

The priorities set out in the Council Plan were closely aligned to those agreed by the Council's partners in the Community Plan. The Council Plan was intentionally high level and strategic in nature, set out how the Council would work with partners, communities and businesses to achieve the five key outcomes of: reshaping our place, our economy and our future; building strong, safe and resilient communities; tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all; and working together to improve outcomes. The report intimated that significant progress had been made across a number of areas of the plan, including in cultural and economic regeneration; attainment; tackling poverty and inequality; and sustainability. Key achievements against each of the strategic outcomes were highlighted in the report and full details of progress were provided in the appendix to the report.

It was proposed that in relation to paragraph 4.2 of page 24 of the report that the Director of Environment & Infrastructure provide members with details of heritage lighting arrangements.  This was agreed. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress achieved to date in terms of progressing the key outcomes and priorities detailed in the Council Plan be noted;  

(b) That it be noted that the next six-monthly update would be reported to the Leadership Board in December 2019; and

(c) That in relation to paragraph 4.2 of page 24 of the report that the Director of Environment & Infrastructure provide members with details of heritage lighting arrangements.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council's Best Value Assurance Report (BVAR) which had been published by the Accounts Commission on 31 August 2017. 

The report intimated that overall the BVAR had been positive, providing independent assurance on the extent to which the Council was achieving best value. At that time Audit Scotland also provided direction on the key areas on which the Council should focus its improvement activities and specifically included seven recommendations on cross party working, community engagement, partnership working, financial stability, workforce planning and governance arrangements. An action plan to progress these recommendations was approved by Council at its meeting held on 28 September 2017. The appendix to the report provided an update for each recommendation and related activity. Each year Audit Scotland provided an assessment, within the Annual Audit Report of the ongoing position in relation to best value.

In the previous update report to Leadership Board on 9 December 2018, it was noted that the recently published Annual Audit Report for 2017/18 prepared by Audit Scotland, found that the Council was making good progress in addressing the recommendations from the 2016/17 Best Value Assurance Report. The Annual Audit Report also recommended that the Council continued to support elected members to have personal development plans in place, and also provide opportunities to enhance public performance reporting. Actions to address these suggested additional areas of focus were appended to the report. 
 
DECIDED: That the progress achieved in terms of implementing the best value improvement plan as detailed in the appendix to the report be noted.

There was submitted a joint report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Council's progress with long-term change and transformation. 

The report intimated that since the beginning of the current decade the Council had been progressing a long-term change and transformation agenda in response to the continued impact of growing demand and cost pressures across major areas of service provision; increasing public expectations, in relation to how individuals, groups, businesses and communities wished to engage with the Council and for what purpose; delivering on the long-term objective to continue to modernise the Council, improve service outcomes and ensure the Council was best placed to deliver against its core priorities across Renfrewshire’s communities and the onset of the austerity squeeze on public sector expenditure which had reduced the overall level of resources available to the Council during this period.

In addition, responding pro-actively to the ongoing financial challenges the Council would face over the medium-term remained an important backdrop to the Council’s plans for transformation and change to ensure the Council continued to remain financially stable in the short-term but also financially sustainable in the medium to longer term. It was recognised that maintaining financial stability and sustainability were key organisational objectives that provided firm foundations to support the Council to deliver on its strategic priorities.  Despite the uncertainties surrounding the scale of the future financial challenge, the Council remained committed to the values and strategic objectives already agreed in the Council and Community Plans, the significance and role of which would become increasingly important in the Council’s decision making and balancing the delivery of core priorities with available resources.

From a financial perspective, the Council’s current position remained stable and within the financial planning parameters established when the Council set its budget for 2019/20.  Moving forward it was forecast that the Council would continue to face new budget pressures in each of the following three years, with uncertainty in respect to the overall scale. Similar to the strategy adopted in previous years, it was recommended that despite the ongoing uncertainty, the Council progressed current financial planning on the basis of a central scenario with an estimated forecast budget gap of approximately £45 million over the three-year period 2020/21 – 2022/23. This position would continue to be carefully monitored and would be regularly updated as improved information became available and greater certainty emerged.

As detailed in the report, there was a requirement for this next phase of the transformation and change programme to deliver more fundamental change and a greater scale of financial savings than had been delivered over recent years. In recognition of this, the next phase of the programme currently being designed was based upon a new approach and was expected to constitute a series of structured service redesign processes across a range of areas of the Council’s existing service arrangements.  These reviews would be framed around functional service groupings and would cut across existing service structures.  The redesign processes would also look at more clearly defining and focusing service delivery on those priority outcomes that the Council had committed to delivering.  A future report to the Board would outline in detail the schedule of proposed service redesign exercises and specifics in relation to the change that would emerge from each. Consequently, there was expected to be workforce implications which would require careful management in their implementation.

As this new phase of transformation and change was designed and moved forward, there was a need to ensure the Council’s HR policies and support environment was fit for purpose and that the appropriate capacity and skills were available to adequately support the organisation and its workforce. In this context it was proposed that over the summer period, a full review was completed of the Council’s suite of policies that were key to supporting future organisational change, as well as the capacity and capabilities within the HR and OD service. This would include reviewing the Council’s existing voluntary severance and redeployment arrangements and in addition, developing a key set of workforce planning and organisational development arrangements that would support the Council to progress the necessary change in the shape and size of the workforce as well as supporting the delivery of a key skills and organisational development programme that would require to be deployed across the organisation.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that to support the next phase of the transformation and change programme, work was underway to develop a structured series of service redesign reviews, greater detail of which would be reported back to members after the summer recess period and which would build upon the existing programme of transformation and change that had been pursued and delivered by the Council over recent years; 

(b) That the wide range in the projected budget gap for the Council over the three-year period 2020/21 – 2022/23 be noted and that the recommendation that a £45 million three-year budget gap be adopted as the financial planning assumption for budget strategy and service planning purposes;

(c) That the uncertainty that existed in respect to this forecast, in particular in relation to the potential level and speed of reduction in the Council’s government grant allocation and that greater clarity in this respect was expected to emerge over the coming months after the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s planned UK Comprehensive Spending Review later in the year, the subsequent Scottish Government budget and expected three-year financial settlement for local government be noted;

(d) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to make the required arrangements to support the design and delivery of the service redesign programme, including appointing, where appropriate and required, any external capacity and skills in consultation with the Director of Finance & Resources, subject to appropriate funding being available from existing resources;

(e) That the work that would be progressed over the summer period to review the Council’s suite of HR policies, as well as the capacity and capabilities within the HR and OD service be noted; and 

(f) That it be noted that an update on the detailed development and design of the next phase of the transformation and change programme would be reported back after the summer recess and thereafter update reports would be provided to the Board at appropriate key stages in the delivery of the transformation programme.

There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to progress against the Tackling Poverty Programme and the development of a Local Child Poverty Action Report. 

The report highlighted key progress against priority areas and provided an update on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 and the requirement for local authorities and health boards to jointly prepare a Local Child Poverty Action Report. The report intimated that at its meeting held on 1 March 2018 the Council had agreed funding of £5 million over the next five years to deliver a tackling poverty programme based on the learning and evaluation of projects carried out to date and building on the initiatives that had made the most difference to people's lives. A programme of activity had been developed which would sustain key projects which supported people on low incomes with a focus on low-income families with children. The projects supported three key priorities of the Tackling Poverty Programme: targeting support to families who needed it most; removing barriers to participation for children and young people and supporting health and wellbeing for young people and the report highlighted progress against each of these priorities.

The report outlined progress against the key priority areas, covering the last six months since the report submitted to this Board at its meeting held on 5 December 2018.  A Local Child Poverty Action Report had been developed for Renfrewshire to meet the requirements of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 and the Tackling Poverty Programme investment formed a significant part of Renfrewshire’s local response to tackling child poverty.   The Local Child Poverty Action Report was considered at item 7 of this Minute.

The report intimated that since the introduction of the Tackling Poverty programme, there had been a significant number of projects and developments undertaken across the Council and its partners to tackle poverty.  In addition to this, 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.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress on the delivery of the Tackling Poverty Programme detailed at section 4 of the report be noted; and 

(b) That the development of Renfrewshire’s Local Child Poverty Action Report at section 5 of the report be noted.

 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the preparation and publication of a Local Child Poverty Action Report (the Report) for Renfrewshire, a copy of which was appended to the report.

The report intimated that the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 required that each local authority and each relevant Health Board must jointly prepare and publish a Local Child Poverty Action Report after the end of each reporting year.  The Report must describe measures taken during the reporting year within the local authority area that reduced child poverty or improved outcomes for children living in poverty.  It must also describe planned and proposed future actions.

The Report set out activities undertaken in Renfrewshire to reduce child poverty between April 2018 and March 2019 and also planned and proposed actions for the future.  The Report had been developed jointly by Renfrewshire Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership.  It also included information about partnership work to tackle child poverty across Renfrewshire's Community Planning Partnership area.

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the draft Local Child Poverty Action Report 2018/19 be noted; and

(b) That the Local child Poverty Action Report be approved for publication.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to a ballot to allow the Business Improvement District (BID) to continue operating for a further five-year term.   Paisley First had been registered as the Business Improvement District for Paisley Town Centre in January 2015 following the outcome of a successful ballot of town centre businesses on 13 November 2014.  

The report advised that BIDs had a legislative basis under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006. After operating for a five-year term, another successful ballot must take place for the BID to continue operating. Under the legislation, it was for the Local Authority to conduct the ballot on behalf of the BID. The Local Authority also had a power of veto in certain circumstances which were outlined in the Act. The ballot would only be held if it was demonstrated that at least 5% of those eligible to vote were in support of the renewal ballot being held.  Paisley First had conducted a survey of levy payers and had gathered evidence of the support of more than 10% of the levy payers for the bid renewal ballot to take place. In light of this support, Paisley First had written to the Chief Executive confirming their intention to issue a formal request to the Council to put the BID proposals to ballot. Ballot papers would be issued to all levy payers in September 2019 with the ballot closing on 24 October 2019. The Council was also responsible for collecting the BID levy, and to deliver the baseline services as set out in the operating agreement.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be confirmed in principle that Renfrewshire Council supported the renewal of Paisley First Business Improvement District subject to approval of the BID proposals;

(b) That it be noted that the BID proposals had to be submitted to the Council and the Scottish Government by 18 July 2019;

(c) That the Chief Executive be authorised to consider the BID proposal and determine whether to veto the proposal as explained in paragraph 3.8 of the report and otherwise to exercise the Council’s functions in relation to the BID procedure;

(d) That, following approval of the bid proposal as outlined in (c) above, that the Chief Executive be authorised to exercise positive votes on behalf of the Council during the BID ballot;

(e) That, subject to a successful ballot outcome, authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to put in place the necessary arrangements for the collection of the BID levy, and for finalising of the terms of the operating agreement; and
 
(f) That it be noted that the outcome of the ballot process would be reported to a future meeting of the Leadership Board.

Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of the Board held on 20 February 2019, there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to progress made following the approval of a motion at the Council meeting of 13 December 2018 that parking arrangements in Paisley Town Centre be reviewed; that the request to consider three hours of free parking, the provision of electric charging points, disability parking spaces and improved signage be considered as part of the review along with the financial implications; and that the implications arising from the proposals to be considered as part of the review be provided to members as soon as possible.

The Leadership Board at its meeting held on 20 February 2019 agreed to establish a working group to discuss and review the parking provision within Paisley Town Centre and that outputs from the Working Group would be brought back to a future meeting of the Board for consideration.  Following a number of meetings the Working Group agreed, as its key output, piloting for a period of time limited free parking for three hours in five Paisley Town Centre car parks on a Monday–Sunday basis for a period from July 2019 to the end of January 2020 and the reintroduction of parking tariff charges on a Saturday in all other Council operated off-street car parks.  The pilot would run for an initial period of six months at which point the outputs and outcomes from the pilot evaluation would be discussed by the Paisley Town Centre Car Parking Working Group and then reported to Leadership Board for consideration.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved  

(a) That it had been noted that the Paisley Town Centre Car Parking Working Group had met to discuss car parking in Paisley Town Centre and the outputs from those meetings were contained within the report for consideration;

(b) That it be agreed that a three-hour period of free parking be piloted in five car parks in Paisley Town Centre as set out in paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the report for an initial period of six months;

(c) That it be agreed that tariff charges be introduced in off-street Council car parks in Paisley Town Centre on a Saturday as set out in paragraph 4.11 of the report;

(d) That the financial implications for the Council through piloting a period of free parking as set out in paragraph 4.16 of the report be noted and that it be agreed to fund the pilot from existing resources earmarked to support regeneration and development activities in Paisley Town Centre as set out paragraph 4.17 of the report; and 

(e) That it be agreed to evaluate the economic, financial and transportation impact of the car parking pilot, with a report being brought back to a future Leadership Board to inform future car parking policy in Paisley Town Centre.

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved as an amendment that there be an amendment to paragraph 4.11 of the report to add in line 2, after "charges" - "incorporating an initial three hours free charging policy"; in line 4 - remove "The exemption... time limited free parking and"; and in line 6 start with capital T "The ... and remove the word "which".  If this change cannot be made to the non-target off street car parks, then they should remain free on a Saturday until the pilot was complete.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Andy Doig, J MacLaren, McCartin and McIntyre.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Bibby, J Cameron, Devine, Hughes, Kennedy, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Nicolson, Paterson and Shaw.

4 members having voted for the amendment and 11 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a) That it had been noted that the Paisley Town Centre Car Parking Working Group had met to discuss car parking in Paisley Town Centre and the outputs from those meetings were contained within the report for consideration;

(b) That it be agreed that a three-hour period of free parking be piloted in five car parks in Paisley Town Centre as set out in paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the report for an initial period of six months;

(c) That it be agreed that tariff charges be introduced in off street Council car parks in Paisley Town Centre on a Saturday as set out in paragraph 4.11 of the report;

(d) That the financial implications for the Council through piloting a period of free parking as set out in paragraph 4.16 of the report be noted and that it be agreed to fund the pilot from existing resources earmarked to support regeneration and development activities in Paisley Town Centre as set out paragraph 4.17 of the report; and 

(e) That it be agreed to evaluate the economic, financial and transportation impact of the car parking pilot, with a report being brought back to a future Leadership Board to inform future car parking Policy in Paisley Town Centre.

There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to Renfrewshire's economic performance over the six-month period to June 2019.  The purpose of the economic profile was to describe and track the local demographic and economic indicators within Renfrewshire. It was noted that the range of indicators had also been extended to reflect a broader indication of the health of the Renfrewshire economy and this report now included statistics on the manufacturing sector and town centre vacancies. Scotland and the Glasgow city region were used as comparators. The report assessed a selection of statistics against the Council and Community Plans' strategic objectives.

The report provided an update on new economic development initiatives that had emerged since the last Economic Profile, including proposals for funding support for new Creative Hubs in Renfrewshire and provided an update on the plans for the final stage of development of the former Arnotts site in Paisley town centre; successfully concluding the regeneration of this once vacant and derelict strategic site. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the June 2019 Renfrewshire Economic Profile be noted;

(b) That the proposed roll-out of funding support for Creative Hubs from July 2019 be agreed; and

(c) That the outcome of the Park Lane Developments (Renfrewshire) LLP Company’s options review and their decision on the preferred option for the fourth and final phase of the development of the former Arnott’s site, for mixed tenure housing be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the allocation of the Scottish Government's Town Centre Capital Fund to Renfrewshire Council and seeking authorisation to allocate the available funds to projects and initiatives as detailed in the report.

The report intimated that, following its December 2018 budget, the Scottish Government launched a £50 million Town Centre Capital Fund to be shared among all Scottish local authorities in 2019/20 on the basis of the number of towns in a local authority area and its overall population.  Renfrewshire Council would receive £1,459,000.  The purpose of the fund was to drive economic activity and improvements to town centres.  The fund would support capital expenditure which was additional to any already allocated in the 2019/20 budget and must not substitute for existing spend.  The grant was to be used in the current financial year and could be used to fund third party capital expenditure to either other public sector bodies, private or third sector bodies or individuals.   The conditions under which the fund was being made available required the identification of projects that were deliverable almost immediately and these were set out in the report.  It was noted that should there be any issues in securing spend within the timescales or if any underspends were projected, officers would work to identify and progress replacement projects.  The Council required to report to the Scottish Government on progress in November 2019.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved (a) that the background and objectives of the fund be noted; (b) that it be agreed that the projects identified in section 5 be taken forward with a budget allocation of £1,459,000; and (c) that authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration in consultation with the Convener to manage any potential over/underspends, from the indicative budgets presented, within the overall programme of projects and if necessary to bring forward substitute projects to ensure the complete commitment of the grant within financial year 2019/20.

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor McCartin, moved as an amendment that a new recommendation 2.1v be added "This Board welcomed the significant Town Centre Fund investment into Renfrewshire's town centres from the Scottish Government, but agreed to write to the Cabinet secretary for Finance and request that city local authorities be ineligible for the Town Centre fund on the basis that cities already had dedicated City Deal funding for regeneration projects".

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Nicolson and Paterson, being the mover and seconder of the motion agreed to accept the amendment which was approved unanimously.

In addition, it was agreed that reference in paragraph 5.1, section 3 of page 217 of the report to "wayfinding and lighting" should be amended to read "wayfinding, lighting and CCTV".

DECIDED:

(a) That the background and objectives of the fund be noted;

(b) That it be agreed that the projects identified in section 5 be taken forward with a budget allocation of £1,459,000;

(c) That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration in consultation with the Convener to manage any potential over/underspends, from the indicative budgets presented, within the overall programme of projects and if necessary to bring forward substitute projects to ensure the complete commitment of the grant within financial year 2019/20;

(d) That this Board welcomed the significant Town Centre Fund Investment into Renfrewshire's town centres from the Scottish Government but agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and request that city local authorities be ineligible for the Town Centre Fund on the basis that cities already had dedicated City Deal funding for regeneration projects; and

(e) That reference in paragraph 5.1, section 3 of page 217 be amended to read "wayfinding, lighting and CCTV".

Under reference to item 8 of the Minute of the meeting of the Board held on 21 February 2018, there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the status of the West of Scotland Loan Fund Limited (WSLF) and the intention of the WSLF Board to wind-up the company and transfer the loan portfolio to Business Loans Scotland Limited (BLS).  The report sought to amend the Articles of Association of BLS, of which Renfrewshire Council was a Full Member.  This proposed change would allow all member authorities, including Renfrewshire, to take the decision to withdraw any of their surplus cash currently being held by the Fund which could then be made available for use for other economic development activities.

The report intimated that in 2014 the Scottish Government indicated its desire to move away from regional loan funds such as WSLF to a national loan fund.  This led to the establishment in March 2015 of BLS to provide loan finance of up to £100,000 to both new and growing, small and medium-sized businesses across Scotland, replacing the role of WSLF.  The report referred to the administration of the existing WSLF loan portfolio; the use of residual European Regional Development Funding; excess WSLF funds; and required amendments to the Articles of Association of BLS.

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the report and the WSLF Board’s intention to wind-up the West of Scotland Loan Fund Limited be noted;

(b) That the transfer of the Council’s existing loan portfolio to Business Loans Scotland Limited be approved;

(c) That the Council’s commitment to the treatment of residual ERDF money received during the 2007-14 programme be noted;

(d) That the transfer of ring-fenced funds to Business Loans Scotland Limited be approved;

(e) That the Council’s position with regards to excess funds be noted and the withdrawal of funds for like-minded economic development activity in Renfrewshire as stated in the WSLF company’s Articles of Association be approved; and 

(e) That the proposal to amend the BLS Articles of Association to enable member authorities to make decisions on the remaining funding within BLS be approved.

Under reference to item 5 of the Minute of the meeting of the Board held on 20 June 2017 there was submitted a joint report by the Directors of Communities, Housing & Planning Services and Finance & Resources relative to a proposal to submit a Round 2 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The report intimated that the Council had committed a capital investment of £24.1 million to the Paisley Museum project.  The vision was to create a visitor experience of international quality, the signature project of Paisley's regneration strategy, telling the inspirational stories of Paisley, its heritage and its pattern.  The report detailed the planned outcomes of the project and the overall economic impact of the project on Renfrewshire over the next 30 years.  The report highlighted the elements that would be included in the Museum scheme, its vision and outcomes, development of architectural solutions, the outline business case, set out the programme's relationship to other heritage and regeneration projects and the proposed funding strategy.   It was anticipated that construction work would commence in 2020.

DECIDED:
 
(a) That it be noted that following a two-year development phase the Project was required to submit its Round 2 application to NLHF on 22 August 2019;

(b) That it be noted that the Council had continued to work to develop the project proposals with resources as approved by the Leadership Board in June 2016 in order to meet programming and funding deadlines;

(c) That the progress achieved in progressing the project development and funding strategy as detailed in the main body of the report be noted and that the Council assurances in relation to the deliverability of the funding streams to support the ongoing HLF application process as outlined in section 6 of the report be agreed; and

(d) That the Directors of Communities, Housing & Planning Services and of Finance & Resources be authorised to submit the Round 2 application to NLHF to support the delivery phase of the project.

Under reference to item 3 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 13 December 2018 there was submitted a report by Chief Executive relative to progress by Paisley Museum Reimagined Limited, an independent company established by the Council to drive the Capital Appeal for Paisley Museum, namely securing charitable trust status and the appointment of two independent Trustees to the Board.

The report intimated that a dedicated fundraising team had been in post since January 2019 and were conducting a major gift appeal focusing on high-net-worth-individuals followed by major Trusts and Foundations which would secure a £5 million fundraising target by 2022.  Four trustees for the charity had now been confirmed and a Trust chair would be identified at the next meeting of the Trust, following appointment of the remaining three trustee positions.  The report detailed the immediate priorities for the Charity including the appointment of three further trustees; the recruitment of up to eight influential people who would form the Campaign Board; meeting with the top 20 high-net-worth-individuals to introduce them to the project; and establishing a programme of meetings with the top five Trusts and Foundations with a view to submitting applications in early 2020.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the appointment of two independent Trustees James Lang, Scottish Leather Group and Jack McVitie, LEBC Group to the board of Paisley Museum Reimagined Limited, following consultation with the Chief Executive and Council Leader be noted; 

(b) That it be noted that a successful application had been made to OSCR for charitable status for Paisley Museum Reimagined Limited; and

(c) That the progress made by the fundraising team since January 2019 be noted.

Under reference to item 16 of the Minute of the meeting of the Board held on 5 December 2018, there was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the operation of the fitness suite at Park Mains High School, Linwood on a shared use basis.  The report intimated that since October 2018 Renfrewshire Leisure (RLL) had had shared use of the fitness suite at Park Mains High School.  Part of the area was partitioned off for exclusive use by the school and members of the public using RLL facilities used a separate entrance and had no access to the school (including the school's section of the fitness suite).

Following concern raised by some stakeholders it had been agreed that access arrangements to the fitness suite would be reviewed.  This review had now been completed, in light of which it was proposed that the existing arrangements at Park Mains High School  be continued, with no recommendation for any further modifications at this time.

DECIDED:

(a) That the findings of the review of access arrangements to the fitness suite at Park Mains High School be noted;

(b)That it be agreed that the access and safeguarding arrangements were working as intended and that no further modifications were therefore required at this time; and

(c) That it be noted that the agreed set of operating procedures would be issued to all staff and that both the school and Renfrewshire Leisure would continue to monitor arrangements as part of their normal duties.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the performance of Renfrewshire Leisure over the previous six-month period in terms of the services agreement. The report highlighted key achievements; provided a summary of the environment in which Renfrewshire Leisure was operating; considered performance against operational indicators; and outlined the main priorities for the next six months.  

DECIDED: That the performance update and progress being made by Renfrewshire Leisure in the delivery of the services agreement and Business Plan be noted.

There was submitted a report by Chief Executive relative to a mid-year update on the Council’s programme of visitor and event marketing and an outline of a new partnership with VisitScotland to drive the profile of the 2019 events programme and Renfrewshire as a visitor destination.  The report intimated that the Renfrewshire Visitor Plan to 2021 had been developed with national tourism partners and had been approved by the Leadership Board in 2017.  Delivery of the plan was driven through seven strategic portfolios led by officers through the Council's internal tourism development group.  The report detailed the four objectives that the Council's marketing and communications service had in relation to the plan: leading the ongoing development of the plan and managing the delivery mode; the implementation of the destination brand and managing destination marketing; the delivery of the Council's major events; and the development of an active tourism industry network.  The appendix to the report highlighted key achievements.

DECIDED: That the progress at Appendix 1 (year 1 visitor marketing) be noted and that the ongoing activity to market Renfrewshire’s visitor attractions and the council’s events programme for 2019 be supported.