S MacDougall, Director of Environment & Communities; G McNeil, Head of Amenity Services, O Reid, Head of Public Protection, C Dalrymple, Regulatory and Enforcement Manager, K Carr, Senior Facilities Manager – Soft Services, G Hannah, Strategic Change Manager,  A McNab, Transportation Manager, K Anderson, Amenity Services Manager – Waste, D Kerr, Service and Coordination Manager, and C Grainger, Planning & Performance Manager (all Environment & Communities); S McFadden, Project Director for City Deal (City Deal) and B Walker, Depute Project Director (City Deal) (both Development & Housing Services) and  J Lynch, Head of Property Services, R Mould, Energy Officer (Community Liaison), C Doogan, Energy Team Leader, C Thorpe, Corporate Asset/Energy Manager, D Farrell, Finance & Business Partner,  and R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).

The report advised that within Renfrewshire there were currently four private water supplies regulated in terms of the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006.  Amendments introduced by the EU Drinking Water Directive 2015/1787 meant that the 2006 Regulations were not compliant with EU Regulations.  Consequently the Scottish Government had introduced the Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, effective from 27 October 2017, to update the regulatory framework relating to large private water supplies or those serving properties where commercial or public activity took place. The Regulations applied to supplies which provided more than 10m³ of water a day, supplies that were used by more than 50 people or used for commercial or public activities.  The report outlined the work currently being undertaken to address the implications of the new Regulations and indicated that guidance supporting the Regulations extended the definition of a commercial property to include bed and breakfast businesses, privately rented property, holiday-let accommodation, church or village halls and dairy farms. 

(b) That the ongoing exercise to determine the number of private water supplies covered by the revised Regulations within Renfrewshire be noted; and

Under reference to item 23 page 23 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 22 June 2016 there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the use by the Council of glyphosate and the investigations carried out into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative weed-control strategies.

The report detailed the results of the pilot exercises undertaken to identify alternative weed control strategies and provided an update on the decision of the European Commission, who licenced the use of herbicides within the European Union, to grant a licence for the use of glyphosate as a weed control herbicide for the five-year period commencing 16 December 2017.  Two alternative weed control strategies had been piloted, the first being an alternative herbicide treatment and the second being the mechanical removal of weeds. In addition, research had been undertaken into the use and effectiveness of controlling weeds with flame and high pressure steam technology. 

Following evaluation of the alternative weed-control pilots and the research into other and emerging weed-control methods it was found that glyphosate remained the most effective and cost-effective method to control weeds.

DECIDED:

(a) That the outcome from the trials of alternative herbicide control strategies and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these trials compared to the use of glyphosate be noted; 

(b) That the decision by the European Commission to renew the approval of glyphosate as a weed control herbicide for a period of five years commencing on 16 December 2017 be noted; 

(c) That the continued use of glyphosate weed-control herbicide as the Council’s main herbicidal treatment, being the most effective and cost-effective herbicide currently available on the market for amenity use, be agreed;

(d) That it be noted that the Council would adhere to any further guidance issued by the European Union, UK or Scottish bodies, such as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Food Standards Scotland; and

(e) That it be noted that alternatives to the use of glyphosate weed-control methods would continue to be monitored and trialled to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such strategies.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the Council’s Street Lighting Investment Strategy. 

The report advised that the Council had approved a capital investment of £11 million to support delivery of the Street Lighting Investment Strategy (the Strategy) that would convert 30,756 street lights to light-emitting diode (LED) lanterns and replace up to 1,356 street lighting columns.

By mid-December 2017 the Strategy had been completed substantially with 96% of street lights converted to LED lanterns and 83% of the 1,356 street lighting columns replaced as planned.

The report intimated that the Strategy ensured Renfrewshire led the way on street lighting improvements across Scottish local authorities, removed the risk of sourcing replacement parts for obsolete equipment and had offset a projected increase in electricity costs over the next 10 years.  In addition the Strategy was on course to deliver an estimated gross revenue savings of £1.391m and net revenue saving of £750,000 per annum.   An independent night-time audit of all streets with new LED lanterns had been undertaken and had identified that lights levels exceeded the British Standards for street lights.  97% of street lights measured were found to have been installed in accordance with the design specification and emitted highquality light levels in excess of minimum standards.  Remedial action in respect of the remaining 3% of audited street lights was scheduled for completion during Spring 2018.   

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress and planned completion timescales for the Renfrewshire Street Lighting Improvement Strategy, as approved by Council in June 2015, to replace existing street lanterns with LEDs to improve the quality of lights and reducing energy, carbon and maintenance requirements, be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the results of the independent night-time audit of light levels in street lights where LED lanterns had been installed, exceeded the minimum British Standard.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to progress to deliver the action plan, previously approved by the Leadership Board on 29 March 2016, to address the recommendations made by the Sheriff following the determination of the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of six people on 22 December 2014 when a bin lorry mounted a pavement in Glasgow City Centre.   

The report outlined the potential implications for the Council, advised that significant progress had been made to implement the action plan, detailed specific areas where actions had been undertaken and concluded as a priority, and listed other actions being taken and further actions being considered by the Council which were not specifically noted in the Sheriff’s determination. 

The report confirmed that the Council’s recruitment process was already robust in a number of areas highlighted in the Sherriff’s recommendations.  Immediate action had been taken to obtain confirmation of fitness to drive from medical practitioners as part of the recruitment process for posts where driving was a requirement.  All existing drivers of large goods vehicles (LGV) and public service vehicles (PSV) had been interviewed by the Council's occupational health provider to confirm their fitness to drive.  A letter had also been sent to each employees’ general practitioner seeking confirmation that the employee had no underlying health condition that would affect their ability to drive. The report further advised that an eyesight examination would be added to the medical requirements for LGV and PSV drivers.  Should a LGV or PSV driver be found to have a health condition that could not be resolved they would be redeployed to another post. 

DECIDED:

(a)  That the progress of the action plan, approved at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 29 March 2016 to address the recommendations made by the Sheriff in the determination of the FAI into the Glasgow bin lorry crash, be noted;

(b)  That, based on the findings of the medical referrals held to date, the inclusion of a further medical check for all LGV and PSV drivers in the form of an eyesight examination every two years be noted; and  

(c)  That it be noted that the task team would continue to monitor and progress the implementation of the FAI findings and actively research and develop areas that continued to evolve, including vehicle specification and advancing safety features.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the  requirement, in terms of the Environment Act 1995, for local authorities to undertake regular review and assessment of air quality within their area and submit the findings to the Scottish Government. 

The report advised that the Act and associated Regulations specified objectives for air quality pollutants which should not be exceeded.  Within Renfrewshire there were currently three Air Quality Management Areas:  Paisley Town Centre; Johnstone High Street; and Renfrew Town Centre.  The pollutants within each of these areas were nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter smaller than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). This was consistent with the position in many town centres across the UK. 

The report indicated that a new draft Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan had been developed incorporating all three Air Quality Management Areas, superseding and expanding the 2014 Paisley Town Centre Air Quality Action Plan.  The Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan would be considered a draft document and would be subject to statutory consultation in accordance with the Environment Act 1995.  The report summarised the key content, priorities and actions contained within the draft Plan, detailed the statutory consultees and advised the consulation process that would be undertaken.

A report on the finalised Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan would be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Draft Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report be noted;  

(b) That the Environment & Communities service be authorised to follow the statutory process and consult on the content of the Draft Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan with both statutory consultees and wider stakeholders, including members of the public; and

(c) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board on the completion of the consultation exercise and seeking final approval of the Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan.

There was submitted a report by the Acting Director of Development & Housing Services relative to progress attained during 2016/17 in terms of the Carbon Management Plan 2014/20. 

The report advised that reducing carbon emissions was a key priority for all local authorities and one of the principle measures to address climate change. The Carbon Management Plan, which set a target reduction of 36% carbon emissions from the 2013 baseline by March 2021, had been approved by the former Planning & Property Policy Board on 11 November 2014.

It was highlighted that after 2016/17 a reduction of 34.7% from the 2013 baseline had been achieved.  A breakdown of the reduction was provided together with details of measures that had been implemented and had helped to achieve the reduction.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Acting Director of Development & Housing Services relative to the Renfrewshire Council ECO-flex Statement of Intent.

The report stated that Energy Company Obligation (ECO) was a levy added to fuel bills by energy providers with over 250,000 customers.  The levy was used by energy companies to meet carbon reduction targets set by the Office of Gas & Electricity Markets (OFGEM).  The report advised that the UK Government had introduced a funding stream to the ECO called ECO-flex, which would apply to owner-occupier and private rented accommodation.  The onus was on local authorities to set qualifying criteria in a Statement of Intent appropriate for the locality.  Applicants that met the qualifying criteria could access funding for insulation and energy efficiency improvements.

A copy of the draft Renfrewshire Council Statement of Intent was appended to the report.  A summary of the proposed 11 local qualifying criteria that were consistent with criteria used by other local authorities was also provided.  

DECIDED: That the Renfrewshire Council Statement of Intent be approved for submission to OFGEM.

There was submitted a report by the Acting Director of Development & Housing Services relative to consultation by the Scottish Government in connection with their Fuel Poverty Strategy.

The report advised that the key elements of the consultation included; revision of the fuel poverty definition and the creation of new legislation; a change in policy resulting in primary action to support programmes to eliminate fuel poverty being channelled via the Scottish Energy Efficiency Programme; recognition of the value of communities and partnership working; proposed targets; changes in the collection, monitoring  and recording processes; and a focus on the outcomes and principles of the Strategy.

The proposed response to the consultation was appended to the report.

DECIDED: That the response to the Scottish Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy, as appended to the report, be approved. 

There was submitted a joint report by the Acting Director of Development & Housing Services and Director of Finance & Resources relative to progress and developments to acquire land by compulsory purchase to implement the proposed City Deal infrastructure development.

The report advised that planning permission relative to the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) had been approved and provided updates in terms of acquisition of land interests.   The report also updated details of land and the list of owners and interests within the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Compulsory Purchase Order Land Schedule for inclusion in the Renfrewshire Council (Glasgow Airport Investment Area, City Deal)(Number One) Compulsory Purchase Order 2018. 

It was noted that the powers to be used for the CPO were provided by the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and that, as a consequence, there had been refinements to the specimen design for the project.  In addition it was noted that the First Minister had announced, on 11 December 2017 that the Netherton Farm site had been chosen as the location for the new National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.

DECIDED:

(a) That the updated details for land, as shown on the Location Plan, Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, Map 4 and the updated list of owners and interests included in the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Compulsory Purchase Order Land Schedule required to implement the Glasgow Airport Investment Area Project, be approved; 

(b) That it be noted the above details would be included in The Renfrewshire Council (Glasgow Airport Investment Area, City Deal) (Number One) Compulsory Purchase Order 2018; 

(c) That it be noted that  voluntary acquisition discussions were continuing and would continue with all affected parties concurrently with the publication of the Compulsory Purchase Order and that voluntary acquisition would be progressed wherever practicable; and 

(d) That the announcement by the First Minister, on 11 December 2017 that the Netherton Farm site, which was in Council ownership, had been chosen as the location for the new Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS), be noted.