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Meeting Details

Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board
20 Mar 2019 - 13:00 to 15:00
  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Agenda
Standard Items
Further Information

This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. 

A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx

For further information, please either email
democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk or telephone 0141 618 7112.

Members of the Press and Public
Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should report to the customer service centre where they will be met and directed to the meeting.
Chair

Councillor McEwan, Convener, presided.

In Attendance

G McNeil, Director of Environment & Infrastructure; A Morrison, Head of Regeneration (Chief Executive’s Service); O Reid, Head of Communities & Public Protection and C Dalrymple, Regulatory and Enforcement Manager (Communities, Housing & Planning Services); G Hutton, Head of Operations & Infrastructure, K Anderson, Amenity Services Manager - Waste, G Hannah, Strategic Change Manager (all Environment & Infrastructure); and K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, J Lynch, Head of Property Services, D Farrell, Finance & Business Partner and A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).

Section 1 Heading
Section 1
Apologies
Apologies from members.
Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest.
There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting
Section 2 Heading
FINANCE
Section 2
Joint report by Director of Finance & Resources and Director of Environment & Infrastructure.
1

There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources and Environment & Infrastructure for the period 1 April 2018 to 4 January 2019 in respect of services reporting to this Policy Board.

 

DECIDED:  That the report be noted.

Joint report by the Director of Finance & Resources, Director of Environment & Infrastructure and Director of Communities & Housing Services.
2

There was submitted a joint capital budget monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources, Environment & Infrastructure and Communities, Housing & Planning Services for the period 1 April 2018 to 4 January 2019 in respect of services reporting to this Policy Board.

 

The report advised that since the last meeting budget changes totalling £900,000 had arisen in respect of the investment in Cemetery Estate; the re-allocation of underspent budget from street lighting to the Depots improvement programme; and re-profiling of the budget for the vehicle replacement programme to reflect revised delivery dates.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a)  That the report be noted; and

 

(b)  That the budget changes totalling £900,000, as set out within the report, be approved.

Section 3 Heading
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Section 3
Report by Director of Environment & Infrastructure.
  1. pdf CombinedSIP (2425Kb)
3

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the Environment & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 (the Plan), a copy of which was appended to the report.

 

The Plan set out a comprehensive statement of the service aims and objectives for the next three-year period, based on the resources likely to be available, and took account of the themes, actions, outcomes and targets contained within the Council Plan, Single Outcome Agreement and Community Plan.  The report highlighted that at the core of the Service Improvement Plan process was an action plan which detailed the priorities, the key tasks to be implemented, the implementation timetable and the outcomes against which progress would be measured.

 

It was noted that the Plan would also be submitted to the Finance, Resources & Customer Services Policy Board to approve elements of activity within the remit of that Board.

 

It was further noted that progress to deliver the Plan would be monitored and reported to this Policy Board in November 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

DECIDED:

 

(a)  That the Environment & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2019/22, a copy of which was appended to the report, be approved in terms of those areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board;

 

(b)  That it be agreed that progress, in respect of those areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, be reported to this Policy Board in November 2019; and

 

(c)  That it be noted that the Environment & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 would also be submitted to the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board to approve those elements of activity within the remit of that Policy Board.

Report by Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services.
4

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the Communities, Housing & Planning Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 (the Plan), a copy of which was appended to the report.

 

The Plan set out a comprehensive statement of the service aims and objectives for the next three years, based on the resources likely to be available, and took account of the themes, actions, outcomes and targets contained within the Council Plan, Single Outcome Agreement and Community Plan. The report highlighted that at the core of the Service Improvement Plan process was an action plan which detailed the priorities, the key tasks to be implemented, the implementation timetable and the outcomes against which progress would be measured.

 

It was noted that the Plan would also be submitted to the Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board to approve those elements of activity within the remit of that Board.

 

It was further noted that progress to deliver the Plan would be monitored and reported to this Policy Board in November 2019.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a)  That the Communities, Housing & Planning Service Improvement Plan 2019/22, as appended to the report, be approved in terms of those areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board,

 

(b) That it be agreed that progress in respect of those areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board be reported to this Policy Board in November 2019; and

 

(c)  That it be noted that the Communities, Housing & Planning Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 had also been submitted to the Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board on 12 March 2019 to approve those elements of activity within the remit of that Policy Board.


Section 4 Heading
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Section 4
Report by Director of Environment & Infrastructure.
5

There was submitted an update report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to operational performance.

 

The report highlighted main projects and activities delivered by Environment & Infrastructure since January 2019, for areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, and detailed performance under a range of key indicators.

 

DECIDED:  That the operational performance updates, detailed within the report, be approved
Report by Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services.
6

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan (the Plan), a copy of which was appended to the report.

 

The report advised that all local authorities must review and assess air quality within their area, provide an overview of air quality in accordance with standards set out in technical guidance, and submit their findings to the Scottish Government. 

 

Where levels of local air quality exceeded statutory air quality objective levels, an Air Quality Management Area required to be declared and an Air Quality Action Plan prepared containing measures to improve air quality in the area.  Currently there were three Air Quality Management Areas in Renfrewshire: Paisley Town Centre (declared in 2009); and Johnstone High Street and Renfrew Town Centre (declared in 2016). The report highlighted that air quality in these three areas was consistent with that in many town centres in the UK.  

 

Following declaration of the Johnstone and Renfrew Town Centre Air Quality Management Areas, a draft Renfrewshire-wide Air Quality Action Plan had been prepared incorporating all three Air Quality Management Areas.  The draft Plan had been subject to public consultation and representations received during consultation had now been considered and, where appropriate, included within the Plan.

 

DECIDED:  That the Renfrewshire Air Quality Action Plan, dated March 2019, as appended to the report, be approved.

Report by Report by Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services.
7

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to a Scottish Government consultation on possible amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.  The appendix to the report detailed the proposed response to be submitted by 26 April 2019.

 

The report advised that the Act had been introduced to ensure that all animals enjoyed the highest standards of welfare.  The consultation sought views on possible amendments to the Act to strengthen its effectiveness, particularly in relation to the penalties for the most severe animal cruelty offences.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a)  That the consultation on possible amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 be noted; and

 

(b) That the response, as detailed in the Appendix to the report, be approved for submission to the Scottish Government by 26 April 2019.

Report by Report by Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services.

 

 

 

 

8

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to consultation by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on the Out-of-Home Food Environment in Scotland.  Responses were required by 28 February 2019 and the Appendix to the report detailed the response submitted by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services to meet that timescale.

 

The report explained that the development of an out-of-home food strategy for Scotland was part of the Scottish Government’s Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan (the Plan) published in July 2018.

 

The consultation sought views on proposals to improve the out-of-home food environment in Scotland and covered all food and drink eaten outside the home.  The measures now proposed were designed to complement and contribute to the actions within the Plan.   Responses to the proposed measures would inform FSS recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the development of an Out-of-Home Food Strategy for Scotland.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a) That the consultation undertaken by Food Standards Scotland to influence the future shape of the diet, nutrition and health landscape in Scotland be noted; and

 

(b)   That the action taken by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services on behalf of the Council, to submit the response detailed in the Appendix to the report by 28 February 2019, be homologated.

Report by Report by Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services.
9

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Planning Services relative to consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on food labelling laws focussing on overhauling the labelling of pre-prepared foods such as sandwiches and salads which were made, packaged and sold in the same stores.  The Appendix to the report detailed the proposed response to be submitted by 29 March 2019.

 

The report referred to recent concerns linked to allergic reactions which had prompted a review of existing legislative requirements and advised that the consultation proposed options ranging from promoting best practice to full mandatory labelling.  In addition, the consultation sought views on mandatory reporting of allergy “near misses” to local authorities to facilitate investigation and minimise further risk.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a) That the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Food Standards Scotland consultation on amending allergen information provisions contained within domestic food information legislation relating to food pre-packed for direct sale be noted; and

 

(b)  That the Council’s response, as detailed in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

Joint report by Director of Environment & Infrastructure and Director of Community, Housing & Planning Services.
10

There was submitted a joint report by the Directors of Environment & Infrastructure and Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to delivery of the 2018/19 Environment & Place programme to enhance environmental cleaning across Renfrewshire and setting out priorities for delivery of the programme during 2019/20.  It was noted that revenue funding of £2.5 million had been set aside to deliver the programme over the next five years.

 

Regular updates on progress to deliver this programme would be included in future operational performance reports submitted to this Policy Board with an annual update provided at the end of each financial year.

 

DECIDED: 

 

(a) That the achievements delivered through the Environment and Place programme during 2018/19 be noted; and

(b) That the Environment and Place programme priorities for 2019/20, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Section 5 Heading
LAND AND PROPERTY
Section 5
Report by Director of Finance & Resources.
  1. pdf 1 - Allotments (152Kb)
11

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to a consistent concessionary approach to letting of Allotment/Growing Grounds sites in Renfrewshire.

 

The report detailed the variety of rents charged currently to community groups/allotment associations and the lease-periods for various Council-owned sites.  The report set out proposed terms and conditions to be applied to all leases to provide a consistent approach to concessions.

 

It was noted that guidance on the implementation of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 as it related to the management of allotments and growing grounds was awaited from the Scottish Government.

  

DECIDED:   That the terms and conditions to apply to leases to community groups/allotment associations at a consistent concessionary level throughout Renfrewshire be approved.

Report by Director of Finance & Resources.
12

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the lease of Viewfield Park, Kildale Road, Lochwinnoch.

 

The report advised that Viewfield Park and Pavilion, Kildale Road, Lochwinnoch, as identified on plan E2868 appended to the report, was leased to Viewfield Rovers until 31 May 2019 at an annual rental of £1,252.84.

 

The report explained that there were competing interests from two parties, Viewfield Rovers and Lochwinnoch Community Trust.  Following analysis of both offers and taking cognizance of the terms of lease arrangements to Erskine Youth Football Club and Houston United at a charge of £1, if asked, it was proposed that a new five-year lease be granted to Viewfield Rovers for the land at Viewfield Park, Kildale Road, Lochwinnoch at a charge of £1, if asked, and on the terms and conditions set out in the report.  It was further proposed that the community asset transfer request received from Lochwinnoch Community Trust be declined.

   

DECIDED:

 

(a) That a five-year lease be granted to Viewfield Rovers in respect of Viewfield Park, Kildale Road, Lochwinnoch on the terms and conditions detailed within the report;

 

(b) That the request received from the Lochwinnoch Community Trust for an asset transfer of Viewfield Park be declined; and

 

(c) That the Head of Property Services and the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude the lease with Viewfield Rovers, on the Council’s standard full repairing and insuring lease and on such other terms as required to protect the Council’s interest.


Report by Director of Finance & Resources.
13

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the lease of Kirklandneuk Playing Fields and Pavilion.

 

The report advised that Kirklandneuk Playing Fields and Pavilion, identified on plan E2867 appended to the report, was currently leased to Renfrew Victoria Boys Club until 31 March 2019 at an annual rent of £1545.73.  It was proposed, after taking cognizance of the terms of other lease arrangements to local clubs at a charge of £1, if asked, that a 25-year lease be granted to Renfrew Victoria Boys Club on the terms and conditions set out in the report and at a charge of £1, if asked.

 

DECIDED:

 

(a) That a 25-year lease of Kirklandneuk Playing Fields and Pavilion, Ness Road, Renfrew to Renfrew Victoria Boys Club on the terms and conditions detailed within the report be approved; and

 

 (b) That the Head of Property Services and the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude the lease with Renfrew Victoria Boys Club, on the Council’s standard full repairing and insuring lease and on such other terms as required to protect the Council’s interest.

Report by Director of Finance & Resources.
14

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the lease of the shop property at 36 Glenburn Road, Paisley.   

 

The report advised that Mrs Karina Tung had leased the shop property at 36 Glenburn Road, Paisley, as shown on the plan appended to the report, since August 2016 at a cost of £7,000 per year and had now requested security of tenure.  It was proposed that the property be leased to Mrs Tung for 10 years on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

 

DECIDEDThat the Head of Property Services and the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude a new lease of the shop property at 36 Glenburn Road, Paisley to Mrs Tung on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
The Board may by resolution exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the press and public are present, there could be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973.

The Board resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

16 Proposed Purchase of Development Site
  1. 5 - CompleteEXEMPT Proposed Purchase of Development Site
    • Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information);
Section 6 Heading
Section 6
Section 7 Heading
Section 7
Section 8 Heading
Section 8

Attendance

Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Sending Apology
No apology information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Absence
No absentee information has been recorded for the meeting.

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

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