Councillor McCartin declared a non-financial interest in item 11 as she was a member of the Old Paisley Society and items 15 and 16 as she was a member of Paisley Opera Society.  She indicated that she intended to remain in the meeting.

Councillor McCartin declared a non-financial interest in items 15, 16, 17 and 18 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.

Councillor Hughes declared a non-financial interest in items 15, 16, 17 and 18 as she was the 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.

There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive, Director of Finance & Resources and the Chief Finance Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership relative to the financial position for services reporting to the Board for the period to 13 September 2019. It was noted that 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 which had been prepared in conjunction with the Chief Executive and the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services for the period to 13 September 2019.  It was noted that there was an underspend of £0.001 million for those services reporting to this Board.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council Plan six-monthly monitoring report.  The report intimated that  the Council Plan was a key strategic document which outlined the Council’s vision and priorities for Renfrewshire for 2017/22.  The Plan had been approved at the meeting of the Council held on 28 September 2017 and had been developed alongside the Community Plan to ensure close alignment with key community planning partners to achieve the vision, “Working together for a thriving and connected Renfrewshire, creating opportunities for all”.  The Council was now halfway through the five-year plan, and significant progress had been made across a number of areas such as: attainment of our young people; cultural and economic regeneration; community engagement and empowerment; and creating a more sustainable Renfrewshire. Many aspects of this work were sector-leading with the Council being recognised through positive inspections and audits and external awards for innovation and excellence.  The appendix to the report gave a summary of performance against each of the five strategic outcomes.

It was proposed that members be provided with information in relation to attendance at cultural attractions outwith Paisley and an update on the legacy programme. 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 June 2020; and 

(c) That members be provided with information in relation to attendance at cultural attractions outwith Paisley and an update on the legacy programme.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress with the Best Value Assurance Report Improvement Plan.  The report intimated that on 31 August 2017, the Accounts Commission published the Best Value Assurance Report (BVAR) for Renfrewshire Council. The report provided an updated assessment of the Council and its performance, following on from its last audit in 2006.  Overall the report was positive, providing independent assurance to local residents and businesses 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 going forward. The report specifically included seven recommendations relating to areas such as cross-party working, community engagement, partnership working, financial sustainability, workforce planning and governance arrangements.   The report highlighted that the recently published Annual Audit Report for 2018/19 prepared by Audit Scotland, found that the Council was making good progress in addressing the recommendations from the 2016/17 Best Value Assurance Report, with further actions for developing individual development plans for elected members and locality plans identified. The report proposed that as the majority of actions were now complete, that going forward, progress updates be provided on the remaining actions on an annual basis.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress achieved in terms of implementing the BVAR improvement plan as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be noted; and

(b) That  it be agreed that the frequency of reporting progress on the BVAR improvement plan to Leadership Board change to an annual basis.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to progress on Renfrewshire's Gaelic language implementation plan. The report noted that as part of their duties under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, local authorities were required to have a Gaelic Language Plan which outlined the actions they would take to promote Gaelic in their community. The implementation of plans was overseen by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities must provide an annual update on progress against the Plan’s actions both to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and to elected members. This was the second progress report provided by Renfrewshire Council to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and provided an update on progress during 2018/19.

It was proposed that members be provided with information in relation to Scottish Government funding in relation to Gaelic language provision.  This was agreed.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved that the progress made by Renfrewshire Council in the delivery of the Gaelic Language Plan be noted; that it be noted that a progress report had been provdied to Bòrd na Gàidhlig; and that it be noted that annual progress reports would continue to be provided to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and to elected members.

Councillor Sheridan, seconded by Councillor Devine, moved as an amendment that this Council recognised the importance of political impartiality at publicly-funded events, supported genuine educational programmes promoting Gaelic, but rejected any attempts to hijack these events for narrow political purposes.  Therefore, called on all organisations taking part in these events to be registered and approved by appropriate Board.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Devine, Harte, J MacLaren, McIntyre and Sheridan.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors J Cameron, Andy Doig, Hughes, McCartin, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Nicolson, Paterson and Shaw.

5 members having voted for the amendment and 10 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress made by Renfrewshire Council in the delivery of the Gaelic Language Plan be noted;

(b) That it be noted that a progress report had been provided to Bòrd na Gàidhlig;

(c) That it be noted that annual progress reports would continue to be provided to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and to elected members; and

(d) That members be provided with information in relation to Scottish Government funding in relation to Gaelic language provision.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to key progress highlights against priority areas of the Tackling Poverty programme.  The report intimated that the Council at its meeting held on 2 March 2018 agreed the allocation of £5 million over the following five years to support a new Tackling Poverty programme.  The report highlighted the activity that had been developed which sustained key projects to support people on low-incomes with a focus on low-income families with children, and also health and well-being for young people.  It was noted that the Council at its meeting held on 9 May 2019 had agreed that officers would look into the issue of chargeable automatic teller machines (ATMs) and to report on all available actions and options available to the Council to increase the numbers of free to use ATMs within Renfrewshire communities.  The appendix to the report outlined the reason for the increase in chargeable ATMs; the role of LINK which was the UK's largest cash machine network; local ATMs; options to retain/increase the number of free ATMs and local assistance for Renfrewshire residents.  The appendix also referred to the recommendations of the independent Access to Cash Review, commissioned by LINK and which had been accepted by the UK government.

DECIDED:

(a) That progress on the delivery of the Tackling Poverty programme as detailed in the report be noted; and

(b) That the report produced on the issues of chargeable ATMs, as detailed in the report and appendix, be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Inquiry into Benefit Take-up by the Scottish Parliament's Social Security Committee which explored how take-up for both reserved and devolved social security benefits could be improved, including through benefit automation.  The report intimated that submissions to the Inquiry had been sought by 21 October 2019 and to meet this timescale, a draft response had been submitted.   It was noted that most recent estimates showed that in the UK as a whole, £20 billion of benefits remained unclaimed, including over £4 billion in housing benefit and £3.5 billion in pension credits.  The Committee sought input from organisations and individuals to inform their view on what was known about how much was unclaimed and why; what were the gaps in knowledge/research and how could they be improved; how could the administration of benefits be improved to maximise take-up; how far was it possible for technology to create a more automated system; what could be learned from previous campaigns to increase take up; were different approaches required for different benefits and client groups; what kinds of eligibility criteria ensured better take-up; how might the development of Scottish social security impact on take-up of both reserved and devolved benefits; and was there anything else that the Committee should consider as part of the Inquiry.

DECIDED: That the approval of the draft response as appended to the report be homologated.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the refugee resettlement programme.   The report intimated that the Council had supported national refugee resettlement programmes since 2015, participating in both the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme from 2017.  It was noted that funding was received from the UK government to support the resettlement process, and at a local level, services and partners had built up considerable expertise in terms of supporting the resettlement of vulnerable refugees within local communities.   The report sought approval to extend the Council's participation for a further two years as participation in both schemes had now reached review points as set by this Board.

It was noted that in June 2019, the UK government announced that a new single resettlement programme would replace these schemes, potentially from June 2020.  The scheme would also be extended to support resettlement of vulnerable people to those most at risk and would not be limited to people with Syrian nationality.  Officers would continue to review participation in the schemes as these transitioned to new arrangements.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be agreed to extend the Council's participation in both the Vulnerable People's Resettlement  and the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Schemes for a further period of two years; and

(b) That it be noted that this was subject to planned changes to the national schemes, with arrangements being kept under regular review by officers.

Under reference to item 4 of the Minute of the meeting of this Board held on 1 May 2019, there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Brexit negotiation process and providing an overview of key areas of preparation being progressed by officers in relation to the potential of a no-deal Brexit scenario being realised.

The report indicated that officers continued to undertake all required actions to prepare effectively for the potential of a no-deal Brexit scenario, including in relation to availability of goods and services; support for vulnerable people/food insecurity; support for businesses; the EU resettlement scheme; and workforce support including communications to staff and signposting to all relevant information.  A copy of the risk register with documented controls to mitigate impact was appended to the report.  It was noted that officers would continue to review levels of preparedness given any new or emerging information and that regular updates would continue to be provided to this Board.

DECIDED:

(a) That the updated information provided within the report be noted; and

(b) That the activities undertaken by Council officers to prepare appropriately for a no-deal Brexit scenario as highlighted in the risk register appended to the report be noted.

Under reference to item 2 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 2 March 2018, there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the outcome of a bid to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Full Fibre Network Fund to provide match funding of £2 million Council investment.  The report intimated that a critical element of the Council's Digital Stragety 2016/19 was to deliver a level of digital infrastructure that enabled greater connectivity of citizens, communities and businesses.  The report noted that the Council had not been selected to participate in the final stages of the DCMC funding application process.  However, it was highlighted that the market in relation to the provision of full fibre had evolved significantly since the development of the Council's digital strategy had been developed and an alternative funding model had been developed which would seek to deliver a full-fibre network in Renfrewshire, at a greater pace than those other local authoritiy areas that had secured DCMS funding.  In addition, the report indicated that this model could potentially lever in significant external investment in infrastructure in Renfrewshire and that a procurement exercise would be progressed to deliver the infrastructure required. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the work undertaken by officers to develop proposals to deliver full fibre infrastructure in Renfrewshire in line with the aspirations of the Digital Strategy 2016/19 be noted;

(b) That it be noted that an initial bid to the Local Full Fibre Network Fund to facilitate the delivery of a full-fibre network in Renfrewshire was not selected to progress to the final stages of award;

(c) That it be agreed that the £2 million of funding previously approved by Council to provide match funding for the DCMS application be utilised to deliver full fibre infrastructure through the alternative approach identified in the report;

(d) That it be agreed that officers proceed with an appropriate contract strategy to secure a single contract with terms and conditions covering the provision of a gigabit (and multigigabit in future) network to Council sites, acting as a springboard to launch gigabit connectivity services to residential and business users across Renfrewshire.  A 20-year long term arrangement had been identified as the most appropriate arrangement and which would encourage long-term investment in connectivity infrastructure across Renfrewshire, and

(d) That it be noted that related contract authorisation reports would be submitted to a future meeting of the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board for approval.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress to date with the Paisley Townscape Heritage/Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (TH/CARS2) and providing details of a grant award in relation to 5 George Place, Paisley.  The report intimated that the TH/CARS2 project was funded by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and the Council and was being delivered over the five-year period 2016/21.  It was noted that the project continued to make good progress to deliver its aims of improving the historic fabric of Paisley town centre and providing opportunities for local people to take part in heritage education, training and events.  The anticipated project value was anticipated to be in excess of £4.5 million.The report indicated that over the remaining period of the project it would continue to deliver the heritage education, training and events activity plan; coordinate the delivery of third-party building repair/restoration works and shopfront improvement works within the TH/CARS2 project area; develop and deliver public realm improvements; and in compliance with the requirements of NLHF and HES grants, submit the required monitoring reports and grant claims; and continue to update Board at appropriate intervals in terms of progress and achievements of the project.

In addition, the report referred to the decision taken at the Council meeting held on 29 September 2016 to approve and award third party grants and it was noted that an application for a building repair grant of £283,000 had been received for external works at 5 George Place, Paisley.  The property was Georgian townhouse located adjacent to Sma' Shot Cottages and was category 'B' listed. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress made to date with the TH/CARS2 scheme be noted; and

(b) That the award of a third party TH/CARS2 grant be approved, subject to approval by NLHF and HES, for building repair work at 5 George Place, Paisley.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the fifth edition of the Renfrewshire Economic Profile which was brought to the Board on six-monthly intervals to allow the Board to track changes in the local economy through a set of key statistical indicators.  The report also provided the first in a series of spotlight reports on Renfrewshire's principal employment locations, with the first focusing on Hillington Park.  Future updates would focus on other employment locations such as Inchinnan Business Park, Glasgow Airport and Braehead.  The report also provided an update on the suspension of the European Social Fund as highlighted to the Board at its meeting held on 18 September 2019 and detailed the potential implications for the Council.  It was noted that the Council had already put in measures to reduce EU spend until there was a satisfactory resolution and that the Council now required to determine whether further mitigating action was required and the situation could be managed or whether activity relating to these programmes required to be reduced or stopped.

It was proposed that there be a future spotlight report on West Renfrewshire and that short presentations be provided to the Board as appropriate on spotlight areas.  This was agreed.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved that the content of the December 2019 Renfrewshire Economic Profile be noted; that the content of the Hillington Park spotlight report be noted; and that the update regarding European Social Fund payments be noted.

Councillor McIntyre, seconded by Councillor J MacLaren, moved as an amendment that Renfrewshire Council will request the Scottish Government make good any funding shortfall for existing projects resulting from the suspension of European Social Fund Payments.

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Nicolson and Paterson being the mover and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment and the motion as amended was approved unanimously.

DECIDED:

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

(b) That the content of the Hillington Park spotlight report be noted; 

(c) That the update regarding European Social Fund payments be noted; 

(d) That there be a future spotlight report on West Renfrewshire and that short presentations be provided to the Board as appropriate on spotlight areas; and

(e) That Renfrewshire Council will request the Scottish Government make good any funding shortfall for existing projects resulting from the suspension of European Social Fund Payments.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to updated guidance on the Community Empowerment Fund.  The report intimated that at its meeting held on 2 March 2018 the Council agreed to commit £1.5 million to establish a fund to be used to support community organisations to realise ambitions in relation to community asset transfer.  Subsequently at its meeting on 18 June 2018, the Leadership Board approved the funding guidance required to launch the Fund.  It was noted that the fund had been successful with 17 awards to date and £256,000 of funding being distributed.  During the first year of the Fund's establishment feedback had been received from a range of stakeholders on its operation and the funding guidance had now been reviewed to provide greater clarity on the application process and criteria.

The report indicated that at the meeting of the Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board held on 29 October 2019 applications from Paisley 2021 Community Trust and Active Communities had been approved in principle subject to the approval of the revised guidance by this Board.

DECIDED:

(a) That the revised guidance for the Community Empowerment Fund be approved; and

(b) That the decision of the Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board to approve awards in principle to Paisley 2021 Community Trust and Active Communities, pending approval of this revised guidance, be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Strategic Partnership Agreement which had been developed with Paisley 2021 Community Trust.  The report intimated that partnership working was key to the delivery of the Community Plan and also to the Council Plan, recognising that the Council alone would not be able to improve the outcomes targeted.  A range of activities were underway across the Council to support greater collaboration and engagement with local community groups and organisations by redefining the relationships that had developed over time and working more closely together on shared priorities.  The concept of a  Strategic Partnership Agreement was to demonstrate commitment to partnership working and to strengthen communication and engagement through regular dialogue. The Partnership Agreement would be reviewed jointly after one year of operation.

DECIDED: That the Strategic Partnership Agreement in relation to Paisley 2021 Community Trust be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the award of grants recommended for approval from the second round of applications to the Cultural Organisations Development Fund.  It was noted that the Board at its meeting held on 19 September 2019 had agreed to establish the Fund as one of the legacies of the UK City of Culture bid process.  It was a key mechanism in building a thriving local independent cultural sector and delivering the benefits of the bid process and strengthening and building the capacity of local cultural and creative organisations.  The report intimated that four applications had been received, as detailed in the appendix to the report, two of which were recommended for award with a total value of £66,425, leaving a Fund balance of £11,257. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the continued level of interest generated in the second round of the Cultural Organisations Development Fund be noted;

(b) That the recommended grant awards, as detailed in the report, to the total value of £66,425 be approved;

(c) That the use of the balance of £11,257 for a further round of small grants to support growth plans be approved and that it be delegated to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services to make the awards; and

(d) That it be noted that officers would undertake further work on the longer-term sustainability of the Fund.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the review of the Culture, Heritage an Events Fund (CHEF) and proposing recommendations for the next steps in its development.

The report intimated that the Fund had been established in 2016 to generate new cultural and creative activity in support of Paisley's UK City of Culture 2021 bid and its legacy.  Whilst activity in 2016 and 2017 often related directly to the bid, funded projects had supported the growth of the culture, heritage and events sector across Renfrewshire as an integral part of the area's long-term social and economic regeneration.  An initial fund of £500,000 had been established in 2016.  This was increased to £1 million in February 2017 with a further £140,000 being added in March 2018 to support relevant activities up to 2021.  It was noted that demand had been extremely high with all funds now awarded and none were available currently for new activity.  The report outlined the objectives of CHEF; detailed the number of applications received and funding rounds held; average grant award and the range of activities supported.  The report proposed that in light of the positive impact of the funding programme and the continuing high level of demand that consideration be given through the budget process to identify additional funding to support funding rounds in 2020/21.

DECIDED:

(a) That the success of CHEF to date as a funding programme and the outcomes that had been delivered as detailed in the review be noted;

(b) That, in light of the demonstrated success of the programme and the high level of demand that consideration be given to identifying additional funding as part of budget deliberations to allow further funding rounds in 2020/31; and

(c) That it be noted that subject to further funding being identified, that the current criteria, application and support process for applicants would be revised to take account of the findings of the review, and

(d) That it be noted that further work would be taken forward to consider the longer-term sustainability of this funding programme, in the context of the revised cultural strategy and in conversation with national funders regarding future partnership opportunities.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Year 2 update of the Renfrewshire Visitor Plan which had been developed in consultation with national tourism partners and the local sector and had been approved by this Board in December 2017.  The report provided an overview of Year 2 activity and progress against the strategy targets.  Appendix 1 to the report outlined detailed actions against each of the objectives of increasing destination marketing to grow opportunities to see or hear something positive about Renfrewshire; to increase visitor numbers by 4% year on year; to increase visitor spend; to enhance the visitor experience by building capacity and developing a quality product and to support tourism business growth and collaboration.  It was noted that the Chief Executive's Service had won the VisitScotland Thistle Award for best cultural event/festival for Paisley Halloween.

DECIDED: That Year 2 progress as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report be noted and that it be noted that a further progress report would be brought to the Board in December 2020.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to performance of Renfrewshire Leisure in terms of its annual business plan priorities and the arrangements in place to monitor delivery of the plan.  The report highlighted key achievements over the previous six month period; provided a summary of the environment within which the organisation was operating and outlined priorities for the next six months.  The report also provided details in relation to national performance indicator data for cultural and leisure services.  It was noted that the national performance benchmarking data for 2018/19 was currently being validated and was due to be published by the Improvement Service later in 2019.  

DECIDED: That the performance update and progress being made by Renfrewshire Leisure in the delivery of the Business Plan for 2019/20 be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership relative to the six-monthly update from June to September 2019.  The report provided details in relation to the national direction of public health reform and priorities, the establishment of Public Health Scotland, the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014; Partnership activities relating to the delegated functions including modernising services; optimising joint and integrated working; statutory requirements, national policy and compliance, service reviews; delivering safe and sustainable services;  and gave an overview of current adult social work services' performance including areas for improvement and actions to address these.

DECIDED:

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

(b) That it be noted that the 2019/20 annual performance report would be presented to the meeting of this Board to be held on 17 June 2020.