Councillor J Hood.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Councillor McEwan, Convener, presided.

G McNeil, Director of Environment & Infrastructure; B Walker, Depute Project Director (City Deal); P Moss, Strategy, Policy and Insight Manager and C Grainger, Planning & Performance Manager (all Chief Executive’s); O Reid, Head of Communities & Public Protection and C Dalrymple, Communities & Regulatory Manager (both Communities, Housing & Planning Services); G Hutton, Head of Operations & Infrastructure, K Anderson, Amenity Services Manager - Waste, G Hannah, Strategic Change Manager, K Gray, StreetScene Manager, D Kerr, Service Co-ordination Manager, L Rennie, Operations Manager, S Heron, Facilities Manager, (all Environment & Infrastructure); and J Lynch, Head of Property Services, F Hughes, Asset Manager, C Thorpe, Corporate Asset/Energy Manager, Andrew Stevenson, Assistant Business Partner, R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and Nicola O’Brien, Assistant Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).

The item of the Minute against which is set the suffix ND is considered to be a non-delegated item.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for the offence of unnecessary vehicle idling in terms of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003. It was noted that it was possible to issue a £20 fixed penalty notice if the engine was not turned off after being spoken to by an authorised officer.  While the power to take enforcement action in terms of the Regulations had been available to local authorities since 2003, Renfrewshire Council had pursued an educational route, relating to air quality and noise, with the adoption of a no formal enforcement policy.  As vehicle idling complaints continued to be received and, in some areas, rise approval was now sought to introduce a policy which would allow authorised officers to issue FPNs against drivers who did not adhere to warnings. 

It was proposed that the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services write to the Scottish Government to request that consideration be given to increasing the monetary level of fixed penalty notices issued for the offence of unnecessary vehicle idling.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the enforcement and issue of fixed penalty notices, when required, for unnecessary vehicle idling in the Renfrewshire area be approved; 

(b)  That it be recommended that the Scheme of Delegated Functions be amended to include the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 in undernotes A and B within the delegations to the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning and that the Community Safety Officers be authorised to issue fixed penalty notices in terms of the legislation (ND); and

(c) That the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services write to the Scottish Government to request that consideration be given to increasing the monetary level of fixed penalty notices issued for the offence of unnecessary vehicle idling.

There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources, Communities, Housing & Planning Services and Environment & Infrastructure for the period 1 April to 13 September 2019 in respect of services reporting to this Policy Board. 

DECIDED:  That the report be noted.

There was submitted a joint capital budget monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources and Environment & Infrastructure for the period 1 April to 13 September 2019 in respect of services reporting to this Policy Board. 

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted an update report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the operational performance of services together with an overview of key projects since the previous report submitted to the meeting of this Policy Board held on 28 August 2019.

The report detailed the main projects and activities delivered by: Roads and StreetScene; Fleet and Social Transport services; Waste services; Transportation and Infrastructure services; Environment and Place/Team Up to Clean Up and outlined service developments and recognition awards attained.  

DECIDED:  That the operational performance update detailed within the report be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the Service Improvement Plan for Environment & Infrastructure highlighting performance over the period 1 April to 30 September 2019. 

The Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 mid-year monitoring report, a copy of which was appended to the report, outlined the key achievements of the Service, detailed future priorities and provided an update on progress in implementing the action plan. 

It was highlighted that recommendation 2.3 of the report required to be amended to indicate that the out-turn report would be submitted to the meeting of this Policy Board to be held in Spring 2020.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the progress made on service performance be noted; 

(b) That the progress made on actions and performance within the action plan be noted;

(c) That it be noted that an out-turn report would be submitted to the meeting of this Policy Board to be held in Spring 2020; and

(d) That it be noted that this report would also be submitted to the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board for those elements covered within that Board’s remit; and 

(e) That the report be otherwise noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the Service Improvement Plan for Communities, Housing & Planning Services highlighting performance during the period 1 April to 30 September 2019. 

The Service Improvement Plan 2019/22 Mid-Year monitoring report, a copy of which was appended to the report, outlined the key achievements of the Service, detailed future priorities and provided an update on progress in implementing the action plan. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the progress made on service performance be noted; 

(b) That the progress made on actions and performance within the action plan be noted;

(c) That it be noted that an out-turn report would be submitted to the meeting of this Policy Board to be held in Spring 2020; and

(d) That it be noted that the report had also been submitted to the Communities, Housing & Planning Services Policy Board for those elements covered within that Board’s remit; and 

(e) That the report be otherwise noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the response submitted by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), on behalf of partnership members, to the National Transport Strategy 2 Consultation.

The report advised that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity had on 31 July 2019 launched a three-month public consultation on the draft National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS 2) the aim of which was to determine whether the proposed vision, priorities and outcomes for the transport network for the next 20-year period were the correct ones.  Renfrewshire Council had participated in the review process.  The aim of the consultation  A copy of the SPT response was appended to the report together with a synopsis of the main points raised.  It was noted that updates, particularly in relation to the implications for Renfrewshire, of the National Transport Strategy 2 would be submitted to future meetings of this Policy Board.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that the response to the National Transport Strategy 2 Consultation, prepared by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and attached as Appendix 1 of the report, had been submitted on behalf of partnership members; and

(b)  That it be noted that future updates on progress with National Transport Strategy 2 would be submitted to future meetings of this Policy Board.

Under reference to item 11 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2019 there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the comprehensive review of the current collection practices for waste services. 

The report stated that the waste collection service currently demonstrated a ‘right first-time’ bin collection performance level of 99.82%. The proposed review of the collection service, to be undertaken by Zero Waste Scotland, sought opportunities to improve upon this level of performance and would include consideration of the performance of routes, bin collection process, the sustainability of infrastructure at non-standard properties and suitable technology for operations. In addition, it was intended that the Service meet with all elected members to discuss waste collections within their wards, provide updates on service performance and obtain insight from them to support and address any collection and/or infrastructure matters.  It was noted that the opportunity had been taken over the last few months to make improvements to the collection service and that other enhancements and actions were planned to support continuous improvement of the service.

 

 

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that Zero Waste Scotland had been appointed to conduct a review of the waste collection service; and

(b)  That the planned actions being taken forward by the Service, as detailed in section 4 of the report, including engagement with all elected members, be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the Clyde Valley Waste Management Project – Treatment and Disposal of Residual Waste.  

The report intimated that Renfrewshire Council, together with North Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and North Ayrshire Councils, had procured long-term Residual Waste Treatment and Disposal Services from Viridor with the aim of ensuring compliance with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.  The Regulations introduced a ban on the landfill of residual waste, waste that remained following recycling and composting activities, from 1 January 2021. The report advised that Viridor treated the residual waste through an energy from waste treatment facility to divert waste from landfill and recover recyclate.  In addition to diverting waste from landfill and recovering recyclate the contract, which would commence on 1 December 2019, would deliver year-on-year carbon savings to the Councils involved as well as local community benefits to their areas.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that the Clyde Valley residual waste facilities at Bargeddie and Dunbar had been constructed and were now operational; and

(b)  That it be noted the cotract would commence; as planned on 1 December 2019 for a 25-year period, diverting Renfrewshire’s residual waste from landfill to the energy from waste facility.

Under reference to Item 10 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2019 there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the re-examination of naturalised areas.

The report stated that the Council’s parks and greenspaces had a key role to play in supporting the delivery of the Council’s ambitions to tackle climate change. The report proposed that roadside verge wildflower areas were created as pilot projects and four existing naturalised areas converted to two wildflower areas and two tree plantations.  Appendices to the report detailed 112 naturalised areas which had been created in 2012 and indicated that following a review during 2013/14, 52 of these areas, detailed in Appendix 2 of the report, had been reinstated into regular grass cutting schedules. A further review of the remaining 60 areas had been undertaken and specific proposals for each of these areas were outlined in Appendix 1 of the report, together with details of ongoing work to establish the Council’s obligations to maintain areas of non-Council owned land that had historically been maintained by the Council.  The financial implications for the Council associated with the options outlined in the report were outlined within the report. 

It was proposed that consideration be given to including fruit trees within the planned tree plantation areas.  This was agreed.  

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that a review of naturalised areas and the grass cutting service had been completed; 

(b)  That it be noted that, as part of the Council’s response to tackling climate change, work was being developed to enhance the role parks and green spaces could contribute through the creation of wildflower areas and tree plantations;

(c) That it be agreed that roadside verge wildflower areas be created as initial pilots and four existing naturalised areas be converted into two wildflower areas and two tree plantation areas, as outlined in section 4.2 of the report and the Appendix and that consideration be given to including fruit trees within the planned tree plantation areas; 

(d)  That the associated implementation costs of (c) above as detailed in section 3 of the report be noted;  

(e) That the reinstatement of naturalised areas into a scheduled grass cutting frequency, as detailed in section 4.2 of the report and the Appendix, be agreed; and 

(f) That the associated one-off and annual revenue costs to maintain the areas referred to in (e) above as part of a regular grass cutting schedule and outlined in section 4.3 of the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Scottish Government consultation with public bodies entitled the ‘Big Climate Conversation’ about the role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change.

The report summarised the background and themes of the consultation and sought approval to submit the draft response which had been prepared on behalf of Renfrewshire Council, a copy of which was appended to the report.  The consultation document contained nine specific questions and sought views on public sector training and information requirements, proposed changes to the existing support bodies relating to climate change and proposed changes to the reporting arrangements as part of the annual Public Sector Climate Change Duties return. 

DECIDED: That the response to the consultation prepared on behalf of Renfrewshire Council on the role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change, a copy of which was appended to the report, be approved for submission.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to the annual Renfrewshire Council Public Sector Climate Change Duties Report for 2018/19, a copy of which was appended to the report. 

The report stated that all 32 local authorities in Scotland had signed up to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration.  All signatories to the Declaration acknowledged the importance of climate change and recognised the key role Scottish local authorities played in tackling climate change.  Councils required, in terms of the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies Reporting Requirements) (Scotland), to prepare an annual report detailing progress in helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It was noted that, subject to approval by the Board, arrangements would be made to submit the annual Renfrewshire Council Public Sector Climate Change Duties Report for 2018/19 to the Sustainable Scotland Network. 

DECIDED: That Renfrewshire Council’s Public Sector Climate Change Duties Report for 2018/19 be approved for submission to the Sustainable Scotland Network.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing & Planning Services relative to air quality within Renfrewshire and which detailed the findings of the Council’s most recent Local Air Quality Management report. 

The report stated that all councils required to submit an annual Air Quality Progress report, providing an overview of air quality in accordance with standards. The Renfrewshire Air Quality Annual Progress Report 2019 contained detailed monitoring and technical information and reviewed air quality monitoring data from 2018. The report indicated that there had been one exceedance of the nitrogen dioxide annual mean air quality objective identified within the Renfrew (Renfrew Cross) Air Quality Management Area and no exceedances of air quality objectives at any of the monitoring locations within the Paisley Town Centre Air Quality Management Area.  The report highlighted that as there had been no exceedances of air quality objectives and there had been four consecutive years of compliance with statutory objective levels within the Paisley Town Centre Air Quality Management Area it was possible, in terms of the legislative framework, to amend and/or revoke the Air Quality Management Area and that while the monitoring programme continued at present consideration was being given to this.

DECIDED: That the outcome of Renfrewshire’s 2019 Air Quality Annual Progress Report, with one exceedance of the statutory annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide having been identified within the existing Renfrew Air Quality Management Area, be noted.

There was submitted a joint report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources relative to the proposed disposal of property by way of sale or long leasehold, and including the granting of associated servitudes and wayleaves, for the supply of utilities within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

The report made reference to the City Deal Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project comprising the re-alignment of Abbotsinch Road and Arran Avenue and Greenock Road/Inchinnan Road, a new bridge across the White Cart and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians aimed at improving connections between the Westway, Inchinnan and Airport Business Parks and as an enabler for the delivery of the AMIDS.  The report also referred to other significant financial investment and development proposed in the surrounding area.  

The report advised that the existing electricity sub-station at the junction of Abbotsinch Road/Greenock Road/Inchinnan Road required to be replaced and re-located to facilitate delivery of the new GAIA infrastructure and proposed that the property and land, identified on the plan appended to the report, be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and sold together with associated servitude rights.  

 

DECIDED:  

(a) That the property referred to in the report be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements;

(b) That the property be either sold or leased, on a long lease, to SP Distribution plc/Scottish Water Limited, as appropriate, along with servitude rights for appropriate connections, subject to the terms and conditions detailed within the report;  

(c) That it be noted that the exact size and location of the sub-stations and pumping station would be determined once detailed design work had been finalised; and

(d)  That authority be granted to the Head of Corporate Governance, in conjunction with the Head of Property Services, to agree appropriate terms and specific sites with the various utility suppliers, as and when they had been finalised, to facilitate the various AMIDS developments.

Under reference to Item 9 of the Minute of the meeting of the Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board held on 15 January 2019 there was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the transfer of the General Services Account (GSA) site at Auchengreoch Road, Johnstone identified on site plan E2780 appended to the report, to the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to facilitate the building of new Council housing.

The report advised that the site at Auchengreoch Road Johnstone was an undeveloped gap site which was being offered in exchange for the site at Hallhill Road, Johnstone, identified on site plan E2781B appended to the report, which had been transferred to the GSA in accordance with the decision taken at the meeting of the Communities Housing & Planning Policy Board held on 15 January 2019 to facilitate the building of a new nursery.  The Communities Housing & Planning Policy Board had been informed that a suitable site from the GSA’s portfolio once identified would be transferred from GSA to the HRA and that the transfer would be undertaken by excambion with no funds transferring between the respective accounts.

The Head of Property Services, following discussion with officers in the Communities Housing & Planning Service had identified the site at Auchengreoch Road Johnstone as offering a suitable excambion site option.  The Council’s Asset Manager was satisfied that the values of the sites were commensurate and that there would be no requirement for any additional funds transferring between accounts.

DECIDED:

(a) That the transfer of the General Services Account site at Auchengreoch Road Johnstone identified on plan (E2780), to the Council’s Housing Revenue Account be authorised subject to geotechnical investigations and planning considerations;  

(b) That it be noted that the site was being transferred to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in exchange for the site at Hallhill Road, Johnstone, identified on plan (E2781B), which had been transferred from the Housing Revenue Account to the Council’s General Service Account in accordance with the decision taken at the meeting of the Communities Housing & Planning Policy Board held on 15 January 2019;

(c) That it be noted that the internal transfer of the sites between the General Services Account and Housing Revenue Account was undertaken in terms of Section 203(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and in accordance with the Disposal of Land by Local Authorities (Scotland) Regulations 2010 and the subsequent guidance issued by Scottish Ministers regarding the disposal of Housing Revenue Account land which had been issued in March 2016; and 

(d) That it be noted that the proposed development of new Council houses would be subject to a detailed planning application.

There was submitted a conference report relative to the Disused and Derelict Land Use and Assets – Engagement, Innovation and Potential - Conference hosted by Impact Engagement and to be held in Glasgow on 26 November 2019.  It was proposed that authority be delegated to the Convener to approve the attendance of elected members at the conference.  This was agreed.

DECIDED: That authority be delegated to the Convener to approve the attendance of elected members at the Disused and Derelict Land Use and Assets – Engagement, Innovation and Potential - Conference to be held in Glasgow on 26 November 2019.