Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site. 

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

There was submitted a joint report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the projected revenue outturn as at 6 January 2023 for those services reporting to the Economy & Regeneration Board.

 

The projected capital outturn for projects reporting to this Board as at 31 March 2023 was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. Tables 1 and 2 summarised the position and further analysis was provided in the appendices to the report. The report advised that since consideration of the previous report there had been net revenue budget adjustments totalling £0.079 million processed, which mainly related to pay award inflation and net capital budget adjustments in the 2022/23 approved capital programme for Economy and Regeneration of £19.823 million, largely as a result of reprofiling the budget from 2022/23 into 2023/24 for Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Museum to reflect updated cashflows.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the projected Revenue outturn position detailed in Table 1 be noted; 

(b) That the projected Capital outturn position detailed in Table 2 be noted; and 

(c) That the budget adjustments detailed in sections 4 and 6 of the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council spend to date in terms of the Scottish Government Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund allocation and outlining plans to utilise the remaining funds in financial year 2023/24.

The Convener advised that page 15 of the report required to be amended to indicate that it was planned to make 667 rather than 6667 hardship payments during 2023/24 to people experiencing financial insecurity.

The report advised that on 21 February 2022, the Scottish Government had announced a new £80 million Scottish Government Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund aimed at supporting businesses and communities to help Scotland as it moved to a new phase in the Coronavirus pandemic. Renfrewshire Council had been awarded £2.654 million from the LACER Fund. A summary of principles which local interventions required to meet was provided and a range of project proposals for Renfrewshire had been approved at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 20 April 2022. Details of the specific proposals approved were provided within section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report. An update on spend to date and plans to utilise the remaining funds were also provided. 

 

Authority to apply the budget flexibly had been sought and agreed and this had been used to ensure that funding was available where impacts could be made. The report proposed that this authority be continued.

It was proposed that consideration be given (i) to the use of the unspent balance of the available budget, £959,151 to increase spend on the promotion of existing training programmes run by the Council aimed at upskilling/reskilling women, to maximise their career potential and broaden employment choices, together with further expenditure on unmet need in this area; and (ii) to reviewing the eligibility criteria for distribution of hardship payments to ensure fairness, without stigma, while retaining the integrity of the funds. This was agreed.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the report and spend to date be noted;

(b) That the proposed use of funding for 2023/24 for similar activities be approved;

(c) That it be agreed that budget changes across proposals could continue to be managed throughout the year to meet local demand; 

(d) That it be noted that a report outlining actual spend would be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board; and

 

(e) That consideration be given (i) to the use of the unspent balance of the available budget, £959,151 to increase spend on the promotion of existing training programmes run by the Council aimed at upskilling/reskilling women, to maximise their career potential and broaden employment choices, together with further expenditure on unmet need in this area; and (ii) to reviewing the eligibility criteria for distribution of hardship payments to ensure fairness, without stigma, while retaining the integrity of the funds.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Modern Apprentice Programme. 

The report advised that Renfrewshire Council’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme had been delivered successfully for approximately 17 years and in that time had supported over 700 Renfrewshire residents into employment. The Modern Apprenticeship Programme mainly supported young people aged 16 to 24, however, increasingly opportunities were being made available to applicants of all ages, with particular support offered to those aged up to 29, who were disabled or care experienced. It was highlighted that the Council’s Programme supported approximately 80 apprentices at any given time, with 35 to 40 new opportunities available each year, that the Programme outcomes consistently exceeded national targets, compared well to other providers and was shown to support under-represented individuals and groups. Updates on progress were provided together with confirmation from Skills Development Scotland of a contract for continued delivery of the 2023/24 programme. 

DECIDED: That the content of the report and the continuation of funding from Skills Development Scotland into 2023/24 be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the progress of the Council’s Cultural Infrastructure Programme, which was being delivered on behalf of the Council by the City Deal & Infrastructure Team, with project management expertise from the Council’s Property Services team, and in the case of the Paisley Museum Project, this was being delivered on behalf of the Council by OneRen. 

 

The report provided an update in terms of the progress of the Cultural Infrastructure Programme to develop the Council’s four premier cultural assets, Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub, Paisley Arts Centre and Paisley Museum in Paisley town centre. The investment programme built on the significant cultural and heritage foundations of the town and the Council was working closely with OneRen to ensure that the projects progressed through each project phase from construction, to building fit-out, into operational readiness, before delivering test events and public programming. It was anticipated that the programme of work would bring new visitors, cultural performances and activities and life-changing cultural experiences to the town.

 

The report advised that due to the scale and complexity of the cultural infrastructure programme, a managed programme of phased venue openings would take place to enable each venue to be successfully launched and celebrated. The significant operational demands involved in planning, preparing and implementing each venue opening were highlighted and it was noted that these were being managed to ensure that organisational capacity of both the Council and OneRen was available to appropriately support the associated demands of each venue.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to visitor marketing.

The report provided an update on visitor marketing undertaken by the Council and funded through Future Paisley since March 2018 together with an outline of planned marketing activity for 2023/24 and audience development work that would support the forthcoming Tourism Action Plan and the reopening of Paisley’s cultural venues. Proposed activity incorporated marketing Renfrewshire as a visitor destination, promoting positive area image through networks, managing strategic partnerships, and managing the Paisley destination brand. It was noted that all activity was co-ordinated through the www.paisley.is visitor portal.

It was proposed that an audit of Art Deco buildings located in Renfrewshire be undertaken with a view to developing Renfrewshire as a recognised Art Deco destination and that Doors Open Day opportunities would be explored for Art Deco buildings. This was agreed.

 

DECIDED: 

 

(a) That an audit of Art Deco buildings located in Renfrewshire be undertaken with a view to developing Renfrewshire as a recognised Art Deco destination;

 

(b) That Doors Open Day opportunities be explored for Art Deco buildings; and  

 

(c) That otherwise the report be noted.