There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April to 10 November 2023.

The report stated that the projected outturn as at 31 March 2024 for those services reporting to this Policy Board was an underspend position of £0.033 million. The projected capital outturn for projects reporting to this Policy Board as at 31 March 2024 was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. Tables 1 and 2 within the report summarised the position and further analysis was provided in appendices to the report. The report also advised there had been revenue adjustments totalling £0.371 million processed since consideration of the previous report, and capital budget adjustments of £1.309 million.  Details of the adjustments were provided within the report. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the projected revenue outturn position, detailed in Table 1 of the report, be noted; 

(b) That the projected capital outturn position, detailed in Table 2 of the report, 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 ninth edition of the Renfrewshire Economic Profile and a progress update in respect of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone and recent investments announced in Renfrewshire.

The report indicated that the purpose of the Economic Profile was to describe and track local demographics and economic indicators for Renfrewshire on an annual basis. The data and analysis presented provided context and a baseline to assess the Renfrewshire economy over time and enabled members to track changes in the local economy through a set of key statistical indicators. The report made reference to a number of key indicators and provided associated statistical data via an economic indicator dashboard. It was noted, in terms of the profile, that as with previous versions of the report, Scotland and Glasgow City Region (GCR) had been selected as the most appropriate comparators. The report highlighted that the profile aligned with the Renfrewshire Economic Strategy, would be shared with stakeholders and become the key source of data relating to the performance of the local economy. 

Section 4 of the report highlighted issues arising from the Economic Profile in terms of progress against a number of the Council's key objectives. Progress on the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone was detailed in section 5 of the report. Section 6 highlighted investment updates and advised that the University of Strathclyde had signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to develop an innovation facility at the company's Inchinnan plant. The report intimated that, following the recent announcement of a multi-million pound fund in the Autumn Statement, the Centre of Process Innovation (CPI) initiated a plan to construct a new facility (the Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence) which would be located adjacent to the medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) at AMIDS.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the January 2024 Renfrewshire Economic Profile update be noted; and 

(b) That the update on the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone (GCR IZ) and recent investments in Renfrewshire be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the progress of the  Council’s Cultural Infrastructure Programme, 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, by OneRen. 

The report indicated that the Programme's investment in Paisley town centre would use the area's internationally significant cultural and heritage story to transform the future for visitors and events in Scotland. In addition, it was anticipated that the programme of works would result in increased footfall to the town centre, create new homes for top class cultural events, while preserving the heritage of the town, the Renfrewshire economy and Paisley town centre. 

The report also provided updates in terms of the progress of specific projects contained within the Cultural Infrastructure Programme. As indicated in previous reports, the Programme had experienced significant impact from global events, including the pandemic and war in Ukraine, resulting in economic challenges, particularly in the construction industry. The report intimated that completion of projects within the Programme was central to the recovery and inclusive growth of the Renfrewshire economy and Paisley town centre.  As a result of the scale of the construction phase and these global issues, Programme projects had been re-baselined and construction completion dates for venues altered. Details of these revisions were provided within the report. Notwithstanding these challenges the Cultural Infrastructure Programme had seen the opening of both Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Learning & Cultural Hub with Paisley Town Hall successfully hosting several events since opening, including the Royal National Mòd. The programme of work continued into 2024 with Paisley Arts Centre the next venue scheduled for completion, ahead of the flagship Paisley Museum. A summary of various areas being considered in relation to the operating model for Paisley Museum were outlined in sections 7.9 to 7.14 of the report. The report also outlined other works included in the wider programme including external sports and public realm and the successful TH.CARS2 regeneration scheme. The report highlighted the St James' Playing Fields project and advised that further regeneration and community engagement activities would be undertaken for this area.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the progress and current stage of construction of the projects outlined within the report be noted; and 

(b) That the areas being considered in relation to the operating model of Paisley Museum, as outlined in sections 7.9 to 7.14 of the report be noted.

Under reference to the item 13 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 4 May 2023 there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Steeple Buildings, Kilbarchan. 

At  the meeting of the Council held on 4 May 2023, it had been agreed that a report be submitted to the next appropriate meeting of this Policy Board setting out investment proposals and timescales for the refurbishment of Steeple Hall. A programme of consultation and potential development opportunities had also been agreed at that meeting.

The report proposed that an initial repair programme for the Steeple Buildings, which dealt with all immediate and urgent external repairs, plus some additional high-level repairs, and reinstatement of electricity and water supplies internally be undertaken. Stakeholder engagement undertaken to date, the findings of the condition survey undertaken in respect of the Buildings, recommended that a detailed options appraisal be undertaken  and detailed the position in terms of potential future funding sources. 

In view of the anticipated volume of work which required to be undertaken it was proposed and agreed that the reference within the recommendations to submitting a viable, preferred long-term use for the buildings for consideration at the next appropriate Board be deleted and replaced with submission of a viable, preferred long-term use for the buildings to a future meeting of the appropriate Policy Board. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the initial repair programme for the Steeple Buildings, which would deal with all immediate and urgent external repairs, plus some additional high-level repairs, and reinstate the electricity and water supplies internally at an estimated cost of £310,000+VAT be approved; and

(b) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to continue the stakeholder engagement exercise and to commission an options appraisal for the Steeple Buildings with the aim of submitting a viable, preferred long-term use for the buildings to a future meeting of the appropriate Policy Board.