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 was submitted a joint report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report for the period to 21 June 2024.

The report stated that the projected Revenue outturn as at 31 March 2025 for all services reporting to this Policy Board was an overspend position of £0.039 million. It was noted that there were no Capital projects reporting to this Policy Board. Summaries were provided over the relevant services in the tables within the report, together with further analysis. 

Budget adjustments, reflecting changes to superannuation rates for employers were outlined in paragraph 6.1 of the report for noting by the Policy.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the projected Revenue outturn position, an overspend of £0.039 million, be noted; and 

(b) That the budget adjustments detailed in section 6 of the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Campaign.

The report stated that Fairtrade was an international movement to support the fair, ethical and sustainable production and procurement of goods. Fairtrade focused on paying a fair price for products to support low income and disadvantaged farmers, producers and workers in lower income countries. Fairtrade was often recognised by the Fairtrade mark, which indicated that the production of an item met agreed standards. Fairtrade certification had become more widespread with many large brands supporting Fairtrade principles and supplying a range of Fairtrade products.  In addition it was highlighted that Fairtrade closely aligned with efforts to tackle the climate crisis, with the Fairtrade mark indicating adherence to fundamental principles of sustainable farming and many Fairtrade producers and farmers were based in the global south, in areas most significantly impacted by the extremes of weather recognised to be caused by climate change.

The report advised that the Renfrewshire area had a long and proud history of supporting the Fairtrade movement, with Paisley first becoming a Fairtrade town in 2003, applying for Fairtrade Zone status for the whole Renfrewshire area in 2007 and the Council, with cross-party support, had worked with communities across Renfrewshire to continue these efforts. During the past year, there had been a refreshed grassroots campaign to support Fairtrade in Renfrewshire, led by community volunteers and stakeholder organisations such as Rainbow Turtle and True Origin and an informal steering group had been established and received support from Renfrewshire Council.  Renfrewshire’s Fairtrade Status was due for renewal and the Policy Board noted the recent progress of the Fairtrade movement in Renfrewshire and agreed to support the renewal bid. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the ongoing work of volunteers, communities, and other stakeholders across Renfrewshire to support Fairtrade be noted; and 

(b) That it be agreed that Renfrewshire Council continue to support the Fairtrade movement in Renfrewshire and formally endorse the renewal of the Fairtrade Zone status.

There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed publication of planning guidance on potential education contributions from new housing development in Renfrewshire.  

The report updated members on the proposed publication of planning guidance on potential education contributions from new housing development in Renfrewshire and confirmed that the draft guidance supplemented and aligned with the current relevant Local Development Plan (LDP) policy I8 on Developer Contributions.  It was proposed that the draft guidance would be published for a period of stakeholder consultation, during autumn 2024, before being submitted to the Policy Board for consideration and, if appropriate, formal approval as Council policy.

Reference was made within the report to the decision taken at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 19 March 2024 to approve draft planning guidance relating to developer contributions (education) from new housing developments.  The Scottish Government had subsequently published a consultation document on the introduction of an Infrastructure Levy and the draft guidance had been prepared with consideration that such a mechanism might become available to Renfrewshire Council in the future.  The report advised that Edge Analytics had been commissioned by the Council in 2023 to review existing school rolls for all Renfrewshire primary and secondary schools and assess all known housing sites in the area to produce longer term roll forecasts. This work had taken longer than originally envisaged and had delayed the Council’s publication of the draft planning guidance as the forecast rolls were fundamental to the assessment of individual housing sites within school catchment areas.  It was now anticipated that The Council would be able to publish the school roll forecasts for individual schools in autumn 2024 with the draft planning guidance being published as soon as possible thereafter for stakeholder consultation.  Applicants for planning permission for residential development would be expected to use the guidance in shaping their applications and to allow them to make allowance for any financial or other contribution that might be expected from the proposed development.  It was highlighted that following the six-week consultation period a report would be submitted to a meeting of this Policy Board with the proposed education contributions policy for consideration and approval.

DECIDED:  That the content of the report be noted and authority delegated to the Head of Economy & Development, in consultation with the Convener, to make any incidental changes, as required, to the approved draft guidance as a result of the publication of the latest Renfrewshire School Roll data. 

There were submitted reports by the Chief Executive relative to the following  applications for planning permission that required to be determined by the Board.

(a) 23/0193/PP - Use of land as caravan site with associated installation of 33 serviced caravan pitches at 1 Newton of Barr, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4JB by Mr
Tom Milligan

J Weir, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal during which it was indicated that further information had been submitted by the applicant to address the objection received from SEPA following publication of the agenda.  The Policy Board was advised that due to the limited timescale the Flood Risk technical note submitted had not yet been assessed.  

Councillor Paterson, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved that consideration of the application be continued to enable the Flood Risk technical note submitted by the applicant to be assessed by SEPA. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued.

(b) 23/0622/EB - Installation of a solar farm and battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure with a generating capacity of up to 100mw (Energy
Consents Unit consultation request) at site between Turningshaw Farm and Knowes Farm, Houston Road, Houston, Johnstone by Energy Consents Unit Scottish Government

J Weir, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the request. 

Councillor Ann-Dowling, seconded by Paterson, moved that consideration of the consultation request be continued subject to confirmation of a further extension of the deadline for responses. In the event a further extension of the deadline was not granted by 30 August 2024 an objection to the consultation request be submitted on behalf of the Council for the reasons outlined within the report and the information deficiencies within the submission. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That consideration of the consultation request be continued subject to confirmation of a further extension of the deadline for responses. In the event a further extension of the deadline was not granted by 30 August 2024 it was agreed that an objection to the consultation request be submitted on behalf of the Council for the reasons outlined within the report and the information deficiencies within the submission. 

(c) 23/0649/AD - Display of illuminated signage comprising fascia sign, projecting sign, 3 totem signs and 1 ATM sign at 63 Crosslee Crescent, Houston, Johnstone by Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

F Knighton, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal.

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor Ann-Dowling, moved that the application be refused on the grounds that it contradicted Policy ENV3 of the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan in that Crosslee Crescent was the gateway to the conservation areas of the village of Houston and was therefore detrimental to the character and amenity of the area. It was advised that traditional wrought-iron heritage signage would be more appropriate and be in keeping with the semi-rural nature of the area. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be refused on the grounds that it was contrary to Policy ENV3 of the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan as Crosslee Crescent is the gateway to the conservation areas of the village of Houston and the proposal is detrimental to the character and amenity of the area. 

(d) 24/0183/PP - Application under section 42 to vary condition 3 (type of materials to be processed) of planning permission 21/1523/PP for the erection of a recycling shed and increase in throughput of recycling material from 22,575 tonnes to a maximum of 75,000 tonnes at 6 Newmains Avenue, Inchinnan, Renfrew by WRC Recycling Ltd

J Weir, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the Section 42 application.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved that the application be approved subject to the recommended planning conditions being varied to ensure that the Section 42 consent was not implemented before the planning conditions that had not been met within planning permission 21/15223/PP were carried out. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be approved subject to the recommended planning conditions being varied to ensure that the Section 42 consent was not implemented before the planning conditions that had not been met within planning permission 21/15223/PP were carried out. 

(e) 24/0261/PP - Erection of holiday lodge at site on northern boundary of High Linthills, Linthills Road, Lochwinnoch by Mr Robert Seaton

J Weir, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal. 

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved that consideration of the application be continued pending a site visit. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued pending a site visit. 

(f) 24/0316/PP - Conversion of vacant nursing home to form 17 flats with associated parking and landscaping at Priory Park Nursing Home, 19 - 21 Main Road, Paisley by P Zace PZ Investments Limited

F Knighton, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal. 

Councillor K MacLaren, seconded by Councillor Adam, moved that consideration of the application be continued pending a site visit. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued pending a site visit.  

(g) 24/0323/PP - Erection of 30 holiday lodges and associated access, drainage, and landscaping works at Mar Hall, Mar Hall Drive, Bishopton by Mar Hall Hospitality Limited

F Knighton, Senior Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal.

It was noted by the Board that a decision had not been made on planning application 24/0425/PP relating to a Section 42 application to delete condition 6 of planning application 21/1022/PP for the erection of residential development comprising 25 dwellinghouses and that the application site of the application before Board, for the holiday lodges, formed part of that site. The Board noted that it was the applicant’s intention to proceed with the holiday lodges should they be approved. 

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be approved subject to the conditions and reasons as detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. It was also agreed that if planning application 24/0425/PP was not withdrawn by the applicant that it be submitted to a meeting of the Policy Board for determination.

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons as detailed within the report. That if planning application 24/0425/PP was not withdrawn by the applicant that it be submitted to a meeting of the Policy Board for determination.

Sederunt

Councillor McGuire, having previously declared an interest left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

(h) 24/0362/LB - Demolition of the Brown Institute (retrospective) at Former Renfrew Museum, The Brown Institute, 41 Canal Street by Renfrewshire Council

A McKenzie, Planner, made a presentation relative to the proposal.

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report.