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

There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive, Director of Finance & Resources, and Chief Finance Officer Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership.

The report intimated that the projected revenue outturn as at 21 June 2024 for those services reporting to this Board was an overspend of £6.069 million and the projected capital outturn was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year.

DECIDED:

(a) That the projected Revenue outturn overspend of £6.069 be noted;

(b) That the projected Capital outturn breakeven position be noted; and

(c) That budget adjustments detailed at section 6.3 of the report be noted.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee held on 5 June 2024, a copy of which forms the Appendix to this Minute.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an update on the work undertaken by the Council and its partners to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme.

The report provided a summary of the key issues reported to the meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee held on 4 September 2024 including the cost of living and programme updates and requested approval from this Board in relation to any specific funding allocations required; detailed priorities over the next three-month period, as set out in section 6 of the report; and set out an update for Elected Members on work that was being undertaken to commission a support service for people with a brain injury in Renfrewshire as set out in section 7 of the report.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire programme locally be noted; that it be agreed that £121,000 be allocated from Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025 and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language programme; that the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and associated implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1 to the report be approved; that it be agreed that authority be delegated to the Head of Policy & Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1 to the report; and that the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people with a brain injury and their family be noted. That it also be agreed that officers explore all means of targeting older people and entitlement regarding pension credit utilising available data and processes including direct mailings, assistance for completing the forms to encourage the take up of pension credit and reduce the impact this decision by the current UK Labour government on Renfrewshire’s older population. Also agree that is delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with the council leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support.

Councillor Ann-Dowling, seconded by Councillor McMillan, moved as an amendment that the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire programme locally be noted; that it be agreed that £121,000 be allocated from Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025 and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language programme; that the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and associated implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1 to the report be approved; that it be agreed that authority be delegated to the Head of Policy & Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1 to the report; and that the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people with a brain injury and their family be noted. That it also be agreed that officers explore all means of targeting older people and entitlement regarding pension credit utilising available data and processes including direct mailings, assistance for completing the forms to encourage the take up of pension credit. Also agree that is delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with the council leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Ann-Dowling, Clark, G Graham and McMillan.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors J Cameron, Campbell, Audrey Doig, N Graham, Hannigan, Leishman, McGurk, Nicolson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.

4 members having voted for the amendment and 11 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire programme locally be noted;

(b) That it be agreed that £121,000 be allocated from Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025 and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language programme;

(c) That the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and associated implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(d) That it be agreed that authority be delegated to the Head of Policy & Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1 to the report; 

(e) That the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people with a brain injury and their family be noted;

(f) That it also be agreed that officers explore all means of targeting older people and entitlement regarding pension credit utilising available data and processes including direct mailings, assistance for completing the forms to encourage the take up of pension credit and reduce the impact this decision by the current UK Labour government on Renfrewshire’s older population; and

(g) That it be delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with the Council leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the ballot being undertaken for the continued operation of the Paisley Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

The report intimated that BIDs had a legislative basis under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006. After operating for a five-year term, another successful ballot must take place for the BID to continue operating. Under the legislation, it was for the Local Authority to conduct the ballot on behalf of the BID. At its meeting of 14 June 2024, the Leadership Board agreed that the Council should support the conduct of this ballot, and that a further report should be brought to this meeting of the Leadership Board setting out the details of the BID Proposal and officers’ recommendations on how the Council’s votes in the ballot could be cast. The report set out the voting options available to the Council.

In relation to the recommendation detailed at section 2.2 of the report, Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that the Council should abstain from the vote. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the content of the BID Proposals be noted; 

(b) That the Chief Executive be instructed to abstain from the vote;

(c) That, subject to a successful ballot outcome, it be delegated to the Chief Executive to put in place the necessary arrangements for the collection of the BID levy, and for finalising of the terms of the operating agreement; and

(d) That it be noted that the outcome of the ballot process would be reported to a future meeting of the Leadership Board.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the findings of an independent evaluation of Paisley, the brand developed by Renfrewshire Council in response to Paisley: The Untold Story and launched in March 2018. The brand had been a critical element of Paisley’s UK City of Culture bid and fulfilled a commitment, led by the Council, to change perceptions of Paisley and significantly increase visitor numbers in the lead up to, during and after a UK City of Culture year.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that consideration of the report be continued. This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That consideration of the report be continued.