Items Of Business
Apologies
Apologies from members.
Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest.
Council, 26 September 2024
Special Council, 26 September 2024
Special Regulatory Functions Board, 10 October 2024
Placing Requests and Exclusions Appeals Panel, 21 October 2024
Special Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board, 22 October 2024
Cross Party Sounding Board, 23 October 2024
Special Council, 24 October 2024
Communities and Housing Policy Board, 29 October 2024
Regulatory Functions Board, 30 October 2024
Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, 31 October 2024
Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board, 4 November 2024
Economy and Regeneration Policy Board, 5 November 2024
Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, 5 November 2024
Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, 6 November 2024
Petitions Board, 11 November 2024
Regulatory Functions Board, 14 November 2024
Local Review Body, 19 November 2024
Finance, Resources & Customer Services Policy Board, 21 November 2024
Special Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, 22 November 2024
Special Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, 3 December 2024
Leadership Board, 4 December 2024 (copy to follow)
Report by Director of Finance & Resources
Report by Director of Finance & Resources
Report by Director of Finance & Resources
"Two-Child Benefit Cap
Council agrees to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Department of Work and Pensions Secretary asking them to commit to phasing out the Two-Child Benefit Cap within the current parliamentary term, recognising the urgency of reversing its damaging effects on families and children. Requests that they produce a clear roadmap for how and when this will be achieved and work with the Scottish Government and child poverty organisations to implement a more humane and fair welfare system, one that prioritises the welfare of all children, regardless of family size or circumstance."
“Victims of Facial Scarring
Council believes that everyone who is inflicted with a facial scar due to an assault should be supported as a victim of an extremely traumatic experience.
Council recognises that victims of permanent facial scarring suffer difficult and life-long trauma.
Further, people with facial scarring due to knife attacks or ‘slashing’ suffer stigma and can be vilified in social and professional life due to their scarring.
Council agrees that specialist support should be available for a victim from the earliest possible point and throughout any point in a victim’s life when they may feel they need it.
Council believes this is the best approach to ensure victims are supported with their trauma, to reduce stigma and to ensure the best possible chances of rehabilitation.
Council acknowledges that this support does not exist for those who need it and agrees to work with partners, charities, and organisations to further explore ways to ensure this support is in place for victims of facial scarring.”
"Better Prostate Cancer Screening for Men
Renfrewshire Council commends the bravery of leading Scottish sports personality, Sir Chris Hoy, in speaking out about his own personal battle with prostate cancer, articulating how he has coped with those challenges, and encouraging others to do the same.
Council further supports the efforts of charities such as Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness of the fact that prostate cancer is one of the biggest killers of men, commends their educational campaigns about the risk factors and symptoms of prostate cancer, and their robust advocacy for further research on the causes of prostate cancer.
Council agrees with Prostate Cancer UK that current NHS guidance on prostate screening is outdated, recognizes the limitations of the PSA test, and therefore resolves to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care advising that NHS Scotland provide prostate cancer screening for all men over 45 years who have a family history of the disease.”
"LED Headlights on Cars and Review of the Law
Renfrewshire Council recognises the importance of ensuring the safety of all road users and pedestrians, and notes growing public concern over the adverse and inappropriate use of LED headlights on cars which are a risk to road safety.
Council believes in the promotion of education for car vehicle users around correct operations of the headlights to minimise glare, acknowledges the need for new regulations to address the adverse effects of LED headlight glare, and therefore agrees to write to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, calling for a strategy to:
1. Task the relevant regulatory authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of current standards related to car lighting, with a specific focus on mitigating LED headlight glare.
2. Consult with car manufacturers to develop and implement updated regulations that effectively reduce the negative impact of LED headlight glare without compromising vehicle safety or performance.
3. Establish a timeline for the implementation of revised standards, ensuring a reasonable transition period for car manufacturers to adapt to the new regulations.
4. Encourage public awareness campaigns to educate drivers on the proper use and adjustment of LED headlights to minimize glare.
5. Consider penalties for non-compliance with the revised regulations to incentivize car manufacturers to adhere to the new standards."
"Corseford College
Corseford College is Scotland’s only further education college for young people with complex needs. The college opened in 2022 as part of a two-year pilot programme funded by Scottish Government, extended for a further year in 2024-25. Specialist further education college provision is a proven and successful model in England and Wales.
Now in its third and potentially final year unless long term funding is secured, Corseford College supports students with the delivery of education, physical therapies and life-skills development from its base in Inchinnan in Renfrewshire.
Corseford College offers post-school education to young people in Renfrewshire and beyond for young people aged between 18-25 whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream college. It is delivering lifelong learning opportunities while supporting these young people to develop life skills and ways to live a more independent life in the future.
Council agrees to write to the Scottish Government requesting that it ensures a sustainable future for the college; to recognise the critical role the college plays by providing the necessary funding to ensure that no young person with complex needs in Scotland is left without a positive destination after school.
Council asks the Scottish Government to recognise the college as a fundable body by the Scottish Funding Council or for funding to be secured on a long-term basis from other Scottish Government departmental budgets."
"
Linwood War Memorial
Linwood is the only large population centre in Renfrewshire without a permanent war memorial for local people to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.
Instead, the people of Linwood have to organise Remembrance and Armistice Day services at a temporary site at a metal railing in the town. These efforts are led by local volunteers and the Linwood War Memorial Association, who have made extensive efforts to fundraise to erect a war memorial for Linwood.
Council agrees that it is unacceptable that Linwood is the only large village or town in Renfrewshire that doesn’t have a permanent monument to the men and women who were born in, lived in and worked in Linwood, who fell in war and conflict.
Council agrees to contribute £0.075m to the Linwood War Memorial Association once their community asset transfer transaction is concluded, as a donation towards the costs of erecting a permanent war memorial in Linwood."
"Ward 36 at the RAH
Council is opposed to any plans to close Ward 36 at the RAH.
Council therefore agrees to write to the Scottish Health Secretary to ask for any closure proposals to be axed and ward 36 to remain open."
"Renfrewshire Council demands that the Labour UK Government should fully reimburse the over £500m costs of employer National Insurance contributions to the public and third sectors in Scotland as a result of the UK Autumn Statement, and that this should include full reimbursement to Renfrewshire Council and our partners. Council further recognises that if the Chancellor does not fully reimburse these costs that it will have a detrimental impact on the wide range of services the people of Renfrewshire rely upon."
"IJB Budget
Council notes that the IJB meeting to be held on the 13th December is facing some difficult decisions in order to achieve a balanced budget.
Council is concerned about potential service cuts having a detrimental impact on some of the most vulnerable people and their families in Renfrewshire.
Council therefore agrees to write to the Scottish Government, First Minister, Finance Minister and the Health Secretary to: raise Renfrewshire Council concerns about the impact any significant reduction in service levels or removal of health and social care services will have on the people of Renfrewshire; and to ask what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure the health and social care needs of the people of Renfrewshire continue to be met in the face of IJB budget constraints.
Finally, Council agrees that IJB’s need to work for the residents and service users of Renfrewshire."
"Police Provision in Paisley
Renfrewshire Council notes Police Scotland‘s wish to close Paisley’s Mill Street Police Station.
Council believes that in Scotland’s largest town it is imperative that Police Scotland maintain their current policing provision including 24/7 public counter access and CID.
Council requests that the closure of Paisley’s Mill Street Police Station should be fully dependent on Police Scotland obtaining or leasing alternative premises that fully meet with a like-for-like provision of existing services or indeed improve them."
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
The Board may by resolution exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the press and public are present, there could be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 & 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973.
Exempt joint report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources.