There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Sub-committee held on 19 March 2025, a copy of which forms the Appendix to this document.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to activity within the service. The report provided an overview of key service activities since the last meeting of this Policy Board held on 19 March 2025 and an update on the services and key projects delivered during this period.

DECIDED: That the contents of the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to delivery of the Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2024/27 during the 12-month period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The report provided details of the key achievements of the service over the period, full details of which were appended to the report, a progress update on implementing the action plan linked to the 2024/27 Service Improvement Plan and an assessment of performance in relation to the service scorecard of core performance indicators.

 DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the report be noted;

(b) That the progress to date on delivering the actions contained within the Environment, Housing & Infrastructure - Service Improvement Plan be noted; and

(c) That the current performance of the service as measured by the scorecard indicators be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2025/28. The report highlighted that the Service Improvement Plan 2025/28, a copy of which was attached as Appendix 1 of the report, was designed to sit beneath the Council Plan, Community Plan, Risk Management Plan, and the Workforce Plan to form a suite of documents which provided the strategic direction for the service. 

The Service Improvement Plan identified the priorities being addressed, the key tasks to be implemented, the implementation timetable and the measures of success. It was highlighted that a mid-year progress update on the Plan would be submitted to a meeting of this Policy Board in the autumn of 2025.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Service Improvement Plan, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that the mid-year progress of the Service Improvement Plan, with updates to the performance indicators and action plan, would be reported to this Policy Board in the autumn of 2025.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Annual Health and Safety Plan 2025/28, a copy of which was attached as Appendix 1 of the report.

(a) That the Environment, Housing & Infrastructures Health and Safety Plan 2025/28 and Action Plan, as set out at Appendices 1 and 2 of the report respectively, as specific to the areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that the Action Plan was also being presented to the Communities & Housing Policy Board and the Finance, Resources & Customer Services Policy Board to approve the elements covered within those Boards’ remits.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to a proposed response, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, to the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy Consultation. The report noted that the consultation on the strategy was open for consultation for 12 weeks to seek feedback on proposed measures, including the development of bus franchising arrangements.

DECIDED:

(a) That the response to the consultation, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report be agreed; and

(b) That it be noted that future updates would be provided to this Policy Board as this area of work developed.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the proposed Winter Maintenance and Severe Weather Plan for 2025/30. The Plan detailed the preparations and operational arrangements for the winter period for ensuring Renfrewshire’s road network, footpaths and schools remained accessible during the winter. A copy of the plan was set out in full at Appendix 1 of the report.

DECIDED: That the Winter Maintenance and Severe Weather Plan 2025/30, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to a proposed traffic order which would allow the Council to complete its proposals to protect the public roads around Newmains Primary School, some of which suffered from inconsiderate, congestive, and, in some cases, dangerous parking, coupled with perceived inappropriate speeds and inappropriate vehicle manoeuvres. Images of the roads which were proposed to be closed to vehicular traffic were set out at Appendix 1 of the report and a copy of the letter issued to local residents setting out the proposed action and a summary of the responses received were attached as Appendices 2 and 3 respectively.

DECIDED:

(a) That the objections made in relation to The Renfrewshire Council (Renfrew, Lang Avenue) (Prohibition of driving) Order 202* would be considered and decided on at this meeting of the Policy Board rather than appointing an independent Reporter and that the objections be not upheld; 

(b) That the implementation of The Renfrewshire Council (Renfrew, Lang Avenue) (Prohibition of driving) Order 202* be approved; and

(c) That the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure, in conjunction with the Convener of Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board, be authorised to make the Traffic Regulation Order.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to progress with the implementation of the pavement parking ban which commenced in Renfrewshire on 1 April 2025. The report set out the procedure for considering any further exemptions which were applied for across Renfrewshire.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that prior to commencement of enforcement, extensive analysis of Renfrewshire’s roads had been carried out for both exemption orders, in line with Transport Scotland’s strict guidelines; and

(b) That the Pavement Parking Exemption Request Procedure, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

Under reference to item 1 of the Minute of the meeting of the Petitions Board held on 27 January 2025, there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the proposed installation of a footpath between Old Greenock Road and Erskine Ferry Road to improve pedestrian access.  

DECIDED:

(a) That the officer recommendations within the feasibility report, set out at Appendix 1 of the report, to reject the request to construct a new remote footpath for reasons of safety, security, unsuitability for adoption, and justification on usage be approved;

(b) That it be noted that officers were proposing to reduce the speed limit on Drumcross Road to 40mph, in a forthcoming TRO, to ensure consistency with the surrounding area; and

(c) That it be noted that 'pedestrians in road’ warning signs have been erected at both ends of the road.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the work to be undertaken by the Council following the reclassification of the UK’s radon maps by the UK Health Security Agency. A copy of the proposed monitoring programme across Council homes and public buildings in the areas of Renfrewshire which had been reclassified as being 'affected by radon' was set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the changes on the revised classification of affected Radon areas within Renfrewshire by the UK Health Security Agency be noted;

(b) That the Radon monitoring programme, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, and the communications and engagement approach as set out within the report be noted; and

(c) That it be noted that further reports would be submitted to future meetings of this Policy Board providing updates on the monitoring programme and its outcomes.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the Renfrewshire Allotments Annual Report 2024. The annual report was set out in full at Appendix 1 to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Renfrewshire Council Allotments Annual Report 2024, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that the report would be published on the Renfrewshire Council website in accordance with statutory requirements.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the implementation of a compulsory purchase order in respect of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, South project. The report provided a background to the compulsory purchase order, which was approved at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 15 March 2025, and advised that Scottish Ministers' confirmed the order on 24 February 2025.

DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the report be noted;

(b) That it be noted the Council was in the process of taking the necessary procedural steps to implement the Order;

(c) That it be noted that the necessary procedural steps included publishing confirmation of the Order in a local newspaper and serving a series of statutory notices on affected parties as part of the legal process to take title and possession of the land contained in the Order;

(d) That it be noted that it was anticipated that the Council would take title and possession of the land contained in the Order in July 2025 and that the anticipated duration of the construction contract for the project was 30 months and;

(e) That it be noted that discussions would continue with all affected parties and compensation would be negotiated with each affected party as appropriate and in
accordance with Compulsory Purchase Order legislation.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council entering into two leases with Crown Estate Scotland, for (i) Remnant Piles (maintenance lease) and (ii) Scour Protection Works and Pipes lease and a Deed of Servitude, at or near Laigh Park, Renfrew.  The sites were identified in a plan which was appended to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Proposed Leases and the Deed of Servitude between the Council and Crown Estate Scotland, based on the contents of the report, be approved;

(b) That entry into the Proposed Leases of the Property and a Deed of Servitude of the Property with Crown Estate Scotland, subject to the terms and conditions detailed within the body of the report, be agreed and;

(c) That the City Deal & Infrastructure Programme Director be authorised, in conjunction with the Head of Corporate Governance or the Managing Solicitor (Projects), to make minor alterations including any other reasonable terms and conditions considered necessary to the documents, (including but not limited to the Offer to Lease(s), Proposed Leases, the Deed of Servitude, plans and specification), to conclude missives in respect of the Offer to Lease(s), sign the Proposed Leases and the Deed of Servitude and to enter into any other minor, temporary leases or licences to facilitate the construction works of the White Cart Crossing, as detailed in this report.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed sale of Montrose Care Home, Heriot Avenue, Paisley. 

DECIDED: That the recommendations in the report be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the marketing process for the Paisley Grammar School site.

DECIDED: That the recommendations in the report be approved.