Skip to main content
Business - Renfrewshire Council
You are in Meetings

Meeting Details

Johnstone and the Villages Local Area Committee
21 May 2015 - 18:00
Occurred
  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Agenda
Notification
Standard Items
Community Representatives
Capability Scotland/Corseland School; Elderslie Community Council; Fitness for Disabled; Greensyde Carers; Howwood Community Council; Howwood Sports & Hobbies Group; Johnstone Black Belt Academy; Johnstone Castle Community Learning Centre; Johnstone Community Council; Johnstone PC Learning Group; Johnstone Seniors Forum; Johnstone Tenants; & Residents’ Association; Kilbarchan Community Council; Lochwinnoch Community Council; Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum; Quarrelton Area Tenants’ & Residents’ Association; Renfrewshire Early Years Forum for the Voluntary Sector; Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum; Renfrewshire Walking Network; Renfrewshire Youth Voice; Sandyflats Tenants’ & Residents’ Association; Sew Art Elderly & Disabled Group; Spateston Residents’ Association; and St Paul’s Church Dramatic Society.
D Wadsworth, Elderslie Community Council; R Scarsbrook, Howwood Community Council; J Anderson, Howwood Sports & Hobbies Group; A Stevenson, Johnstone Castle Community Learning Centre; W Dean, Johnstone Community Council; A McBain, Johnstone Seniors Forum; D Blair, Kilbarchan Community Council; M Lavery, Quarrelton Tenants’ & Residents’ Association; N McBride, Renfrewshire Early Years Forum; W McClure, Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum; W Crawford, Renfrewshire Walking Network; J Black, Sandyflats Tenants’ & Residents’ Association; and C Rae, St Paul’s Church Dramatic Society
Invitation to view Johnstone Town Hall
Members are invited to attend at 5.30 p.m. for a tour of the new Johnstone Town Hall prior to the meeting at 6.00 p.m.
Further Information
This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. 

A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/agendas. 

For further information, contact
democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Present
Councillors Bibby, Caldwell, Gilmour, Hood, and I McMillan.
Chair
Councillor Gilmour, Convener, presided.
Community Planning Partners
S McLaughlin (Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership) and Inspector Espie, Police Scotland.
In Attendance
A Ewen, Youth Services Manager and J Higgins, Local Studies Librarian (both Children’s Services); S Allan, Head of Roads & Transportation (Lead Officer) and M Corrigan, Community Resources Enforcement Manager (both Community Resources); and D Low, Senior Committee Services Officer and A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (both Finance & Resources).
Additional Items
The Convener intimated that there were two additional items in relation to applications for grant funding from Elderslie Wallace Bowling Club and Howwood Community Council which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting. The Convener, being of the opinion that the items, which were dealt with at item 5 of this Minute, were urgent, in order to consider the applications timeously, authorised their consideration.
Items Of Business
Apologies
Apologies from members.
Councillor Andy Doig and J Ross, Greensyde Carers.
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.
Councillors Gilmour and Bibby declared a non-financial interest in item 8 on the agenda as they had moved and seconded a motion at a Council meeting in support of the project. Both Councillors intimated that given the nature of their interest in the item, they would both remain in the meeting and take part in any discussion and decision thereon.
Report by the Director of Community Services
1
There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources providing an overview of the activities of the Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Partnership, consisting of Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and other community safety agencies for the Johnstone & The Villages (LAC) area during the period 1 October 2014 to 31 March, 2015.

The report contained statistical information that had been provided by a number of community planning partners including Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and the Renfrewshire Community Safety Partnership.

The report provided information on community safety statistics; environmental enforcement and improvement activities; protecting vulnerable residents; building safer communities; diversionary activities; and the work of the Alcohol and Drug Partnership. In addition, the appendix to the report detailed the Street Stuff timetable delivered from 30 March to 25 April 2015.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.
2
(a) Open Session

The Senior Committee Services Officer (LACs) advised that no questions had been submitted for consideration at the Open Session.

DECIDED: That it be noted that no questions had been submitted for consideration at the Open Session.


(b) Key local Issues

Councillor Gilmour referred to previous discussions at this LAC relative to support for food banks and advised that the Council had agreed at its special meeting held on 23 March, 2015 to commit £60,000 to support Renfrewshire Food Bank to safeguard its vital frontline service for all those in need. The Council would also fully fund the organisation’s key co-ordinator for two years and work with the Food Bank to help them secure a new distribution centre.

DECIDED: That the position be noted.
Report by the Director of Finance & Resources
3
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Scottish Youth Parliament elections in March 2015. The report intimated that the Scottish Youth Parliament was the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people and the elections were organised by Renfrewshire Council.

The Renfrewshire Council area was represented by five MSYPs; two for the Paisley constituency, one for Renfrewshire South constituency and two for the Renfrewshire North West constituency.

Ten candidates had stood for election across the three constituencies and the successful candidates were Emma Eck and Osama Nadeem (Paisley); Carrie McIntyre (Renfrewshire South) and Elidh Harkness and Mark Dougan, (Renfrewshire North West).

It was noted that the June 2015 National Sitting and AGM would be held on Saturday 13th June 2015 and Sunday 14th June 2015 in Park Mains High School, Erskine.

DECIDED: That the report and the success of Renfrewshire’s Scottish Youth Parliament elections be noted.
Report by the Director of Finance & Resources
4
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Johnstone & The Villages LAC budget for 2015/16, totalling £81,234; consisting of £55,768 General Grant Fund and £25,266 Youth Challenge Fund.

Appendix 1 to the report provided details of the expenditure committed by the LAC in 2014/15. The report advised that the LAC also received funding from the Renfrewshire Citizens Fund and details of the expenditure committed to date together with the remaining balance were contained in Appendix 2 to the report.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.
Report by the Director of Finance & Resource
5
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to applications received for Local Area Committee funding.

DECIDED: That the applications for funding be determined as follows:-

Single area

1st/3rd Johnstone Scout Group – security upgrades – Awarded £4,000

2nd Johnstone Anchor Boys – visit to farm park - Awarded £525

Active Communities – delivery of 3 health programmes - Awarded £3,500

Brewery Street Kids Club – hall lets and trip - Awarded £3,000

Calder Drama Club – hall costs - Awarded £499

Elderslie Kirk – towards rebuild of hall - Awarded £2,500

Elderslie Wallace Bowling Club – school project – Awarded £750

Friends of Johnstone Day Centre – start-up costs - Awarded £750

Gryffe Camera Club – lap top - Awarded £500

Howwood Community Council – storage for a defibrillator – Awarded £630

Howwood Sports & Hobbies Group – hall lets, insurance and coaching - Awarded £1,570

Johnstone Band – conductor’s fees; maintenance & repairs of band hall and buildings insurance - Awarded £2,500

Johnstone Castle Community Learning Centre – youth work staff costs - Awarded £14,000

Johnstone Cub Pack – residential trip/outdoor pursuits - Awarded £1,500

Johnstone Explorer Scout Unit – 5 day residential course - Awarded £3,641

Kilbarchan Singers – purchase of music/musical director & accompanist – recommended that £3,000 be awarded from the Renfrewshire Citizens Fund

Lochwinnoch Art Group – tutor fees and hall hire costs - Awarded £499

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival – hall hire, printing and musicians - Awarded £4,000

Lochwinnoch Country Dance Club – teaching costs - Awarded £450

Lochwinnoch Gala Day – marquees/portaloos etc - Awarded £1,000

Lochwinnoch New Years’ Day Dance – hall hire/event insurance - Awarded £200

Lochwinnoch SWI – hall hire/speakers - Awarded £200

Semple Rangers & Kilbarchan Guides – towards trip to Switzerland - Awarded £1,500

St Pauls Church Dramatic Society – towards cost of stage production - Awarded £2,500

Society of William Wallace – hall hire - Awarded £500

West Johnstone Community Digital Photography Workshop – printer/scanner/2 laptops/display boards/tutor costs - Awarded £1,750

Multi area

Arthritis Care in Scotland (Paisley Branch) – transportation - Awarded £100

Basketball Paisley – coaching fees/travel/printing/hall hire/training - Awarded £400

Boys Brigade – towards running costs - Awarded £350

Braehead Junior Ice Hockey Club – ice hire/operating costs - Awarded £300

Breasfeeding Network – salaries/subsistence/marketing - Continued

Buddy Beat – tutor fees/stationery - Awarded £500

Cornerstone Drop-in Centre – utility costs/insurance - Awarded £300

Environmental Training Team – machine tools/personal protective equipment and rent - Awarded £500

Feis Phaislig – staff costs/premises/marketing etc - Awarded £750

Ferguslie Cricket Club – towards junior cricket coaching - Awarded £500

Fitting-in – outdoor activities for 25 disadvantaged young people - Awarded £1,000

Food Train – towards purchase of van to extend service provision - Awarded £1,000

Forever Young – various projects for sheltered housing complexes - Awarded £1,000

Get Oot Get Active – activity sessions for young people from residential homes - Awarded £500

Girls Brigade Renfrew Division – training events/competitions/outings/general running costs - Awarded £450

Greensyde Carers – outdoor furniture and storage for gardening project for disabled adults - Awarded £200

Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group – production expenses/premises hire/ printing/ stationery/ costume hire/amp and laptop - Awarded £1,000

Johnstone Pipe Band – tuition for P7 pupils in 10 schools - Awarded £2,000

Lamont Farm – equipment/utilities - Awarded £1,000

Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre – bouldering wall and mountain bikes for children - Awarded £1,000

Paisley Cat Rescue – vet bills and cat food - Awarded £90

Paisley Pirates – towards ice rink hire - Awarded £500

Phoenix Flyers Dog Agility Club – towards cost of shows/jumps/trailer - Awarded £500

Rainbow Turtle – towards staff costs - Awarded £750

RAMH – No Substitute for Life – towards suicide prevention outreach work - Awarded £900

RCA Trust – refurbishment of office accommodation - Awarded £400

Renfrewshire Access Panel – equipment/training - Awarded £1,000

Renfrewshire Bowling Association (Under 25s) – coach hire/uniforms/presentations/entrance fees - Awarded £450

Renfrewshire Deaf Group – Interpreters/hall hire/coach hire - Awarded £500

Renfrewshire Environmental & Restoration Group – set-up costs - Awarded £400

Renfrewshire Walking Network – walk booklets/leader risk assessment costs - Awarded £500

RVIF –transcription software/travel costs - Awarded £700

St Columba’s Adult Social Club – running costs - Awarded £200

St James Orchestra – towards rehearsal costs/performance accommodation - Awarded £250
Report by the Director of Finance & Resources
6
There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to the current position in relation to the Street Stuff project.

The report confirmed the continuation of the core Street Stuff programme through the 2015/16 financial year and highlighted some of the additional projects which were being linked with the core programme to further improve its reach and effectiveness.

The report advised that as in previous years there was an opportunity for LACs to consider funding activities within their LAC areas which would allow additional sessions to be programmed within communities that were not identified at a Renfrewshire level as hotspot areas, but that the local communities felt would benefit from this type of programme.

Given the scale of the core programme, the report suggested that a contribution of £5,000 per LAC should be considered, which would contribute to the costs of delivery of up to two activity sessions per week within the LAC area through the peak summer/autumn months as well as attendance at local gala days and fetes.

DECIDED: That £5,000 be committed to the Street Stuff programme to contribute towards the costs of additional activity sessions within the LAC area as well as attendance at local gala days and fetes.
Report by the Director of Children's Services.
7
There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services seeking funding for outdoor equipment for Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

The report advised that Renfrewshire Council held a licence for the delivery of Duke of Edinburgh Awards, with Youth Services responsible for the oversight and delivery of these awards.

The report indicated that the award was a personal development award where young people engaged in Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. The award comprised four sections (five for Gold) where participants were required to complete a physical section; a skills section; a volunteer element and an expedition in an outdoors environment.

The report intimated that a proportion of participants came from low income families and some groups were specifically established to work with young people who were at risk of exclusion from school.

The report stated that the application sought funding of £3,840 from Johnstone & the Villages LAC to enable the purchase of new equipment and for existing resources to be renewed if they were damaged or worn out.

DECIDED: That the request for £3,840 in the current financial year be approved to enable additional equipment to be purchased and to ensure that young people from the area could actively engage in their local Duke of Edinburgh Award programme
Report by the Director of Finance & Resources
8
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to an appreciation of Kilbarchan-born, radical visionary, Mary Barbour, Glasgow City Council’s first female councillor who sought welfare changes including free milk for school children, pensions for mothers, wash houses, laundries and public baths, family planning clinics and undertook ground -breaking work on the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act 1915.

In recognition of her work and following collaboration with Kilbarchan Community Council, it was proposed that (a) a Mary Barbour prize trophy be awarded annually to a pupil at Kilbarchan Primary School by the Head Teacher. The cost of the trophy and recurring costs for engraving would be met by Children’s Services; and (b) a memorial cairn, park bench and interpretive board be constructed at a site on Low Green, Kilbarchan at an approximate cost of £6,000 from the Renfrewshire Citizen’s Fund with ongoing maintenance costs being met from this LAC general grant budget.

DECIDED:

(a) That the establishment of an annual Mary Barbour prize trophy for a pupil at Kilbarchan Primary School be noted;

(b) That a recommendation be made to the Finance & Resources Policy Board to award £6,000 from the Renfrewshire Citizens Fund to meet the cost of a cairn, park bench and interpretive board to be sited, subject to appropriate planning consent, at Low Green, Kilbarchan; and

(c) That it be agreed that future maintenance costs of the cairn, park bench and interpretive board be met from this LACs general grant budget as and when required.
The next meeting will be held at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 27th August, 2015 at Johnstone Town Hall
9
It was noted that the next meeting of the Johnstone & The Villages Local Area Committee would be held in Johnstone Town Hall on 27 August 2015 at 6.00 pm.

Additional Meeting Documents

Attendance

Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Sending Apology
Councillor Andy Doig 
NameReason for Absence
Councillor Stephen McGee 

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

Visitor Information is not yet available for this meeting