There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to (i) the Council's current financial position; (ii) the updated projection for 2017/18 taking account of key changes that had occurred since March 2016; (iii) an updated outlook for the Council beyond 2017/18, particularly in light of the changed and uncertain economic environment following the June referendum vote to leave the European Union; (iv) the key strategies and financial planning recommendations to support the Council to address the medium-term challenges in a financially-sustainable manner; and (v) the long-term financial landscape for the Council, the key long-term financial risk that this presented and the short to medium-term strategies that required to be adopted to plan for this longer-term landscape.

Reference was made to the report considered at the meeting of the Council held on 3 March, 2016, entitled 'Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2016/17' which outlined the Council's anticipated medium and short-term financial position to 2017/18 and confirmed a residual budget gap of up to £6 million, although it was acknowledged that the Council’s financial projections included a range of key assumptions which were subject to uncertainty and potential movement.

The report advised that the Council's current financial position remained in line with the financial planning assumptions made when the Council had set its budget for 2016/17. In addition, Audit Scotland had recently completed their audit of the 2015/16 accounts and the audited financial position remained in line with that reported to Council in June 2016. Overall the Council's immediate financial position remained stable and consistent with existing financial and service plans.

In addition the report advised that uncertainty in terms of the forecast position for 2017/18 had shifted considerably following the outcome of the referendum in June for the UK to leave the European Union. It was expected that moving into 2017/20 a saving requirement of between £20-30 million would be required to achieve a balanced budget. Savings, primarily linked to the debt-smoothing strategy, of approximately £20 million were already planned for 2017/18. Given the scale of uncertainty and the potential for variability it was recommended that the Council planned for a range of potential outcomes with a central planning assumption of a £6 million residual saving requirement. The report recommended that the Council continued to adopt a sustainable medium-term perspective in developing the budget planning for 2017/18 and advised that the Corporate Management Team was available to advise and work with political groups and elected members to assist in the development of budget strategies for 2017/18 which were flexible, sustainable and focussed on the delivery of the key priorities detailed in the Council Plan.

The report stated that the medium-term outlook was more uncertain and it was anticipated that the Council would continue to require to deliver significant year-on-year savings to address the financial challenge of reducing resources set against increasing cost and demand pressures. The annual saving requirement was uncertain but could potentially be within a range of £16 - £27 million up to 2020. It was recommended that the Council adopted a central medium-term planning assumption of delivering savings of £20 million per annum in the years 2018/2020 and undertook ongoing assessment of key factors to ensure that the Council was alert to the potential for significant changes.

The financial outlook beyond 2020 had identified many issues consistent with those outlined for the period 2017/20, re-enforcing the need for the Council to plan services and its finances on the basis of reducing resources, rising cost and demand pressures, an increasing and ongoing need to prioritise spend to focus on the delivery of strategic priority outcomes and to focus on delivering change, transformation and savings as a necessary feature of the Council’s planning arrangements.

DECIDED:

(a) That the update on the Council’s current financial position be noted;

(b) That the update on the anticipated outcome for 2017/18 and the range of uncertainty that still existed in relation to a wide range of issues be noted;

(c) That the update on the medium-term outlook for the Council in the context of current forecasts and the expectation of further significant budget reductions for the Council through to 2020 be noted;

(d) That the anticipated position on capital grant and the recommendation to continue to restrict the timeframe on new investment funded by capital grant to the period confirmed by the Scottish Government be noted; and

(e) That the Council’s ongoing commitment to the financial planning principles outlined in paragraphs 5.5 and 6.2 to the report be approved.

There was submitted a report by Director of Finance & Resources relative to the recommendations for Renfrewshire following the Statutory Review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland (“the Commission”) which had been approved by Scottish Ministers.

The report intimated that the Commission had recently concluded its Fifth Review of Electoral Arrangements and submitted its final recommendations to the Scottish Government for approval during May 2016. The detail of the Commission’s final recommendations as they affected Renfrewshire had been reported to the meeting of the Council held on 22 June 2016. The Renfrewshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 had subsequently been laid before the Scottish Parliament on 14 September, 2016 with the Order coming into force on 30 September 2016. It was highlighted that the new electoral arrangements would apply to elections held on or after 4 May 2017.

The main changes to be implemented were an increase in the number of councillors on Renfrewshire Council from 40 to 43; an increase in the number of electoral wards in the Renfrewshire Council area from 11 to 12; with the additional ward being created in the south east of Paisley from areas that were currently within Wards 3 and 5. The new wards and the number of elected members to be returned in each ward were detailed in the appendix to the report.

Taking into account the significant changes made by the Commission, the report proposed that a review of the current Polling Scheme be undertaken to identify where polling districts required to be redrawn and to identify the extent to which the changes would lead to voters being allocated to different polling places. A report on the outcome of the review would be submitted to the meeting of the Council to be held on15 December 2016.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that the Scottish Government had approved the electoral arrangements for the Renfrewshire Council area recommended by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland; and

(b) That the action required to revise the Council’s polling arrangements as a result of the changes to ward boundaries be noted.

There was submitted a report by Chief Executive relative to the proposed expansion of the Joint Civil Contingencies Service (CCS) to include West Dunbartonshire Council.

The report referred to the establishment in 2008 of the CSS, based within Renfrewshire Council, covering the East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Council areas. Details of the governance and operating arrangements were provided, together with the benefits of a joint-service approach. West Dunbartonshire had requested that consideration be given to expanding the CSS to include the West Dunbartonshire Council area. Following assessment of working arrangements and policies, the nature of specific risks and response arrangements in place and data on incident response requirements in the period 2013/16, the report stated that there was no reason, in principle, why the CSS could not be expanded to cover West Dunbartonshire. The report also intimated that there would be no detrimental impact on existing members of the Service in the event the CSS was expanded to cover West Dunbartonshire.

Analysis had determined that the Service could be provided to West Dunbartonshire Council for an initial budget contribution of £55,645, the same cost as paid annually by East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils and which was subject to annual review, on the basis that an administration employee resource, up to an annual value of £20,000 per annum, would also be provided to support the administration of the transition process together with an additional transitional fund of £5,000 for the first two years of operation. The Council was advised that similar reports, regarding the proposed expansion of the CSS to include West Dunbartonshire Council, were to be considered by East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposal to expand the Joint Civil Contingencies Service to include West Dunbartonshire Council be approved; and

(b) That the Chief Executive be authorised, together with the Head of Corporate Governance, to conclude the required changes to the “Minute of Agreement” and “detailed specification of service” for the Joint Civil Contingencies service to reflect the expansion of the service to include West Dunbartonshire Council.

There was submitted a report by Director of Community Resources relative to the development of strategies and master plans, together with detailed investment proposals developed in partnerships with stakeholders, for regeneration and community-led projects in parks within Renfrewshire.

Reference was made within the report to the decisions taken at the Council meeting held on 3 March 2016 (i) to allocate £2.250 million of funding to support major investment in parks across Renfrewshire; (ii) that a detailed and prioritised programme of investment be developed in consultation with communities and key stakeholder groups; and (iii) that where appropriate, consideration be given to using community-led mechanisms to maximise the opportunity to lever in external sources of funding.

The report advised that the flagship parks, Robertson Park Renfrew and Barshaw Park Paisley, had been the key focus of investment proposals. Suitable projects had also been identified in respect of five neighbourhood parks, namely Thomas Shanks Park, Johnstone, Barwood Park, Erskine, Houston Road Park, Bridge of Weir, Howwood Public Park, Howwood and Kilbarchan Public Park, Kilbarchan. Ambitious master plans and key improvement priorities had been developed which could be delivered through a combination of Council investment and external-funding opportunities. It was highlighted that the preliminary estimated total costs of the proposals exceeded the Council’s investment funding of £2.250m.

The report proposed that a number of common, early infrastructure priorities, detailed in appendices to the report, proceed early in 2017, utilising the funding allocated and that a specialist employee resource, employed by the Council, be used to support community and friends groups to pursue external funding opportunities. A breakdown of the proposed allocation of the investment funding was provided.

DECIDED:

(a) That the investment proposals and spend of the Council’s £2.250 million in the two flagship parks, Robertson Park, Renfrew and Barshaw Park, Paisley and the five neighbourhood parks as detailed in the report, including the dedicated and specialist employee resources to support community and friends groups in pursuing additional/complementary funding opportunities and bids be approved;

(b) That it be noted that the anticipated commencement timescale of common, early infrastructure works and improvements to play facilities at Robertson Park, Renfrew and Barshaw Park, Paisley was early 2017;

(c) That it be noted that the anticipated commencement for investment in the five neighbourhood parks, as detailed in the paragraph 1.3 of the report, was Spring 2017;

(d) That it be noted that the investment proposals focussed on parks which had already identified investment plans, through established stakeholder groups/community and friends groups; and

(e) That it be noted that future updates on the Council’s £2.250 million investment in parks would be reported to the Council’s Environment Policy Board.

There was submitted a report by Director of Development & Housing Services relative to a proposed change to the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions to enable the Head of Regeneration to approve and award, or refuse, third party grants within the Paisley Townscape/Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (TH/CARS2) project with a value up to £100,000 in respect of each grant.

The report intimated that, in support of the Paisley Town Centre Heritage Asset Strategy, grant funding had been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for a second Paisley Townscape/Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme TH/CARS2. At the meeting of the Economy & Jobs Policy Board held on 31 August 2016, the acceptance of the grant funding and subsequent signing of the HLF and HES Contracts of Grant had been approved. The TH/CARS2 project with an estimated total value of £4.5 million would be delivered over the approved five-year period 2016/21.

The report sought authority to amend the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions to enable the Head of Regeneration to approve and award, or refuse third party grants within the TH/CARS2 project with a value up to £100,000 in respect of each grant.

DECIDED: That the Head of Regeneration be authorised to approve or refuse third party TH/CARS2 project grant applications, up to a value of £100,000, with grant applications above £100,000 requiring Board approval.

There was submitted a report by Director of Development and Housing Services relative to planning application 16/0291/PP: Gladman Developments Limited for the erection of a residential development including the formation of vehicular access, open space and landscaping, the provision of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) and associated engineering works on land to the North East of Strathgryffe Crescent, Gryffe Castle, Bridge of Weir, that required to be determined by the Council.

DECIDED: That the application be refused for the following reasons:

(i) The proposal did not accord with the Spatial Development Strategy and related Spatial Frameworks of the approved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan and Clydeplan's Strategic Development Plan Proposed Plan 2016 in terms of its location and development compatibility and therefore failed to support the Spatial Vision of the Plan;

(ii) The proposal was contrary to Policy ENV 1 of the Adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan in that it would result in development within the designated Green Belt without appropriate justification and due to its location and scale would not be commensurate with the aims of maintaining the identity of settlements and protecting and enhancing the landscape setting of an area;

(iii) The proposal was contrary to the Adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan New Development Supplementary Guidance - Delivering the Environment Strategy as it did not require a specific green belt location and did not maintain or support an established activity which was suitable in the green belt. The proposal would thereby introduce an inappropriate form of development into the Green Belt, result in an unacceptable erosion of the Green Belt and result in an adverse and detrimental impact on its character; and

(iv) The proposal was contrary to Policy P2 of the Adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan and the Housing Land Supply Supplementary Guidance 2015, and due to its scale and location, the proposed development would undermine the Spatial Strategy of the Adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan. The proposal would thereby introduce an inappropriate form of development into the Green Belt, result in an unacceptable erosion of the Green Belt and result in an adverse and detrimental impact on its character.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11am and reconvened at 11.10am.

SEDERUNT

Councillor Kelly was not present when the meeting reconvened.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Lawson and K MacLaren in  the following terms:

"Council agrees to organise a suitable event to commemorate the bicentenary of the Scottish Insurrection of 1820 and to incorporate it, where possible, into the City of Culture bid."

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Council agrees to organise a suitable event to commemorate the bicentenary of the Scottish Insurrection of 1820 and to incorporate it, where possible, into the City of Culture bid.

SEDERUNT

Councillor Kelly re-entered the meeting during consideration of the following item.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors McCartin and J MacLaren in the following terms:

"Named Person review

Council recognizes that the Education Secretary is not now going to roll out his "Named Person" policy due to legal judgements, with both legislation and guidance requiring to be revised.

Council calls on the Cabinet Secretary to take this opportunity to commission a wide-ranging and independent review of this policy, given the repeated and growing concerns expressed by public and professionals alike.

The review would be independent and would consider threshold for intervention, the power and duty of the named person, resources, training and data sharing arrangements. The Cabinet Secretary must take this opportunity to commission a review, without which the Government will lose support of councils and the thousands of families this would affect."

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor J MacLaren, then moved the motion.

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor M Brown, moved as an amendment that:

"Council notes the Named Person policy was passed into law unopposed in 2014 and was again backed by a cross-party vote in the Scottish Parliament in June 2016.

Most children and young people will never need to draw on this resource as the majority get all the support they need from their parents and carers, and wider networks. Parents are entitled to advice from a Named Person but they are under no obligation to follow that advice, and a Named Person is not there to monitor family life. It is in no way an attempt to take over any aspect of the role of the child’s parent or carer and nothing in the legislation changes parental rights and responsibilities.

A Named Person service already exists in many councils, including Highland, Fife, Dundee and South Ayrshire. The new scheme simply extends this good practice consistently across Scotland so that all children, young people and their families can benefit from the same support.

The UK Supreme Court has stated that the aim of the legislation, in promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people, is “unquestionably legitimate and benign” and does not breach either human rights or EU law. The legislation was previously upheld by the Court of Session, the highest court in Scotland, which said the policy had “no effect whatsoever on the legal, moral or social relationships within the family”.

The UK Supreme Court ruling on the scheme also requires the Scottish Government to make clearer the basis on which health visitors, teachers and other professionals supporting families will share and receive information in their named person role.

The Deputy First Minister has committed to starting this work immediately so that the necessary legal changes can be made."

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, McQuade and Nicolson.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Mack, Henry, M Macmillan, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

14 members having voted for the amendment and 23 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That Council recognised that the Education Secretary was not now going to roll out his "Named Person" policy due to legal judgements, with both legislation and guidance requiring to be revised.

Council called on the Cabinet Secretary to take this opportunity to commission a wide-ranging and independent review of this policy, given the repeated and growing concerns expressed by public and professionals alike.

The review would be independent and consider the threshold for intervention, the power and duty of the named person, resources, training and data sharing arrangements. The Cabinet Secretary must take this opportunity to commission a review, without which the Government would lose support of councils and the thousands of families this would affect.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors McCartin and Mack in the following terms:

"Council recognizes that the Scottish Government is planning to change the council tax bands from next year, with a planned extra income of £100 million per annum.

Council recognizes that any extra money raised from council taxes should be managed by local councils, in order to maintain accountability of councillors to their communities.

Council is, therefore, appalled with the suggestion that the Scottish Government is going to top slice this £100 million increase and use it for their own policy choices.

Renfrewshire Council will write to the Scottish Finance minister and the First minister demanding that any finances raised through council tax should be administered by the councils in accordance with their policy commitments to their constituents.

Extra funding to be given directly to schools is vital, but should be raised centrally through an extra 1p of general taxes (as agreed by this council on 25th February 2016) and given in the form of a Pupil Premium or similar award.

In this way the Scottish government could meet its own commitments on Education support while acknowledging the "parity of esteem" which they supposedly wish to convey on councils."

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor Mack, then moved the motion.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, moved as an amendment delete all and replace with

"This Council agrees with the principle of subsidiarity and that local councils should be accountable for the decisions they make in both raising and spending local taxes.

Council notes and welcomes the raising of an additional £100 million which are to be re-distributed through the local government grant settlement specifically for education by the SNP Government.

Council also notes and acknowledged statements made by the First Minister with regard to local government financing. In particular the ending the council tax freeze in 2017 which will provide discretion for councils and the proposed consultation on the assignment of a portion of the devolved income tax raised in Scotland to councils, thereby reducing their reliance on grant funding from central government”

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, McQuade and Nicolson.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Mack, Henry, M Macmillan, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

14 members having voted for the amendment and 23 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That Council recognised that the Scottish Government planned to change the council tax bands from next year, with a planned extra income of £100 million per annum.

Council recognised that any extra money raised from council taxes should be managed by local councils, in order to maintain accountability of councillors to their communities.

Council was, therefore, appalled with the suggestion that the Scottish Government was going to top slice this £100 million increase and use it for their own policy choices.

Renfrewshire Council would write to the Scottish Finance Minister and the First Minister demanding that any finances raised through council tax should be administered by the councils in accordance with their policy commitments to their constituents.

Extra funding to be given directly to schools was vital, but should be raised centrally through an extra 1p of general taxes (as agreed by this Council on 25th February 2016) and given in the form of a Pupil Premium or similar award.

In this way the Scottish government could meet its own commitments on Education support while acknowledging the "parity of esteem" which they supposedly wished to convey on councils.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors J MacLaren and Mack in the following terms:

"Council notes and welcomes the "U" turn on the part closure of the local amenity sites. This debacle has highlighted the lack of any Brown Bin Service for residents living in the outlying properties across the rural communities in Renfrewshire.

Some of these residents take their garden waste to the amenity site while many others place their waste into the general waste bin (grey bin), which incurs a landfill charge to the Council.

As these residents receive both the general waste uplift (grey bin) and the recycling uplift (blue bin), there is no reason for not providing a garden waste collection. Given the amount of garden waste generated by these rural communities, with many of the gardens being larger than average, council requests that the Director carry out a consultation to establish the need for a garden waste collection service in the rural communities and bring a report before the Environment Policy Board indicating the net cost."

Councillor J MacLaren, seconded by Councillor Mack, then moved the motion.

Councillor McGurk, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, moved as an amendment that, in addition, "Council agrees that as part of any consultation on garden waste collections that it also considers the practical and economic costs of providing compost bins as a potential alternative to vehicle collection and that the carbon footprint of expanding any service which relies on fuel from a non renewable source be a consideration in any deliberations.

Council also agrees that any consultation should include any potential changes to the collection of food and garden waste either co-mingled or separate."

In terms of Standing Order 27, the amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the motion and the motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Council noted and welcomed the "U" turn on the part closure of the local amenity sites. This debacle had highlighted the lack of any Brown Bin Service for residents living in the outlying properties across the rural communities in Renfrewshire. Some of these residents took their garden waste to the amenity site while many others placed their waste into the general waste bin (grey bin), which incurred a landfill charge to the Council.

As these residents received both the general waste uplift (grey bin) and the recycling uplift (blue bin), there was no reason for not providing a garden waste collection. Given the amount of garden waste generated by these rural communities, with many of the gardens being larger than average, Council requested that the Director carried out a consultation to establish the need for a garden waste collection service in the rural communities and brought a report before the Environment Policy Board indicating the net cost.

Council agreed that as part of any consultation on garden waste collections that it also considered the practical and economic costs of providing compost bins as a potential alternative to vehicle collection and that the carbon footprint of expanding any service which relied on fuel from a non-renewable source be a consideration in any deliberations.

Council also agreed that any consultation should include any potential changes to the collection of food and garden waste either co-mingled or separate.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Nicolson and McEwan in the following terms:

"Renfrewshire Council aims to ensure that play parks and play facilities, whether provided by Renfrewshire Council, community groups or developers should, as far as reasonably practicable, be equally accessible to children of all abilities and those who care for them. This should apply equally to facilities in either the private or public realm and to indoor or outdoor facilities.

Accordingly, Renfrewshire Council agrees to undertake an audit of its play parks and play facilities and assess their suitability for all children of all abilities. Where there is a shortfall in provision, it will seek to rectify that when the opportunity to replace or supplement play equipment arises. The same requirement will apply if play parks or play areas are refurbished or replaced. The Council further resolves that, where a new play park or play facility is to be constructed as part of a new housing development or as a standalone provision, the planning consent will include a condition requiring that an appropriate number of inclusive pieces of play equipment be provided."

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McEwan, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Renfrewshire Council aimed to ensure that play parks and play facilities, whether provided by Renfrewshire Council, community groups or developers should, as far as reasonably practicable, be equally accessible to children of all abilities and those who cared for them. This should apply equally to facilities in either the private or public realm and to indoor or outdoor facilities; and accordingly, Renfrewshire Council agreed to undertake an audit of its play parks and play facilities and assess their suitability for all children of all abilities. Where there was a shortfall in provision, it would seek to rectify that when the opportunity to replace or supplement play equipment arose. The same requirement would apply if play parks or play areas were refurbished or replaced.

The Council further resolved that, where a new play park or play facility was to be constructed as part of a new housing development or as a standalone provision, the planning consent would include a condition requiring that an appropriate number of inclusive pieces of play equipment be provided.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors M MacLaren and K MacLaren in the following terms:

"Council supports the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (10th-31st October) which aims to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health.

Council notes that one in four people in Scotland will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and that nearly nine out of 10 people with mental health problems have been affected by stigma and discrimination, with two thirds saying they have stopped doing things because of the stigma they face.

Council also congratulates the work of Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) who promote recovery from mental ill health, and empower people to build independent, fulfilled lives and the work of the Neighbourhood Challenge Renfrewshire in their recent Breaking Barriers event which aims to help end stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness."

Councillor M MacLaren, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Council supported the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (10-31 October) which aimed to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health.

Council noted that one in four people in Scotland would experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and that nearly nine out of 10 people with mental health problems had been affected by stigma and discrimination, with two thirds saying they had stopped doing things because of the stigma they face.

Council also congratulated the work of Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) who promote recovery from mental ill health, and empowered people to build independent, fulfilled lives and the work of the Neighbourhood Challenge Renfrewshire in their recent Breaking Barriers event which aimed to help end stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

SEDERUNT

Councillor Mack left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Mylet and Cameron in the following terms:

"Bus Stops

Council recognises that in attempting to attract more visitors to Paisley it is important that such visitors are not put off by the lack of clean public spaces, including all bus stops in Paisley Town Centre. Council notes that since their installation, the ground around these bus stops have not been adequately cleaned and that this, along with the poor general level of cleanliness within Paisley, may make visitors think again about coming back to Paisley.

Council calls for immediate action to clean up the town centre bus stops."

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor Cameron, then moved the motion.

Councillor E Devine, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as an amendment that "Council notes that in attempting to attract more visitors to Renfrewshire and supporting our residents to use public transport it is important we develop a properly integrated public transport system including bus and train services. Council therefore calls on the Scottish Government to re-instate train services to and from Paisley Gilmour Street to previous levels, bring forward their contribution for the airport access project and re-regulate bus services."

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, McCartin, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, J MacLaren, McQuade and Nicolson.

20 members having voted for the amendment and 16 members having voted for the motion, the amendment was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That in attempting to attract more visitors to Renfrewshire and supporting our residents to use public transport it was important we developed a properly integrated public transport system including bus and train services. Council therefore called on the Scottish Government to re-instate train services to and from Paisley Gilmour Street to previous levels, bring forward their contribution for the airport access project and re-regulate bus services.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1pm and reconvened at 1.45pm. 

SEDERUNT

When the meeting reconvened Councillor Mack was present while Councillors Cameron, Holmes, McGurk, M Macmillan and Nicolson returned during consideration of the following item.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Nicolson and Lawson in the following terms:

"Building Repairs Task Group

Council agrees that a comprehensive report be brought to the next meeting of the Planning and Property board regarding the activities and actions of the Building Repairs Task Group since its inception. The report should focus on the effectiveness of the group, and its use of legal powers. This report may form the basis of widening the task group activities to other parts of Renfrewshire."

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Council agreed that a comprehensive report be brought to the next meeting of the Planning & Property Policy Board regarding the activities and actions of the Building Repairs Task Group since its inception. The report should focus on the effectiveness of the group, and its use of legal powers. This report may form the basis of widening the task group activities to other parts of Renfrewshire.

The Head of Corporate Governance provided advice regarding whether being involved in consideration of the following two items had any implications for members of the Planning and Property Board who may have to consider any planning application in respect of the detention centre.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Andy Doig and Audrey Doig in the following terms:

"TIE

Renfrewshire Council resolves to work closely with the Time for Inclusive Education campaign, and with equalities organisations and the SNP Government, to ensure that homophobic bullying in Renfrewshire's schools is effectively tackled and that Renfrewshire's classroomms actively promote equality and inclusivity for young people of LGBTI identities."

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor Audrey Doig, then moved the motion.

Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor I McMillan, moved as an amendment that, in addition, "Renfrewshire Council is committed to tackling effectively all bullying in schools and children’s services - including bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation - and to working with Respect Me, Time for Inclusive Education, I Am Me, other anti-bullying and equalities organisations, and the Scottish Government, to that end, Council will continue to actively promote equality and inclusivity for all children and young people in all of our schools and Council services."
 
In terms of Standing Order 27, the amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the motion and the motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Renfrewshire Council resolved to work closely with the Time for Inclusive Education campaign, and with equalities organisations and the SNP Government, to ensure that homophobic bullying in Renfrewshire's schools was effectively tackled and that Renfrewshire's classrooms actively promoted equality and inclusivity for young people of LGBTI identities.  In addition, Renfrewshire Council was committed to tackling effectively all bullying in schools and children’s services - including bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation - and to working with Respect Me, Time for Inclusive Education, I Am Me, other anti-bullying and equalities organisations, and the Scottish Government, to that end, Council would continue to actively promote equality and inclusivity for all children and young people in all of our schools and Council services.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Nicolson and Paterson in the following terms:

"Renfrewshire Council notes with concern the well advanced proposals to locate a replacement detention facility for Dungavel in Renfrewshire. Council requires the leader of the council to make a statement on what discussions have taken place with the Westminster Government and or its agencies regarding this matter and what representations he has made on behalf of the people of Renfrewshire."

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, then moved the motion, which was agreed unanimously.

Councillor Macmillan, Leader of the Council, in a statement advised that there had been no consultation with the Council prior to the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Immigration on the future of detention in Scotland. An unsolicited letter, dated 14 September 2016, had been received from the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement, Detention and Escorting Services, which he would arrange to circulate to elected members, regarding the intention to apply for planning permission in due course, to locate an Immigration Detention Facility in Renfrewshire. He outlined the content of the letter, highlighting that the letter apologised that, due to an embargo on the Secretary of State for Immigration’s announcement, the Council had learned of the intention to submit a planning application from the media.

DECIDED: That Renfrewshire Council noted with concern the well advanced proposals to locate a replacement detention facility for Dungavel in Renfrewshire. Council required the leader of the Council to make a statement on what discussions had taken place with the Westminster Government and or its agencies regarding this matter and what representations he had made on behalf of the people of Renfrewshire and that the statement by the leader of the Council be noted.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors M MacLaren and Audrey Doig in the following terms:

"Women Against State Pension Inequality

Council calls upon the UK Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951 who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification.

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed upon them by the Pensions Act of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only 2 years of notice of a 6 year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950s are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market - caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren or struggling to find employment after having suffered discrimination in the workplace.

Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute, it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same age.

The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to those affected. This has left women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

Council also supports the recently formed WASPI Renfrewshire group who are campaigning for the rights of Renfrewshire residents affected by these pension changes."

Councillor M MacLaren, seconded by Councillor Audrey Doig, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That Council agreed to call upon the UK Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951 who had unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification.

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed upon them by the Pensions Act of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years of notice of a six year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950s were living in hardship. Retirement plans had been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women were already out of the labour market - caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren or struggling to find employment after having suffered discrimination in the workplace.

Women born in this decade were suffering financially. These women had worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It was not the pension age itself that was in dispute, it was widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same age.

The issue was that the rise in the women's state pension age had been too rapid and had happened without sufficient notice being given to those affected. This had left women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

Council also supported the recently formed WASPI Renfrewshire group who were campaigning for the rights of Renfrewshire residents affected by these pension changes.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Andy Doig and K MacLaren in the following terms:

"Violation of Sepulchre

This Council shall have regard to the need to respect the rights of sepulchre, the violation of which is a criminal offense under Scots law."

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That this Council shall have regard to the need to respect the rights of sepulchre, the violation of which was a criminal offence under Scots law.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Mack and McCartin in the following terms:

"Renfrewshire Council condemns the Labour run administration for displaying a singular inability to address the poverty in Ferguslie Park despite having almost fifty years of uninterrupted rule of local governance of that area."

Councillor Mack, seconded by Councillor McCartin, then moved the motion.

Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Williams, moved as an amendment that "Council welcomes the ambition of the administration in addressing the causes of poverty and welcomes the steps taken by our partners in the voluntary and the public sector to help people avoid falling into, dealing with the impact of, and escaping from poverty. Council notes the latest SIMD statistics show a drop in deprivation overall in Renfrewshire and reaffirms its commitment to support all of our communities to lead lives free from poverty."

In terms of Standing Order 42 Provost Hall, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved that Councillor Mack be suspended for the remainder of the meeting.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the suspension: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.

The following members voted against the suspension: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, Mack, McGurk, Cameron, McCartin, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, McQuade and Nicolson.

20 members having voted for the suspension and 16 members having voted against the suspension, the suspension was accordingly declared carried. Councillor Mack was advised that the Council had decided that he be suspended for the remainder of the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2.50pm and reconvened at 3pm.

SEDERUNT

Councillor M Brown was not present when the meeting reconvened.

Provost Hall advised Councillor Mack that it had been decided that he be suspended for the remainder of the meeting and Provost Hall asked Councillor Mack to retire from the meeting.

Councillor Mack refused to leave but did not take any further part in the remainder of the  meeting.

Consideration was then resumed of the substantive motion and amendment.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, McCartin, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, McQuade and Nicolson.

20 members having voted for the amendment and 14 members having voted for the motion, the amendment was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That Council welcomed the ambition of the administration in addressing the causes of poverty and welcomed the steps taken by our partners in the voluntary and the public sector to help people avoid falling into, dealing with the impact of, and escaping from poverty. Council noted the latest SIMD statistics showed a drop in deprivation overall in Renfrewshire and reaffirmed its commitment to support all of our communities to lead lives free from poverty.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Harte and J Sharkey in the following terms:

"This Council adopts the Construction Charter outlined in Appendix A"

"APPENDIX A
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL’S CONSTRUCTION CHARTER

As a Local Authority we either directly procure, or are the planning authority, for a multitude of construction projects. It is our intention to promote and support positive workforce practices involving

"Direct Employment" on all construction projects where we procure on behalf of the residents under this authority. We expect all construction companies who secure contacts on these projects within our boundaries to fully comply with this charter.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:

• Health and safety regulations and standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,

• Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, amenities and drying facilities in accordance with the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015.

The Scottish Future Trust’s Non Profit Distributing (NPD) programme alternatively known as HUBCO’s was developed to deliver infrastructure projects for the Scottish Government. As such, they must include proper local community benefits, in particular local jobs and apprenticeships and help local SME’s develop the capacity to take on those infrastructural projects. The Scottish Government should work with Renfrewshire Council to produce strong and clear guidelines on Community Benefit Clauses for externally awarded contracts through HUBCOs and that those contracts uphold the working practices contained herein.

Employment and skills

We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that Renfrewshire people’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate, all contactors to:

• Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,
• Comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging full apprenticeships,
• Prioritise hard to reach and underrepresented groups in employment, training and skills initiatives,
• Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within our authority.

Pay and Benefits

This Council is also a Living Wage employer and will encourage that all construction companies working on their contacts will adhere to that policy where workers are not directly connected to industry collective agreements then the living wage is a minimum standard and we will promote and encourage that those companies are registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative.

We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:

• Paid holiday
• A sickness benefit scheme
• A pension scheme
• Accident compensation
• Death in service benefits

Employment rights

This Council expects direct employment by contractors and sub contractors on a PAYE Class 1 National Insurance basis. We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:

• Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in SJIB, SNIJB, BESA, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
• Promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
• Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
• Ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members' priorities are reflected),
• Actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
• Provide equality and opportunity for all,
• Be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting workers for any reason.

This Council also supports the Get Britain Building campaign which is aimed at supporting and sustaining the construction the construction industry in Great Britain. Consequently, we seek to maximise the building materials used on council construction projects that are covered by BES6001 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products Certificate or equivalent.

Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter”.

Councillor Harte, seconded by Councillor J Sharkey, then moved the motion.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved as an amendment that this Council adopts and implements the Construction Charter as attached:

"Construction Charter.

Renfrewshire Council procures a wide range of construction projects. It is our intention to adopt and expect all organisations tendering for work, and on behalf of Renfrewshire Council to promote and support this Charter.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous
Industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:

• Health and safety standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,
• Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century,
Including reasonable standards for toilets, mess and drying facilities.

Employment and skills

We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that the aspirations of this Council are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come.  We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the
sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled
workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate,
all contractors to:

• Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by
ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,
• Comply with the employment and sills requirements set out in our tender
Documents, promoting and encouraging apprenticeships to an NVQ Level 3
standard wherever possible,
• Prioritise hard to reach and under represented groups in employment and skills
Initiatives,
• Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving
opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on
all construction projects within our authority.

Pay and benefits

Renfrewshire Council is a living wage employer and believes that all workers should be fairly rewarded for their efforts. We will promote and encourage companies to be registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:

• Paid holiday,
• A sickness benefit scheme,
• A pension scheme,
• Accident compensation,
• Death in service benefits.

Employment rights

Renfrewshire Council expects direct employment by contractors wherever possible.

We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive work site and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:

• Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in
JIB, JIB-PMES, HVAC, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
• assist in promoting the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
• Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in
achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
• Ensure that the Trade Union (s) have input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members’ priorities are reflected),
• actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support
Their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
• Provide equality and opportunity for all,
• be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting
Workers for any reason.

Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter.”

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, McQuade and Nicolson.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.

13 members having voted for the amendment and 21 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That Council adopts the Construction Charter outlined in Appendix A

"Appendix A

Renfrewshire Council's Construction Charter

As a Local Authority we either directly procure, or are the planning authority, for a multitude of construction projects. It is our intention to promote and support positive workforce practices involving

"Direct Employment" on all construction projects where we procure on behalf of the residents under this authority. We expect all construction companies who secure contacts on these projects within our boundaries to fully comply with this charter.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:

• Health and safety regulations and standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,
• Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, amenities and drying facilities in accordance with the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015.

The Scottish Future Trust’s Non Profit Distributing (NPD) programme alternatively known as HUBCO’s was developed to deliver infrastructure projects for the Scottish Government. As such, they must include proper local community benefits, in particular local jobs and apprenticeships and help local SME’s develop the capacity to take on those infrastructural projects. The Scottish Government should work with Renfrewshire Council to produce strong and clear guidelines on Community Benefit Clauses for externally awarded contracts through HUBCOs and that those contracts uphold the working practices contained herein.

Employment and skills

We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that Renfrewshire people’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate, all contactors to:

• Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,

• Comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging full apprenticeships,
• Prioritise hard to reach and underrepresented groups in employment, training and skills initiatives,
• Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within our authority.

Pay and benefits

This Council is also a Living Wage employer and will encourage that all construction companies working on their contacts will adhere to that policy where workers are not directly connected to industry collective agreements then the living wage is a minimum standard and we will promote and encourage that those companies are registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative.

We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:

• Paid holiday,
• A sickness benefit scheme,
• A pension scheme,
• Accident compensation,
• Death in service benefits.

Employment rights

This Council expects direct employment by contractors and sub contractors on a PAYE Class 1 National Insurance basis. We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:

• Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in SJIB, SNIJIB, BESA, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
• Promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
• Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
• Ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members’ priorities are reflected),
• Actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
• Provide equality and opportunity for all,
• Be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting workers for any reason.

This Council also supports the Get Britain Building campaign which is aimed at supporting and sustaining the construction the construction industry in Great Britain. Consequently, we seek to maximise the building materials used on council construction projects that are covered by BES6001 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products Certificate or equivalent.

Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter."