Provost Hall presided.

S Black, Chief Executive; P MacLeod, Director of Children’s Services; S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources; A Russell, Director of Finance & Resources; D Amos, Head of Policy & Commissioning (Chief Executive’s); P McCulloch, Adult Services Manager (Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership); and K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, M Conaghan, Legal & Democratic Services Manager, L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager and C MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officers (all Finance & Resources).

Councillor I McMillan intimated that he wished to table an emergency motion which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting in relation to essential services for children being moved to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital complex in Glasgow.  The Provost being of the opinion that the subject matter of the motion which is dealt with at item 15 below, should be considered by the Council as a matter of urgency, authorised its consideration.

Councillor McGee entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

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

Councillors Nicholson, Holmes and Glen having declared an interest in the following item of business remained in the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 11.17 am and reconvened at 11.32 am.

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

Councillor Mack left and returned to the meeting during consideration of the following item and was not present for the vote between the motion and the first amendment.

Councillor Mullin, having declared a financial interest in the following item of business, left the meeting and did not take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillors M Macmillan, J Sharkey and M Sharkey having declared an interest in the following item of business remained in the meeting.

Councillor Mullin declared a financial interest in the additional item of the agenda as he was an employee of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board and indicated that it was his intention to leave the meeting and not to take part in the discussion and voting thereon.

In relation to the additional item of the agenda, Councillor M Macmillan declared an interest, as he was a member of the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board.  However, as he considered the interest to be covered by a specific exclusion in terms of paragraph 5.18(2) of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, he did not consider it necessary to leave the meeting.

Councillors Nicholson declared a non-financial interest in item 12 of the agenda as he was a member of the Glasgow Airport Flightpath Fund and indicated that it was his intention to take part in the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Holmes declared a non-financial interest in item 12 of the agenda as he was a member of the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee and indicated that it was his intention to take part in the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillors J Sharkey and M Sharkey declared a non-financial interest in the additional item of the agenda as they were supporters of KNOW (Kid’s Need Our Ward) and indicated that it was their intention to take part in the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Glen declared a non-financial interest in item 12 of the agenda as he was a substitute member of the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee and indicated that it was his intention to take part in the discussion and voting thereon.

There were submitted the Minutes of the following meetings of the Council, Boards and Panels on the dates specified: 

Council, 15 December 2016
Regulatory Functions Board, 18 January 2017
Appointment Board, 19 January 2017
Education and Children Policy Board, 19 January 2017
Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, 24 January 2017
Planning and Property Policy Board, 24 January 2017
Environment Policy Board, 25 January 2017
Finance and Resources Policy Board, 25 January 2017
Economy and Jobs Policy Board, 1 February 2017
Regulatory Functions Board, 2 February 2017
Appointment Board, 3 February 2017
Renfrew and Gallowhill Local Area Committee, 7 February 2017
Paisley North Local Area Committee, 9 February 2017
Audit, Scrutiny and Petitions Board, 13 February 2017
Local Review Body, 14 February 2017
Paisley South Local Area Committee, 14 February 2017
Leadership Board, 15 February 2017
Regulatory Functions Board, 16 February 2017
Council, 16 February 2017
Johnstone and the Villages Local Area Committee, 16 February 2017 

DECIDED: That the Minutes be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an overview of the key principles of the new Best Value approach, the changes to the auditing requirements for this new approach and the impact for the Council.

The report intimated that a new approach to best value was being implemented by the Accounts Commission with an allocated audit team assessing the Council against: financial sustainability, financial management, governance and transparency and value for money.  The new best value methodology was a continuous process of engagement and audit activity which aimed to provide greater reassurance to the public that councils were delivering best value, rather than focusing on those councils where specific issues of performance had been identified.  A key element of the new approach was that the local audit team appointed to the Council as external auditors was the same team that would undertake the best value audit activity. 

Audit Scotland confirmed on 30 January 2017 the key areas selected for review during the first year of the best value audit programme in Renfrewshire Council and these were detailed within the report.  It was anticipated that as part of the fieldwork, the team from Audit Scotland would wish to meet with elected members to discuss the audit areas identified, including conveners and opposition spokespersons.

 

 

 

DECIDED:  That the contents of the report, including the potential for members to be invited to meet with the Audit Scotland team as part of the best value audit fieldwork programme be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Council’s requirement to deal with Asset Transfer requests in a manner set out in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and following procedures established in Regulations.

The report advised that the Act included provisions which enabled community bodies to apply to the Council to take over Council owned land and facilities.  This was referred to in the Act as an Asset Transfer Request. 

The Council’s existing governance structure required to be amended to make provision for dealing with these requests and for appeals against any decision to refuse a request or where there had been a delay in dealing with a request.
 
The report provided information on the procedures for dealing with Asset Transfer Requests and the procedures for reviews and appeals. It also set out proposals for changes to Board remits and the Scheme of Delegations to Officers to enable decisions on these matters to be dealt with at the most appropriate level. Further changes required were detailed in the report relative to implementation provisions in the 2015 Act dealing with community right to buy and the establishment of a register of land owned or leased by the Council.

Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved:

That it be noted that the provisions in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 relating to Asset Transfer Requests had now been brought into force;

That it be noted that the procedure for considering such requests including how any reviews and appeals were dealt with were set out in Regulations; 

That it be agreed that the Director of Finance & Resources or the Head of Property Services be authorised to determine Asset Transfer Requests made in terms of Part 5 of the 2015 Act and to make all necessary arrangements to comply with the statutory procedures for dealing with such requests;

That the creation of a Community Asset Transfer Review Sub-Committee of the Planning and Property Policy Board with the membership and other arrangements for the Sub-Committee being as set out within the report be agreed;

That it be agreed that the Head of Property Services be given delegated responsibility for taking such measures as were necessary to protect the Council’s interests should a community body register an interest in any Council property in the register held by the Scottish Government under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003;

That it be agreed that the Head of Property Services be given delegated responsibility for establishing, publishing and maintaining the register of land under Section 94 of the 2015 Act;

That it be agreed to amend the remit of the Planning and Property Policy Board to include reference to property issues arising from the 2015 Act; and

That the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to make changes to the Council’s governance documents necessary to give effect to the proposals contained within the report.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Audrey Doig, moved as an amendment:

“Amend Section 2, 2.1

Delete c) and substitute with:

c)   Approves the creation of a Community Asset Transfer Review Committee of the Council with the membership and other arrangements for the sub-committee as amended.

Amend

d)   All Asset Transfer Requests made in terms of Part 5 of the 2015 Act are to be determined by the Planning and Property Policy Board and authorises the Director of Finance & Resources or the Head of Property Services to make all necessary arrangements to comply with the statutory procedure for dealing with such requests;

e)   Amend by inserting after ‘2003’

‘Which includes ensuring that the Council is in a legal position to accept or decline first offer or refusal of a return of assets’.

Amend 3.11

‘Where an applicant requests a review, the proposal is that the review is considered by a sub-committee of the Council to be called the Community Asset Transfer Review Sub-Committee.  It is proposed that the committee will comprise of any five members of the Council who are not members of the Planning and Property Policy Board.  The committee will be chaired by agreement from among the members of the Committee and will meet as and when required to deal with a request for review.  The Committee may in some circumstances hold a hearing to determine the review’”.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors McEwan, Paterson, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, Mack, McGurk, McCartin, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, J MacLaren, 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, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.  

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

DECIDED:

(a)   That it be noted that the provisions in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 relating to Asset Transfer Requests had now been brought into force;

(b)   That it be noted that the procedure for considering such requests including how any reviews and appeals were dealt with were set out in Regulations; 

(c)   That it be agreed that the Director of Finance & Resources or the Head of Property Services be authorised to determine Asset Transfer Requests made in terms of Part 5 of the 2015 Act and to make all necessary arrangements to comply with the statutory procedures for dealing with such requests;
(d)   That the creation of a Community Asset Transfer Review Sub-Committee of the Planning and Property Policy Board with the membership and other arrangements for the Sub-Committee being as set out within the report be agreed;

(e)   That it be agreed that the Head of Property Services be given delegated responsibility for taking such measures as were necessary to protect the Council’s interests should a community body register an interest in any Council property in the register held by the Scottish Government under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003;

(f)   That it be agreed that the Head of Property Services be given delegated responsibility for establishing, publishing and maintaining the register of land under Section 94 of the 2015 Act;

(g)   That it be agreed to amend the remit of the Planning & Property Policy Board to include reference to property issues arising from the 2015 Act; and

(h)   That the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to make changes to the Council’s governance documents necessary to give effect to the proposals contained within the report.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the timetable of meetings of the Council and its Boards until December 2017. A copy of the timetable was appended to the report. 

The timetable was based on five cycles per annum and was broadly similar to the previous timetables operated by the Council.  The usual recess periods had been incorporated.

The report indicated that meetings of the Appeals Board and Local Review Body had been timetabled. However, if the meetings were not required they would be cancelled as appropriate.  

DECIDED:   

(a)   That the timetable for meetings of the Council and its Boards, including the dates during which there were to be recesses until December 2017 be agreed;

(b)   That it be agreed that a report be submitted to the December meeting of the Council relative to the timetable from January 2018 onwards; and

(c)   That it be agreed that meetings of the Appeals and Local Review Body, although timetabled, would be cancelled if there was no substantive business.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to proposals by Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club (AAC) to build an indoor athletics training centre on land to be leased from the Council adjacent to the ON-X outdoor track and field facilities.

The Club had embarked on a major fund raising exercise to secure the £2.1 million build cost of the development and had asked the Council for a total of £500,000 to support the Club’s proposed development, subject to the conditions set out in the report, which would be drawn down in two tranches of £250,000 in each of financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20.

DECIDED:   That the allocation of £500,000, in two tranches of £250,000 in financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20, to support the proposed development of an indoor athletics training centre for Kilbarchan AAC be approved, subject to the conditions set out within the report.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to a number of vacancies which had arisen in the membership of Council Boards as a result of Councillor Andy Doig’s resignation from the SNP Group.

The report advised that vacant places be filled as follows:

Economy and Jobs Policy Board - Councillor M MacLaren;
Education and Children Policy Board - Councillor K MacLaren;
Leadership Board - Councillor I Nicolson; and
Planning & Property Policy Board - Councillor W Mylet.
  
DECIDED:   That the appointments to the vacant board positions be approved.

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

"Brown's Lane, in the town centre, is being developed by Paisley First and local businesses as an area of night life and tourist attraction over the coming year. They wish to raise the profile of the lane, and the adjacent Shuttle Street, by giving adequate lighting to the area, but need to be reassured that the on-going cost can be met by the council. 

Council is asked to include a new "Net lights" product, which would be erected and paid for by local businesses, into the council's electricity grid, and to include new street/directional signs at both ends of the lane.

In the drive to raise standards within the town centre, provide extra directions to the Sma' Shot cottages, and to encourage footfall now and in our move towards the 2021 City of Culture award, this would seem to be an area of progress for the town as a whole." 

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor Macmillan, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:   That Brown's Lane, in the town centre was being developed by Paisley First and local businesses as an area of night life and tourist attraction over the coming year.  They wished to raise the profile of the lane, and the adjacent Shuttle Street, by giving adequate lighting to the area but needed to be reassured that the on-going cost would be met by the Council; 

Council agreed to include a new "Net lights" product, which would be erected and paid for by local businesses, into the Council's electricity grid, and to include new street/directional signs at both ends of the lane; and

In the drive to raise standards within the town centre, the Council would provide extra directions to the Sma' Shot cottages, and to encourage footfall now and in our move towards the 2021 City of Culture award, this would seem to be an area of progress for the town as a whole.

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

"This Council recognises the importance of education in ensuring that all of Renfrewshire's children and young people have the opportunity to achieve their potential and notes the significant work this Council has undertaken through its Tackling Poverty commission and other initiatives to support those from less affluent backgrounds.

Council expresses concern that Scottish Government has cut support for those students from the poorest backgrounds with a decrease in Educational Maintenance Allowance funding in Scotland from £39.6 million in the 2016/17 budget to £29.6 million in 2017/18 and funding from the 'Inspiring Scotland's 14-19 year olds' programme falling from £4 million in 2016/17 to £3 million in 2017/18. 

Council believes that this is contrary to the First Minister's claim that education is a top priority and calls upon Scottish Government to ensure that the poorest and more vulnerable students are adequately supported."

Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor M Sharkey, then moved the motion.

Councillor Mylet, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren, moved as an amendment that:

“Renfrewshire Council notes that the Scottish Government is protecting Education Maintenance allowance while it has been scrapped in England, and praises the Scottish Government for maintaining free education for Scotland’s young people.  Under the SNP, free tuition has been re-introduced and protected, saving students in Scotland tens of thousands of pounds compared to the cost of study in England.  Council also welcomes the raising of the household income threshold for access to the maximum bursary this year, which will benefit thousands of additional pupils”.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors McEwan, Paterson, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, McGee, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, and M Brown 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.

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

DECIDED:

(a)    That Council recognised the importance of education in ensuring that all of Renfrewshire's children and young people had the opportunity to achieve their potential and noted the significant work this Council had undertaken through its Tackling Poverty commission and other initiatives to support those from less affluent backgrounds.
(b)   Council expressed concern that Scottish Government had cut support for those students from the poorest backgrounds with a decrease in Educational Maintenance Allowance funding in Scotland from £39.6 million in the 2016/17 budget to £29.6 million in 2017/18 and funding from the 'Inspiring Scotland's 14 - 19 year olds' programme falling from £4 million in 2016/17 to £3 million in 2017/18. 

(c)   Council believed that this was contrary to the First Minister's claim that education was a top priority and called upon Scottish Government to ensure that the poorest and more vulnerable students were adequately supported.

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

"Changing Places toilets”

 "It is now accepted and expected that everyone has a right to live in the community, to move around within it and access all its facilities. Government policy promotes the idea of "community participation" and "active citizenship", but for some people with disabilities the lack of a fully accessible toilet is denying them this right.

Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, cannot use standard accessible toilets.

At present Renfrewshire has one such toilet in the whole area - At Braehead. There are two toilets in Paisley and Linwood which meet much of the criteria for these toilets, but not all, and therefore cannot be classed as "Changing Places toilets".

Council therefore agrees that a planned introduction of these toilets be set out, with the aim of having approximately 10 of these toilets spread throughout the whole council area within the next 5 years”.

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor Mack, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:   It is now accepted and expected that everyone had a right to live in the community, to move around within it and access all its facilities. Government policy promoted the idea of "community participation" and "active citizenship", but for some people with disabilities the lack of a fully accessible toilet was denying them this right.

Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, could not use standard accessible toilets.

At present Renfrewshire had one such toilet in the whole area at Braehead. There were two toilets in Paisley and Linwood which met much of the criteria for these toilets, but not all, and therefore could not be classed as "Changing Places toilets.
Council therefore agreed that a planned introduction of these toilets be set out, with the aim of having approximately 10 of these toilets spread throughout the whole Council area within the next 5 years.

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

"Council welcomes the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology as an excellent opportunity to promote Paisley and Renfrewshire. The historic environment supports more than 60,000 jobs in Scotland and contributes over £2 billion per year to Scotland's economy. Renfrewshire has a rich and varied history which should be an essential part of our bid for the UK City of Culture 2021. Council will support the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology by promoting Renfrewshire's history to encourage more visitors to the area."

Councillor M MacLaren, seconded by Councillor K MacLaren then moved the motion.

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor Mack, then moved as an amendment that: “In addition, Council believes in the necessity of an inclusive identity for the Paisley 2021 bid which articulates both the pre-eminent historical contribution of Paisley, and also the significance of those towns and villages which are part of historic Renfrewshire, in terms of promoting the bid during the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Council notes that it is standing policy to develop a properly functioning Thread-Mill Museum as part of the Renfrewshire Textile Heritage Trail, and appreciates the need to make key linkages between the importance of weaving for the history of Paisley, and in particular its importance for the village of Kilbarchan.

Council will therefore, in the run up to Paisley 2021, encourage networking between the Weaver’s Cottage in Kilbarchan, and the proposed Thread-Mill Museum in Paisley when it is established, to further promote the creation of heritage tourism jobs across Renfrewshire.

Council further resolves, to approach the Property section of the Church of Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Kilbarchan Community Council, and the Creative Renfrewshire Heritage Tourism Sub Group, with a view to examining options for funding to transform the former Kilbarchan West Church, and Church Hall, into a Museum of Village Heritage and Culture”.

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:   

(a)   That Council welcomed the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology as an excellent opportunity to promote Paisley and Renfrewshire. The historic environment supported more than 60,000 jobs in Scotland and contributed over £2 billion per year to Scotland's economy. Renfrewshire had a rich and varied history which should be an essential part of our bid for the UK City of Culture 2021. Council would support the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology by promoting Renfrewshire's history to encourage more visitors to the area; in addition

(b)   Council believed in the necessity of an inclusive identity for the Paisley 2021 bid which articulated both the pre-eminent historical contribution of Paisley, and also the significance of those towns and villages which were part of historic Renfrewshire, in terms of promoting the bid during the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology;

(c)   Council noted that it was standing policy to develop a properly functioning Thread-Mill Museum as part of the Renfrewshire Textile Heritage Trail, and appreciates the need to make key linkages between the importance of weaving for the history of Paisley, and in particular its importance for the village of Kilbarchan;

(d)   Council would therefore, in the run up to Paisley 2021, encourage networking between the Weaver’s Cottage in Kilbarchan, and the proposed Thread-Mill Museum in Paisley when it was established, to further promote the creation of heritage tourism jobs across Renfrewshire; and

(e)   Council further resolved, to approach the Property section of the Church of Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Kilbarchan Community Council, and the Creative Renfrewshire Heritage Tourism Sub Group, with a view to examining options for funding to transform the former Kilbarchan West Church, and Church Hall, into a Museum of Village Heritage and Culture.

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

"Council condemns the move by the Department of Work and Pensions to close the administration centre in Lonend, Paisley Not only will this have an impact on the workforce who may not be willing or able to move to an alternative location but it will also impact on businesses within the local area. Council will write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Damian Green MP, to object to this closure and recommend that his department reconsiders this move."

Councillor Mylet, seconded by Councillor Paterson, then moved the motion.

Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved as an amendment that: “In addition,  Council further condemns the decision of Scottish Enterprise to close its office in Paisley, in particular given the decision by Pernod Ricard to close its Paisley site, the loss of jobs at Doosan Babcock.  Council will write to Paul Wheelhouse, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy to object to this closure and recommend that his department ensures Scottish Enterprise retains both office accommodation and its workforce in Renfrewshire”.

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:   Council condemned the move by the Department of Work and Pensions to close the administration centre in Lonend, Paisley.  Not only would this have an impact on the workforce who may not be willing or able to move to an alternative location but it would also impact on businesses within the local area. Council would write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Damian Green MP, to object to this closure and recommend that his department reconsidered this move.

In addition, Council further condemned the decision of Scottish Enterprise to close its office in Paisley, in particular given the decision by Pernod Ricard to close its Paisley site, the loss of jobs at Doosan Babcock.  Council would write to Paul Wheelhouse, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy to object to this closure and recommend that his department ensured Scottish Enterprise retained both office accommodation and its workforce in Renfrewshire.

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

"Council condemns the move by AGS Airports Limited to introduce a charge to drop off passengers at Glasgow Airport. Council believes that such charge is not necessary and will be to the detriment of passengers. Council will write to the Chief Executive of Glasgow Airport requesting that she drops all plans for this charge”.

Councillors K MacLaren, seconded by Councillor M MacLaren, then moved the motion.

Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved as an amendment that: "In addition Council recognises the public transport links to and from Glasgow Airport and the road network do not properly meet the needs of passengers or workers at the airport.  Council reconfirms its commitment to the Airport Access Project as part of the City Deal which will deliver a rail link through Paisley Gilmour Street to and from the airport."

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, Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.  

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

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

DECIDED:   Council condemned the move by AGS Airports Limited to introduce a charge to drop off passengers at Glasgow Airport. Council believed that such charge were not necessary and would be to the detriment of passengers. Council would write to the Chief Executive of Glasgow Airport requesting that all plans for this charge be dropped.

In addition, Council recognised the public transport links to and from Glasgow Airport and the road network do not properly meet the needs of passengers or workers at the airport.  Council reconfirmed its commitment to the Airport Access Project as part of the City Deal which would deliver a rail link through Paisley Gilmour Street to and from the airport.

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

"Council welcomes the proposal from Paisley & District Trade Union Council to erect a monument in Robertson Park, Renfrew to mark Workers' Memorial Day. Everyone deserves to come home at the end of the work day, Workers' Memorial Day reminds us of those who didn't, and encourages us to take steps to make sure there's less of them in the future. Council will work with Paisley & District Trade Union Council and others to develop proposals and a funding plan for such a monument."

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

DECIDED:   That Council welcomed the proposal from Paisley & District Trade Union Council to erect a monument in Robertson Park, Renfrew to mark Workers' Memorial Day. Everyone deserved to come home at the end of the work day, Workers' Memorial Day reminded us of those who didn't, and encouraged us to take steps to make sure there was less of them in the future. Council would work with Paisley & District Trade Union Council and others to develop proposals and a funding plan for such a monument.

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

"SNP Government and Pupil Equity Fund

This council welcomes the windfall of over £4million for Renfrewshire which the SNP Scottish Government is delivering to raise pupil attainment in our schools and recognises the social and education importance of giving all children the chance to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background.

- Council congratulates the SNP Scottish Government for delivering yet another key element in its social democratic policy platform, where both the creation of wealth and the elimination of poverty are seen as compatible objectives and contrast this successful vision with the reality of a ruthless and divisive Tory Government and a useless and divided Labour opposition”.

Councillor K MacLaren, seconded by Councillor M MacLaren then moved the motion.

Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor M Sharkey, moved as an amendment that: “Council notes the innovative and sector leading work undertaken by this authority in relation to tackling poverty and closing the poverty related attainment gap; further acknowledges the ongoing significant investment made in Children’s Services by the administration since 2012 and notes the positive external and internal evaluations of work related to this funding.

Council expresses its dismay at the poor record of the SNP at both national and local level in relation to education”.

Councillor McCartin, seconded by Councillor Mack, moved as a second amendment that: “Council recognises that the SNP had an opportunity to seriously raise funding to support education in our schools, pre-schools and colleges by using its longed for power to raise taxed within Scotland.

If the SNP had put their money where their mouths were, they would have raised up to £20 million for expenditure in education in Renfrewshire, spread over pre-school, school and further education services, which have been decimated under the SNP.

While welcoming ANY extra funding for schools, council re-affirms its assertion, in February 2016, that the SNP government should raise 1p in taxes to provide £475 million for education for our children and young people”.

On the roll being called between the motion and the first amendment, the following members voted for the first 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, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors McEwan, Paterson, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, McGee, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown and Nicolson.
The following member abstained:   Councillor McCartin.
 
21 members having voted for the first amendment, 12 members having voted for the motion, and 1 member having abstained, a vote was then taken between the first amendment and the second amendment.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the second amendment:  Councillors Mack, McCartin and Andy Doig. 

The following members voted for the first 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, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

The following members abstained: Councillors Councillors McEwan, Paterson, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, McGee, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown and Nicolson.

3 members having voted for the second amendment, 21 members having voted for the first amendment and 11 members having abstained, the first amendment was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED:   That Council noted the innovative and sector leading work which had been undertaken by this authority in relation to tackling poverty and closing the poverty related attainment gap; further acknowledged the ongoing significant investment made in Children’s Services by the administration since 2012 and noted the positive external and internal evaluations of work related to this funding.

Council expressed its dismay at the poor record of the SNP at both national and local level in relation to education.