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There was submitted a Notice of motion by Councillors McEwan and Paterson in the following terms:
"Council notes with concern that due to Labour's continued cuts to Community Resources, that Renfrewshire is now 30 out of 32 councils when it comes to the cleanliness of our streets. Council notes the impact this will make on attracting visitors to Renfrewshire and on the day to day life of local residents."
Councillor McEwan, seconded by Councillor Paterson, then moved the motion.
Councillor E Devine, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as an amendment to delete the motion and insert:
“Council calls on the SNP Scottish Government to provide local authorities with adequate resources to provide important local services including education, social work, environmental, planning, housing and other services. Council further notes that the previous SNP-led Council cut funding in environmental services in their budgeting process. This included, but was not limited to: a cut in street cleaning and grounds maintenance of £100,000 (January 2010); as cut of £207,000 from the Community Action Programme that supported community groups to improve local services (November 2010). This had been cited as a model of good practice by the University of Glasgow; a saving of £202,000 from the reduction in grounds maintenance staff (November 2010) and; a cut in the funding of the Clean Renfrewshire Campaign of £207,000 (November 2010).
Council recognises that, despite the SNP Government cuts to local authorities, we have established the Town Centre Rapid Response Team and further recognises StreetScene teams work closely with the Community Safety Partnership Hub to identify hot spots for graffiti and fly-tipping and ensure these are dealt with as quickly as possible. This investment helped ensure that Keep Scotland Beautiful, in a recent 15-week study, identified a high level of cleanliness of Paisley Town Centre. Council would like to congratulate our partners in the town centre, in particular Paisley First, for their work in securing Purple Flag status for the town centre.”
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, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, McCartin, McGee, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, M Brown, J MacLaren, McQuade and Nicolson.
20 members having voted for the amendment and 17 members having voted for the motion, the amendment was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED: Council calls on the SNP Scottish Government to provide local authorities with adequate resources to provide important local services including education, social work, environmental, planning, housing and other services. Council further notes that the previous SNP-led Council cut funding in environmental services in their budgeting process. This included, but was not limited to: a cut in street cleaning and grounds maintenance of £100,000 (January 2010); as cut of £207,000 from the Community Action Programme that supported community groups to improve local services (November 2010). This had been cited as a model of good practice by the University of Glasgow; a saving of £202,000 from the reduction in grounds maintenance staff (November 2010) and; a cut in the funding of the Clean Renfrewshire Campaign of £207,000 (November 2010).
Council recognises that, despite the SNP Government cuts to local authorities, we have established the Town Centre Rapid Response Team and further recognises StreetScene teams work closely with the Community Safety Partnership Hub to identify hot spots for graffiti and fly-tipping and ensure these are dealt with as quickly as possible. This investment helped ensure that Keep Scotland Beautiful, in a recent 15-week study, identified a high level of cleanliness of Paisley Town Centre. Council would like to congratulate our partners in the town centre, in particular Paisley First, for their work in securing Purple Flag status for the town centre.