Provost Hall presided.

S Black, Chief Executive; P MacLeod, Director of Children’s Services; S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources; M Crearie, Director of Development & Housing Services; A Russell, Director of Finance & Resources; D Leese, Chief Officer (Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership); J McKellar, Chief Executive (Renfrewshire Leisure Limited); D Amos, Head of Policy & Commissioning (Chief Executive’s); A Morrison, Head of Regeneration and J Cameron, Bid Director (both Development & Housing Services); and K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, J Lynch, Head of Property Services; T Olowe, Interim Head of HR & Organisational Development; M Conaghan, Legal & Democratic Services Manager, L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager and E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).

Councillor Noon

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

Houston, Crosslee, Linwood, Riverside and Erskine Local Area Committee, 22 February 2017
Council, 23 February 2017
Regulatory Functions Board, 8 March 2017
Education and Children Policy Board, 9 March 2017
Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, 14 March 2017
Planning and Property Policy Board, 14 March 2017
Environment Policy Board, 15 March 2017
Finance and Resources Policy Board, 15 March 2017
Johnstone and the Villages Local Area Committee, 16 March 2017
Audit, Scrutiny and Petitions Board, 20 March 2017
Economy and Jobs Policy Board, 22 March 2017
Regulatory Functions Board, 23 March 2017
Leadership Board, 29 March 2017
Paisley North Local Area Committee, 30 March 2017
Paisley North Local Area Committee, 13 April 2017

DECIDED: That the Minutes be approved.

Councillor Perrie entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

Councillor Caldwell entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

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

As she stood down from her term of office, Provost Hall thanked officers and her colleagues in the Labour Group for their support.  She said that she had enjoyed working with all elected members during her time as Provost and wished all councillors every success in the future. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the humanitarian crisis in East Africa where it was estimated that drought and conflict had left 16 million people on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment.

The report intimated that famine had been declared in parts of South Sudan, where 100,000 people faced starvation and nearly 5 million people urgently needed food.  The situation in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia was also concerning as media reports suggested 14 million people were going hungry every day.

The report proposed that the Council should respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis by donating £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to fund its member charities UK-based activities in recognition of the considerable strain the effects of the East Africa crisis was placing on the resources of these charities.  The Council was not authorised to provide direct relief to communities abroad.

The DEC brought together 13 leading UK aid charities in times of crisis which included Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision and allocated money to each member agency based on its ability to deliver aid where it was needed.

DECIDED:  

(a) That the Council make a donation of £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee to fund its members’ UK-based activities in recognition of the East Africa Crisis appeal; and 

(b) That a supplementary estimate of £10,000 for this donation be approved.

The Head of Corporate Governance advised members that they must deal with planning applications in an objective manner to ensure that they cannot be challenged with accusations of bias or predetermination.  Votes on planning applications must be seen to be impartial and not influenced by party political issues.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to planning application 16/0806/PP: Leith Planning Ventures Limited for the erection of residential development (in principle) at a site on the northern boundary of Beech Burn, Johnshill, Lochwinnoch that required to be determined by the Council.

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

(a) 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 2016 in terms of its location and development compatibility and therefore fails to support the Spatial Vision of the Plan;

(b) 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;

(c) 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;

(d) 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; and

(e) The proposal was considered to be premature in respect of the emerging local development plan and would therefore undermine the plan making process.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to the proposals for the regeneration of Paisley’s West End.

The report intimated that in November 2015, the Housing and Community Safety Policy Board approved the appointment of Sanctuary Scotland as the Council’s housing association partner to develop and deliver regeneration plans for Paisley West End.  Architects macmon were subsequently appointed in 2016 and had worked with Sanctuary Scotland and the Council to develop the draft masterplan, a copy of which formed the appendix to the report.

An extensive engagement process would take place with all key local stakeholders in Paisley West End on the content of the draft masterplan and the report detailed those stakeholders who would be consulted and also detailed the specific planned consultation events.  The report sought the approval of the Council to take forward a period of public consultation on the proposals.

DECIDED: That the draft Paisley West End Regeneration Masterplan be agreed for public consultation, the results of which would be reported back to the Housing & Community Safety Policy Board.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to the establishment of the Renfrewshire Economic Leadership Panel which had been approved at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 30 November 2016 in its consideration of the Economic Framework 2016/18.

The report intimated that following consultation with some local businesses, the first meeting of the Panel had been scheduled for June 2017 and the report sought approval for the Leader of the Council to be formally appointed as a member of the Panel.  

The proposal was for a relatively small Leadership Panel consisting of 12 to 15 members which would be formed to meet quarterly and assess and agree on key issues and actions to accelerate the economic fortunes of Renfrewshire.  The Panel would effectively act as a ‘critical friend’ and sounding board to allow the Council to understand the views of locally-based businesses and play a key advisory role in the development of the next Economic Strategy for Renfrewshire.

 

 

 

 

Representation was being sought from across the key sectors of Renfrewshire’s economy including transport, manufacturing, tourism, creative industries, technology and food and drink.  Other stakeholders who would be invited to join the Panel included UWS, West College Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.  It was anticipated that the Panel would be chaired by the private sector and that the Terms of Reference would be considered at the first meeting of the Panel. The Council’s Chief Executive and Head of Regeneration would act as advisors to the Panel.

DECIDED:  

(a) That it be noted that the first meeting of the Renfrewshire Economic Leadership Panel was being planned for June 2017; and

(b) That the appointment of the Leader of the Council to the Panel be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the part of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 relating to Participation Requests which came into force on 1 April 2017.

The report intimated that Participation Requests (Requests) were a new process which allowed a community body to enter into dialogue with public authorities such as the Council about local issues and local services on their terms and without having to wait until being invited to participate by the Council.  Where a community body believed it could help to improve an outcome it would be able to request that the Council took part in a process to improve that outcome.

The Council required to put in place arrangements to deal with these requests which must comply with Part 3 of the 2015 Act which set out the process for how requests worked.  The process for requests and the information which must be on the prescribed form was detailed in the report.  

Regulations had already been published setting out the procedure for dealing with requests.  In most cases, decisions must be made within 30 working days from the date on which the last item of information to validate the request was received by the Council.  In these circumstances, it was proposed that the decision on whether or not to approve a request be delegated to the relevant director who had responsibility for the service area covered by the request in consultation with the Convener of the relevant Board which would require a change to the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions.

The Scottish Government had issued guidance on requests and elements of the guidance relating to promotion and awareness were detailed in the report.  The report proposed that the Council’s Head of Policy & Commissioning be the first point of contact for receipt of requests and for dealing with any queries regarding the Council’s approach to requests.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that the part of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 dealing with Participation Requests came into force on 1 April 2017; 
  
(b) That the relevant service Director be authorised, in consultation with the relevant Convener, to make decisions regarding requests and to follow the statutory procedure for dealing with those requests;  
  
(c) That it be agreed that the Head of Policy & Commissioning would be the Council’s first point of contact for the receipt of Participation Requests and for dealing with queries regarding the Council’s approach to requests; and

(d) That the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions and Board remits to reflect the changes introduced by the report.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to an update on preliminary surveys and proposals to develop options for necessary lifetime maintenance work to be progressed in Paisley Town Hall.

The report intimated that the proposed investment reflected both the Council’s well established long-term lifecycle maintenance programme and the programme to support the modernisation of key venue locations which formed an integral part of both the heritage-led regeneration agenda for the town centre and the UK City of Culture 2021 bid.

DECIDED:  

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

(b) That it be remitted to officers to report back to Council, or the appropriate Board, with options for the maintenance and improvement of Paisley Town Hall.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council’s Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Equality Progress Report 2017.

The report intimated that the Council had a general equality duty which required it to pay due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations as set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010.  There were a number of specific duties laid out for public authorities by Scottish Ministers to support the general equality duty.

In line with these specific duties, the Council was required to report on its progress with mainstreaming equality, its progress against its equality outcomes, employee information and gender pay gap information by April 2017.

A copy of the progress report was appended to the report and the appendices to the report provided a wide range of data including equalities information about Council employees, occupational segregation and pay gap data, more detailed information on education and housing and an equal pay statement.

 

 

 

DECIDED:  

(a) That the progress report be noted; and
 
(b) That the Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Equality Progress Report 2017 be approved for publication.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to proposed changes to the Council’s governance arrangements as they related to the Social Work (Complaints Review) and Non-domestic Rates Appeals Panels.

The report intimated that the Public Services Reform (Social Work Complaints Procedure) (Scotland) Order 2016, which came into force on 1 April 2017, abolished the exiting social work complaints process which required that, where a complainer was not satisfied with the response received from the Council in respect of their complaint concerning certain social work matters, they were able to refer the matter to a complaints review committee (CRC).  This Council, as part of its decision-making structure, established the CRC as the Social Work (Complaints Review) Appeals Panel, which comprised three independent lay members drawn from a pool of volunteers.  With effect from 1 April 2017, matters previously dealt with by this Appeals Panel would be considered in terms of the Model Complaints Handling Procedure for Social Work Services in Scotland as developed by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) in partnership with local authority and health and social care officers together with representatives from the Scottish Government and the third sector.
  
The appointments of the existing members of the Social Work (Complaints Review) Appeals Panel did not extend beyond the local government elections on 4 May 2017 and it was proposed that, should they still wish to participate, the existing members be reappointed to deal with any complaints received prior to 31 March 2017 and until such complaints had been dealt with.

The Council, also as part of its decision-making structure, had established the Non-domestic Rates Appeals Panel, the remit of which was to determine appeals against the application of the Council’s policy relating to the discretionary relief of rates; and to determine requests from sheriff officers for instructions to proceed with warrant sales relative to the recovery of non-domestic rates.  

It was likely that the Council might receive appeals in terms of Section 238 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 which allowed an appeal in respect of rates “improperly charged’.  Such appeals required to be heard by the rating authority or a committee thereof and could not therefore be delegated to officers.  This type of appeal dealt with the liability of the rates itself rather than the way the Council had interpreted any discretionary regulations.  Therefore the Non-domestic Rates Appeals Panel would be unable to hear an appeal under Section 238 with the remit it currently had.  To deal with any appeals which might be received in terms of Section 238, it was proposed that, rather than establishing a separate appeals panel, the remit of the existing Non-domestic Rates Appeals Panel be expanded to take account of this legislation.  The procedure for appeals in terms of Section 238 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 formed the appendix to the report.

 

 

 

DECIDED:  

(a) That it be noted that the existing social work complaints process would be abolished with effect from 1 April 2017 and that social work complaints would be dealt with in terms of the Model Complaints Handling Procedure for Social Work Services in Scotland;

(b) That it be noted that complaints that were still ‘live’ prior to 31 March 2017 would still require to be considered by the Social Work (Complaints Review) Appeals Panel; 

(c) That the appointments of the existing lay members of the Social Work (Complaints Review) Appeals Panel be extended, should they still wish to participate, until complaints that were still ‘live’ prior to 31 March 2017 had been dealt with;

(d) That the Council’s decision making structure be revised to remove the Social Work (Complaints Review) Appeals Panel once complaints that were still ‘live’ prior to 31 March 2017 had been dealt with; 

(e) That the remit of the Non-domestic Rates Appeals Panel be expanded to include appeals under Section 238 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947; and

(f) That the attached procedures for consideration of such appeals be approved.

The Council resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 10 as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 6 of part I of schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

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

"Motion

During 2007-12 the council worked hard to find homes and care packages funding for people with Learning Disabilities, particularly those living at home with increasingly elderly and frail parents.

Council asks the Health and Social Care Partnership Joint Board to:

1 Examine the total number of people with Learning Disabilities who remain unable to get suitable permanent homes of their own, together with an appropriate care package.

2 ldentify this information in relation to varying appropriate age categories of those clients with Learning Disabilities, for example above 50, above 30, below 30.

3 Show what plans are being put in place, and in what timetable, to meet the needs of these clients."

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

DECIDED: During 2007-12 the council worked hard to find homes and care packages funding for people with Learning Disabilities, particularly those living at home with increasingly elderly and frail parents.

Council asks the Health and Social Care Partnership Joint Board to:

1 Examine the total number of people with Learning Disabilities who remain unable to get suitable permanent homes of their own, together with an appropriate care package.

2 ldentify this information in relation to varying appropriate age categories of those clients with Learning Disabilities, for example above 50, above 30, below 30.

3 Show what plans are being put in place, and in what timetable, to meet the needs of these clients.

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

"Renfrewshire Hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour de France 

Council applauds the significant sporting contribution of Paisley and Renfrewshire cycling clubs, such as Paisley Velo Racing Team and Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club, to national and international cycle sport over the decades.

 

 

Council recognises the number of key local cycling events that have become a core part of the Renfrewshire tourism events calendar, such as the Circuit Road Race championships in Paisley, and the Pedal the Park Annual Sportive at Castle Semple, and notes the benefits they bring to the Renfrewshire economy.

Council appreciates the significant financial benefits to Yorkshire which accrued when they hosted the first stage of the Tour de France in 2014.  Accordingly, this Council agrees to contact the Tour de France organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation, Scottish Cycling and the Scottish Government, to examine the viability of a bid to host the Grand Depart from Renfrewshire in the run up to Paisley 2021."

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

DECIDED: Renfrewshire Hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour de France 

Council applauds the significant sporting contribution of Paisley and Renfrewshire cycling clubs, such as Paisley Velo Racing Team and Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club, to national and international cycle sport over the decades.

Council recognises the number of key local cycling events that have become a core part of the Renfrewshire tourism events calendar, such as the Circuit Road Race championships in Paisley, and the Pedal the Park Annual Sportive at Castle Semple, and notes the benefits they bring to the Renfrewshire economy.

Council appreciates the significant financial benefits to Yorkshire which accrued when they hosted the first stage of the Tour de France in 2014.  Accordingly, this Council agrees to contact the Tour de France organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation, Scottish Cycling and the Scottish Government, to examine the viability of a bid to host the Grand Depart from Renfrewshire in the run up to Paisley 2021.

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

"The Getting it Right for Every Child approach is underpinned by common values and principles which apply across all aspects of working with children and young people. Some of these are:

• Promoting the well-being of individual children and young people
• Keeping children and young people safe: emotionally and physically
• Putting the child's views at the centre of decision making;
• Taking a whole child approach

Council therefore agrees that the principles of GlRFEC should be applied as part of our planning development process and that they also form part of any review or renewal of Renfrewshire's Local Development Plan and policies.

That the head of Housing and Development brings forward proposals of how that would be best achieved and in what timescale."

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, then moved the motion which was agreed unaninmously.

DECIDED: The Getting it Right for Every Child approach is underpinned by common values and principles which apply across all aspects of working with children and young people. Some of these are:

• Promoting the well-being of individual children and young people
• Keeping children and young people safe: emotionally and physically
• Putting the child's views at the centre of decision making;
• Taking a whole child approach

Council therefore agrees that the principles of GlRFEC should be applied as part of our planning development process and that they also form part of any review or renewal of Renfrewshire's Local Development Plan and policies.

That the head of Housing and Development brings forward proposals of how that would be best achieved and in what timescale.

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

"ln light of the bid for Paisley 2021 City of Culture.  Council agrees that the condition of Paisley town centre with regard to chewing gum deposits is an ongoing disgrace. This is reflective of the condition of Renfrewshire as a whole with regard to street cleanliness under this Labour administration.

Council agrees that immediate action is taken to clean Renfrewshire's town centres of chewing gum deposits and to maintain a cleaning regime that other Councils for example Stirling, appear not only to achieve but sustain."

Councillor McGurk, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, then moved the motion.

Councillor E Devine, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as an amendment to delete the motion and insert:

“Council recognises the problem of chewing gum deposits is a nationwide issue.  It affects not only Paisley town centre but other areas of Renfrewshire.  Despite the systematic cuts to the Council budget from the SNP Government, council has invested in “Eco Gum” removal technology and has embarked on a programme for the removal of discarded chewing gum from our streets.  Phase 1 of this programme has already commenced and is focussed on Paisley town centre before being rolled out across Renfrewshire.”

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, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

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

 

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

DECIDED: Council recognises the problem of chewing gum deposits is a nationwide issue.  It affects not only Paisley town centre but other areas of Renfrewshire. Despite the systematic cuts to the Council budget from the SNP Government, council has invested in “Eco Gum” removal technology and has embarked on a programme for the removal of discarded chewing gum from our streets.  Phase 1 of this programme has already commenced and is focussed on Paisley town centre before being rolled out across Renfrewshire.

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

"Council notes with concern the ongoing press reports of bullying within our schools.  Council is concerned that this has been a long running issue and that the current administration has failed to address bullying and to allow all our pupils to regard their school as a safe environment for learning."

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

Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor M Sharkey, moved as an amendment to delete the motion and insert:

“Renfrewshire Council is committed to tackling bullying wherever it occurs in Council services, and particularly in our schools.

Council notes the wide ranging and innovative work undertaken by Children’s Services in relation to tackling bullying, particularly through and the substantial work undertaken in partnership with Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, respectme, and the local, ground-breaking initiative, I Am Me.”

Council deplores the delay in releasing the updated national guidance on tackling bullying in schools and further calls on the Deputy First Minister to publish this by the end of this school term.

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, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

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

21 members having voted for the amendment and 17 members having voted for the motion, the amendment was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: Renfrewshire Council is committed to tackling bullying wherever it occurs in Council services, and particularly in our schools.

 

 

 

 

Council notes the wide ranging and innovative work undertaken by Children’s Services in relation to tackling bullying, particularly through and the substantial work undertaken in partnership with Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, respectme, and the local, ground-breaking initiative, I Am Me.

Council deplores the delay in releasing the updated national guidance on tackling bullying in schools and further calls on the Deputy First Minister to publish this by the end of this school term.

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.

There was submitted the Notice of motion by Councillors J Maclaren and McCartin in the following terms:

"ln Bishopton, the junction of Stuart Road and Leslie Avenue sits at a 'slow' S-bend in Stuart Road which regrettably does not necessarily attract slow moving vehicles in Stuart Road. Traffic is blind in at least one of the directions to emerging traffic from Leslie Avenue or, indeed crossing pedestrians in this residential area.  l do not understand the logic of the current replacement of two working lighting columns in Leslie Avenue whilst the Stuart Road column, only a hundred yards away but at a potentially dangerous junction, remains untouched.

Many of the missing lampposts in our council area are due to accidents.  l have mentioned the one in Bishopton but could easily have mentioned others such as those in Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir which is missing several posts due to accidents.  l have reported these and a number of other missing lampposts around my ward.  The feedback l get from the council officers is that the contractor will replace these lampposts once they have replaced the old lanterns with the new LED ones.  This is putting the cart before the horse.

Council is asked to change the priority and start replacing the missing lampposts as the old lanterns still provide light. Once these lampposts are replaced then the contractor can continue to replace with the new LED lanterns."

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

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved as an amendment that Council further agrees that as these street light columns are mainly damaged by a collision impact with vehicles, they will be replaced/repaired within one month of being reported to the Council in the interest of public safety.

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: ln Bishopton, the junction of Stuart Road and Leslie Avenue sits at a 'slow' S-bend in Stuart Road which regrettably does not necessarily attract slow moving vehicles in Stuart Road. Traffic is blind in at least one of the directions to emerging traffic from Leslie Avenue or, indeed crossing pedestrians in this residential area.  l do not understand the logic of the current replacement of two working lighting columns in Leslie Avenue whilst the Stuart Road column, only a hundred yards away but at a potentially dangerous junction, remains untouched.

Many of the missing lampposts in our council area are due to accidents.  l have mentioned the one in Bishopton but could easily have mentioned others such as those in Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir which is missing several posts due to accidents.  l have reported these and a number of other missing lampposts around my ward.  The feedback l get from the council officers is that the contractor will replace these lampposts once they have replaced the old lanterns with the new LED ones.  This is putting the cart before the horse.

Council is asked to change the priority and start replacing the missing lampposts as the old lanterns still provide light. Once these lampposts are replaced then the contractor can continue to replace with the new LED lanterns.

Council further agrees that as these street light columns are mainly damaged by a collision impact with vehicles, they will be replaced/repaired within one month of being reported to the Council in the interest of public safety.