Councillors Bibby, B Brown, M Brown, Caldwell, Cameron, Clark, E Devine, M Devine, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Gilmour, Grady, Provost Hall, Councillors Harte, Henry, Holmes, Hood, Kelly, Lawson, Mack, J MacLaren, M MacLaren, Macmillan, McEwan, McGurk, I McMillan, McQuade, Mullin, Murrin, Mylet, Nicolson, Noon, Perrie, J Sharkey, M Sharkey and Williams.

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); D Hawthorn, Head of Child Care & Criminal Justice (Children’s Services); and K Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, A MacArthur, Head of Finance, J Lynch, Head of Property Services, M Conaghan, Legal & Democratic Services Manager, L Belshaw, Democratic Services Manager and A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).

Chief Superintendent J Downie, Police Scotland; and A Lowe, Independent Chair, Renfrewshire Adult and Child Protection Committees.

Under reference to item 10 of page 298 of the Minute of the meeting of the Audit, Scrutiny & Petitions Board held on 30 November 2015 – Ward 15 (Children’s Ward) Royal Alexandra Hospital - Councillor J Sharkey, seconded by Councillor Grady, moved that the Minute be approved.

Under reference to item 10 of page 298 of the Minute of the meeting of the Audit, Scrutiny & Petitions Board held on 30 November 2015 – Ward 15 (Children’s Ward) Royal Alexandra Hospital – Councillor McEwan, seconded by Councillor Perrie, moved as an amendment that the Minute required to be corrected to show that Councillor M Macmillan had been invited to attend the Board.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, M MacLaren, Mack, 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, Grady, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Clark, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.

The following member abstained: Councillor J MacLaren.

14 members having voted for the amendment, 21 members having voted for the motion, and 1 member having abstained, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.


DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors M Devine, Harte and Nicolson, having declared an interest in the following item of business, remained in the meeting.

Under reference to item 2 of page 303 of the Minute of the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 2 December 2015 – Better Council Change Programme – Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved that the Minute be approved.





Under reference to item 2 of page 303 of the Minute of the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 2 December 2015 – Better Council Change Programme – Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Lawson, moved as an amendment that the Minute required to be corrected in that there was a disparity between the Minute and a decision of the Renfrewshire Leisure Limited Board on 10 December, 2015.

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

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

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

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

The meeting adjourned at 9.45 am to allow the children’s choir from Todholm Primary School to sing Christmas carols. The Provost thanked the children and staff for their performance. The meeting reconvened at 10.00 am.

Councillors Andy Doig and Audrey Doig returned to the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

Councillors Glen, K MacLaren, McCartin and McGee. 

Councillor Andy Doig declared a financial interest in items 5 and 8 of the agenda as he was a relative of an employee of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited and indicated his intention to leave the meeting during consideration of the items and not to take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Audrey Doig declared a financial interest in items 5 and 8 of the agenda as she was an employee of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited and indicated her intention to leave the meeting during consideration of the items and not to take part in any discussion or voting thereon.

Councillors M Devine, Harte and Nicolson declared a non-financial interest in items 1, 4 and 5 of the agenda as they were members of the Board of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited and indicated that it was their intention to take part in the discussion as they had a general dispensation from the Standards Commission which allowed them to take part and to vote in relation to such matters.

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

Council, 24 September 2015
Regulatory Functions Board, 8 October 2015
Social Work, Health & Well-being Policy Board, 15 October 2015
Local Review Body, 27 October 2015
Regulatory Functions Board, 4 November 2015
Education & Children Policy Board, 5 November 2015
Housing & Community Safety Policy Board, 10 November 2015
Local Review Body, 10 November 2015
Planning & Property Policy Board, 10 November 2015
Renfrew & Gallowhill Local Area Committee, 10 November 2015
Environment Policy Board, 11 November 2015
Finance & Resources Policy Board, 11 November 2015
Personnel Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service Appeals Panel, 12 November 2015
Paisley North Local Area Committee, 12 November 2015
Paisley South Local Area Committee, 17 November 2015
Economy & Jobs Policy Board, 18 November 2015
Regulatory Functions Board, 19 November 2015
Johnstone & The Villages Local Area Committee, 19 November 2015
Houston, Crosslee, Linwood, Riverside and Erskine Local Area Committee, 25 November 2015




Personnel Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service Appeals Panel, 26 November 2015
Audit, Scrutiny & Petitions Board, 30 November 2015
Leadership Board, 2 December 2015
Regulatory Functions Board, 3 December 2015

DECIDED: That the Minutes be approved except insofar as detailed separately in items 2 and 3 hereof.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the joint inspection of services for children and young people in Renfrewshire.

The inspection was part of a new national programme of scrutiny and was the first time that all children’s services in Renfrewshire had been inspected jointly. The inspection was led by the Care Inspectorate and included inspectors from Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland. Two young people with experience of the care service were also part of the inspection team. The inspection had taken place between December 2014 and February 2015 and the findings, which were attached to the report, had been published on 11 December 2015.

The inspection measured progress against nine quality indicators marked against a six point scale. Renfrewshire received six “very good”, two “good” and one “adequate” grades which was a very positive result given the scale of the inspection. This placed Renfrewshire in the top four of such inspections undertaken to date.

The inspection recognised that the community planning partners and elected members were all highly committed to working together and had a compelling vision, value and aims, with meaningful ownership across the partnership to collaboratively realise the vision.


The report listed the outcomes of the joint inspection, detailed the feedback provided from inspectors, and intimated that the inspection report had identified five recommendations to further strengthen key processes and multi-agency practice. A joint action plan had been produced in response. Training and practice had progressed since the inspection and action had already been taken to deliver improvements.

DECIDED:

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

(b) That the actions undertaken to strengthen processes in response to Care Inspectorate feedback be noted; and

(c) That progress of the joint action plan be reported to a future meeting of the Education & Children Policy Board.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 25 November 2015 of the UK Government’s Autumn Statement and Spending Review 2015.

The report highlighted key elements of the announcement in relation to the financial settlement for the Scottish Government and its potential impact on local government and the Council. Changes to specific UK Government departmental budgets had, under the Barnett formula, increased the Scottish Budget by an extra £1 billion by 2019/20.

The report intimated that the Scottish Government would announce its budget plans on 16 December 2015 and that these were likely to be for one year only with budgets for future years not expected to emerge until later in 2016. There was also a possibility that the local government finance settlement would be released on this date. At that point, clarity would emerge of the impact on the Council’s grant settlement and the extent to which that aligned with projections underpinning the Council’s budget planning process for 2016/17 through to 2017/18.

The Director of Finance & Resources intimated that the Scottish Government had announced its budget plans on 16 December 2015 for one year only and that, following analysis of the outcome for Renfrewshire, a comprehensive briefing would be provided for members on its impact on the Council budget.

Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved that the content of the report and the announcement by the Scottish Government of its own budget on 16 December 2015 be noted.

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor Perrie, moved as an amendment that, in addition, Council regrets the financial situation caused directly by the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review which had led to the Scottish Government’s inability to increase its overall 2016/17 budget without raising taxes.




Council notes that despite this the Scottish Government had:-

Maintained teacher numbers at 2015 levels nationally and secured places for all probationers who required one under the teacher induction scheme.

Protected household budgets already hit by UK Government austerity by proposing the 9th successive freeze in Council Tax – a saving of £1,500 for an average band D household.

Provided a £500 million boost for NHS, taking total spending to a record of nearly £13 billion.

Protected the Small Business Bonus – sheltering around 100,000 small firms from business rates.

Increased the Scottish Police Authority budget by £17.6 million, fulfilling the pledge to protect the budget in real terms in every year of the next Parliament - a boost of £100 million over the period.

Provided housing investment of £690 million, with an increase of around £90 million in affordable housing compared with 2015/16 – the first step to providing 50,000 new affordable homes by 2020/21.

Provided further investment of £115 million in digital infrastructure to include next generation broadband access to 95% of the population by 2017.

Provided 600 hours free high-quality early learning and childcare offered to all 3 and 4-year olds and vulnerable 2-year olds, moving to 1140 hours by the end of the next parliament.

Provided £38 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund, up to £343 million for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and £35 million to ensure no-one paid the 'bedroom tax'.

Maintained its commitment that higher education was based on ability to learn and not ability to pay.

Maintained free prescription and regular eye checks, along with free concessionary travel, free personal and nursing care.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, M MacLaren, Mack, 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, Grady, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Clark, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.

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



DECIDED: That the content of the report and the announcement by the Scottish Government of its own budget on 16 December 2015 be noted.


DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors M Devine, Harte and Nicolson, having declared an interest in the following item of business, remained in the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the review of progress to deliver the Council’s key objectives as set out in A Better Future, A Better Council (the Council Plan), approved for implementation in December 2013.

The report listed the progress made over the last two years to deliver outcomes for jobs and the economy; improved health, well-being and life chances for children and families; improved support to vulnerable adults;  reduction in the causes and impact of poverty; a safer and stronger Renfrewshire; and a better Council.

The reported highlighted that the Council was working well with its partners and despite financial challenges had achieved a significant amount for Renfrewshire. Progress had been confirmed through a range of external inspections and audits as well as comparison at a national level.

To take account of the changes that had occurred over the period and to take the organisation forward into 2017, the Council Plan had been revised and a copy of the Council Plan 2016/17 setting out the second phase of activity to deliver more long-term benefits to Renfrewshire was appended to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress made to deliver the Council Plan be noted;

(b) That the revised Council Plan 2016/17 as appended to the report be approved; and

(c) That the preparation and submission of a further progress report to Council in December 2016 be approved.


DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Andy Doig and Audrey Doig having declared an interest in the following item, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

Councillors M Devine, Harte and Nicolson, having declared an interest in the following item of business, remained in the meeting.

There was submitted a progress report by the Chief Executive relative to the transfer of cultural and leisure facilities and services to Renfrewshire Leisure Limited (RLL).

The report confirmed that the transfer of community centres and bowling greens to RLL had been completed on 1 December 2015 and set out the level of investment and scope of works now proposed for Glenburn, Gallowhill, Foxbar and Ralston Community Centres in Paisley, the Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir and Johnstone Castle Community Centre, Johnstone, at a total cost of £2,459,839.40 from the Council’s £3 million community investment fund of which £50,000 had already been committed to support Linwood Community Development Trust (LCDT) plans to redevelop playing fields at the site of the former Clippens School.

A further £250,000 had been earmarked from this fund as match funding for LCDT to secure lottery funding subject to future consideration of detailed funding proposals from LCDT.

It was anticipated that future discussions would take place between the working group and the management committees of community-managed halls to implement the works detailed within the report.

Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved that the Council notes the completion of the agreed transfer of cultural and leisure faciliites and services approved by Council on 18 December, 2014; notes the successful transfer of community centres and bowling greens to Renfrewshire Leisure on 1 December, 2015, as planned; agrees the proposals for investment and scope of works as outlined in section 5 of the report for the six community facilities identified in the report to Council on 25 June, 2015; and notes that despite decreasing grant income from the Scottish Government this administration has not closed and will not close any community facilities.  Council further notes the determination of this administration to enhance and improve our community facilities but recognises the challenge it faces in doing so whilst the Scottish Government continues to withhold funding and resources to enable these improvements.  Council will bring forward an accelerated programme of improvements to our community facilities as soon as the Scottish Government reverses its strategy of imposing deeper and faster cuts on local councils.

Councillor Lawson, seconded by Councillor Perrie, moved as a first amendment that the report be not approved.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved as a second amendment that Council notes that the near 50% closure of Ralston Community Sports Centre was done without any clear plan in place to develop alternative usage.  As sole member of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited, Council instructs its representatives on that body to pursue and develop a clear sustainable action plan to increase usage, opening hours and a long-term sustainable plan for the facility.

On the roll being called between the motion and the first amendment, the following members voted for the first amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, M MacLaren, Mack, McGurk, Cameron, Noon, M Brown, J MacLaren, McQuade and Nicolson.




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

13 members having voted for the first amendment and 21 members having voted for the motion, a vote was then taken between the motion and the second amendment.

On the roll being called the following members voted for the second amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, M MacLaren, Mack, McGurk, Cameron, Noon, M Brown, J MacLaren, McQuade and Nicolson. 

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

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

DECIDED:    
 
(a)    That the completion of the agreed transfer of cultural and leisure faciliites and services approved by Council on 18 December, 2014 be noted;

(b)    That the successful transfer of community centres and bowling greens to Renfrewshire Leisure on 1 December, 2015, as planned be noted;

(c)    That the proposals for investment and scope of works as outlined in section 5 of the report for the six community facilities identified in the report to Council on 25 June, 2015 be agreed; 

(d)    That it be noted that despite decreasing grant income from the Scottish Government this administration had not closed and will not close any community facilities;

(e)    That, further, the determination of this administration to enhance and improve our community facilities but recognises the challenge it faces in doing so whilst the Scottish Government continues to withhold funding and resources to enable these improvements be noted; and
 
(f)    That an accelerated programme of improvements to our community facilities as soon as the Scottish Government reverses its strategy of imposing deeper and faster cuts on local councils would be brought forward.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to Renfrewshire’s Gaelic Language Plan 2016/21 (the Plan) produced, in accordance with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, for Bòrd na Gaidhlig approval.

The Plan set out the Council’s proposals to enhance the status of Gaelic; promote the acquisition and leaning of Gaelic; and encourage the increased use of Gaelic. The Plan had been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements and with regard to the National Plan for Gaelic and the Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language Plans. A copy of the Plan was appended to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposals set out the in Gaelic Language Plan 2016/21 be agreed; and

(b) That the Gaelic Language Plan 2016/21 be submitted to Bòrd na Gaidhlig for approval

There was submitted a progress report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Council’s prudential indicators for 2015/16. The report detailed the position as at 16 October 2015 and intimated that in relation to the capital expenditure indicators, there was a net increase of £4.984 million in the planned Non-Housing capital expenditure and a decrease of £0.091 million in the planned Housing capital expenditure during 2015/16. The report detailed the reasons for the proposed revisions to the indicators.

The report set out the capital financing requirement for 2015/16, based on the position at 16 October 2015 and intimated a marginal increase of £1 million in the probable capital financing requirement at 31 March 2016 in Non-Housing services and an anticipated decrease of £4 million in housing services compared to the estimate for the period. The report detailed the reasons for the proposed revisions to the indicators.

The report also detailed proposed revisions to the external debt indicators and the position with treasury management and affordability indicators.

DECIDED: That the changes to the capital expenditure indicator and capital financing requirement, as detailed in the report, be approved.


DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Andy Doig and Audrey Doig, 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.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Council Protocol (the Protocol) to be observed following the death of a senior national figure or local holder of high office. The Protocol had been prepared with guidance from the National Association of Civic Officers and set out the ceremonial elements to be put in place, as appropriate, to mark such events in Renfrewshire. A copy of the Protocol was appended to the report.

The inclusion of HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in the Protocol list appended to the report was noted.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That the Protocol, as set out in the appendix to the report, with the inclusion of HRH the Princess Charlotte of Cambridge be approved.


ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11.05 am and reconvened at 11.15 am.


SEDERUNT

Councillors Andy Doig and Audrey Doig returned to the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors I McMillan and Bibby in the following terms:-

"Council calls on the Scottish Government's Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, to look into the possibility of a centre of excellence for work-related lung disorders to be based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital."

Councillor I McMillan, seconded by Councillor Bibby, then moved the motion which was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:     That the Council calls on the Scottish Government's Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, to look into the possibility of a centre of excellence for work-related lung disorders to be based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

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



"Council regrets reports that the UK Government may move to repeal the Human Rights Act from statute. Council recognises that the suggestion to replace this vital cornerstone of fundamental inalienable rights with the 'so-called' British Bill of Rights is viewed by many within Scotland with serious concern.

Council believes that any proposed 'British Bill of Rights' will serve as a vehicle to introduce opt outs of the fundamental and necessary protections required in a modern outward facing liberal society. Council calls on the UK Government to abandon any attempt to actively undermine the rights and protections of its citizens.

Council welcomes the comments of the First Minister on this issue and further calls on the Scottish Parliament to work with other such devolved UK legislatures to move to refuse consent of withdrawal of the protection and safeguards the HRA affords which is enshrined in the Scotland Act.
 
Council asserts its support in the strongest terms for retention of the rights and protections afforded by the HRA and recognises them as 'Constitutional statutes' and therefore not subject to the doctrine of implied repeal."

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

Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved as an amendment that motion be amended to delete the third paragraph and insert "Council notes the HRA came into force in the UK in 2000 and further notes the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 in relation to the rights contained in the European Convention of Human Rights.  Council welcomes opposition to the repeal of the Human Rights Act from individuals, civil liberties and other organisations and from political parties including Labour, Liberal Democrats and SNP.  Council calls on the Scottish Parliament to work with other such devolved UK legislatures to move to refuse the consent to withdrawal of the protections and safeguards the HRA affords, which are enshrined in the Scotland Act.  Council asserts its support in the strongest terms for the retention of the rights and protections afforded by the HRA and recognises the HRA as a 'constitutional statute' and therefore not subject to the doctrine of implied repeal."

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Nicolson and Audrey Doig, as mover and seconder of the motion agreed to the amendment.  The motion as amended was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: That the Council regrets reports that the UK Government may move to repeal the Human Rights Act (HRA) from statute. Council recognises that the suggestion to replace this vital cornerstone of fundamental inalienable rights with the 'so-called' British Bill of Rights is viewed by many within Scotland with serious concern.

Council believes that any proposed 'British Bill of Rights' will serve as a vehicle to introduce opt outs of the fundamental and necessary protections required in a modern outward facing liberal society. Council calls on the UK Government to abandon any attempt to actively undermine the rights and protections of its citizens.







Council notes the HRA came into force in the UK in 2000 and further notes the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 in relation to the rights contained in the European Convention of Human Rights. Council welcomes opposition to the repeal of the Human Rights Act from individuals, civil liberties and other organisations and from political parties including Labour, Liberal Democrats and SNP. Council calls on the Scottish Parliament to work with other such devolved UK legislatures to move to refuse the consent to withdrawal of the protections and safeguards the HRA affords, which are enshrined in the Scotland Act. Council asserts its support in the strongest terms for the retention of the rights and protections afforded by the HRA and recognises the HRA as a 'constitutional statute' and therefore not subject to the doctrine of implied repeal.

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

"This Council notes that epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions yet is also one of the least understood by the public, sympathises with the challenges faced by those suffering from epilepsy and their families, and seeks to support them in every way possible.

Council, accordingly, instructs the new Joint Integrated Social Work and Health Board to explore options for the provision of epilepsy seizure alarms for those Renfrewshire residents who require them, and recognises their role in both providing reassurance and promoting a more comprehensive package of care for epilepsy sufferers."

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

DECIDED:     That this Council notes that epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions yet is also one of the least understood by the public, sympathises with the challenges faced by those suffering from epilepsy and their families, and seeks to support them in every way possible.

Council, accordingly, instructs the new Joint Integrated Social Work and Health Board to explore options for the provision of epilepsy seizure alarms for those Renfrewshire residents who require them, and recognises their role in both providing reassurance and promoting a more comprehensive package of care for epilepsy sufferers.

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

"Council agrees in principle, to endeavour to incorporate the return of the MOD to Paisley into the Paisley 2021 bid for UK City of Culture."

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


DECIDED:     That the Council agrees in principle, to endeavour to incorporate the return of the Mod to Paisley into the Paisley 2021 bid for UK City of Culture.

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

"Council welcomes the vote in the Scottish Parliament on 3 November 2015 in which it called on the UK Government NOT to renew Trident."

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

DECIDED:     That this Council welcomes the vote in the Scottish Parliament on 3 November 2015 in which it called on the UK Government NOT to renew Trident. 

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

"Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)

Council notes that the European Union (EU) and the United States (USA) started negotiations in July 2013 on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Council expresses a concern over the lack of transparency in these negotiations and that the stated ambitions for TTIP go well beyond traditional goals of trade agreements and seek to encompass a wide spectrum of public policies. These include the harmonisation of regulatory standards; opening markets in the service sector which could potentially include public services such as health, social services and higher education; opening up of public procurement markets; and a massive expansion of the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism allowing corporate investors to challenge state actions which they perceive as threatening their investments.

Council believes that TTIP could have a detrimental impact on local services, employment, suppliers and decision-making. Therefore, a thorough impact assessment of TTIP on local authorities must be undertaken and that local decision-making must be protected from ISDS before negotiations can be concluded.

Council therefore agrees to write to both the UK and Scottish Governments to raise our concerns about the potential impact of TTIP on local authorities. Council will also contact other local authorities across Scotland, the UK and Europe which are opposed to TTIP and to work with them and with local campaigners to raise awareness about the problems of TTIP." 

Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved as an amendment that the last paragraph of the motion be removed and thereafter be combined with the terms of Notice of Motion (10) set out at item 18 of the agenda as follows and that item18 of the agenda would be withdrawn.

This Council notes that:


• discussions currently being conducted in secret between officials of the US and EU concerning the possible EU-US Transitional Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), may - in addition to affecting regulations in a range of areas such as food safety, employment rights and the environment, affect the future public ownership of services in areas such as the health service and in local government;

• recent reports on the TTIP discussions indicate that an agreement on TTIP may involve further tendering for public services by multi-national companies and allow these companies to sue elected administrations through an Investors State Dispute Settlement mechanism, an Investor Court System or an alternative but similar system, particularly when such elected administrations take previously privatised services back into public or common ownership;

• The UK government would play a role in the approval of the outcome of the TTIP discussions through the involvement of the relevant UK Government representatives in the EU Council of Ministers; and

• Many of the subject areas being considered by the TTIP discussions are areas over which local government and the Scottish Parliament has jurisdiction in Scotland.

Given the points above, this Council opposes TTIP and resolves to write to the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as Scottish MEPs, urging that they also declare their opposition to TTIP.

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Lawson and Perrie, as mover and seconder of the motion, agreed to the amendment.  The motion as amended was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That Council notes that the European Union (EU) and the United States (USA) started negotiations in July 2013 on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Council expresses a concern over the lack of transparency in these negotiations and that the stated ambitions for TTIP go well beyond traditional goals of trade agreements and seek to encompass a wide spectrum of public policies. These include the harmonisation of regulatory standards; opening markets in the service sector which could potentially include public services such as health, social services and higher education; opening up of public procurement markets; and a massive expansion of the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism allowing corporate investors to challenge state actions which they perceive as threatening their investments.

Council believes that TTIP could have a detrimental impact on local services, employment, suppliers and decision-making. Therefore, a thorough impact assessment of TTIP on local authorities must be undertaken and that local decision-making must be protected from ISDS before negotiations can be concluded.

This Council notes that:

• discussions currently being conducted in secret between officials of the US and EU concerning the possible EU-US Transitional Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), may - in addition to affecting regulations in a range of areas such as food safety, employment rights and the environment, affect the future public ownership of services in areas such as the health service and in local government;

• recent reports on the TTIP discussions indicate that an agreement on TTIP may involve further tendering for public services by multi-national companies and allow these companies to sue elected administrations through an Investors State Dispute Settlement mechanism, an Investor Court System or an alternative but similar system, particularly when such elected administrations take previously privatised services back into public or common ownership;

• The UK government would play a role in the approval of the outcome of the TTIP discussions through the involvement of the relevant UK Government representatives in the EU Council of Ministers; and

• Many of the subject areas being considered by the TTIP discussions are areas over which local government and the Scottish Parliament has jurisdiction in Scotland.

Given the points above, this Council opposes TTIP and resolves to write to the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as Scottish MEPs, urging that they also declare their opposition to TTIP.

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

"Council notes that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Willie Gallacher who played a leading role in advancing the rights of workers through the Clyde Workers Committee, the struggle for the 40 hour working week, the General Strike of 1926 and in his role as MP from 1935-50. Council believes the contribution of Willie Gallacher should be publicly recognised. To this end Council resolves to work with interested parties to ensure a memorial to him is erected at a suitable public location.”

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

DECIDED:     That Council notes that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Willie Gallacher who played a leading role in advancing the rights of workers through the Clyde Workers Committee, the struggle for the 40 hour working week, the General Strike of 1926 and in his role as MP from 1935-50. Council believes the contribution of Willie Gallacher should be publicly recognised. To this end Council resolves to work with interested parties to ensure a memorial to him is erected at a suitable public location.

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

"Council notes that next year will mark the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and the contribution of Renfrewshire residents who fought against the forces of Franco and fascism. Council will work with the International Brigade Memorial Trust to erect a suitable cairn (or similar) at a suitable public location in their memory and as a reminder of the contribution they made to internationalism and freedom."


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

DECIDED:     That Council notes that next year will mark the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and the contribution of Renfrewshire residents who fought against the forces of Franco and fascism. Council will work with the International Brigade Memorial Trust to erect a suitable cairn (or similar) at a suitable public location in their memory and as a reminder of the contribution they made to internationalism and freedom.

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

"This Council condemns the scandalous waste of time and resources expended by Labour councillors in their constant reporting of opposition members to the Standards Commission, particularly as almost every examination by the commission results in no case to answer. Council agrees that, if some Labour councillors would look to their own behaviour in the council chambers and elsewhere, the public would have a higher opinion of all councillors."

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

In terms of Standing Order 37, Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, moved that the question be now put.

On the roll being called, the following members voted in favour of the motion that the question be now put: B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, Grady, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Henry, M Macmillan, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Clark, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullen.

The following members voted against the motion that the question be now put: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, M MacLaren, Mack, McGurk, Cameron, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, M Brown, J MacLaren, McQuade and Nicolson.

21 members having voted in favour of the motion that the question be now put, and 15 members having voted against, the motion was approved and a vote was then taken for or against the substantive motion with the vote against the motion being taken as an amendment by Councillor M Macmillan, seconded by Councillor Holmes, that the motion be not approved.

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

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

21 members having voted for the amendment, and 15 members having voted for the substantive motion, the amendment was approved.

DECIDED: That the motion be not approved.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Harte and Gilmour which was withdrawn in terms of Standing Order 27.