Councillor Ann-Dowling declared an interest in item 2 for the reason that she was Chair of the Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.  Councillor Ann-Dowling indicated that as she had declared an interest, she would leave the online meeting during any discussion and voting on the item.

Councillor Montgomery declared an interest in item 2 for the reason that he was an employee of the Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.  Councillor Montgomery indicated that as he had declared an interest, he would leave the online meeting during any discussion and voting on the item.

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

Council, 16 December 2021
Appointments Board, 18 January 2022
Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board
Regulatory Functions Board, 19 January 2022
Education & Children's Services, 20 January 2022
Appointment Board, 21 January 2022
Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board, 24 January 2022
Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board, 26 January 2022
Personnel Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service Appeals Panel, 27 January 2022
Petitions Board, 31 January 2022
Finance, Resources & Customer Services Policy Board, 2 February 2022
Regulatory Functions Board, 3 February 2022
Appointments Board, 7 February 2022
Appointments Board, 15 February 2022
Leadership Board, 23 February 2022

DECIDED: That the Minutes be agreed.


Prior to consideration of the following items of business the Provost drew Members’ attention to the provisions of Section 112 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which restricted the voting rights of Members on certain issues if they were in arrears with Council Tax payments.

Copies of the procedures to be followed in respect of consideration of the Revenue Estimates and Council Tax (item 2 of the agenda); and the Housing Revenue Account Budgets, Rent Levels and Capital Investment Plans (item 4 of the agenda) were appended to the relevant reports.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2022/23, together with appendices detailing revenue estimates for 2022/23; estimates of expenditure and income for the year ended 31 March 2023; and the General Fund probable outturn for 2022/23.

The report provided an overview of the Council’s anticipated financial position on the General Fund revenue budget and set out the information required for the Council to set its budget and Council Tax for 2022/23. The report also recommended that councillors considered the immediate and medium-term financial context for the Council, the legacy impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on service costs and demands and income streams, the significant disruption to transformation plans, the need for the Council to support the social and economic recovery and renewal process, together with the ongoing financial pressures facing the public sector more generally all as detailed in the report.

It was noted that there would be a need for the budget position in 2022/23 to rely on the application of temporary financial flexibilities to address the reported budget deficit, with the need for the application of temporary financial flexibilities in this manner being a requirement to support the Council’s annual budget over the medium term.

The report stated that the Scottish Government had not provided detailed spending plans beyond their draft budget for 2022/23 but had through its Medium-term Financial Strategy (MTFS) outlined significant challenges in terms of the national budget, if agreed priorities were to be funded. The planned publication in May 2022 of the Scottish Resource Spending Review would hopefully provide increased certainty for the Council in terms of potential levels of grant.

The report highlighted key headlines from the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2022/23 and the key elements of the Council’s revenue settlement were summarised within the report and included an increase, in cash terms, in the Council’s Government Revenue Grant Settlement of £13,935 million (4.0%); the inclusion within the Council’s settlement of approximately £4.006 million of resources for Scottish Government priorities and commitments which drove a corresponding growth in Council spending; the requirement for the Council to forward around £11.655 million of funding for Social Care to the Integration Joint Board (IJB), as Children’s Social Care and Criminal Justice was not delegated to the IJB in Renfrewshire.

In addition to the normal revenue settlement, the Scottish Government had also confirmed non-recurring Covid-19 specific funding for local government as part of the 2022/23 budget settlement of £120 million.  It was noted that Renfrewshire’s share of this funding was £3.982 million.

The report advised that the medium-term outlook for the Council continued to remain highly uncertain, and there were now expected to be permanent cost impacts from the pandemic; however, pay and grant would continue to be the two biggest determinants of the Council’s financial outlook.

The report stated that in setting previous budgets, the Council had decided not to apply any general inflationary uplift to non-pay budgets. Given the financial challenges facing the Council, over the medium term and in line with historic practice, general non-pay inflation was not provided for in the 2022/23 budget. The Financial Regulations required charges for services to be reviewed at least annually. The overview of the Council’s spending, outlined in Table 3 of the report, made provision of £0.155 million for an inflation adjustment to charges of 3%.

Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, moved:

1  That this Administration’s fifth budget will continue to deliver on its commitments set out in its manifesto to the citizens of Renfrewshire to invest in inclusive economic growth, the environment, local communities and support the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire.

2  That as recommended by the Director, these budget proposals take a holistic view of resources available and include the use of the £1.800 million of available resources outlined in Agenda item 3 and direct them as follows: -

• In recognition of the critical role quality outdoor time has played in supporting our young people and wider communities during the challenging periods of lockdown, we will invest £0.400 million of funding supplemented by a further £0.800 million of capital funded through supported borrowing underpinned by £0.040 million of revenue resource, resulting in a total fund of £1.200 million to support a programme of lifecycle and maintenance improvements in artificial playing surfaces.

• £0.650 million of funding additional to the £2.350 million investment announced in 2020/21 and 2021/22, to support a programme of improvement projects across the school and early learning estate, bringing this total investment to £3.000 million over the three years.

• £0.700 million of additional funding (being £0.500 million from capital funds and £0.200 million from borrowing supported from recurring revenue resource of £0.015 million) to further augment the £2.330 million previously committed to invest in our community halls, with a future detailed report to the Leadership Board outlining proposals for this additional investment while prioritising our previous commitment for investment in Steeple Hall, Kilbarchan. 

• £0.150 million of funding for a new Retail Improvement Fund directed to support local businesses improve shop fronts, replacing the Fund which had been repurposed in 2020 to support local businesses implement social distancing measures 


• £0.100 million to extend the investment in the infrastructure with Renfrewshire’s cemeteries, bringing the total investment since 2020/21 to £0.500 million.

3  Recognising the difficulties our town centres have faced over recent years, Council agrees to commit the £2.250 million of existing town centre resources as outlined in the capital plan to the following priority areas:

• Johnstone £0.500 million, with a focus on priority areas of Houston Arcade, Floors Street, High Street and Houston bandstand

• Villages £0.450 million in total, to underpin a conservation and heritage grants scheme for property owners in and around village centres (£0.250 million); and also to replenish the Villages Investment Fund (£0.200 million). Council will also aim to supplement the grants scheme through other external sources

• Erskine £0.300 million, to be prioritised to support the economic development of the town through the development of new build industrial units

• Renfrew £1.000 million, to support the development of options for key sites and buildings such as the former Police Station and amenity improvements around Blythswood.

Building on recent success in levering external funding, the Council will consider how the allocation of these resources could be utilised potentially as contributions to unlock further grant funding possible from a range of national government grant programmes. The Council also undertakes to examine emerging opportunities for investment in Linwood.

4  Recognising the proposed development of buildings surrounding County Square, in particular to the rear of the Piazza Centre, Council agrees to pause the redevelopment of County Square itself with the allocated resource of £2.6m being deferred in the capital plan to future years while clarity with regards the wider commercial proposals develops; noting that the allocated resource will remain earmarked for investment in Paisley town centre and will be subject to local consultation. 

5  The Council has been successful in securing funding from the Learning Estate Investment Programme to enable a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus to be progressed; and a further round of bids for LEIP funding will be invited later in 2022. Council commits £10m from existing resource within the schools estate management plan as match funding towards a priority bid for a new Thorn Primary School in Johnstone. 

6  Many communities, households and families across Renfrewshire have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, with COVID exacerbating existing inequalities in terms of household income, health and wellbeing. The cost of living crisis is already beginning to worsen the challenges being experienced by local households and families. Tackling inequality and poverty, will continue to be key priorities for this Administration as we support communities to recover and thrive following the pandemic. 



This Administration is not just committed to listening but acting to address these inequalities and that is why today we will commit the following additional resources to support a new Fairer Renfrewshire programme: 

• £1 million from resources set aside in 2021/22 for social renewal and recovery in response to the pandemic but as yet uncommitted 

• The Council’s confirmed £3.982 million share of the £120 million of financial resources announced by the Scottish Government at Stage 2 of the Budget Bill on the 10th February 2022. 

This further £4.982 million of funding will supplement our existing Tackling Poverty Programme and Alcohol & Drugs Commission resources, with all activity coming together to form one Fairer Renfrewshire programme. 

Given the impacts of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we need to ensure that we are working with partners to adapt and to change the support that is available to people experiencing poverty and financial insecurity. This new funding commitment will support existing programmes of work around poverty and financial insecurity up to 2023/24 during which time the Council will explore sustainable funding options for the programme, ensuring Fairer Renfrewshire objectives remain a funded priority in the longer term.

Additionally, it is expected that tackling poverty across Renfrewshire’s communities will be supported from the deployment of £290 million of additional resources across Scotland by the Scottish Government in 2022/23 to tackle fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis.

Furthermore, the Council will ensure every penny of the funding received from the Scottish Government’s Local Authority COVID Economic Recovery Fund is allocated to support individuals and businesses recover from the pandemic and address cost of living challenges.

This commitment today will support our Social Renewal Plan, ensuring priorities and actions, co-produced by the community for the community, are backed up by substantial funding that will help and support our communities through this most challenging of times.

Full details of the deployment of these resources will be outlined in a future Fairer Renfrewshire report, however today we can confirm the following priority commitments to allow actions to be commenced now: -

• Funding for a joint 2-year pilot financial inclusion project in schools supported by Renfrewshire CAB; with a focus on areas where identified gaps in provision exist and those areas not covered by existing services such as Families First. The pilot will be fully developed in a future report to the Leadership Board.

• Additional top-up funding for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) of £0.300 million and top up funding to the Scottish Welfare Fund of £0.500 million.

• Building on the Scottish Government commitment to provide £150 to every household in council tax bands A-D and to every household in receipt of CTR; extend the funding of £0.230 million provided to households in 2021/22 from Winter Insecurity Monies and as agreed by the Leadership Board to tackle financial insecurity and hardship with a further commitment of £0.270 million, bringing the total support to £0.500 million in 2022.

• Funding of £0.100 million supplementing the £0.250 million set aside in the 21/22 budget to address the issue of children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

7  Council will commit £0.450 million from unallocated general reserves to pilot an enforcement service over 12 months to tackle fly tipping across Renfrewshire utilising CCTV technology and improved links to SEPA/Police Scotland; with a report back to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board at the end of the pilot to assess future options.

8  Council will further commit £0.200 million from Covid-specific general reserves to replenish the Cultural Heritage & Events Fund (CHEF) in 2022/23 in order to continue to support our local cultural and heritage organisations.

9.  Council also recognises the need to maintain a prudent level of unallocated reserves given the heightened level of risk over the medium term as outlined in the Director’s report; and as previously agreed by Council, commits to maintain the Council’s level of unallocated reserve at a minimum of £10.000 million moving into 2022/23, with any unallocated balance in excess of this amount to be transferred to the investment capital fund to provide additional capacity to support the financial flexibility mechanisms outlined in the Director’s report over the medium term.

10  To protect services to the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire, and in line with the conditions set out in the 2022/23 financial settlement, agree to the recommendation outlined in the Director’s report to make available £11.655 million of additional recurring resources to manage the net impact of new service and cost pressures within Adult Social Care Services, continue the implementation of the Carers Act, uplift free personal nursing care rates and provide funding for interim care and care at home services. These additional resources will be made available under delegation to the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) from 1 April 2022. In addition, as part of this delegation process, agree to continue to work in pro-active partnership with the RHSCP and social care providers to secure payment of the £10.50 minimum pay settlement to all adult social care workers in commissioned services.

11  To agree the base budget assessment for all services for 2022/23 as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources, and subject to agreement of item 9 above, agree a 2022/23 base budget of £457.367 million.

12  To agree to make provision in 2022/23 for pay inflation as detailed in section 5.1 of the Directors report and make no provision for general non-pay inflation, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources.

13  To agree to a general 3% inflationary increase in charges for services, subject to the note at paragraph 18 below.

14  To agree the resource allocations for 2022/23 for all services, as amended by these proposals.

15  To agree the detailed Revenue Estimates for all services be amended to reflect these proposals and the necessary allocation of central support costs, central repairs costs, capital charges, specific grants and loan charges provision with Directors authorised to take any action necessary to implement these decisions.

16  Subject to agreement of the above, to agree that the council tax for 2022/23 be set at £1,354.88 for Band D subjects, representing a 3.0% increase in the 2021/22 level, and for all bandings to be set at:

Band	2021/22	2022/23
A	876.95	903.26
B	1,023.10	1,053.79
C	1,169.26	1,204.34
D	1,315.42	1,354.88
E	1,728.32	1,780.17
F	2,137.56	2,201.69
G	2,576.03	2,653.31
H	3,222.78	3,319.46

                        
Note that the increase of 3% supports a financially responsible objective of achieving a recurring revenue balance with a minor revenue surplus of £0.055 million which is allocated as outlined at point 2 above.

Further note the £150 rebate as mentioned at point 6 above will result in every household in bands A-D and those in receipt of CTR paying less council tax in 2022/23 than in the current financial year.

17  Subject to agreement of the points above, agree that the Council’s budget is underpinned by appropriate decisions and makes appropriate provision to meet the specified commitments in the package of conditions linked to the Council’s grant settlement.

18  To agree to increase other charges for services by 3% (as detailed in paragraph 13 above) or where appropriate by the rate set in national legislation or guidance, or where charges are based on full cost recovery by the appropriate increase to maintain this position, subject to Directors being authorised:

(a)  to round the charge up or down to a figure deemed by them appropriate, and 

(b)  not to impose any increase, if having reviewed the implications of the increase, he or she determines it would be inappropriate to do so, having regard to any material factor applicable to the goods or services to which the charge relates. 

To note the requirement of financial code 13 that Directors review the amounts their departments charge for goods or services and if they think any charge needs to be increased, they will recommend this to the appropriate Board. The Council therefore agrees that when a Director carries out such a review and believes a charge for goods or services should be levied which reflects an increase greater than the increase of 3% or the rate set in national legislation or guidance, he or she will be entitled to recommend the same to the appropriate Board for approval.





Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9.45 am to allow members to consider the motion.  The meeting reconvened at 10.00 am.


Declarations of Interest

Councillors Ann-Dowling and Montgomery having previously declared an interest left the meeting.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Administration’s fifth budget would continue to deliver on its commitments set out in its manifesto to the citizens of Renfrewshire to invest in inclusive economic growth, the environment, local communities and support the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire;

(b)  That as recommended by the Director, these budget proposals take a holistic view of resources available and include the use of the £1.800 million of available resources outlined in Agenda item 3 and direct them as follows: -

• In recognition of the critical role quality outdoor time has played in supporting our young people and wider communities during the challenging periods of lockdown, the Council will invest £0.400 million of funding supplemented by a further £0.800 million of capital funded through supported borrowing underpinned by £0.040 million of revenue resource, resulting in a total fund of £1.200 million to support a programme of lifecycle and maintenance improvements in artificial playing surfaces.

• £0.650 million of funding additional to the £2.350 million investment announced in 2020/21 and 2021/22, to support a programme of improvement projects across the school and early learning estate, bringing this total investment to £3.000 million over the three years.

• £0.700 million of additional funding (being £0.500 million from capital funds and £0.200 million from borrowing supported from recurring revenue resource of £0.015 million) to further augment the £2.330 million previously committed to invest in our community halls, with a future detailed report to the Leadership Board outlining proposals for this additional investment while prioritising our previous commitment for investment in Steeple Hall, Kilbarchan.

• £0.150 million of funding for a new Retail Improvement Fund directed to support local businesses improve shop fronts, replacing the Fund which had been repurposed in 2020 to support local businesses implement social distancing measures.

• £0.100 million to extend the investment in the infrastructure with Renfrewshire’s cemeteries, bringing the total investment since 2020/21 to £0.500 million;

(c)  That the difficulties our town centres have faced over recent years be recognised, Council agrees to commit the £2.250 million of existing town centre resources as outlined in the capital plan to the following priority areas:

• Johnstone £0.500 million, with a focus on priority areas of Houston Arcade, Floors Street, High Street and Houston bandstand.

• Villages £0.450 million in total, to underpin a conservation and heritage grants scheme for property owners in and around village centres (£0.250 million); and also to replenish the Villages Investment Fund (£0.200 million). Council will also aim to supplement the grants scheme through other external sources.

• Erskine £0.300 million, to be prioritised to support the economic development of the town through the development of new build industrial units.

• Renfrew £1.000 million, to support the development of options for key sites and buildings such as the former Police Station and amenity improvements around Blythswood.

To agree that building on recent success in levering external funding, the Council would consider how the allocation of these resources could be utilised potentially as contributions to unlock further grant funding possible from a range of national government grant programmes. The Council also undertakes to examine emerging opportunities for investment in Linwood;

(d)  That the proposed development of buildings surrounding County Square be recognised, in particular to the rear of the Piazza Centre and that it be agreed that Council would pause the redevelopment of County Square itself with the allocated resource of £2.6m being deferred in the capital plan to future years while clarity with regards the wider commercial proposals develops; noting that the allocated resource would remain earmarked for investment in Paisley town centre and would be subject to local consultation;

(e)  That it be noted that the Council had been successful in securing funding from the Learning Estate Investment Programme to enable a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus to be progressed; and a further round of bids for LEIP funding would be invited later in 2022. That it be agreed that the Council would commit £10m from existing resource within the schools estate management plan as match funding towards a priority bid for a new Thorn Primary School in Johnstone;

(f)  That it be noted that many communities, households and families across Renfrewshire had been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, with Covid-19 exacerbating existing inequalities in terms of household income, health and wellbeing. The cost of living crisis was already beginning to worsen the challenges being experienced by local households and families. Tackling inequality and poverty, would continue to be key priorities for this Administration as we support communities to recover and thrive following the pandemic;

That this Administration was not just committed to listening but acting to address these inequalities and that is why today we would commit the following additional resources to support a new Fairer Renfrewshire programme: 

• £1 million from resources set aside in 2021/22 for social renewal and recovery in response to the pandemic but as yet uncommitted 

• The Council’s confirmed £3.982 million share of the £120 million of financial resources announced by the Scottish Government at Stage 2 of the Budget Bill on the 10th February 2022. 

This further £4.982 million of funding would supplement our existing Tackling Poverty Programme and Alcohol & Drugs Commission resources, with all activity coming together to form one Fairer Renfrewshire programme.

Given the impacts of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we need to ensure that we are working with partners to adapt and to change the support that was available to people experiencing poverty and financial insecurity. This new funding commitment would support existing programmes of work around poverty and financial insecurity up to 2023/24 during which time the Council would explore sustainable funding options for the programme, ensuring Fairer Renfrewshire objectives remained a funded priority in the longer term.

Additionally, it was expected that tackling poverty across Renfrewshire’s communities would be supported from the deployment of £290 million of additional resources across Scotland by the Scottish Government in 2022/23 to tackle fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis.

Furthermore, the Council would ensure every penny of the funding received from the Scottish Government’s Local Authority COVID Economic Recovery Fund was allocated to support individuals and businesses recover from the pandemic and address cost of living challenges.

This commitment today would support our Social Renewal Plan, ensuring priorities and actions, co-produced by the community for the community, were backed up by substantial funding that would help and support our communities through this most challenging of times. 

Full details of the deployment of these resources would be outlined in a future Fairer Renfrewshire report, however today we can confirm the following priority commitments to allow actions to be commenced now: -

• Funding for a joint 2-year pilot financial inclusion project in schools supported by Renfrewshire CAB; with a focus on areas where identified gaps in provision exist and those areas not covered by existing services such as Families First. The pilot would be fully developed in a future report to the Leadership Board. 

• Additional top-up funding for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) of £0.300 million and top up funding to the Scottish Welfare Fund of £0.500 million. 

• Building on the Scottish Government commitment to provide £150 to every household in council tax bands A-D and to every household in receipt of CTR; extend the funding of £0.230 million provided to households in 2021/22 from Winter Insecurity Monies and as agreed by the Leadership Board to tackle financial insecurity and hardship with a further commitment of £0.270 million, bringing the total support to £0.500 million in 2022 

• Funding of £0.100 million supplementing the £0.250 million set aside in the 21/22 budget to address the issue of children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing;




(g)  That it be agreed that Council would commit £0.450 million from unallocated general reserves to pilot an enforcement service over 12 months to tackle fly tipping across Renfrewshire utilising CCTV technology and improved links to SEPA/Police Scotland; with a report back to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board at the end of the pilot to assess future options;

(h)  That it be agreed that Council would further commit £0.200 million from Covid-specific general reserves to replenish the Cultural Heritage & Events Fund (CHEF) in 2022/23 in order to continue to support our local cultural and heritage organisations;

(i)  That it be noted that Council also recognised the need to maintain a prudent level of unallocated reserves given the heightened level of risk over the medium term as outlined in the Director’s report; and as previously agreed by Council, commits to maintain the Council’s level of unallocated reserve at a minimum of £10.000 million moving into 2022/23, with any unallocated balance in excess of this amount to be transferred to the investment capital fund to provide additional capacity to support the financial flexibility mechanisms outlined in the Director’s report over the medium term;

(j) That to protect services to the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire, and in line with the conditions set out in the 2022/23 financial settlement, that the recommendation outlined in the Director’s report be agreed to make available £11.655 million of additional recurring resources to manage the net impact of new service and cost pressures within Adult Social Care Services, continued the implementation of the Carers Act, uplifted free personal nursing care rates and provided funding for interim care and care at home services. These additional resources would be made available under delegation to the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) from 1 April 2022. In addition, as part of this delegation process, that it be agreed to continue to work in pro-active partnership with the RHSCP and social care providers to secure payment of the £10.50 minimum pay settlement to all adult social care workers in commissioned services;

(k)  That the base budget assessment for all services for 2022/23 as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources be agreed, and subject to agreement of item 9 above, a 2022/23 base budget of £457.367 million be agreed;

(l)  That it be agreed that provision be made in 2022/23 for pay inflation as detailed in section 5.1 of the Directors report and make no provision for general non-pay inflation, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources;

(m)  That a general 3% inflationary increase in charges for services be agreed, subject to the note at paragraph 18 below;

(n)  That the resource allocations for 2022/23 for all services be agreed, as amended by these proposals;

(o)  That it be agreed that the detailed Revenue Estimates for all services be amended to reflect these proposals and the necessary allocation of central support costs, central repairs costs, capital charges, specific grants and loan charges provision with Directors authorised to take any action necessary to implement these decisions;

(p)  That it be agreed that the council tax for 2022/23 be set at £1,354.88 for Band D subjects, representing a 3.0% increase in the 2021/22 level, and for all bandings to be set at:

Band	2021/22	2022/23
A	876.95	903.26
B	1,023.10	1,053.79
C	1,169.26	1,204.34
D	1,315.42	1,354.88
E	1,728.32	1,780.17
F	2,137.56	2,201.69
G	2,576.03	2,653.31
H	3,222.78	3,319.46

   
To note that the increase of 3% supports a financially responsible objective of achieving a recurring revenue balance with a minor revenue surplus of £0.055 million which was allocated as outlined at point 2 above.

To further note the £150 rebate as mentioned at point 6 above would result in every household in bands A-D and those in receipt of CTR paying less council tax in 2022/23 than in the current financial year;

(q)  That it be agreed that the Council’s budget was underpinned by appropriate decisions and to make appropriate provision to meet the specified commitments in the package of conditions linked to the Council’s grant settlement; and

(r)  That it be agreed to increase other charges for services by 3% (as detailed in paragraph 13 above) or where appropriate by the rate set in national legislation or guidance, or where charges are based on full cost recovery by the appropriate increase to maintain this position, subject to Directors being authorised;

(i) To agree to round the charge up or down to a figure deemed by them appropriate, and 

(ii) To agree not to impose any increase, if having reviewed the implications of the increase, he or she determined it would be inappropriate to do so, having regard to any material factor applicable to the goods or services to which the charge relates.

To note the requirement of financial code 13 that Directors review the amounts their departments charge for goods or services and if they thought any charge needed to be increased, they would recommend this to the appropriate Board. That Council therefore agreed that when a Director carried out such a review and believed a charge for goods or services should be levied which reflected an increase greater than the increase of 3% or the rate set in national legislation or guidance, he or she would be entitled to recommend the same to the appropriate Board for approval.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the planned capital investment for non-housing services for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27 which covered a range of corporate projects across all service areas within the Council with the exception of council housing. The report advised that the resources available to support investment included prudential borrowing and capital grant as well as contributions from revenue, partners, and external funding bodies.

The report intimated that on 9 December 2021 the Scottish Government published the draft Scottish Government budget for 2022/23 and the provisional local government finance settlement. The proposed 2022/23 capital grant for Renfrewshire Council was £12.860 million, of which £0.785 million was specific grant relating to cycling and walking safer streets and £12.075 was general capital grant.   It was noted that this was broadly in line with the level of general capital grant allocated to the Council in 2021/22.  The level of general capital grant allocated to local government in the draft budget for 2022/23 remained similar to that received in 2021/22, with the addition of £30 million relating to the expansion of free school meals.  The Scottish Government had previously indicated that the level of core capital grant over the medium term would remain at flat cash for the duration of this Parliament excluding funding for flood risk management.  Confirmation of this funding environment would present challenges for the Council in terms of addressing asset lifecycle maintenance costs which generally equated to or exceeded £12 million annually.  As a result, there would be little scope for any investment in assets other than rolling lifecycle maintenance unless the Council was able to access and secure other sources of funding.  There were likely to be limited opportunities for capital receipts as a source of income to the capital plan; suggesting potentially a greater reliance on increased borrowing as the main source of capital funding outwith the capital grant settlement. It was noted that increased borrowing, however, would result in revenue pressures at a time when the revenue fund was also severely constrained.

It was noted that the capital plan outlined in the report, and detailed in Appendices 1- 5, extended beyond 2022/23 but that no capital grant from 2023/24 had been incorporated. Approved programmes already in place which were funded by other arrangements, for example prudential borrowing or specific funding related to the City Deal had however been included. It was further noted that this approach did not preclude the Council taking further investment decisions as part of the budget process where separate funding arrangements were established.

The report stated that that the Prudential and Treasury Management Codes played a key role in capital finance in local authorities and required the Council to set prudential and treasury management indicators for the following three years to ensure that the Council’s capital investment plans were affordable, prudent and sustainable. The Treasury Management Code further required that the Council approved, annually in advance, a strategy for its treasury management activities, whilst the Prudential Code also required full Council approval of the Capital Strategy which set out the long-term context within which capital investment decisions were made to improve capital, revenue and balance sheet planning. Details of the proposed prudential indicators and treasury management strategy and proposed capital strategy were attached as Appendices 4 and 5 of the report respectively.
Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, moved:

(a)  That the Capital Investment Programme covering the period up to 2026/27 as summarised in Table 2 of the report and detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 attached be approved;

(b)  That it be noted that the level of core capital grant available nationally had been indicatively confirmed to remain at current levels over the medium term;  however, no assumptions were included within the planned programme beyond this financial year in respect to future grant levels;

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Facilities Management, Head of Operations and Infrastructure, and Head of Schools in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, to adjust where appropriate resources across individual components of the lifecycle maintenance, roads and structures and schools investment programmes respectively;

(d)  That the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix 4 to the report, subject to any required adjustments arising from decisions taken by the Council in relation to the capital and revenue budget reports being presented to this Council meeting be approved;

(e)  That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23, including the treasury management indicators, set out in Appendix 4 to the report be approved;

(f)  That the Capital Strategy set out in Appendix 5 to the report be approved; and

(g)  That the equality impact of any decisions being taken by Members relating to these recommendations outlined above be considered.

This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Capital Investment Programme covering the period up to 2026/27, as summarised in Table 2 of the report and detailed in Appendices 1 and 2, attached be agreed;

(b)  That it be noted that the level of core capital grant available nationally had been indicatively confirmed to remain at current levels over the medium term;  however, no assumptions were included within the planned programme beyond this financial year in respect to future grant levels;

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Facilities Management, Head of Operations & Infrastructure and Head of Schools in consultation with the Director of Finance & Resources, to adjust where appropriate resources across individual components of the lifecycle maintenance, roads and structures and schools investment programmes respectively;

(d)  That the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix 4 to the report, be agreed;

(e)  That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23, including the treasury management indicators, set out in Appendix 4 to the report be agreed;

(f)  That the Capital Strategy set out in Appendix 5 to the report be agreed; and

(g)  That the equality impact of any decisions being taken by Members relating to these recommendations outlined above were considered.

There was submitted a joint report by the Directors of Communities & Housing and Finance & Resources relative to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for financial year 2022/23 and the Housing Capital Investment Plan 2022/23 to 2026/27. Appendices to the report detailed budget changes for 2022/23; anticipated expenditure and income for the year ending 31 March 2022; and the Housing Capital Investment Plan 2022/23 to 2023/24.

The report highlighted the impact of Covid-19 on the HRA and set out the range of operational pressures that had emerged and the adjustments to budgets and resources which were required to deal with these impacts and pressures.

The report provided an update on consultation with tenants on the annual rent setting process and outlined ongoing risks and challenges facing the HRA.  It was noted that 93% of those consulted supported a rent increase of 2% or more.

The report detailed the Housing Capital Investment Plan for the five-year period from 2022/23 to 2027/28 which would deliver a total investment of £266.65 million over a five-year period in the Council’s housing stock. It was anticipated that this level of investment would attract £23.97 million of government grant for projects such as new builds and this resulted in a net capital programme amounting to £242.68 million.

Councillor McGurk, seconded by Councillor McNaughtan, moved;

(a)  That an average weekly rent increase of 2% for 2022/23 for housing rents be approved;

(b)  That the findings of the recent Tenant Consultation exercise be noted;

(c)  That the Housing Revenue Account Budget for financial year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report be approved;

(d)  That the Housing Capital Investment Plan 2022/23 to 2027/28 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report be approved; and

(e)  That the continuing requirement to achieve best value in the commissioning of works by having an optimum workflow over the five years of the investment plan be noted and that the Director of Communities & Housing Services be authorised to liaise with the Director of Finance & Resources to re-profile the capital programme and available resources, as necessary, in line with the appropriate limits established under the Council’s capital prudential framework arrangements.

This was agreed.



DECIDED:

(a)  That an average weekly rent increase of 2% for 2022/23 for housing rents be agreed;

(b)  That the findings of the recent Tenant Consultation exercise be noted;

(c)  That the Housing Revenue Account Budget for financial year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report be agreed;

(d)  That the Housing Capital Investment Plan 2022/23 to 2027/28 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report be agreed; and

(e)  That the continuing requirement to achieve best value in the commissioning of works by having an optimum workflow over the five years of the investment plan be noted and that the Director of Communities & Housing Services be authorised to liaise with the Director of Finance & Resources to re-profile the capital programme and available resources, as necessary, in line with the appropriate limits established under the Council’s capital prudential framework arrangements.

Under reference to item 11 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 16 December 2021, there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Infrastructure relative to the proposed installation of neurodivergent community approved communication boards in all of Renfrewshire’s parks.

The report advised of the work which had been undertaken to initially install neurodivergent communications boards (NCBs) in the six parks in Renfrewshire detailed in the appendix to the report.  The initial boards would be the subject of review with the neurodivergent community to inform the approach to NCBs to be taken across all parks in Renfrewshire with updates being provided to the Infrastructure Land & Environment Policy Board on the development and implementation of the programme across Renfrewshire’s parks.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the report and the work undertaken to date to research neurodivergent communication boards be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that the communication boards, created in partnership with the neurodivergent community, would be installed in the parks listed in the appendix; and

(c)  That it be noted that the updates on the role out of the communication boards throughout Renfrewshire’s parks would be reported through the Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board.

Under reference to item 5 of the Minute of the meeting of the Council held on 16 December 2021, there was submitted a report by Director of Finance & Resources relative to the arrangements for Board and Council meetings up to and including the meeting of the Council to be held on 28 April 2022.

The report confirmed arrangements which took into account the current position on public health measures and guidance in place to combat Covid-19, including the Omicron variant, and any other public health concerns that would prevent elected members attending meetings in person in the Chambers.  The arrangements set out in the report continued those previously put in place to allow maximum flexibility to enable meetings to take place in the most appropriate and safe way, while taking into account any public health guidance or advice available at the time of the meetings.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the arrangements for Council and Board meetings set out in section 3 of the report, which would continue to include the options to use hybrid meetings involving elected members attending meetings in person in Renfrewshire House, should this be consistent with advice and guidance on public health, or to hold meetings remotely using the Teams platform be agreed; and

(b)  That it be noted that the arrangements for future meetings of Council and Boards would be brought to the next meeting of the Council to be held on 28 April 2022.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Afghanistan Crisis appeal.

The report advised that the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an emergency appeal on 15 December 2021 to support people impacted by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.  It was noted that the DEC was an umbrella organisation of 15 aid organisations that had come together to respond as required to humanitarian crises and disasters.  The DEC had launched the appeal in response to the recent conflict and economic crisis in Afghanistan, coupled with drought and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report advised that funding had been committed by the UK and Scottish Governments, and DEC had also engaged with local authorities through COSLA on the actions that they could take to support and promote the appeal. 

As the Council was not authorised to provide direct relief to communities abroad, the report proposed that a donation of £10,000 was made to the DEC to fund its member charities’ UK-based activities in recognition of the considerable strain the crisis in Afghanistan had placed on the resources of these charities.  It was noted that the Council’s Communications team would continue to work with partners to promote the appeal and raise awareness of this across Renfrewshire.

Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved that the Council agrees to make a donation of £10,000 to the disasters Emergency Committee to fund its members UK-based activities in recognition of the considerable strain which the crisis in Afghanistan has placed on the resources of a number of UK-based charities; and that a supplementary estimate of £10,000 for this donation be approved; and that Council also agrees to make a donation of £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee to support its fund-raising campaign for Ukraine and in recognition of the considerable strain which the crisis in Ukraine has placed on the resources of a number of UK based charities. This will help provide support for humanitarian relief to people forced to escape the brutal war launched against civilians by Russia.

A supplementary estimate of £20,000 for these donations be approved.

DECIDED:  That Council makes a donation of £10,000 to the disasters Emergency Committee to fund its members UK-based activities in recognition of the considerable strain which the crisis in Afghanistan has placed on the resources of a number of UK-based charities; and that a supplementary estimate of £10,000 for this donation be agreed; and that Council also agrees to make a donation of £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee to support its fund-raising campaign for Ukraine and in recognition of the considerable strain which the crisis in Ukraine has placed on the resources of a number of UK based charities. This will help provide support for humanitarian relief to people forced to escape the brutal war launched against civilians by Russia.

A supplementary estimate of £20,000 for these donations be agreed.

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

"Crash Barriers

Council agrees to install crash barriers at the Glasgow/Hawkhead/Arkleston Road junction as a matter of urgency. In the last two months there has been two crashes at the same junction where vehicles have mounted the pavement and damaged residential property.

Council is thankful there has not been any serious injury to any of the drivers or pedestrians so far.

Council instructs our council officers to arrange the installation of crash barriers immediately to protect pedestrians. Council further instructs officers to carry out a site visit with local ward Councillors along with representatives of Ralston and Paisley East and Whitehaugh Community Councils to hear and listen to concerns regarding the safety of the junction."

Councillor Graham, seconded by Councillor Sharkey, then moved the motion.

Councillor Adam-McGregor seconded by Councillor Paterson moved as an amendment to remove “crash barriers” and replace with “pedestrian guardrails”.

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Graham and Sharkey being the mover and seconder of the motion agreed to accept the amendment and the motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:

(a)  That Council agreed to install pedestrian guardrails at the Glasgow/Hawkhead/Arkleston road junction as a matter of urgency. In the last two months there had been two crashes at the junction where vehicles had mounted the pavement and damaged residential property;

(b)  Council was thankful there had not been any serious injury to any of the drivers or pedestrians so far; and

(c)  Council instructs our council officers to arrange the installation of pedestrian guardrails immediately to protect pedestrians.  Council further instructs officers to carry out a site visit with local ward Councillors along with representatives of Ralston and Paisley East and Whitehaugh Community Councils to hear and listen to concerns regarding the safety of the junction.

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

"Tackling Fuel Poverty

Council calls on the UK Government to bring forward policies to tackle the massive increase in energy prices which has resulted in the energy regulator announcing the new energy bill price cap will rise by 54 per cent per cent from April 2022. This rise will have a serious impact on all Renfrewshire residents, especially since recent information from Energy Action Scotland estimates that 22% of local households are suffering from fuel poverty. It’s time that the UK Government put the public ahead of the greed of the fuel companies and their shareholders."

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

DECIDED:  That this Council calls on the UK Government to bring forward policies to tackle the massive increase in energy prices which had resulted in the energy regulator announcing the new energy bill price cap will rise by 54 per cent per cent from April. This rise would have a serious impact on all Renfrewshire residents, especially since recent information from Energy Action Scotland estimated that 22% of local households were suffering from fuel poverty. It’s time that the UK Government put the public ahead of the greed of the fuel companies and their shareholders.

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

“Council agreed the following motion in it’s December 2020 meeting:

“DECIDED: Council recognises that new child and adolescent mental health waiting times statistics for April to June 2020 show a record 1,520 children waiting more than a year for treatment. Council further recognises that the Scottish Government's old strategy already wasn't working, because three years in, it had led to record numbers of children waiting over a year for the help they need. Council demands therefore that the Scottish government brings forward a recovery plan to meet existing and heightened demand for CAMHS services, including immediate new steps to seriously expand the workforce.”

Council thereafter wrote to the Health Minister of the time, Jeanne Freeman, to raise this matter. No response appears to have been sent.

Council recognises that some funding was provided in the council’s 21/22 budget to begin to tackle mental health issues, with most of this £1m was earmarked only for those with mental health problems which stemmed largely from addiction illnesses, a vital service.

Council further notes that an extra £250k was added to the budget to be directed to child and adolescent waiting times.

Council is requested to give full details of what actions have been taken in the last year to implement this decision of the council to support children and young people, how many extra qualified staff have been employed, and what levels of individual support have been given in the last year.”

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

It was noted that a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Education & Children’s Services Policy Board on 12 March 2022 in relation to an update on Renfrewshire Schools’ mental health and wellbeing.

It was also proposed that the Health & Social Care Partnership would provide information to all members in relation to children being seen within an 18-week period.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:  

(a)  Council agreed the following motion in its December 2020 meeting:

“DECIDED: Council recognises that new child and adolescent mental health waiting times statistics for April to June 2020 show a record 1,520 children waiting more than a year for treatment. Council further recognises that the Scottish Government's old strategy already wasn't working, because three years in, it had led to record numbers of children waiting over a year for the help they need. Council demands therefore that the Scottish government brings forward a recovery plan to meet existing and heightened demand for CAMHS services, including immediate new steps to seriously expand the workforce.”;

Council thereafter wrote to the Health Minister of the time, Jeanne Freeman, to raise this matter. No response appeared to have been sent;

Council recognised that some funding was provided in the council’s 21/22 budget to begin to tackle mental health issues, with most of this £1m was earmarked only for those with mental health problems which stemmed largely from addiction illnesses, a vital service;

Council further noted that an extra £250k was added to the budget to be directed to child and adolescent waiting times; and

Council was requested to give full details of what actions had been taken in the last year to implement this decision of the Council to support children and young people, how many extra qualified staff had been employed, and what levels of individual support had been given in the last year;

(b)  That the Health & Social Care Partnership would provide information to all members in relation to children being seen within an 18-week period;

(c)  That it be noted that a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Education & Children’s Services Policy Board on 12 March 2022 in relation to an update on Renfrewshire Schools’ mental health and wellbeing.

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

"Resignation of Prime Minister

Council calls on Boris Johnston to resign as Prime Minister."

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

Councillor Graham, seconded by Councillor Begg, moved as an addition that Council also agrees that all elected members in the United Kingdom should not appear on Russian state-owned propaganda networks Russia Today and Sputnik and we call on those who refuse to resign.

In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors K MacLaren and Mylet, being the mover and seconder of the motion agreed to accept the amendment to the motion as an addition, and the motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously.


DECIDED:

(a)  Council called on Boris Johnston to resign as Prime Minister; and

(b)  Council also agreed that all elected members in the United Kingdom should not appear on Russian state-owned propaganda networks Russia Today and Sputnik and the Council called on those who refused to resign.

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

"Scotrail Ticket Office Closures

Council is concerned with ScotRail’s plans to reduce the opening hours of train station ticket offices across Renfrewshire and beyond. Council will contact both Scotrail and the Scottish Government to express our opposition to these changes due to the impact they will have on passenger safety and urge that these proposals are scrapped."

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

DECIDED:  

(a)  That Council was concerned with ScotRail’s plans to reduce the opening hours of train station ticket offices across Renfrewshire and beyond; and

(b)  Council would contact both Scotrail and the Scottish Government to express our opposition to the changes due to the impact they would have on passenger safety and urge that these proposals were scrapped.

There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Ann-Dowling and McCulloch in the following terms:

"Highways Repair

Pavements and pothole repairs are some of the most commonly raised issues with councillors in Renfrewshire and in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank in particular. All councillors will know how dangerous broken pavements and potholes can be to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

Council agrees that undertaking longer term road resurfacing work to prevent potholes from appearing in the first place must be given higher priority. Worsening roads and pavements show that repairs are not keeping pace with need.

Therefore, Council agrees to prepare for next meeting a comprehensive strategy to improve all of Renfrewshire’s roads, pavements and pathways to an acceptable condition."


Councillor Ann-Dowling, seconded by Councillor McCulloch, then moved the motion.

Councillor McEwan, seconded by Councillor Campbell, moved as an amendment:

“Pavements and pothole repairs are some of the most commonly raised issues with councillors in Renfrewshire including Houston, Crosslee and Linwood and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank. All councillors will know the value in having a comprehensive strategy and budget in place to maintain our roads and footways to an acceptable standard.

Council agrees to note the extensive investment strategy implemented over a four year during this administration that has tackled a significant amount of repairs, that it is an ongoing priority for the council in coming years and that a refreshed update on the strategy be prepared for the next suitable council meeting”.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment:  Councillors Adam-McGregor, Burns, J Cameron, Provost L Cameron, Councillors Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don, Hughes, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Ann-Dowling, Begg, Bibby, Binks, Brown, Davidson, Devine, Devine-Kennedy, Andy Doig, Grady, Graham, Harte, Hood, Kerr, J MacLaren, McCartin, McCulloch, McIntyre, Montgomery, Sharkey, and Strang.

The following member abstained:  Councillor Mackay.

19 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: Pavements and pothole repairs were some of the most commonly raised issues with councillors in Renfrewshire and in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank in particular. All councillors knew how dangerous broken pavements and potholes could be to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

Council agrees that undertaking longer term road resurfacing work to prevent potholes from appearing in the first place must be given higher priority. Worsening roads and pavements showed that repairs were not keeping pace with need.

Therefore Council agrees to prepare for next meeting a comprehensive strategy to improve all of Renfrewshire’s roads, pavements and pathways to an acceptable condition.