Programme of Reviews 25 26 final 1
Renfrewshire Council · 19 January 2026
Back to Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board — 19 January 2026 and its agenda
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1 PUBLIC To: Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board On: 19 January 2026 Report by: Director of Finance & Resources Heading: AUDIT, RISK & SCRUTINY ANNUAL PROGRAMME 2025/26 1 Summary 1.1 Each year the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board prepares a report on the Programme of Reviews. The guidelines suggest that in relation to (a) scrutiny of service delivery and performance and (b) monitoring and reviewing service delivery, performance, policies and practices, the Board may select particular areas for investigation as part of its annual programme, thereafter making recommendations to the Council. 1.2 In relation to the Council's role in community leadership, the guidelines recognise that this is not clear cut and requires to be considered carefully to ensure that the respective functions and responsibilities of other public bodies are not compromised but that the Board allows the Council to provide a forum for an informed public debate on these issues. 1.3 Each year it has been the practice that members of the Board are asked to suggest topics for investigation and to provide information in relation to why the investigation should be undertaken and the anticipated outcome. 1.4 This report and attached appendix details the Review topics which were discussed at the Programme of Reviews 2025/26 development session which was held on 20 October 2025 and outlines the possible timescales. 1.5 Members are asked to agree the phased implantation plan attached as an appendix to this report.
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2 PUBLIC 2 Recommendations 2.1 That Members agree the phased implantation plan attached for the annual Programme of Reviews 2025/26. 3 Background 3.1 In terms of the 2024/25 Annual Programme, the following reviews went forward as part of the Annual Programme: • Neighbour disputes; • Lack of house and garden maintenance by some tenants and residents; • Lead piping in public and private housing in Renfrewshire; • Cyber security; and • City Deal governance and arrangements. 3.2 The review on neighbour disputes was presented to the Board on 23 September 2024 and noted by Council on 12 December 2024; the review of lack of house and garden maintenance by some tenants and residents is currently underway by Lead Officer Maurice Gilligan; the lead piping in public and private housing in Renfrewshire review is next on the list for review; a presentation was given to the Board on 19 August 2024 in relation to City Deal governance and arrangements; and a presentation was given to the Board on 20 May 2024 in relation to cyber security. 3.3 Members also agreed at the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny meeting held on 19 May 2025: • That a briefing be brought to a future meeting of this Board after the Council meeting on 25 September 2025, as part of the Programme of Reviews, on the financial risks for the Council, in relation to the Integration Joint Board; • That a briefing on the IJB and transformative change be brought to a future meeting of the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board. 3.4 It had previously been agreed that officers would assist Members to develop the Board’s Annual Programme of Reviews to ensure that due consideration was given to the corporate risks and priorities. Members would also have due regard to the requirement set out in the Guidelines for Operation of the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board that all matters be considered objectively and impartially and that the party whip will not apply. 3.5 It was further agreed that Members would still have the ability to submit written intimations to the Board to consider matters they would like reviewed. A session would be held annually with officers and members to consider strategic and corporate risks and Council priorities to inform the development of the annual Programme of Reviews.
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3 PUBLIC 3.6 At the development session held on 20 October 2025 to discuss the Programme of Reviews for 2025/26 the reviews which were ongoing; still to commence; and new suggestions were discussed in detail and as a result, the appendix to this report was formulated which outlines the reviews and timescales which will form the basis of the Programme of Reviews for 2025/26. Implications of the Report Financial – none HR & Organisational Development – none Community Planning – none Legal – none Property/Assets – none Information Technology – none Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. Health & Safety – none Procurement – none Risk – none Privacy Impact – none Cosla Policy Position – not applicable Climate Risk – none List Of Background Papers None Author: Carol MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officer, Finance & Resources. email: carol.macdonald@renfrewshire.gov.uk Children's Rights - none
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OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board Programme of Reviews 2025/26 Development Session – 20 October 2025 Current Programme No Review Suggestion Comments Further Action Responsible Officer Timescale Ongoing 1 Lack of Housing and Garden Maintenance Discussed at Board on 21 September 2025. Members asked for further work to be undertaken and a report to be submitted to a future board Further Work Ongoing. Maurice Gilligan January 2026. Still to Commence 2 Lead Piping in Public and Private Housing in Renfrewshire This was a result of a Council Motion by Councillors Doig/Hannigan. Officer now nominated to lead review. Rachael Flanagan To commence January 2026 3 Financial Risks for the Council in relation to the IJB This was requested by the Board as a result of Internal Audit Report/Risk Report in May 2025. At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025 Members agreed that Reviews 3, 4 and 5 would be dealt with together and a briefing brought to the Board in early 2026 after the Scottish Government had published their Budget at the end of January 2026. It would then be decided if further work was required. To consider the statutory duties of IJB and whether additional services were being provided. Alastair MacArthur May 2026 4 IJB and Transformational Change This review was requested by the Board as a result of an Internal Audit Report/Risk Report in May 2025. As item 3 N/A N/A
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OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE New Suggestions 5 Scope of Arms Length Arrangement with IJB and Council Priorities to be managed As item 3 N/A N/A 6 Review relevance and risks of subsidiary work – many overlaps between OneRen and IJB re prevention and early intervention At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025, Members agreed that this review should be delayed until the OneRen Review had been completed and reported to the Leadership Board. Officers will submit report to May 2026 Board after OneRen Review completed and Report submitted to Leadership Board. TBA May 2026 7 Scope of Partnership/Arms Length arrangement with OneRen & risks Members agreed that this review should take a sequential approach in relation as to how the learning estate looks/ which may have an effect on schools/sports estate development. At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025, Members agreed that this review should be delayed until the OneRen Review had been completed and reported to Council. The Board would then decide if any further work was required. Alastair MacArthur May 2026 8 Strategic Plan for Social Economy and Community Investment To look at the strategies for Participatory Budgeting/Asset Transfers/Social Economy Strategy. What is the sustainable strategy for supporting Community Groups to participate in these processes eg Are there available Funding Streams and what is their accessibility eg If asset transfer, what assistance is available to maintain building etc. At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025, Members agreed that a briefing would be arranged by Chief Executive’s Service on this area and then a decision taken by Board Members if any further work is required. Alastair MacArthur/Laura McIntyre/Alasdair Morrison March 2026
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OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 9 Houses to be Demolished – Plans for Demolition/ Temporary Use options /Redevelopment of Areas To look at whether houses to be demolished could be used for any other purpose on a temporary basis; number of properties; time taken for demolition etc It was hoped that this would show whether there had been improvements since the Ferguslie Park project where houses were boarded up for some time awaiting demolition and also highlight any good initiatives. A quick recap on the position in relation to private dwellings was also requested. At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025, Members agreed to request a briefing from Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. A decision will then be taken by Board Members is any further work is required. Gordon McNeil March 2026 10 Waste Services - Percentage of Bins Emptied First Time; Process for calculation; Street Cleanliness Rating; Waste Uplift; Frequency of Bins left on Street; Non uplift of Contaminated Bins To look at problem of bins not being emptied; rubbish on streets and bins overflowing. Also, what the process is if waste contaminated? Why are same crews or at least same supervisor not allocated to same route? Members were looking for an overview on how: • the rotation of the crews work • how the three-team system works • bin labelling is operated. At the Development meeting held on 20 October 2025, Members agreed to request a briefing from Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. A decision will then be taken by Board Members is any further work is required. Gordon McNeil June 2026 11 Maintenance of Non-Council Infrastructure including listed Buildings – Possible Actions to ensure Owners take responsibility To ascertain what powers/legislation is available to enforce private owners and companies eg Network Rail to take action to maintain properties/listed buildings. To determine if there are any Trust organisations which repairs listed buildings and to establish if a similar arrangement could be put in place in Renfrewshire. To determine if there a list of buildings within Renfrewshire that are in disrepair? Director of Finance & Resources agreed to ascertain the outcome of a piece of work undertaken previously in relation to options for ensuring listed building were maintained and this suggestion would be reviewed further. Alastair MacArthur August 2026