Agenda Document Pack - Communities and Housing Policy Board - 20/08/2024
Renfrewshire Council · 20 August 2024
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 20 August 2024 and its agenda
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Notice of Meeting and Agenda Communities and Housing Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 20 August 2024 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN MARK CONAGHAN Head of Corporate Governance Membership Councillor Marie McGurk (Convener): Councillor Robert Innes (Vice Convener): Councillor Jacqueline Cameron: Councillor Carolann Davidson: Councillor Gillian Graham: Councillor John Hood: Councillor Alec Leishman: Councillor Kenny MacLaren: Councillor Mags MacLaren: Councillor Colin McCulloch: Councillor Janis McDonald: Councillor Cathy McEwan: Councillor Jamie McGuire: Councillor Iain McMillan: Councillor John McNaughtan: Councillor Iain Nicolson: Councillor Emma Rodden: Further Information This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk Members of the Press and Public Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should report to the customer service centre where they will be met and directed to the meeting.
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Hybrid Meeting Please note that this meeting is scheduled to be held in the Council Chambers. However, it is a hybrid meeting and arrangements have been made for members to join the meeting remotely should they wish. Webcasting of Meeting This meeting will be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site – at the start of the meeting the Convener will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed. To find the webcast please navigate to https://renfrewshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
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Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements Members are asked to declare an interest or make a transparency statement in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest or the transparency statement. Community Safety 1 Police and Fire and Rescue Services Sub-committee Minute of the Meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Scrutiny Sub-committee held on 21 May 2024. 1 - 4 2 Firework Control Zones Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 5 - 10 Finance and Performance 3 General Services Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Budget Monitoring report as at 21 June 2024 Joint report by Directors of Finance & Resources and Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 11 - 24 4 Service Update Report Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 25 - 36 Housing 5 Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 3 Update Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 37 - 54
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6 Draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 55 - 94 7 Housing Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2024/25 Award of Funding Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Imfrastructure. 95 - 100 8 Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2024 Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 101 - 186 9 Social Housing Charter Performance: 2023/24 Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 187 - 208 10 Housing (Scotland) Act 1987- Representation in Respect of a House Failing to Meet the Tolerable Standard (Auchentorlie Quadrant) Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 209 - 214 11 Housing (Scotland) Act 1987- Representation in Respect of a House Failing to Meet the Tolerable Standard (Clavering Street East) Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 215 - 220 Consumer Protection 12 Business Regulation Service Plan 2024/2025 Report by Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure. 221 - 268 Community Empowerment and Learning 13 Draft Community Learning and Development Partnership Plan 2024-2027 Report by Chief Executive. 269 - 294
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14 Community Funding Update Report by Chief Executive. 295 - 314
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Minute of Meeting Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee Date Time Venue Tuesday, 21 May 2024 15:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Alec Leishman, Councillor Mags MacLaren, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan Chair Councillor McGurk, Convener, presided. In Attendance G Hannah, Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads and G Heaney, Climate and Public Protection Manager (both Environment, Housing and Infrastructure); and R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and D Cunningham, Committee Services and Licensing Officer (both Finance & Resources). Also in Attendance Chief Superintendent G McCreadie and Inspector A Marshall (both Police Scotland); and D McCarrey, Area Commander and P Storrie, Group Manager (both Scottish Fire and Rescue Service). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Sub-committee would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast on the Council’s internet site. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Item 1 Page 1 of 314
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1 Police Scotland - Performance Report There was submitted a report by the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, relative to service performance and activities in the Renfrewshire area for the reporting period 1 April 2023 to 29 February 2024. The report summarised the key performance indicators and provided statistics and updates in terms of Renfrewshire’s Policing Priorities 2023/26 and Police Scotland’s Policing Priorities 2023/26. DECIDED: That the contents of the report and verbal update be noted. 2 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Quarterly Performance Report There was submitted a report by the Group Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) relative to SFRS performance and local fire and rescue service plan priorities in the Renfrewshire area during period 1 January to 31 March 2024. The report provided updates in relation to Local Fire and Rescue Service Plan Priorities; Renfrewshire activity; accidental dwelling fires and casualties; unintentional injury and harm; deliberate fire setting; non-domestic fire safety and unwanted fire alarm signals. In response to a question raised at the last meeting of this Sub-committee held on 12 March 2024 whether there had been an increase in incidents on the A737 road, the Group Manager advised that this did not appear to be the case but that the level of incidents would continue to be monitored. DECIDED: That the contents of the report and verbal update be noted. 3 Local Issues The Area Commander, SFRS, advised that a “Future Service” pre consultation was running until 30 June 2024 and that any further consultation arising from that would be detailed in due course. It was highlighted that the SFRS also carried out enforcement action and fire safety measures in addition to their emergency fire-fighting response. Deliberate fire setting in the Tannahill area was raised as an issue. The Area Commander, SFRS, discussed the benefits arising from the recent Fire Skills courses undertaken in neighbouring local authorities. It was suggested that the Council's Youth Services consider the establishment of a similar initiative to the Fire Skills course currently operating in the Inverclyde Council area. DECIDED: That the verbal updates be noted. Page 2 of 314
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Valdedictory Cllr McGurk expressed thanks on behalf of the Sub-committee to David McCarrey for his contribution to the work of the Sub-committee and wished him well on his retirement from SFRS. Page 3 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Fireworks Control Zones ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The supply and use of fireworks in Scotland has been under review for some time, due to mounting concerns around noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour and animal welfare, amongst other matters. 1.2 Legislation which came into force late June 2023 gives discretionary powers for Local Authorities to designate Firework Control Zones (FCZ). FCZ would be small, evidence based areas, set up and maintained by the Local Authority but enforced by Police Scotland, in which the unplanned use of Fireworks in any area is banned. 1.3 A Fireworks Control Zone is defined as a geographical area in which it is illegal to use fireworks outside of a licensed display, on private property. A FCZ can be proposed by the Local Authority themselves, or by a community request. 1.4 The Scottish Government have published an extensive statutory guidance document to shape the process in relation to the set up and administration of a Zone. 1.5 There must be a good evidence based for the designation of a Zone as well as an extensive consultation process. 1.6 The Community Safety Partnership will lead on the consultation process however, collaboration across Council Services and partners will be required to ensure any requests for a Zone meets the criteria. Item 2 Page 5 of 314
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1.7 Based on the criteria for evidential assessment within the guidance there are currently no known areas in Renfrewshire which could substantiate an evidence-based request for a Zone. To date there have been no community enquiries, however, it is likely that as Bonfire Night approaches communities will request to submit proposals. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the use of these discretionary powers, and 2.2 Approves the community request process, as outlined in Section 4, to be applied when considering whether or not to designate a Fireworks Control Zone. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The use of fireworks in Scotland has been subject to Scottish Government consultation since March 2019, after growing concern about safety, noise nuisance and the effect of this noise on the welfare of vulnerable persons and animals. 3.2 The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June and received Royal Assent on 10 August 2022. Controls are being phased slowly by means of Commencement Regulations, with regulatory and economic impact being carefully considered at each stage. 3.3 The most recent enacted provision is that for Local Authorities to consider the use of Fireworks Control Zones in their area. This is a discretionary power, with detailed guidance in place to ensure that the power is applied fairly and consistently when utilised. 3.4 A Fireworks Control Zone is defined as a geographical area in which it is illegal to use fireworks outside of a licensed display, on private property. It is currently illegal to use fireworks in a public place, outside of a licensed display. 3.5 Enforcement within a Fireworks Control Zone will be the responsibility of Police Scotland. 3.6 There requires to be a good evidence base for the designation of a Zone using data and intelligence from agencies including Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Services, Renfrewshire Council Community Safety Partnership along with other agencies and Council Services as required. There is also an expectation that other courses of action would have been considered initially by the Community Safety Partnership. For example: Page 6 of 314
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• Community engagement and awareness • Enforcement activities • Targeted use of Police or Scottish Fire & Rescue Services • Retailer compliance checks • Engagement with young people vis schools or clubs 3.7 Although the Community Safety Team will lead on the consultation process, consideration for proposals for Zones will involve collaboration across Council Services and partners to ensure a Zone meets the criteria. 3.8 Management of public expectation will be important when considering whether to implement a Fireworks Control Zone. Table 1 highlights the comparison between what a Zone can and cannot do. Can Do Can’t Do Stop private displays Stop organised displays Give communities a say Stop selling of fireworks Restrict in defined area Blanket large area Specify dates/times Stop noise travelling Potentially tackle social issues Stop bonfires Make unplanned use a criminal offence* Be used as a first option It should be noted that certain matters are already prevented by law e.g. setting off in a public place, carrying fireworks without reasonable excuse, licensing provisions for planned displays. * A person who commits an offence under subsection (2) is liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both). 3.9 Based on the criteria for evidential assessment within the guidance, there are currently no known areas in Renfrewshire which could substantiate an evidence-based request for a Zone, however, it is likely that communities will request to submit proposals. 4. Community Request 4.1 Following national guidance, a community request is a route to ask the Council and its partners to consider if a Fireworks Control Zone can be designated, amended or revoked in a particular place within its area. If a request is accepted this would begin a formal process for consideration of a zone as set out in the guidance. A community request being accepted is therefore not the same as a Zone being designated and does not negate the statutory requirement for a consultation to be carried out. Page 7 of 314
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4.2 Details of the Council’s approach to Fireworks Control Zones and how to make a community request will be published on the Council’s website. This process will also be publicised via social media and to Community Councils. 4.3 Requests need to come from a “Community” and not an individual. Requests can be submitted by: • A community of residents (25 signatories); • A welfare group; • A community council; • A local Partnership Area. 4.4 The Council is required to publish details of how to submit a Community Request. This will include the timings involved and who to contact. When a request is received an acknowledgment needs to be sent and a formal response issued within four weeks. 4.5 The Community Request application will be formally considered by the Community Safety Partnership using all evidence available and will either be accepted to proceed to a consultation or will be rejected at this initial stage. 4.6 If rejected, a response will be issued with clear reasoning as to why the decision was taken not to proceed to a consultation and will demonstrate that account has been taken of any issued raised. 4.7 If proceeding to a consultation, a proposal for designation of a Fireworks Control Zone will then be developed and published for consultation. 4.8 The guidance issued by the Scottish Government recommends the following timescales, which represent a maximum of 32 weeks. However, these are not statutory and can be shorted by the Council as required. Task Indicative Timing Community request received, considered, and response issued Up to 4 weeks If community request accepted, Local Authority develops consultation proposal for a zone Up to 4 weeks Consultation on proposed zone undertaken Between 8-12 weeks Consultation responses considered and analysed Up to 4 weeks Decision on a zone publicised At least 60 days prior to the decision taking effect. Total time 32 weeks 4.9 Following publication of the proposal, with a reasonable time for any responses to the proposal, the Local Authority should then publish their decision. The publication of the decision should include: • A summary of the consultation, • The reasoning for the outcome decision, and • Clear demonstration that account has been taken of responses and information on any issues raised during the consultation Page 8 of 314
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4.10 If a decision has been taken to establish a Fireworks Control Zone or to amend or revoke an existing control zone, appropriate steps must be taken to raise awareness of the decision, including reasonable steps to inform those who live or work in or near the Zone. 4.11 If the decision after consultation is not to designate a zone, the community applying can request a review within 28 days. The review will be carried out by a Council Officer, not in involved in the original decision-making process. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - None 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is safe - By implementing these discretionary powers, and providing a process for communities to request a designated Fireworks Control Zone, Environment, Housing & Infrastructure aims to reduce the negative impact that fireworks can have on some communities and protect public safety. 4. Legal -None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - (a) 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. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Climate Risk – None 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Cosla Policy Position – None Page 9 of 314
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List of Background Papers None ___________________________________________________________________ Author Gwyneth Heaney, Senior Manager Climate & Public Protection e-mail: gwyneth.heaney@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 10 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources & Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: General Services Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Budget Monitoring as at 21 June 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 At the close of reporting period 3 on 21 June 2024, the projected revenue outturn at 31 March 2025 for those services reporting to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, including the Housing Revenue Account, is break-even against the revised budget for the year in General Services and a break-even position in the HRA. 1.2 The projected capital outturn at 31 March 2025 for projects reporting to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, is a break-even position. 1.3 This is summarised over the relevant services in the table below and further analysis is provided in the report and appendices. Revised Annual Budget £000 Projected Outturn £000 Budget Variance (Adv)/Fav £000 Budget Variance % Revenue Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 0 0 0 0.0% Housing – General Services (Non-HRA) 4,613 4,613 0 0.0% Communities and Public Protection 5,861 5,861 0 0.0% Criminal Justice 3,125 3,125 0 0.0% Total 13,599 13,599 0 0.0% Item 3 Page 11 of 314
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Revised Annual Budget £000 Projected Outturn £000 Budget Variance (Adv)/Fav £000 Budget Variance % Capital Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 41,236 41,236 0 0.0% Other Housing PSHG 526 526 0 0.0% Total 41,762 41,762 0 0.0% ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are requested to: a) Note the projected Revenue outturn break-even position; and b) Note the projected Capital outturn break-even position; and c) Agree to homologate the budget adjustments detailed at sections 6.2 and 7.2; and d) Approve the budget adjustments proposed at sections 6.3. 3. Revenue Budget Projection – break-even by 31 March 2025 3.1 The tables in Appendix 1 present the projected year-end position for all services reporting to this board, by both subjective analysis (what the budget is spent on) and objective analysis (which division is spending the budget). Significant variances affecting the projected position are analysed further below. 3.2 It should be noted that the projected outturn position reported here is based on the latest information available, which is subject to change during the financial year. The impact of any change on this projection will be updated at each board cycle until the close of reporting period 10. Budget holders are obliged to seek mitigating action to minimise significant budget variances. 4. Objective Analysis – Significant Variances 4.1 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) - break-even by 31 March 2025 The HRA is projected to break-even overall in 2024-25. Demand for repairs to HRA premises including Void properties as well as the impact of a higher than budgeted level of void empty property costs, will in year be managed through higher than budgeted levels of temporary interest received. Overall, a favourable £0.346m is currently anticipated from a reduced level of projected drawdown from reserves, to break-even, it is proposed that this is allocated to the Housing Management Systems Replacement programme. Page 12 of 314
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4.2 Housing – General Services (Non-HRA) - break-even by 31 March 2025 The projected outturn for Homelessness within Housing – General Services Non-HRA, continues to be a risk over the remainder of the financial year, with demand on services being managed within existing resources at present, which included additional staffing being supported through migration and asylum funding streams allocated to the Council by the UK and Scottish Government. The significant potential increase in homeless presentations linked to asylum population in Renfrewshire and more widely across the West of Scotland, continues to create additional potential long-term financial pressures for Council services. Projections of these pressures will continue to be reviewed and reported to future Communities and Housing Policy Boards as required. 4.3 Communities and Public Protection - break-even by 31 March 2025 Employee costs are projected to underspend which is due to vacancies within the service, this area is under review with management. The underspend has been allocated against spend across other budget lines and overall, the service is projected to break-even at year end. 4.4 Criminal Justice - break-even by 31 March 2025 There are no significant variances to report. 5. Subjective Analysis – Significant Variances GENERAL SERVICES (excluding HRA) 5.1 Employee costs - £0.095m underspend by 31 March 2025 This is a combination of offsetting variances across services, for example, in Homelessness this is primarily underspent due to the timing of recruitment within the Homelessness Prevention service. Underspends within Public Protection are due to vacancies and are currently under review. The Community Learning and Development Service delivers externally funded programmes each year supported by employees requiring an increase in budgets. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the employee costs budget by £0.200m within Community Learning and Development. 5.2 Premises Related costs - (£0.438m) overspend by 31 March 2025 This reflects the current levels of demand for Bed & Breakfast accommodation. While much of this is recovered by additional income recovered from Housing Benefits, it continues to be an area of concern within the Homelessness Service. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase bed & breakfast expenditure budget by £0.300m. Page 13 of 314
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5.3 Transport Related - (£0.025m) overspend by 31 March 2025 This will be offset by other minor anticipated underspends in the Criminal Justice budget. 5.4 Supplies and Services - (£0.287m) overspend by 31 March 2025 This includes (£0.168m) for one-off software and licencing costs within the Public Protection Service. Furniture costs within the Homelessness Service are projected to overspend and is consistent with the overall demand to support Homelessness cases. Finally, Community Learning & Development Service costs to deliver the externally funded programmes will be offset by additional external funding streams. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the expenditure budget by £0.060m. 5.5 Income – over-recovery of £0.671m by 31 March 2025 This is partly due to the recovery of costs as income (£0.352m) from Housing Benefit for Bed & Breakfast accommodation. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the bed & breakfast income budget by £0.300m. In addition, increased external funding secured within the Community Learning and Development Service has contributed (£0.260m) to this over- recovery. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the external funding budget by £0.260m. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) 5.6 Employee costs - £0.258m underspend by 31 March 2025 The projected underspend in Employee costs reflects the timing of recruitment and the level of vacancies across the service, in particular within Housing Management. Additional costs associated with the development of the Single Voids Team are being managed within the overall budget. 5.7 Premises Related costs - (£0.955m) overspend by 31 March 2025 The level of demand for Repairs and Maintenance of HRA Properties remains high, especially within Void properties at present with additional focus on this area. In addition, increased Utility costs are contributing £0.183m to this overspend. The cost of Special Uplifts has increased this year and will continue to be monitored throughout the year. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the Repairs & Maintenance budget by £1.000m. Page 14 of 314
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5.8 Transfer Payments - (£1.051m) overspend by 31 March 2025 A higher than budgeted level of void rent loss at the start of the year is the main reason for this overspend being the loss of rental income when properties are empty. The implementation of the Single Voids Team will directly manage this issue, with a view to minimising this loss throughout this and future years and reverting to budget levels. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the void rent loss budget by £0.750m. The overall HRA revenue projections at this time will allow for a reduction of £0.346m in the budgeted drawdown from the HRA Reserve in year. At year- end this will increase the available Reserve balances for future commitments, such as the Housing Management Systems Replacement Programme. 5.9 Income - over recovery of £1.738m by 31 March 2025 Higher than anticipated interest rates nationally are generating a significant over-recovery on the level of temporary interest received. A temporary budget transfer is recommended to increase the income budget by £1.750m and to fund the increases in expenditure budgets noted above. 6. Revenue Budget Virements 6.1. Under the Council’s financial regulations, Directors, and their nominated officers, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, have certain delegated authority to transfer sums between subjective budget headings within a service division to enable budget management throughout the financial year. This is known as ‘budget virement’. 6.2. Transfers between divisions of the same service / department in excess of £100,000, and transfers between services / departments must be authorised by the respective service Director and the Director of Finance and Resources for submission to the relevant policy board for approval. Since the last board reporting period, the Director now seeks homologation from the Board for the following affected virements: Revenue Budget Adjustments Objective Heading Subjective Heading Amount (£m) Reason Housing - General Services (Not HRA) Employee Costs 0.269 Refugee Resettlement Programme alignment of Budgets to reflect projected costs and grant funding. Supplies & Services 0.145 Various other 0.052 Income (0.466) Page 15 of 314
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Housing - General Services (Not HRA) Supplies & Services (0.390) Private Sector Housing Grant alignment to reflect the profile of expenditure and allocation of funding from Capital and Reserves. Various other 0.116 Income (0.274) Housing - General Services (Not HRA) Employee Costs 0.136 Transfer to Homelessness staff team from Customer Services. HRA Employee 0.474 Asset Investment Team increase in employee costs funded from Capital to deliver investment plans. Income (0.474) HRA Premises costs 0.586 Repairs & Maintenance rationalisation of budgets under premises costs to reflect recharges. Third-Party (0.586) Communities and Public Protection Income 0.298 Transfer of Lets Income budget to Environment and Infrastructure Department. Communities and Public Protection Employee Costs (0.086) Transfer of staff from Public Protection to Finance and Resources. 6.3. Budget holders are obliged to seek mitigating action to minimise significant budget variances. The Board is therefore asked to approve the following virements, which are not currently applied to the budget: Revenue Budget Adjustments Objective Heading Subjective Heading Amount (£m) Reason Housing - General Services (Not HRA) Premises Related 0.300 Homelessness temporary alignment of Bed and Breakfast costs and income. Income (0.300) Page 16 of 314
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Revenue Budget Adjustments (continued) Objective Heading Subjective Heading Amount (£m) Reason HRA Premises costs 1.000 Temporary realignment of offsetting budget variances as detailed in section 5. Transfer Payments 0.750 Income (1.750) Communities and Public Protection Employee costs 0.200 Temporary realignment of costs funded by external income streams. Supplies & Services 0.060 Income (0.260) 7. Capital Budget Projection – break-even position by 31 March 2025 7.1 The Non-Housing Capital Investment Programme 2024/25 to 2028/29 was approved by the Council on 29 February 2024. For Communities and Housing Service the revised capital spend for 2024/25 is £41.762m. 7.2 The in-year Capital budget is forecast to break-even by 31 March 2025, a budget adjustment between years has taken place, to reflect revised programming of some capital projects. Details of the adjustment, which amount to (£0.118m), are as follows: Capital Budget Adjustments Project Amount (£m) Reason Private Sector Housing Grant Programme (0.118) Budget brought forward from 2024/25 into 2023/24 to reflect update programme timing. Implications of the Report 1. Financial The projected budget outturn position for Finance, Resources and Customer Services’ Revenue budget is a break-even position at 31 March 2025. The budget virements proposed in section 6.3, subject to approval, will be reflected in the next policy board report. Income and expenditure will continue to be monitored closely for the rest of the financial year and as far as possible, steps will be taken to mitigate any overspend. The projected outturn position for Communities and Housing Services Capital budget is break-even, after the adjustments outlined at section 7. Page 17 of 314
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2. HR & Organisational Development While staffing budgets form a significant proportion of the Council’s revenue budgets, there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 3. Community/Council Planning Community Plan Our Renfrewshire is thriving The Council’s revenue and capital spend ensures that its facilities are fit for purpose and safe for the community, to maximise accessibility. Our Renfrewshire is well Our Renfrewshire is fair Our Renfrewshire is safe Council Plan Reshaping our place, our economy and our future The Council’s revenue and capital spend ensures that its facilities are fit for purpose and safe for the community, to maximise accessibility. Building strong, safe and resilient communities Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy Ongoing revenue and capital budget monitoring is a tool to enable good financial management so that the Council has resources now and in the future for continued service delivery. Working together to improve outcomes 4. Legal There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 5. Property/Assets The capital expenditure noted in this report will result in lifecycle maintenance improvements to existing properties and replacement of ICT assets and infrastructure. 6. Information Technology ICT assets and revenue costs are included within these reported budgets, and the costs associated with the replacement of the Housing Management system will have both an ongoing revenue and capital budget impact. 7. Equality & Human Rights While new areas of spend may impact on particular groups, any such impact would be assessed prior to the spend being incurred, therefore there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. Page 18 of 314
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8. Health & Safety The capital expenditure noted in this report will result in lifecycle maintenance improvements to existing properties and replacement of ICT assets, which may in some cases rectify health and safety issues. 9. Procurement While Procurement is an important consideration prior to the Council incurring any revenue or capital spend, there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 10. Risk The potential financial risk that the Council will overspend its approved revenue budgets for the year is managed at a Council-wide level by the Chief Executive and Directors. 11. Privacy Impact There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 12. Cosla Policy Position N/a 13. Children’s Rights There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 14. Climate Change The Council aims to reduce its carbon and other emissions to net zero by 2030, however there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. List of Background Papers • Housing Revenue Account Budget & Rent Levels 2024/25 and Housing Capital Investment Plan 2024/25 to 2028/29, Council 29 February 2024. • Non-housing Capital Investment Programme, prudential Framework and Treasury Management Strategy, and Capital Strategy 2024/25 – 2028/29, Council 29 February 2024. Author: John Kilpatrick, Finance Business Partner; Linsey McGregor, Capital Accountant. Page 19 of 314
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Objective Summary Approved Annual Budget Budget Adjustments Revised Annual Budget at Period 3 Projected Outturn Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 % Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 0 0 0 0 0 0.0% Housing – General Services (Not HRA) 4,548 65 4,613 4,613 0 0.0% Communities and Public Protection 5,771 90 5,861 5,861 0 0.0% Criminal Justice 3,188 (63) 3,125 3,125 0 0.0% NET EXPENDITURE 13,507 92 13,599 13,599 0 0.0% Page 20 of 314
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Subjective Summary (General Services – excl HRA) Approved Annual Budget Budget Adjustments Revised Annual Budget at Period 3 Projected Outturn Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 % 11,391 48 11,439 11,344 95 0.8% Premises Related 1,880 15 1,895 2,333 (438) (23.1%) Transport Related 171 16 187 212 (25) (13.4%) Supplies and Services 2,852 (221) 2,631 2,918 (287) (10.9%) Third Party Payments 87 0 87 85 2 2.3% Transfer Payments 2,607 102 2,709 2,715 (6) (0.2%) Support Services 54 0 54 54 0 0.0% Depreciation and Impairment Losses (23) 0 (23) (11) (12) (52.2%) GROSS EXPENDITURE 19,019 (40) 18,979 19,650 (671) (3.5%) Income (5,512) 132 (5,380) (6,051) 671 12.5% NET EXPENDITURE 13,507 92 13,599 13,599 0 0.0% Page 21 of 314
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Subjective Summary (HRA only) Approved Annual Budget Budget Adjustments Revised Annual Budget at Period 3 Projected Outturn Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 % Employees 11,123 463 11,586 11,328 258 2.2% Premises Related 23,478 597 24,075 25,030 (955) (4.0%) Transport Related 53 0 53 59 (6) (11.3%) Supplies and Services 908 0 908 893 15 1.7% Third Party Payments 586 (586) 0 0 0 0.0% Transfer Payments 4,837 0 4,837 5,888 (1,051) (21.7%) Support Services 2,456 0 2,456 2,455 1 0.0% Depreciation and Impairment Losses 17,909 0 17,909 17,909 0 0.0% GROSS EXPENDITURE 61,350 474 61,824 63,562 (1,738) (2.8%) Income (61,350) (474) (61,824) (63,562) 1,738 2.8% NET EXPENDITURE 0 0 0 0 0 0.0% Page 22 of 314
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Prior Years Approved Budget Revised Projected Total Approved Projected Expenditure Budget Adjustments Budget Outturn Budget Outurn to 31/03/2024 2024-25 in 2024-25 2024-25 2024-25 to 31-Mar-29 to 31-Mar-29 Project Title £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 HOUSING(HRA) Improvements To Existing Properties 0 15,420 0 15,420 15,420 0 0% 15,713 15,713 0 0% Regeneration 10,743 19,401 0 19,401 19,401 0 0% 31,337 31,337 0 0% Other Assets 0 3,115 0 3,115 3,115 0 0% 3,205 3,205 0 0% Non Property Expenditure 0 400 0 400 400 0 0% 698 698 0 0% Council House New Build 42,665 1,000 0 1,000 1,000 0 0% 43,813 43,813 0 0% Professional Fees 0 1,900 0 1,900 1,900 0 0% 2,150 2,150 0 0% Total Housing (HRA) Programme 53,408 41,236 0 41,236 41,236 0 0% 96,916 96,916 0 0% HOUSING(PSHG) Private Sector Housing Grant Programme 0 644 (118) 526 526 0 0% 2,926 2,926 0 0% Total Housing (PSHG) Programme 0 644 (118) 526 526 0 0% 2,926 2,926 0 0% TOTAL COMMUNITIES, HOUSING & PLANNING BOARD 53,408 41,880 (118) 41,762 41,762 0 0% 99,842 99,842 0 0% Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY 1st April to 21st June 2024 POLICY BOARD: COMMUNITES & HOUSING Current Year 2024-25 Full Programme - All years Page 23 of 314
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_________________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 _________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure _________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Service Update Report _________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an overview of key service activities, an operational performance update since the last Policy Board meeting on the services and key projects and updates on any other relevant changes to service areas covered within the remit of this Board. _________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board 2.1 Note the contents of this report. 2.2 Note that further Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan funding has been received from the Scottish Government for 2024/25, in line with previous years, as detailed at paragraph 3.3.3 of this report. __________________________________________________________________ Updates for Communities and Housing Policy Board 3. Housing Management 3.1 Income Advice 3.1.1 Information from income advice interviews at the end of June confirms that over 1,878 advice cases involved households from Council Tenancies. 3.1.2 22 tenants qualified for the Tenant’s Support Fund during the first quarter of this financial year (1 April – 30 June 2024), with a total of £1,390.17 awarded. The scheme commenced in October 2023; therefore, there is no comparable period for last year. Officers continue to engage with tenants to maximise access to any underlying entitlement to benefits and funds available. 3.1.3 As the Department for Work and Pensions implements Universal Credit Migration Plans, which includes the transition of legacy benefits such as Item 4 Page 25 of 314
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Income Support and Employment Support Allowance, officers are proactively offering support and assistance to tenants impacted, signposting to money advice colleagues as appropriate, to maximise the number of tenants that are supported through this change and assisted to receive all forms of financial support available. 3.1.4 Approximately 90 staff, including housing officers and housing assistants attended training to assist in understanding the reasons for debt and tenant engagement / non engagement. The aim of the training was to assist staff to maximise meaningful engagement with tenants who are genuinely trying to meet their rental commitments, but experience challenges with insufficient income relative to outgoings or other events in their life that impact on their financial and personal capability; impacting their ability to manage their tenancy. 3.2 Housing Advice 3.2.1 There has been continued take-up of the option to apply to join the Council’s housing waiting list using the online application form. The online system was introduced in November 2023, and, on 30 June 2024, 1,412 applicants had completed the online form. Staff are still available to assist in completing online forms and all applicants still have the opportunity for housing options advice; to assist those making a housing enquiry to gain a realistic understanding of the choices available to suit their circumstances. The online housing application is available alongside existing ways to apply, such as telephone, video conferencing (Near Me), email and in person as requested. 3.2.2 Working in partnership with Invest in Renfrewshire colleagues, Housing Services are now seeking to recruit two Housing Modern Apprentices. The successful candidates will commence their apprenticeships within our housing management team and will work in a range of teams within Housing Services over the course of their two-year apprenticeships. Modern Apprenticeships support workforce planning and are a great opportunity to welcome new colleagues and add value to our team, whilst supporting young people to develop their skills, experience, and gain housing qualifications which will hopefully assist them to progress into a career in housing on completion of their apprenticeship. 3.3 Homelessness and Housing Support Update 3.3.1 There continues to be high demand for assistance from our Homeless Services and Housing Support teams, as reported to recent Policy Board meetings. 3.3.2 The Scottish Government have announced that the implementation of Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans will be extended for a further year. Progress with the implementation of Renfrewshire’s initial 5-year Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) 2019 – 2024 has been regularly reported to the Policy Board, and our RRTP has supported the upscaling of a Housing First approach to support those who are homeless as well as minimising the time those who are homeless have to spend in temporary accommodation. 3.3.3 An announcement of further funding from the Scottish Government to support the delivery of RRTP’s for 2024/25 has also now been made, with £190k allocated to Renfrewshire. This is the same level of funding as awarded in the previous five years, and will largely allow the continuation of Page 26 of 314
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established initiatives which have been detailed in previous Policy Board reports and are in line with the RRTP guidance: • 3 temporary posts which focus on resettling homeless applicants transitioning from temporary accommodation to new tenancies • Say Women project which provides support for young women (16-25 years old) who have been subjected to sexual violence and are at risk of homelessness • Upscaling the Housing First approach both in-house with our Housing Support team and with support providers such as Turning Point Scotland and Blue Triangle Housing Association from 13 service users being support at any one time via the wraparound support approach in 2019 to 75 in July 2024. 3.3.4 Early Release of Prisoners – a well-publicised Emergency Early Release programme has been put in place by the Scottish Government due to the level of overcrowding in Scottish prisons, and our teams have been receiving weekly updates on prisoners from Renfrewshire who are part of this scheme. There have been an initial 4 tranches on a weekly basis, with the first tranche being 26 and 27 June and ending on 17/18 July. Homeless Services are provided with the details of the prisoners concerned on the Friday prior to their release, and arrangements are then made to ensure there is the offer of support and / or accommodation if required on their release. To date, only 2 out of 20 prisoners included in this programme have required temporary accommodation on liberation, with a further 2 being assisted to return to their tenancies. Sheltered housing 3.3.5 We have now established “Ask the Manager” sessions on a bi-monthly basis across our 10 sheltered housing complexes. These sessions allow tenants to ask the Sheltered and Amenity Housing Manager questions, provide direct feedback on their experience, as well as holding positive discussions on how we can develop the service being provided. This initiative is proving very popular and an effective method in encouraging tenant engagement and participation in the various initiatives and wellbeing activities. Separate tenants’ meetings are now taking place quarterly with support and input from staff within the Housing Repairs and Investment team attending to answer tenants’ queries. 3.3.6 Fire safety talks in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been held at all complexes during June and July. Page 27 of 314
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3.3.7 The strong focus on tackling the threat of loneliness continues and a range of activities, parties and trips were organised throughout the spring / summer months. Our in-house ‘Befriending Service’ continues to support 9 tenants who do not have family or friends and benefit from 1-2-1 visits and support in their own home, as well as accompanied trips into the community. Our Health and Wellbeing Team in partnership with Renfrewshire Seniors Forum, the Health & Social Care Partnership and ROAR arranged another successful SOOPIR Day (Strengthening Opportunities for Older People in Renfrewshire) on 31 May at the Lagoon Leisure Centre, to celebrate its 10th anniversary with 310 older people attending Refugee Resettlement 3.3.8 The number of Ukrainian Displaced Persons being supported at our Welcome Hub near Glasgow Airport continued to reduce and the Hub was eventually decommissioned by the end of July 2024. Over 500 Ukrainians have now arrived to live in Renfrewshire since March 2022. 3.3.9 Since the beginning of this year there has been an increase in arrivals via Afghan resettlement programme, and those Afghan families who have already settled in Renfrewshire have helped us to welcome new arrivals. The Afghan Women’s Group has been re-established and proven to be a popular event and a helpful support for the families arriving more recently. 3.3.10 The Resettlement Team’s focus is becoming more about supporting positive community integration now that the demands at the Welcome Hub have reduced, and there is a broad range of local events now regularly taking place. A dedicated integration support officer post has been established to help develop a range of activities and calendar of events. 3.3.11 International Refugee Week was recently celebrated with an ‘open mic’ night at the Bungalow Bar in Paisley, where a Ukrainian singer performed, and a number of Syrians were supported to attend an ‘International Brunch’ at St Mirren Cathedral. 3.3.12 Walking groups have been organised to have tours of Paisley, families and children can now attend art classes at Create Paisley and Made In Paisley, OneRen now supply swimming passes, deliver football training, and dance classes, there is a ‘conversation café’ for older people to learn English and Youth Services are working with the resettlement team to deliver a broader programme of events for younger people. 3.4 Housing Asset and Investment 3.4.1. Council House Adaptations The Housing Repair and Maintenance Team have made progress in improving the turnaround time for council house adaptations and reducing the backlog that accumulated during the Covid pandemic. The average timescale for completion has reduced from 119 to 50 days. We have completed 386 adaptations compared to 191 in the previous year which has resulted in a reduction in the number awaiting adaptations. With continued co-operation from all stakeholders involved, it is hoped that further improvements in timescales can be achieved over the coming year. 2022/23 2023/24 Page 28 of 314
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No. of medical adaptations completed 191 386 Average timescale for completion (days) 119 50 No. of households awaiting adaptation at year end 177 58 3.4.2 Internal Refurbishment Programme – Kitchen, Bathroom, Rewire Following an unsuccessful earlier tender in May to appoint a contractor to complete 250 kitchen, bathroom and rewire installations, the tender has been reissued, allowing more time for framework contractors to return their bids. Subject to receiving compliant bids, it is anticipated approval will be sought from the Finance and Resources Policy Board in September to appoint a contractor. Tenants whose homes are included within this programme will be kept informed. 3.4.3 Externals Improvement Works contract The contract with our “externals” contractor, MP Render has been extended for a further year from July 2024, in line with the terms of the contract award. MP render have completed 288 major housing refurbishments in the last two years improving energy efficiency and helping to lower energy costs for tenants through the installation of external wall insulation, solar panels coupled with replacement roofs and window replacement in Council housing. Over the coming year the Contractor will focus on commencing works in the Auchentorlie and Howard Street areas which are the first of the regeneration areas planned. The Housing Investment and Housing Regeneration teams expect to commence engagement with private homeowners in these areas over the coming months to encourage them to participate in these projects. 3.5 Review of Void Property Management 3.5.1 The Single Voids Manager continues to develop and implement the action plan for improvement in conjunction with colleagues from all teams involved in the void process, including specifically: • Tender documentation has been completed for the appointment of a preferred utilities provider and a report on bids received will be presented for approval to the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board of 21 November 2024. It is anticipated that a provider will be in place no later than Monday 6 January 2025 – the contract will be for four years with the Council having the option to extend for a further year on no more than three occasions. • City Gate Construction (Scotland) Ltd.’s contract to carry out works to bring houses to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard has been extended for a year from 18 July 2024 in respect of voids only – they have increased their capacity to accommodate our requirements, which is generally five properties per week; and Page 29 of 314
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• The pilot project to provide potential tenants with links via social media to 360o virtual tours of void properties was carried out in May, June, and July and during that period 39 tours were completed. An example can be viewed here. As part of the service the supplier also provides a floor plan and an example for the same address is reproduced below. It has been decided to continue to use this service after completion of the initial trial. 3.5.2 A separate report will be presented to this Policy Board’s meeting of 29 October 2024 giving a detailed update on progress to improve our void property management processes. In the meantime, we can advise that: • A significant reduction has been made in the number of voids. Excluding “Initiative” voids, i.e., those identified for demolition or disposal, there were 518 voids on 26 March 2024 – by 9 July 2024 that figure was 418, a reduction of 100 in fifteen weeks; and • The average re-let time as reported to the Scottish Housing Regulator has continued to reduce as shown in the table below. Year Average re-let time (days) 2020–2021 85.7 2021–2022 66.0 2022–2023 60.6 2023–2024 50.4 2024–2025 to end of April 2024 41.3 2024–2025 to end of May 2024 38.2 2024–2025 to end of June 2024 37.6 3.6 Housing (Scotland) Bill Page 30 of 314
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3.6.1 A Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced in parliament on 26 March 2024. The Bill is currently at Stage 1 of the parliamentary process and is expected to be passed early next year. The Scottish Government introduced the Bill to deliver its rented sector strategy, “A New Deal for Tenants” and some policy ideas for housing as set out in Housing to 2040, while also seeking to deliver on an ambition to end homelessness. The policy objective of the bill is, “to improve the housing outcomes in Scotland for people who live mainly in rented accommodation or face homelessness. At the same time, it continues to safeguard the proportionate use of a landlord’s property for rental purposes, seeking to deliver a fair balance between protection for tenants and the rights of landlords.” The Bill has six main Parts. In summary: • Part 1 concerns rent for private rented tenancies. It imposes a duty on each local authority to carry out an assessment of rent conditions in its area relating to the level of rent and the rate of rent increases and to submit a report on this to the Scottish Government along with a recommendation about whether a rent control area should be designated. The Scottish Government can designate a rent control area. If designated, there would be restrictions on private sector rent increases in that area. • Part 2 of the Bill deals with evictions. It places duties on the First-tier Tribunal and the courts to consider delays to carrying out an eviction for tenants living in private rented and social housing. It also changes how damages for unlawful eviction are calculated. • Part 3 introduce new rights: - For private and social housing tenants to request to keep a pet - For private housing tenants to make changes to the property they are renting • Part 4 makes provision about other matters relating to tenants including unclaimed tenancy deposits, registration of letting agents, ending joint tenancies in the private rented sector, delivery of notices and converting assured tenancies into private residential tenancies. • Part 5 makes provision about homelessness prevention including duties of relevant bodies, assessment of housing support services and tenants affected by domestic abuse. This includes: - Introducing an “Ask and Act” duty on relevant bodies including councils, health bodies and the police, where those bodies are required to ask if an individual is homeless or at risk of homelessness, and to help that individual if they are. Page 31 of 314
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- Making local authorities act sooner to prevent homeless by taking reasonable steps. An assessment can be made of whether a household is threatened with homelessness up to six months before homelessness is imminent – this is an increase from the two months required by current legislation. - Making social landlords have a policy which sets out how they will support tenants who are at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse. • Part 6 deals with other minor, more administrative housing matters including such as changing the way mobile home pitch fees are calculated. 3.6.2 In April 2024 the Scottish Government sent out a call for views on the Bill, with a short timescale of response, by 17 May 2024. The Council’s response is available to view at: Response 805706770 to Housing (Scotland) Bill Call for Views - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space At this stage some of the key concerns noted by the Council, and many others local authorities, include the significant resource implications of the proposed homelessness prevention duties, resources required to establish whether there is evidence of the need to establish any rent control area within a local authority area, as well as the potential of proposed rent controls deterring future investment in the private rented sector. The Scottish Government have recently indicated that they are listening to concerns from local authorities about the impact of introducing homelessness prevention duties at a time when councils are experiencing other pressures and will consider taking a phased approach to their introduction. 3.7 Housing Regeneration and Development Orchard Street 3.7.1 As previously reported, the Council is supporting Paisley Housing Association Ltd to carry out a comprehensive tenement rehabilitation project at 33 Causeyside Street and 3–9 Orchard Street, Paisley. The Association has now let a contract for the works to Procast Group Ltd in the amount of £6,437,891 including VAT. It is anticipated that the contractor will start on site during week commencing 29 July 2024 and that the works will take a total of two years to complete. Tannahill 3.7.2 Residents at the 101-home housing development in Ferguslie Park marked the completion of its construction by welcoming the Scottish Housing Minister to their new homes. Paul McLennan MSP visited on 24 April 2024 to meet residents and have a tour of the site. Page 32 of 314
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3.7.3 Throughout the seven-year regeneration project, council officers carried out extensive consultation with tenants, owners and local groups which included public engagement events, local drop-in surgeries, newsletters and frequent text and calls, giving them opportunities to comment and feedback on the regeneration of their area and address any concerns they had. This pro-active approach was recognised at the Scottish Homes Awards on 13 June 2024, at which – unusually – the project won first place in two separate categories: Housing Regeneration Project of the Year; and Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year. These awards celebrate the best in Scotland's new residential projects in the private, voluntary, and public sectors. 4. Public Protection Environmental Health 4.1 Local Protocol for Dealing with XL Bully Complaints 4.1.1 The designation of XL Bully type dogs as a banned breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 came into full effect on 31 July 2024 whereby owners wishing to keep their dogs must have applied for a Certificate of Exemption. In addition to this, it is now an offence for anyone who owns an XL Bully to have the dog in public without a lead and muzzle; breed from an XL Bully; sell, give away or rehome one to abandon or let one stray. 4.1.2 There is fee for any application for a certificate of exemption, as well as ongoing costs to maintain third party liability insurance throughout the dog’s life. Given these costs, there is a realistic possibility that owners may decide to abandon their dogs, giving cause for concern and endangering public safety should anyone decide to do so. 4.1.3 Work is ongoing with Police Scotland to establish a local Renfrewshire protocol to address any issues which may arise as a result of the exemption certificate requirement. 4.1.4 It is expected that the protocol will clearly detail responsibilities for both Police Scotland and the Council as well as providing for mutual aid to manage incidents in a safe and proportionate manner. 4.2 Trading Standards Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Products 4.2.1 Work around Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs or Vapes) continues to place a high demand on the Trading Standards & Licensing Team. 4.2.2 Officers from the Team, assisted by Police Scotland and a tobacco detection dog, recently conducted 3 intelligence-led enforcement visits as part of Operation CECE, a national project targeting the sale and supply of both illicit and counterfeit tobacco products. The businesses concerned had previously been subject of enforcement activity, and the purpose of the visit was to ensure compliance with current legislation. These businesses cannot be identified due to legal restrictions imposed upon us by the Enterprise Act 2002. 4.2.3 Upon inspection, illicit tobacco was visible behind the counter areas in the 3 premises, with tobacco concealments identified within 2 of the premises by the tobacco detection dog. In total 4,596 packets of cigarettes (9,1920 Page 33 of 314
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individual sticks) and 19.45kg of Hand Rolling Tobacco were seized, examined, and assessed to be in breach of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Product Regulations 2016 and/or the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2015 and The Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019, as amended. In addition, 1,925 Nicotine Vapour Products were recovered within the premises which were identified as being non-compliant with the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016. Enforcement actions are under consideration. 5. Community Development Team Up to Clean Up 5.1.1 Team Up to Clean Up has grown to over 5,800 members with a 473.33% increase in engagement in the past 3 months. 5.1.2 The “Bin to Win” school campaign was introduced to schools in June. The campaign was launched during the pre-election period, as such promotion was low key. £750 worth of Scotland Loves Local or One4all gift cards gift cards were issued to our young winners who submitted photographs of themselves binning their litter. Greater promotion and awareness raising is planned for pupil’s return to school in August, at this point pupils will also learn of their peer’s winnings. This approach is designed as a nudge technique to develop behavior change amongst our young people. 5.2 Environmental Taskforce 5.2.1 The Environmental Taskforce continues to deliver intervention to reduce instances of flytipping. Key statistics for the most recent period are: Action May - July 2024 Proactive visits to identified hotspot areas 520 Number of reports investigated 378 Tonnes of flytipping removed 49 Number of sites secured to prevent further flytipping 3 Letters to private landowners re flytipping 12 Visits to businesses to ensure Waste Disposal Arrangements in place 20 Fixed Penalty Notices Issued 22 5.2.2 Relocated cameras have been successful in securing evidence in 3 flying tipping cases since May 2024. 5.2.3 An additional 3 flytipping hotspots have been secured with preventative measures blocking access through support from the Environmental Taskforce. One site, operated by a private organisation, has erected fencing, the remaining 2, one of which is Tannahill Road in Ferguslie, have blocked access as such reducing instances in these areas. Page 34 of 314
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5.2.4 The list of identified hotspots patrolled by the Taskforce is updated and amended according to reported incidents, patterns, and trends. Hotspot areas receive additional attention from the Taskforce through patrols, the installation of cameras where appropriate, and awareness raised with local people who visit, work or live in the area. Hotspot locations include areas surrounding Gleniffer Braes which are currently receiving additional attention. 6. Justice Social Work Early Release 6.1.1 In response to a rapid rise in the prison population in recent months the Scottish Parliament approved a programme of emergency early release of prisoners, starting in June. Only short-term prisoners with 180 days or less left to serve on their sentence or long-term prisoners who have been recommended for release by the Parole Board were eligible. A number of automatic exclusions also applied. These included prisoners who are on remand, subject to sex offender notification requirements and serving sentences for convictions involving domestic abuse. Additionally, where it was identified that an individual would pose an immediate risk of harm to an identified person or group, the governor veto must be applied. 577 prisoners were initially identified for early release across Scotland’s prison estate. Within this, 26 prisoners from Renfrewshire were identified. 6.1.2 In delivering this, Justice social work has worked collaboratively with the Scottish Prison Service, Housing Services, and other key partners in terms of supporting information sharing and informing risk assessments. Offers of voluntary assistance have also been made to those approved for release. The weekly release programme started on 26/27 June for a 4- week period ending on 17/18 July. Community Justice 6.1.3 Community Justice Renfrewshire’s Strategic Group met in June and agreed the activity areas that partners will focus resources on in the short term. This includes engagement and communications, supporting the transition of people from custody back into our communities, and supporting the delivery of quality diversionary activity for people who can benefit from early intervention. This improvement activity aligns to national community justice outcomes. 6.1.4 Work has been initiated with partners in NHS GCC Health Improvement to provide good practice training opportunities for staff who work with people on community-based supervision orders, including unpaid work. The training will cover important health and wellbeing areas relevant to many people involved in the justice system. This includes further developing trauma-responsive approaches and creating safe environments that help clients on their journey to rehabilitation and reintegration. Page 35 of 314
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Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Any financial elements referenced in this report will be progressed through the Council’s financial & budget planning process. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – The report details a range of activities which reflect local community and council planning themes. 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology –None 7. 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. 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – No ne 12. COSLA Policy Position – None 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Climate Change – there are a range of actions and activities throughout the Service Update Report which support the Council’s Plan for Net Zero __________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: None Author: Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Email: gordon.mcneil@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 36 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 3 Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Report Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council’s Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme was approved by the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 18 January 2022 with amended proposals for three of the eight regeneration areas also approved on 15 March 2022. 1.2 This programme is being taken forward as a key Council priority, designed to deliver maximum benefits for residents and with the active involvement of services across the Council and Community Planning partners, to deliver modern, high quality, energy efficient, affordable Council housing that will not only significantly enhance the Council’s housing stock but will also contribute to the wider transformation of communities across Renfrewshire. 1.3 As our plans for investment and improvement are developing, it is becoming clear that meeting Scottish Government Energy Efficiency targets will be particularly difficult in blocks where the Council are a minority owner. This report therefore sets out proposals to offer resident owners within regeneration areas the opportunity to sell to the Council and become a Council tenant in that same property, subject to qualifying criteria outlined further in the report. 1.4 The board are provided with regular updates on the Housing-Led regeneration and renewal programme in the service update reports throughout the course of each year. This annual report provides more detailed information and a summary of progress over the last year and also provides information around the governance structure in place with regards to officer membership and reporting methods for the programme Board and Thematic Groups established as part of the project delivery mechanisms. Item 5 Page 37 of 314
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1.5 This report seeks authority to make amendments to the Council’s Acquisition Scheme for Private Housing, as set out in Section 5 of this report. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the positive progress made in each of the eight regeneration and renewal areas within this ambitious ten-year programme. 2.2 Approves amendments to the Council’s Acquisition Scheme for Private Housing outlined in paragraph 5.4 below. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Progress Summary 3.1 The scope of regeneration activity and timescales for delivery differ in each of the regeneration areas across this ten-year programme, with some more complex than others. A phasing strategy was developed to take account of a number of factors including, delivery timescales, rehousing requirements, contractor availability, maximising grant support for owner participation and consideration of wider development constraints. The timeline for the Housing- Led Regeneration and Renewal programme was presented to the Board in August 2023 and is shown below with a vertical line added to highlight the position as at the end of June 2024. All regeneration areas remain on schedule as previously reported, with the exception of the delivery of newbuild homes for the first phase of the Broomlands area as detailed further in paragraph 4.5.4 below. Page 38 of 314
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Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Staff and resources Rehousing Strategy Demolition Investment Pilot Project Investment On-site Demolition Investment On-site Investment On-site Demolition (Phase 1) Demolition (Phase 2) Investment On-site New Build (Phase 1) Pre-contract (Phase 2) New Build (Phase 2) Demo (Ph 1) Investment Pre-contract New Build (Phase 1) Pre-contract (Ph 2) New Build (Phase 2) Rehousing (Ph 1) RH (Ph 2) Demolition (Ph 1) Demolition (Ph 2) Pre-contract (Ph 1) New Build (Ph 1) Pre-contract (Ph 2) NB (Ph 2) Demolition Pre-contract New Build D Investment Pre-contract Investment On-site 2030/31 2031/32 2029/30 2031/32 Approved August 2023 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 Applicable to all areas 2030/31 Auchentorlie Investment & Demolition 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31 2031/32 Ferguslie/Broomlands Investment (inc pre-1919 tenements), Demolition & New Build 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31 2031/32 Howard Street Area Investment & Demolition 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/302021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2031/32 Howwood Road Area Investment, Demolition & New Build (including on school sites) 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31 2031/32 Moorpark Investment 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/312021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2030/31 2031/32 Waverley Road Investment & Demolition 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31 2031/32 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 Thrushcraig Demolition & New Build 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2031/32 Springbank/Mossvale Investment, Demolition & New Build 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/312021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 OwnershipConsolidation Inv Pre-Contract Ownership Consolidation Inv Pre-contract OwnershipConsolidation Ownership Consolidation Ownership Consolidation OwnershipConsolidation InvestmentOn-site Demolition RehousingStrategy Rehousing(Ph 1) Ownership Consolidation RehousingStrategy RehousingStrategy Rehousingstrategy Investment On-site Pre-Contract(Ph 1) InvestmentPre-contract Demo (Ph2) Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation` Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Stakeholder Engagement Benefits Realisation Rehousing(Ph 2) OwnershipConsolidation RehousingStrategy Pre-Contract (Phase 1) Page 39 of 314
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3.2 Each regeneration area has a dedicated Housing Regeneration Officer and Development Officer with responsibility for the delivery of key actions, including the effective communication with tenants, residents, and private owners. The Council’s website has a dedicated Housing Regeneration and Renewal section, and this is updated regularly to ensure that residents can access current and up to date information as and when they require it. 3.3 A new approach to Community Neighbourhood Renewal is being established with community representatives, across Council Services and with third party partners to operate in parallel with the physical regeneration plans. The neighbourhood renewal approach will be tailored to the needs and circumstances of each area, going beyond housing and the immediate external environment, and taking account of broader issues such as links to health and wellbeing, access to outdoor space and sustainable travel and employment or training opportunities that maximise the benefits achievable for local residents. This approach aims to strengthen community voices and improve place-based decision making across all regeneration areas in Renfrewshire to enhance and measure the offering and impact of the programme. 4. Regeneration and Renewal Area Update 4.1 The annual Regeneration and Renewal update report provides an opportunity to highlight the progress that has been made in each of the regeneration areas, including successful negotiations for the acquisition of private properties required for demolition. 4.2 Discussions continue with owners across seven of the eight regeneration areas, where acquisition is required to facilitate demolition. Of the 89 privately owned properties identified for acquisition and demolition, 52 have been acquired by the Council, a further 7 are agreed and with legal services to conclude, 24 are at various stages of the negotiation process and 6 remain to be valued. Table 1 below highlights the current position across the seven areas where demolition is planned. Table 1 Total at Outset Acquired With Legal Services to conclude Valued and neg cont. Valuation to be instructed Auchentorlie 1 0 0 1 0 Howard Street 11 7 0 1 3 Thrushcraigs 6 3 0 3 0 Broomlands 16 9 1 6 0 Waverley 4 3 0 1 0 Springbank 36 20 6 7 3 Howwood Road 15 10 0 5 0 89 52 7 24 6 Page 40 of 314
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4.3 Demolition will be carried out on a phased basis, in line with the rehousing and acquisition strategy for each regeneration area. Where newbuild housing is proposed on the cleared sites, a key objective of this programme is to deliver homes of a suitable type and size that will meet current and future needs and to enable existing households to remain in the area where they choose to do so. 4.4 As previously reported, all Council tenants affected by demolition will be offered suitable alternative accommodation in line with the Council’s housing allocation policy and will be entitled to apply for home-loss and disturbance payments, subject to qualification criteria, where the move is in accordance with the phasing strategy that facilitates this regeneration initiative. 4.5 Officers are reviewing the mixed tenure nature of blocks within retention and investment areas to identify any opportunities where the Council may want to consider increasing their ownership in some blocks where this would allow investment works to proceed. More information on the current ownership profile in each retention area is contained in the area updates detailed further below. 4.5.1 Auchentorlie, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Auchentorlie investment area includes 3 blocks in full Council ownership and 7 mixed tenure blocks where the investment proposals are subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate. The Housing Investment team are currently contacting owners in these blocks to discuss their individual circumstances, have conversations around the costs for improvement works and advise them of any available grants they may be eligible for, to assist them to participate in the investment programme for this area. A commission for landscaping design has been carried out in the Auchentorlie area that will take into consideration the boundary treatments, bin storage and recycling requirements as well as design of open areas/amenity spaces. A submission has been made to secure funding for owners in this area from Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes (EES: ABS), where grants are made available to eligible owners to contribute towards the costs of energy efficiency improvement works. This funding is subject to qualifying criteria, with the proposed investment works subject to owner agreement. A range of energy efficient improvement options have been developed, with a view to facilitating an uptake in owner participation. The options available for the Auchentorlie area will be discussed with each of the 16 private owners in this retention area in the coming weeks. Page 41 of 314
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Pilot Project - 74 Seedhill Road In order to showcase the improvement works that will be delivered through investment in retained blocks, a pilot project has been identified at 74 Seedhill Road involving a range of preliminary investigations and surveys which have informed the detailed design and specification of works. The Building Warrant application process is underway, and works will commence on site following approval of the design and technical specification. We have been in contact with the tenants at this address to advise them of the extent of the programme of works internally and externally for this block and it is anticipated there may be the requirement for a period of temporary decant for 4 tenants to ensure the effective delivery of all improvement measures. Demolition Properties Members will note that a separate report is being considered by the Board in relation to the condition of the block identified for demolition within this regeneration area. All properties within 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant are now vacant following the successful rehousing of Council tenants, in line with the rehousing strategy agreed for this regeneration area. 4.5.2 Howard Street Area, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Howard Street investment area includes 6 blocks in full Council ownership and 12 mixed tenure blocks where the investment proposals are subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate. Similar to the Auchentorlie area, a submission has been made to secure funding for owners in this area from Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes (EES: ABS), where grants are made available to eligible owners to contribute towards the costs of energy efficiency improvement works. This funding is subject to qualifying criteria, with the proposed investment works subject to owner agreement. The Housing Investment team will contact owners in these blocks later this year, to discuss their individual circumstances, have conversations around the costs for improvement works and advise of any available grants they may be eligible for, to assist them to participate in the investment programme for this area. Demolition Properties The Howard Street area includes the demolition of 11 blocks of flats. 7 of 11 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have now been acquired by the Council and discussions are ongoing with the remaining 4 owners with a view to voluntarily acquiring these properties. Page 42 of 314
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Several phases of rehousing priority have been added in this area with 41 of the 66 properties now vacant, in line with the rehousing strategy agreed for this regeneration area. 4.5.3 Waverley Road, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Waverley Road investment area is majority Council owned with only one block in mixed tenure, however, investment proposals in that block remain subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate in the scheme of improvements. The Housing Investment team have been reviewing options for the blocks being retained on Waverley Road including options for new balconies where applicable. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works will be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can take the opportunity to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements surrounding their homes. Demolition Properties The Waverley Road area includes 12 blocks for demolition. 3 of the 4 privately owned properties within the demolition blocks have now been acquired by the Council with negotiations with the last remaining owner ongoing. Several phases of rehousing priority have been added in this area with only a small number of remaining tenants requiring suitable alternative accommodation. This is in advance of the timeline set out for the rehousing strategy for this regeneration area. Given the increased number of vacant blocks within this area, arrangements are now being made to procure a contractor to deliver a programme of demolition for 8 of the 12 vacated blocks at this location. Procurement of a demolition contractor for these 8 blocks is underway with officers working with utility companies to organise the removal of gas and electricity meters from each property in advance of service disconnections. Regular visits are being carried out to ensure these vacant properties remain secure and identify and report any instances of fly tipping. Page 43 of 314
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4.5.4 Ferguslie/Broomlands, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Ferguslie/Broomlands investment area includes 82 privately owned properties across a number of blocks, with 3 in full Council ownership and 13 in mixed tenure (6 of these are Council minority ownership) where the investment proposals are subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate. Some of the blocks within this area are of traditional sandstone construction and the Housing Investment team are reviewing options and costs associated with the works required for these properties to enable them to be enhanced to meet the Energy Efficiency standards proposed. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works will be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can make themselves available to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements for the areas surrounding their homes and into Ferguslie Gardens. Demolition Properties The Ferguslie/Broomlands area includes the demolition of 5 blocks of flats. 9 of the 16 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have now been acquired by the Council and discussions are ongoing with the remaining 7 owners with a view to voluntarily acquiring these properties in advance of demolition. Newbuild Housing It had originally been planned that a first phase of newbuild development consisting of 18 units at Carbrook Street would be delivered in advance of demolition within this area. Following a reduction in the Resource Planning Assumptions for Renfrewshire and the relatively high tendered costs for the Carbrook Street development, this project has been reprofiled within the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2025 – 2030 which is the subject of a separate report presented to this meeting of the Communities and Housing Board. Tender options for the development of the Carbrook Street site will be reviewed further following approval of the draft SHIP for 2025 – 2030 and reported to a future meeting of this Board. Page 44 of 314
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4.5.5 Howwood Road Area, Johnstone Investment & Retention Properties The Howwood Road investment area has 122 Council properties and 74 privately owned across 45 blocks. Investment proposals in mixed tenure blocks remain subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate in the scheme of improvements. This includes 5 blocks that are not included within our investment proposals as although they are within the regeneration and renewal boundary for the Howwood Road area, the Council has no ownership interest as these blocks are wholly privately owned. Private Sector Housing Grant from the Council is only available to owners within communal blocks where the Council also owns property within block (mixed tenure). Owners within the solely privately owned blocks have been made aware that they are unable to access PSHG assistance and officers will work with the owners to signpost them to advice and assistance from partner agencies where they indicate they would like this assistance. The Housing Investment team have been reviewing options for the blocks being retained in the Howwood Road area including consideration of options for enclosing the balconies to make the homes more energy efficient. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a drop in event locally to discuss the proposed programme of works in more detail. Neighbourhood Renewal Event Section 3.3 of this report highlighted a new approach being rolled out for Neighbourhood renewal and the Howwood Road area was selected as a pilot for this new approach, with a specific focus on promoting health and well- being, employability, and energy advice, along with community capacity building. The first Neighbourhood Renewal meeting for this area took place on 22nd May 2024 and was well attended and received by the local community with over 140 individuals in attendance. Linking in with the newbuild consultation event planned for this date, we were able to work collaboratively across Council services, with third sector partners to use the newbuild consultation event as a platform to launch the Neighbourhood Renewal Group for this area. The event provided tenants and residents with the opportunity to speak to Council officers and partners about the development plans and receive advice on matters such as employability, health and wellbeing and energy advice. Page 45 of 314
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Positive feedback was received regarding the newbuild development and the advice and assistance that was available at the event, including energy advice, health and wellbeing support, employability, and information on how to be involved in the project going forward. As part of this neighbourhood renewal process for this area, residents were asked for ideas or suggestions for the development of the former St. Davids school site as it is not envisaged that this will be developed for housing due to site constraints previously highlighted to the Board. A number of the ideas collated for consideration for the vacant site are listed below: • Garden area with benches • Outdoor learning area that could be utilised by local schools • Football park/pitches • Wooded or wild park with path network and space for the elderly to meet • Enclosed area for dogs/agility area. Another suggestion that has been considered and developed further since the event in May, is the use of a property for a local drop-in surgery where tenants and residents can speak with officers about the programme of works in the area and could potentially hold a number of advice or wellbeing surgeries to support or in association with the partners we are working with, across this area. A suitable centrally located property has been identified for this purpose and following completion of the required changes to facilitate the use as a drop in venue, officers will promote the location and times this service will be available to residents within the Howwood Road regeneration and renewal area. Newbuild Housing McTaggart Construction have been appointed to design and build 70 new homes on the site of the former Cochrane Castle school and land adjacent to the Highcraig Avenue shops. The development will provide a mix of property types, with many wheelchair-accessible and include a wide range of property types and sizes ranging from 1 to 5-bedroom homes. These new homes are part of the first phase of newbuild planned for this area and will be built to meet the highest standards in energy efficiency, coming complete with air source heat pumps and solar panels. As this is classed as a major development (50+ homes), two pre-application community consultation events have been held in May and June to inform the community of the proposals ahead of submission of the formal Planning Application in July. As originally reported to this Policy Board, rehousing of tenants displaced in this area will take place on a phased basis following completion of the first set of 70 newbuild homes, with phased demolition and at least one further phase of newbuild thereafter. Officers will soon commence the application process for households within the first demolition phase to allow a matching exercise to be undertaken for those who choose to remain within the area. Page 46 of 314
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Feedback from the local community at the consultation events highlighted concerns about the condition and appearance of the four retail units on Highcraig Avenue. Two of the four retail units are privately owned and operational, with the remaining units in Council ownership and currently void. The Assets and Estates team have approached the private owners of both units with a view to voluntarily acquiring these commercial units, however, negotiations have been unsuccessful to date, and it is likely voluntary acquisition of these units will not be possible in the short to medium term. Negotiations to voluntarily acquire these properties will continue in the meantime and any potential requirement for CPO will be presented to a future board. As part of the overall regeneration and ahead of Phase 2 of the newbuild programme, the Council are currently procuring a market feasibility and overview report to assess the suitability of demolishing the existing retail units to be replaced with 1-2 new retail units. On completion of this feasibility, the Regeneration Team will assess the options available to the Council. 4.5.6 Springbank/Mossvale, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Springbank/Mossvale investment area includes 31 Council properties and 66 privately owned properties across 6 mixed tenure blocks and one where the Council have no ownership interest. Investment proposals are subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate and like the Howwood Road area, where we have a fully privately owned block, officers will work with these owners to signpost them to advice and assistance from partner agencies, where they indicate they would like this assistance. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works can be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can make themselves available to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements for the areas surrounding their homes. Demolition Properties The Springbank/Mossvale area includes the demolition of 9 blocks of flats. 16 properties within these blocks remain in private ownership at this time, however positive negotiations continue as we seek rehousing opportunities for some of the residents who are being displaced as part of this project prior to the blocks being demolished. Page 47 of 314
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Following the successful rehousing and acquisition of privately owned properties within the block at 1 – 19 Mossvale Square, officers were able to take forward the advance demolition of this block which had begun to attract anti-social behaviour. Officers from the regeneration and development team are working collaboratively with the wardens and neighbourhood services and Police and Fire Scotland to highlight and address any concerns raised regarding vacant dwellings as they await demolition. Newbuild Housing On completion of demolition, a feasiblity study will be carried out, together with a site investigation, to assess the site ahead of the tender issue for new build construction. Due to the size and scale of development for the Springbank area, re-housing of tenants and private acquisitions have been phased to allow the clearance of land for each phase of newbuild development. Officers have weekly drop-in surgeries within the Beechwood Community Centre to be available for tenants and residents to answer any questions or queries they have regarding the regeneration programme for this area. Housing options advice is offered to tenants and residents of demolition properties on a phased basis in line with the rehousing strategy for the Springbank area. 4.5.7 Thrushcraigs, Paisley Demolition Properties The Thrushcraigs area includes the demolition of all 16 blocks of flats within the regeneration boundary. 3 of the 6 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have now been acquired by the Council and discussions are ongoing with the remaining owners with a view to voluntarily acquiring these properties prior to demolition. Several phases of rehousing priority have been added with 40 of the 96 properties now vacant, in line with the rehousing strategy agreed for this regeneration area. The Thrushcraigs area includes a number of properties that are utilised by Homeless Services as temporary accommodation. Given the current high level of demand for this type and size of accommodation, the rehousing strategy for this area has been amended to allow ongoing use of this facility at this time. This will be reviewed on a regular basis while actively rehousing tenants from other blocks at this location and proceeding with the acquisition strategy to allow clearance of the blocks for future newbuild development. Page 48 of 314
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Newbuild Housing On completion of demolition, a feasiblity study will be carried out, together with a site investigation, to assess the site ahead of the tender issue for new build construction. 4.5.8 Moorpark, Renfrew The Moorpark investment area has a high proportion of private owners with 144 private flats across 75 blocks, 16 of which where the Council have no ownership interest. The Council have 175 properties within the area with full ownership in 8 of the 75 blocks. To ensure the successful delivery of the investment programme, it will be essential to reach agreement with a number of owners to ensure as many mixed tenure blocks progress with investment as possible. Given investment work are not scheduled until later in the ten-year programme, officers have developed an initial action plan for this area, identifying areas for improvement in relation to the external environment and roads that will be addressed in advance of the wider investment programme. Officers are also reviewing the Council’s ownership and block make up in the area to identify any ownership consolidation opportunities that could assist the future delivery of the investment programme. As we approach the delivery timescales for this area, officers will explore funding opportunities available at that time, to assist owners in mixed tenure blocks to reduce the cost of participation. 5. Acquisition Scheme for Private Housing 5.1 The Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 20 August 2019 approved the Acquisition of Private Housing Scheme to be overseen by the then Director of Communities, Housing & Planning. This Scheme formed part of the HRA Capital Investment Programme and was to be targeted at the purchase of properties which would meet identified needs and increase the supply of good quality Council housing in areas where there is need and recognised demand. The Housing and Community Safety Policy Board on 13 May 2014 approved the Last-in-the-block Sale Policy which set out arrangements for the disposal of Council properties which become void, at no less than market value, where the property is the last one owned by the Council in a block of five or more flats. 5.2 Amendments to both the Acquisition of Private Housing Scheme and the Last- in-the-block Sale Policy in respect of Housing Regeneration Areas were approved by the Communities and Housing Policy Board on 16 August 2022. The sale of the last house in a block in certain circumstances in accordance with the Last-in-the-block Sale and Acquisition Policy have been highly useful negotiating positions for the Council in agreeing the voluntary acquisition of properties to deliver the Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme. Page 49 of 314
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5.3 The Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme is an opportunity to meet Scottish Government Energy Efficiency targets within the blocks being retained in Housing Regeneration Areas. However, it is recognised that the costs of these measures are significant, even when grant funding is applicable. Accordingly, authorisation is sought for the amendments to the Council’s Acquisition Scheme for Private Housing outlined in paragraph 5.4 below enabling the Council to offer resident owners within Housing Regeneration areas the opportunity to sell to the Council and become a Council tenant in their existing home. 5.4 It proposed for the Communities and Housing Policy Board amendments to the Council’s Acquisition Scheme for Private Housing, in full accordance with the approved Council Scheme of Delegation and Financial Regulations, to authorise the voluntary acquisition of privately-owned properties in mixed tenure blocks where: • the privately-owned properties are located within Housing Regeneration Area boundaries and are situated in a mixed-tenure block that has been identified for retention and capital investment; and • the owner-occupiers are unable or unwilling to contribute their share of the costs of works and want to become Council tenants. The Council would acquire these privately-owned properties to allow investment works to progress and the existing owner-occupiers would continue to reside in their existing properties with them converting to a Council tenancy. This would apply where the privately owned property is situated within a mixed tenure block that has been identified for retention and capital investment and the owner-occupier(s) are unable or unwilling to contribute their share of the works costs and with them choosing to become Council Tenants and allow investment works to progress. 5.5 Presently, where an owner is unable or unwilling to contribute their share of the costs for the investment to their block and to allow the improvement works to proceed this would result in no works being carried out to the block. This ability to acquire additional privately owned properties within mixed tenure blocks In Housing Regeneration Areas identified for retention and investment as part of the wider Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme will be a valuable negotiating position for officers that will allow investment works to proceed, as well as facilitating the owner to remain within their home as a tenant and therefore benefitting from the investment works. More widely, this will also benefit tenants and residents through facilitating the delivery of improvement works where they otherwise may have been undeliverable. Page 50 of 314
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6. Programme Governance 6.1 To ensure robust programme governance, a Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme Board was established and is attended by Chief Officers and senior officers from across Council Services, meeting quarterly to monitor the programme’s performance. This information is then reported to Communities and Housing Policy Board, within the regular Service Update Reports and the annual update each August. 6.2 Four Thematic Groups have been established as detailed above, with membership and remit recently refreshed as we move from the planning phase into the implementation stages of the programme. These groups of 2nd and 3rd tier officers meet quarterly and more regularly if required. Thematic Groups Attendee Remit: • Stay informed about how the HR&R impacts service delivery and feedback opportunities/constraints to service and HR&R team. • Act as a key link to service delivery departments to review designs, proposals, and consultations from external consultants on the HR&R programme. • Identify opportunities for services and work collaboratively to contribute to place based activities in regeneration areas. • Identify and agree benefits monitoring and evaluation indicators tied to corporate objectives. • Attend Neighbourhood Renewal Groups where necessary. __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 51 of 314
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Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The financial background to this investment programme was detailed in the report to Council on 17 December 2020 by the Chief Executive, Director of Communities and Housing and Director of Finance and Resources highlighting that it will be funded through financial sustainable borrowing on the HRA. A strategic review of the 30-year HRA business plan model confirmed there was sufficient headroom to support this investment programme. The review identified £100 million of additional investment capacity which can be relied upon for long term planning and investment purposes, and this is subject to ongoing review as part of the annual update of the HRA 30-year business plan. The acquisition of private homes to add to Council stock will be funded from the income received from the sale of last in the block properties, as previously approved by the Board. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning • Our Renfrewshire is well – this investment programme is contributing to improved wellbeing and quality of life for residents. • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – this investment programme will deliver a diverse range of economic and community benefit packages over the lifetime of the project. • Our Renfrewshire is safe – ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe and attractive places to live. 4. Legal – work will be required with respect to acquisitions, disposals, conveyancing, and title changes as necessary. 5. Property/Assets – as we progress through the phases of the investment programme, there is an element of property acquisitions and disposals and demolition of some existing properties as approved by the Board. 6. Information Technology – N/A 7. Equality & Human Rights – (a) 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. Page 52 of 314
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8. Health & Safety – N/A 9. Procurement – a Procurement Strategy has been developed to ensure the delivery of the investment, demolition and newbuild programmes include locally deliverable community benefits from each contract. 10. Risk – a risk register has been developed to consider various risks including those relating to financial and procurement as referred to in the implications section of this report. This risk register is monitored and regularly updated throughout the delivery of the Housing led Regeneration and Renewal programme. 11. Privacy Impact – N/A 12. Climate Risk – the investment programme will contribute towards meeting the Council’s targets on climate change. 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. COSLA Policy Position – N/A _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, 22 August 2023, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 2 Update’ Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 16 August 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 1 Update’ Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 15 March 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’ Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 18 January 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’ Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 18 May 2021, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’ Report to Council, 17 December 2020, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’ Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 20 August 2019, ‘Acquisition of Private Housing’ Report to Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, 13 May 2014, ‘Single Council Dwellings in Larger Common Blocks’ ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Jennifer Murdoch, Housing Regeneration and Development Manager (acting) Email: Jennifer.murdoch@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 53 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 (attached at Appendix 1) sets out the housing investment priorities for projects across Renfrewshire that will be supported by Scottish Government funding through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. 1.2 Renfrewshire’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan is reviewed and updated each year in partnership with developing Housing Associations and the Scottish Government. 1.3 The draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 is attached and will be subject to a four week public consultation. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030, as set out in Appendix 1, for consultation, before a finalised Plan is presented to the October meeting of the Communities and Housing Policy Board. ___________________________________________________________________ Item 6 Page 55 of 314
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3. Background 3.1 The draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan outlines how Scottish Government funding for affordable housing will be targeted to achieve the priorities set out in Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy and support the delivery of a range of affordable housing projects across Renfrewshire. 3.2 As part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme process, the Scottish Government allocate grant funding, known as Resource Planning Assumptions, to individual Council areas. 3.3 The Scottish Government’s budget approved in February 2024 included a reduction of £196 million in funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in Scotland. Following this budget announcement it has been confirmed that the Resource Planning Assumption for Renfrewshire for 2024/2025 has reduced by £4.187 million (24%) to £13.013m. 3.4 Resource Planning Assumptions support the delivery of new affordable homes across Renfrewshire by providing grant support at benchmark rates. The Scottish Government benchmark grant rates are set at £83,584 for new Council homes and £91,182 for new social rented homes delivered by housing association partners. 3.5 It is currently challenging to deliver new social rented homes at benchmark rates due to high development costs and inflationary pressures. Developers can apply for higher levels of grant support that reflect higher development costs for projects but the award of higher levels of grant is funded from the existing Resource Planning Assumption. If higher levels of grant are approved it will mean that fewer homes can be delivered each year which will increase delivery timescales for the wider SHIP programme. 3.6 Additional grant funding is also available on top of the grant benchmark rates where affordable housing developers include specific qualitative design features related to zero emissions; the installation of automatic fire suppression systems; electric vehicle charging points; space for home working; provision of balconies and digital connectivity. 4. Draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 4.1 The draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan includes a range of housing projects that aim to deliver affordable homes of different types and sizes throughout Renfrewshire to meet people’s housing needs, including smaller and larger homes for both general and particular needs. 4.2 The draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan includes an affordable housing programme to be delivered by the Council and its Housing Association partners which is supported by Scottish Government grant funding. Page 56 of 314
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4.3 The draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan contains funding provision for the Council’s own ambitious newbuild development programme in the Councils Housing Regeneration and Renewal areas. 4.4 Formal offers of Scottish Government Grant for projects included within the SHIP core programme have been issued by the Scottish Government to developing social landlords for 2024/25 with future grant funding offers expected to be issued on a rolling basis up to the value of the annual Resource Planning Assumption. Projects in receipt of grant in 2024/25 include the Council’s regeneration projects at Howwood Road, Johnstone and at Gallowhill in Paisley. 4.5 Delivery of the full development programme is projected to take longer than previously anticipated in last year’s plan as the amount of funding being made available through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2024/25 has been reduced by £4.187 million (24%). This reduction in funding is combined with higher development costs and inflationary pressures which will result in extended timescales for delivery of the full development programme. At current grant levels it is anticipated that the development programme will take approximately 10-15 years to deliver. 4.6 The Resource Planning Assumption for Renfrewshire has only been confirmed for one year and there remains uncertainty over the future level of funding allocations for Renfrewshire. This funding uncertainty means that delivery timescales for projects may change and it will be challenging to add new projects to the programme in the short to medium term. 4.7 In approving the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2024 to 2029 at the Communities and Housing Board on 31 October 2023, it was reported to Board that the Council and partners are working to identify new affordable housing projects to address the 93 social rented unit reduction at Dargavel Village that resulted from the decision of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on 29 August 2023 in relation to the revision of the Section 75 Agreement that is attached to the approved Dargavel Village masterplan. 4.8 Given the reduction in funding and the uncertainty over future levels of funding, the ability to add new projects to the development programme to address the 93 unit reduction at Dargavel Village is significantly constrained, therefore the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan focuses on the delivery of existing sites within the programme. The Council and partners will work to identify new affordable housing projects to address the reduction at Dargavel Village should additional funding be made available. The draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan does, however, continue to programme for the delivery of 105 social rented units at Dargavel Village. Page 57 of 314
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4.9 The draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan has built in capacity to accelerate affordable housing projects within the programme to take advantage of any additional funding that may become available to Renfrewshire or to mitigate any slippage on projects to ensure that all available funding is fully utilised in supporting the delivery of the right homes in the right places. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Next Steps 5.1 Consultation on the draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 will take place between August and September 2024. This will involve further engagement with all developing housing associations operating in Renfrewshire, local stakeholder groups such as Community Councils and tenants and residents’ associations, community planning partners, other stakeholder groups and Renfrewshire’s residents. 5.2 Following the consultation and taking account of feedback received the Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 will be finalised and presented to this Policy Board for consideration. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Provision has been made within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Budget in relation to the projects where the Council is the developing organisation. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None. 3. Community/Council Planning – Building strong, safe and resilient communities by Increasing the supply of affordable housing and regenerating communities. 4. Legal - Conveyancing work associated with land disposals, and any site assembly and title changes or checks. All new Council contracts for new build affordable housing will require input from the contracts and project legal sections at the pre and post tender stages through to award. 5. Property/Assets - None. 6. Information Technology - None. Page 58 of 314
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7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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. 8. Health & Safety - None. 9. Procurement - None. 10. Risk - Scottish Government funding for affordable housing development does not carry forward into the next financial year. There is therefore a risk that funding could be lost to Renfrewshire if there is slippage in the delivery of any of the projects. This is mitigated by ongoing monitoring of projects and the prior identification of alternative projects for funding to be spent on if slippage occurs. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk - The Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan aims to deliver high quality, energy efficient homes in sustainable locations across Renfrewshire. 13. Children’s Rights – None. 14. Cosla Policy Position - None. ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Appendix 1 – Draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Alan Williamson, Strategy and Place Manager Email: alan.williamson@renfrewshire.gov.uk, Tel: 07811 053968 Page 59 of 314
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1 Draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 Page 60 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 2 Preparation and Consultation This draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 has been prepared for consultation following on-going discussions with the Scottish Government and housing association partners operating in Renfrewshire. Individuals, groups and stakeholders are encouraged to comment and provide feedback to help shape the finalised Strategic Housing Investment Plan to ensure that it reflects the views of Renfrewshire’s communities and partners. The finalised Strategic Housing Investment Plan will be submitted to the Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board on the 29th October 2024, after which it will also be submitted to the Scottish Government. Following submission of the finalised Strategic Housing Investment Plan to the Scottish Government, a Strategic Local Programme Agreement (SLPA) for Renfrewshire will form the basis of individual agreements between the Scottish Government, Renfrewshire Council and housing association partners on funding for specific affordable housing projects as detailed in the finalised Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Public consultation on this Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan will open on 21st August 2024 with the consultation closing on 18th September 2024. Comments should be returned by email or by post to: Email: strategyandplace@renfrewshire.gov.uk Economy and Development Team, Chief Executives Service, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1WB This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan can be viewed on the Council’s website by visiting: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/4232/Strategic-Housing- Investment-Plan Page 61 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 3 Renfrewshire’s draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan The Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) sets out a national framework to support development of new affordable homes. As part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme process, local authorities are required to prepare a Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) each year that outlines where grant funding provided to Councils by the Scottish Government will be used to support delivery of new affordable homes developed by the Council or one of its housing association partners. Renfrewshire’s new draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan provides details of affordable housing projects in Renfrewshire that will assist in meeting the strategic priorities of Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy with these projects expected to be supported by Scottish Government grant funding over the short, medium and longer term. Projects included within the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan will continue to assist in providing the right homes in the right places and contribute to providing safe, warm and energy efficient homes that meet people’s housing needs and contribute to the creation of thriving sustainable communities. The Scottish Government’s Housing Programme The Scottish Government published their ‘Housing to 2040 Strategy’ in March 2021 with the strategy setting out the Scottish Government’s approach to increasing the supply of homes across all tenures in the period to 2040. When published, the ‘Housing to 2040 Strategy’ included a target to provide 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 with at least 70% of these homes to be developed for social rent. However, as a result of wider financial pressures - the Scottish Government significantly reduced funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme as part of the draft Budget published in December 2023 and approved in February 2024 with £196 million less funding than anticipated being made available nationally to support the delivery of affordable homes in the year April 2024 to March 2025. The recent reduction in funding will have a significant impact on timescales for delivery of affordable housing projects in both Renfrewshire and nationally. The scale of the reduction in Renfrewshire’s is around £4.2 million in 2024/25 with a similar level of funding anticipated in 2025/26. Page 62 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 4 For now, the Scottish Government have retained their ambitious targets set out in the ‘Housing to 2040 Strategy’. Renfrewshire Council remain committed to contributing to national targets and will continue working in partnership with our housing association partners, private developers, the construction industry and the Scottish Government to deliver affordable homes across Renfrewshire. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan rolls forward affordable housing projects identified as priorities in previous Strategic Housing Investment Plans whilst acknowledging that timescales for the delivery of projects may take significantly longer than previously anticipated as a direct result of the reduction in available funding, inflationary pressures, additional costs associated with improving standards and the general rising cost of development. Ongoing financial support in terms of future funding commitments from the Scottish Government that recognise the scale of Renfrewshire’s affordable housing development programme and acknowledge the significant inflationary pressures on development and tender costs will be essential to supporting the ongoing delivery of new affordable homes throughout Renfrewshire. Link Group social rented development, Millarston, Paisley The Scottish Government’s Housing and Planning Delivery Framework (HPDF) This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan takes account of the Scottish Government’s Housing and Planning Delivery Framework (HPDF) which promotes more efficient collaboration between Housing and Planning Services in relation to the Local Housing Strategy, Housing Need and Demand Assessment and national planning policies. Page 63 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 5 Renfrewshire's draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan, Local Housing Strategy and the Renfrewshire Development Plan (including Renfrewshire’s Local Development Plan 2021 and National Planning Framework 4) support the implementation of the Housing and Planning Delivery Framework and aim to increase the supply of housing; make the housing system more responsive to demand; improve long term housing affordability and contribute to reducing volatility in the housing market. Development Plan for Renfrewshire Renfrewshire’s current Development Plan consists of National Planning Framework 4 and the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021. Renfrewshire’s Development Plan supports the development of new homes that improve affordability and choice as well as increasing access to homes for all which are accessible and adaptable, including wheelchair accessible homes. When the Council is assessing projects included as part of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan, it will consider proposals against the policies in the National Planning Framework 4 and the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021. Williamsburgh Housing Association social rented development, Albert Road, Renfrew Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy The fourth Local Housing Strategy for Renfrewshire was approved in October 2023 following consultation with local communities, housing association partners, tenants and resident’s associations, community councils, the third sector, Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership and other key stakeholders. The Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 takes account of local and national policy priorities, as well as new research and evidence and looks to build upon past successes whilst aiming to meet need and demand for both housing and housing related services. Page 64 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 6 The Local Housing Strategy includes 5 strategic priorities as shown below. Affordable Homes for Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Council worked with local authorities across the Glasgow City Region to finalise the third Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3). In addition to HNDA3, a comprehensive local affordable housing study of the Renfrewshire area was produced as part of the development of the current Local Housing Strategy (LHS) with this local study complementing the wider HNDA3 by providing a robust evidence base by identifying housing need at a lower level geography across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages. This comprehensive evidence base will also be used to inform the application of Renfrewshire’s Affordable Housing Policy. The Council has taken account of the outputs of HNDA3 and the local affordable housing study to estimate housing need for both private and affordable housing with progress in meeting this need monitored as part of the annual update of Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy. The headline results from the local affordable housing study are included within the Local Housing Strategy. Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 Strategic Priorities 1. The supply and delivery of housing is increased across all tenures to meet the housing needs of different groups and create attractive and sustainable places. ; 2. People live in high quality, well managed homes in sustainable neighbourhoods. ; 3. Address the challenges of the climate emergency, delivering homes that are warm, energy efficient and fuel poverty is minimised ; 4. Prevention of homelessness and providing support for those in housing need ; and 5. People can live independently for as long as possible in their own home and the different housing needs of people across Renfrewshire are being met . Page 65 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 7 Resources for Housing Delivery It is vital that an ambitious and flexible affordable housing development programme is maintained to ensure that sites can be progressed to meet local need while making the best use of available funding and resources. Until this year, the Scottish Government provided Councils with multi-year Resource Planning Assumptions (RPA’s) to support longer term planning and delivery of projects within Strategic Housing Investment Plans. In recent years, multi-year funding allocations of between £15 million and £17 million per year were made available to Renfrewshire Council by the Scottish Government. As part of the Scottish Government’s draft budget published in December 2023 and approved on 27th February 2024, there was an unexpected reduction of more than £196 million in funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in Scotland. In Renfrewshire, this means that funding from the Scottish Government has been reduced significantly from £17.200 million to £13.013 million in 2024/25 with a similar level of funding anticipated in 2025/26. Scottish Government funding allocations beyond 2024/25 are still to be confirmed. However, it is likely that funding awards will be made on a single year basis over the next few years as opposed to the recent multi-year resource planning assumption which provided some degree of certainty and facilitated longer term planning. Scottish Government Charitable Bond Funding (ALLIA) In addition to the funding being made available to Renfrewshire through the confirmed Resource Planning Assumption in 2024/25, Renfrewshire has successfully attracted Allia funding which is funding derived from the Scottish Governments Charitable Bonds investments programme. This is managed by Allia, a social investment charity. Each year income is generated from bonds which is then used by the Scottish Government’s More Homes Scotland team to support increasing the supply of homes by providing one off grants to affordable housing providers who have projects that align with the funds criteria. Page 66 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 8 Funding new Affordable Homes and Scottish Government Grant Benchmarks New affordable homes developed as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan are funded through a combination of Scottish Government grant and the developers own financial resources. Scottish Government grant support is provided at flexible benchmark rates for each affordable home developed with the Scottish Government benchmark grant rate set at £83,584 for new build social rented Council homes and £91,182 for new build housing association homes. These grant rates are flexible which means that projects may be eligible for a higher grant award per property following a detailed assessment of property mix, project viability and development costs. In recent years, costs to develop affordable homes have risen significantly due to inflationary pressures and increases in both employee and material costs. This has had a negative impact on overall development activity with higher levels of grant support required per property to make developments viable with projects also taking longer than expected to deliver. Alongside inflationary pressures and the general increase in development costs, the incorporation of new design features, whilst welcome, have added to the cost of development. These issues, when combined with a reduction in Scottish Government grant funding, will reduce the number of new affordable homes that can be completed each year and will extend the timescales for delivery of projects included within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Appendix 3 of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan includes details of the estimated grant funding requirement for each project. Additional Affordable Housing Design Features In addition to the basic flexible benchmark grant made available to developers of affordable housing, additional grant may be provided from the Councils existing Resource Planning Assumption to support inclusion of specific quality and design features in new affordable homes, these features include: Page 67 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 9 The delivery of homes to Silver Level of the 2019 Building Regulations in respect of Energy for Space Heating; The provision of balconies within flatted developments where the provision of private or communal outdoor space is not possible; The provision of space for home working or study where it is not possible to incorporate such space within the design of the homes under current space standards; Digitally enabled homes with tenants able to arrange for an internet connection without the internet service provider having to provide additional cabling to the premises; The installation of ducting infrastructure for electric vehicle charge point connectors; Installation of electric vehicle charge points; The installation of automatic fire suppression systems; and Installation of heating systems which produce zero direct emissions at the point of use. Any additional grant required to support inclusion of any of these features must be met from the existing funding allocation from the Scottish Government - this may have an impact on the number of new affordable homes being delivered as the level of grant funding required for each property increases. Meeting Renfrewshire’s Housing Need When developing proposals for new affordable housing, developers are required to aim for balanced mixed communities that include a range of property types and sizes to meet a range of different housing needs, including the provision of accessible homes and homes designed to wheelchair standard. All affordable housing must be built to Housing for Varying Needs standards and should have flexibility built into the design to allow for future adaptation and reconfiguration to meet tenant and resident’s current and future needs. In 2022, Renfrewshire had a population of 184,340 people living across 88,749 different households with an average household size of just over two people (National Records of Scotland). By 2028, the number of households is expected to increase to around 90,600 through small projected increases in the population combined with an increasing number of people living alone (National Records of Scotland). Renfrewshire’s population, like Scotland’s, is ageing with people living longer. In 2022, almost one fifth (19.6%) of Renfrewshire’s population was 65 years of age or older (National Records of Scotland). Page 68 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 10 Renfrewshire Affordable Housing Investment Priorities Projects included within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan have clear links to the Strategic Priorities set out in the Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan supports the development of high quality affordable homes that are energy efficient and recognises that good quality affordable housing can positively impact peoples’ lives and enhance Renfrewshire’s places. Projects identified within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan will meet housing needs with affordable housing developers expected to provide a range of property types and sizes on each development to meet the housing needs of different groups, including smaller one bedroom homes and larger family homes throughout Renfrewshire. The Council will continue to work with housing association partners to determine the most appropriate property mix on a project by project basis taking account of Council and housing association waiting list data and the findings from the Glasgow Clyde Valley Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) and the Renfrewshire Housing Need and Demand study. A breakdown of property sizes for recently completed developments and those that have planning consent is included in Appendices 1 and 2. Projects included as part of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan will assist in meeting the needs of individuals, families and those who require accommodation to meet a particular housing need such as housing for older people and housing to meet the needs of households with physical disabilities. New homes developed as part of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan are also expected to meet people’s needs and aspirations now and in the future with homes expected to be adaptable to meet people’s changing needs over time. Projects for both general and particular needs provision are included as both standalone purpose-built accommodation as well as within mainstream general needs developments. Particular needs provision alongside appropriate support can assist people to live independently and successfully in their own homes and communities. Page 69 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 11 Developers of affordable homes will be expected to include accessible and adaptable homes on all new build developments. In recent years, Strategic Housing Investment Plans have primarily focused on adding to the supply of new build affordable homes for social rent, this will continue under this new draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Whilst the focus will remain on adding to the supply of social rented homes, there is a recognised need for some limited shared equity provision on larger affordable housing sites. The inclusion of new homes for shared equity will be considered on a site by site basis taking account of the availability of grant funding from the Scottish Government. The delivery of new affordable homes on private sector sites will continue through the application of Renfrewshire’s Affordable Housing Policy, in order to promote the development of mixed tenure communities. The focus will be to increase the supply of social rented homes, however, this will be subject to the level of Scottish Government funding to support delivery. As well as adding to the supply of affordable housing, this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan places a strong emphasis on making best use of existing stock where possible and addressing issues in terms of housing quality and sustainability. Sanctuary Scotland development, Napier Crescent, Linwood Page 70 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 12 Renfrewshire Council Regeneration and Renewal Programme This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan continues to support the Council’s new build programme following the completion of new Council homes in Dargavel Village, Johnstone and Ferguslie Park in Paisley. Over the next 10 years, Renfrewshire Council will continue to invest in its own newbuild programme to develop high quality energy efficient homes that replace existing low demand housing or add to the supply of Council housing with plans progressing to deliver homes in identified regeneration areas or on nearby sites. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan identifies these new build Council projects as strategic priorities with Scottish Government grant expected to be made available as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process to supplement the Council’s own investment in these new homes for social rent. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan supports delivery of the strategic priorities of the Local Housing Strategy by: 1. Supporting the Council’s housing Regeneration and Renewal programme by including new affordable housing projects to replace social rented housing that is no longer fit for purpose; 2. Increasing the provision of affordable housing in areas where there is demand but limited supply; 3. Addressing the mismatch between the supply of social rented housing and the housing people need and want to live in, taking account of type, size, quality and location; 4. Supporting the development of sustainable mixed communities by making use of the Council’s Affordable Housing Policy; 5. Increasing the supply of housing for older people and those with particular needs, including those who are homeless; and 6. Supporting town centre regeneration through residential development. Page 71 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 13 Initial Council new build projects identified within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan for social rent include: Howwood Road, Johnstone. Gallowhill, Paisley; Thrushcraigs, Paisley; Springbank, Paisley Additional regeneration areas will be included in the later years of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan as proposals are refined and Scottish Government funding becomes available. As well as adding to the supply of new Council housing as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process, the Council will target enhanced investment in its existing housing stock – including works to the external fabric of properties and environmental improvements. More information on the Council’s Regeneration and Renewal Programme can be found on the Council’s website by visiting: Housing regeneration in Renfrewshire – Renfrewshire Website New Affordable Homes to be delivered An overview of new build affordable housing developments both currently underway and proposed is provided in Appendix 1. Appendix 3 outlines the proposed new build programme for delivery by both the Council and its housing association partners with delivery of core priority projects expected in the earlier years of the programme and shadow and longer term projects expected to be delivered in the later years of this programme and beyond with timescales for delivery subject to the availability of Scottish Government grant funding. The continued significance of strategic regeneration is reflected in the projects currently on site or proposed to be taken forward as part of the proposed development programme. Delivering New Affordable Homes in North and West Renfrewshire Affordable housing development in the villages of North and West Renfrewshire can be challenging as most land for development is in private ownership. Page 72 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 14 The Council recognises that there is unmet demand and limited supply of affordable housing in these areas and will continue to pursue all opportunities to increase the supply of affordable housing in both North and West Renfrewshire, working with housing association partners and private developers to include social rented housing as either standalone developments or as part of mixed tenure private sector developments delivered as part of the Council’s Affordable Housing Policy. Affordable housing provision within Dargavel Village will continue with 138 homes for social rent developed by the Council and Loretto Housing Association. Loretto Housing Association were progressing plans to deliver a further 62 social rented homes with Stewart Milne Homes but following the administration of Stewart Milne Homes – these 62 affordable homes have been delayed pending another developer progressing this site. Discussions are also ongoing between housing association partners and private developers to deliver a further 43 homes for social rent within Dargavel Village across two sites. An additional 93 social rented units that were to be delivered at Dargavel Village were removed from the SHIP programme to reflect the minute of agreement reached between the Council and BAE in September 2023 which supports the development of the community growth area. The ability to address the 93 unit reduction has been impacted significantly by the reduction in funding available through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. It is not known how long this reduction in funding will remain or whether it will be reduced further during the next 5 years. Should additional funding become available, opportunities for additional social rented homes in North Renfrewshire will be explored building on what is already planned in the SHIP. In West Renfrewshire, a number of sites are being assessed by housing association partners with these sites potentially including homes for social rent as part of the Councils Affordable Housing Policy. The Council will continue to work with our housing association partners to increase the supply of social rented housing in these areas, taking account of housing waiting list data and the outputs from the Renfrewshire Housing Need and Demand study. Page 73 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 15 Particular Housing Needs The Local Housing Strategy highlights the importance of providing homes that meet the particular needs of different groups with a focus on homelessness prevention and enabling people to live independently for as long as possible in their own home. In December 2023, Link Housing Association completed a mixed general and particular needs development comprising of 81 new homes for social rent in Paisley Town Centre. This development included 20 amenity standard homes and 5 fully wheelchair accessible homes. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan includes projects that will continue to contribute to addressing identified particular needs in Renfrewshire. One project being carried forward from the previous Strategic Housing Investment Plan, that if delivered will contribute to meeting identified particular needs, includes a purpose built development of older persons housing in Erskine. This proposed development would include 24 new older persons homes to replace existing provision that is no longer suitable. This site was being progressed in a partnership between Stewart Milne Homes and Bridgewater Housing Association. However, following the administration of Stewart Milne Homes, this project may be delayed pending the outcome of the administration process. When planning new developments, early stage discussions will take place with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to ensure that projects are viable, sustainable and capable of meetings tenants and residents’ needs. Wheelchair Accessible Housing Affordable housing providers in Renfrewshire are expected to provide a range of property types and sizes to meet people’s different housing needs - this includes the development of wheelchair accessible homes. When preparing proposals for new build development, housing providers will be required to design homes that are able to meet occupants changing needs over time as well as the needs of an ageing population by incorporating design features that promote accessible and adaptable homes. Page 74 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 16 Targets for the inclusion of wheelchair accessible homes as part of new build developments have been agreed and are included within the Local Housing Strategy. The Local Housing Strategy confirms that: New residential proposals must provide a minimum 10% of all dwellings designed to be easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users; and 5% of all new homes must be designed to wheelchair accessible standards. Link Group social rented development, General and Particular Needs, Paisley Town Centre Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans Renfrewshire Council and partners worked together to prepare a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) that details how those who are homeless will be provided with settled accommodation more quickly; spend reduced time in temporary accommodation and have more access to up-scaled support. The strategic housing priorities contained within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan align with the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan, supporting the delivery of homes to meet the requirements of different needs groups, household types and sizes. Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan recognises the fundamental role housing has in tackling child poverty and aims to support the delivery of a range of property types and sizes that meet the needs of families of all sizes through the creation of high quality energy efficient homes in sustainable communities that support health, wellbeing and educational attainment. Early discussions with housing association partners ensure that the housing mix proposed for each project takes account of Page 75 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 17 housing waiting lists with this information reflected in terms of any agreed property mix and house sizes. Refugee Resettlement Renfrewshire Council continues to work with the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to determine what Renfrewshire may provide in terms of housing stock to support the Afghan resettlement and asylum dispersal programmes. To date, most accommodation required has been smaller with one or two bedrooms being used due to the arriving household size. Renfrewshire has continued to play its part in the national response though the extent of ongoing support in terms of the number of homes required to support Renfrewshire’s contribution towards the national resettlement scheme is unclear and will be kept under review. Gypsy/Travellers The Council continues to review the need to allocate land to meet the housing needs of Gypsy/Travellers taking account of the Joint Action Plan published by the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). The Council will make use of Scottish Government research into Gypsy/Travellers and use the Scottish Government toolkit intended to assist local authorities build an understanding of the changing needs of Gypsy/Travellers in our area, in particular in relation to accommodation, services and supporting travel throughout Renfrewshire and beyond. All available information will inform the current Gypsy/Travellers assessment work that has been undertaken by Renfrewshire Council and will allow for both a strategic and local insight into the Gypsy/Traveller community and the implications for Renfrewshire. This work will be undertaken as an on-going action in the Local Housing Strategy. This on-going work will identify the potential needs and support requirements of the Gypsy/Traveller community and whether site provision is required. If Page 76 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 18 accommodation is required, this could be in the form of seasonal, transit, a permanent site or stopping place. Cross boundary and regional implications continue to be explored in partnership with neighbouring authorities as part of the Glasgow City Region Housing Market Partnership and will look at the potential of utilising negotiated stopping in defined areas to meet transient needs. If there is a need to allocate land to meet the accommodation need of Gypsy/Travellers, this will be addressed through the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan and its associated Delivery Programme. Should a requirement for accommodation/sites be identified to meet the needs of Gypsy/Travellers, future updates of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan will include details of these projects with funding potentially also being sought from the Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund where appropriate. Travelling Showpeople There are currently no permanent Travelling Showpeople sites in Renfrewshire. Through delivery of the strategic priorities included within the Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028, the Council will identify if there is a need to allocate land to meet the housing needs of Travelling Showpeople with any identified need addressed through the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan/Action Delivery Programme. Addressing the Climate Crisis in Renfrewshire Tackling the Climate Crisis is a priority for Renfrewshire Council with work currently being progressed as part of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero and Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy. It is recognised that the changing climate has a direct impact on Renfrewshire’s housing stock and that some residents will be more vulnerable to this than others. The Council’s Climate Change Action Fund supports innovative projects and initiatives, encouraging engagement and partnership working across Renfrewshire to tackle the climate crisis. Page 77 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 19 Climate Change Adaptations Both Renfrewshire Council and its housing association partners are incorporating additional energy efficiency measures as part of new build design which will actively target reduced carbon emissions from new build development. Projects included within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan aim to tackle fuel poverty by maximising opportunities for innovative energy efficient development, with greener measures included within new build developments. Link Group social rented development, Thrushcraigs, Paisley Acquisition of Private Housing (Rental Off the Shelf) In recent years, Scottish Government grant provision has been included as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan to assist affordable housing providers to purchase appropriate properties for social rent on the open market. This provision has supported acquisition of a range of property types including empty homes and other types of property where the acquisition of these properties has aligned with Local Housing Strategy priorities and the Council’s Acquisitions Strategy. However following the significant reduction in Scottish Government grant funding announced in December 2023 and the resulting pressure on available resources to fund ongoing and planned new build affordable housing development – no funding provision from Renfrewshire’s £13.013 million Resource Planning Assumption will be included for open market acquisitions in the years 2024/25 and 2025/26 unless there is unplanned slippage on new build projects and funding becomes available. Available resources will be prioritised to support delivery of new build affordable homes with individual affordable housing providers able to continue to make open market acquisitions where their own resources allow. Page 78 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 20 National Acquisition Programme On the 26th April 2024, the Scottish Government announced funding of £80 million across 2024/25 and 2025/26 to support the continuation of the National Acquisition Programme to assist affordable housing providers to expand the supply of affordable homes and reduce homelessness through open market acquisition. This national fund has the potential to modestly increase the supply of affordable homes in Renfrewshire with the Scottish Government still to confirm the criteria for accessing this funding. It is anticipated that any funds will be in addition to existing resource commitments from the Scottish Government and that affordable housing providers in Renfrewshire will be able to acquire properties with assistance from this national fund with Renfrewshire Council awaiting further detail from the Scottish Government. Any additional resources for open market acquisitions would be funded out with the Council confirmed Resource Planning Assumption of £13.013 million in 2024/25. Council Tax on Empty and Second Homes There is currently no direct funding allocated to the affordable housing programme in Renfrewshire from revenue raised from empty homes with the Council actively using other mechanisms to promote delivery of affordable homes. This includes the role of the Council’s dedicated ‘More Homes Officer’ who works with owners of long-term empty properties to provide advice and assistance with a view of bringing long term empty properties back into productive use. The More Homes Officer also manages the Councils buy back scheme where properties that meet strategic objectives may be purchased and added to the Council’s lettable housing stock utilising the Council’s own resources. The Council also continues to monitor developments in terms of the Scottish Government’s ‘Housing to 2040’ Strategy proposals to support bringing empty homes back into productive use through enhanced powers for Councils and funding potentially being made available to support Councils in bringing empty homes back into use, or to convert suitable vacant commercial premises in town centre locations. Page 79 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 21 Over the last five years, the Council’s More Homes Officer has successfully helped to bring more than 60 long term empty homes back into the effective housing supply. Programme Management and Project Prioritisation This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan splits projects in to three groups: (i) ‘Core Projects’; (ii) ‘Shadow Projects’ and (iii) ‘Longer Term Projects’. Projects within each group are shown in Appendix 3. The methodology used to prioritise projects is based on the potential availability of Scottish Government grant funding as well as the developers’ ability to progress each project at key milestones in term of site acquisition, design work, procurement and potential site start date. This approach supports the programming of individual projects in terms of anticipated grant availability and the potential delivery timescales of individual projects. These projects together form the proposed Strategic Housing Investment Plan with projects being delivered as funding becomes available with delivery timescales dependent on future funding allocations from the Scottish Government. Projects included within the ‘Core Projects’ group will be progressed in the early years of the programme. Projects included in the ‘Shadow Projects’ group will be progressed as ‘Core Projects’ complete or when additional funding becomes available or where there is the ability to ‘front fund’ projects to allow projects to proceed earlier. Projects included in the ‘Longer Term Projects’ will be delivered over the longer term with grant funding only likely to become available beyond the current five year Strategic Housing Investment Plan period. In terms of front funding, the Council or housing association partner may initially fund the early stages of project development costs from their own resources, with grant being paid to developing organisations at the first available opportunity as funding becomes available. Page 80 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 22 The use of a three tier project priority approach supports the effective management of available resources whilst permitting some flexibility that assists in addressing any slippage of projects in any given year. Projects in the ‘Shadow Projects’ group and in particular ‘Longer Term Projects’ group may require extended lead in times to allow for site investigation works, value engineering works, site assembly or to arrange the necessary private finance to enable a development to proceed – all of which influence how projects are prioritised within the programme with all projects subject to regular review. Due to the significant financial constrains around grant funding availability, there is limited scope to add new projects to the programme prior to the next update of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan in 2025. Any additional projects brought forward would need to align with the strategic priorities of the Local Housing Strategy with a clear funding mechanism in place that does not impact other ‘Core Projects’. Due to the reduction in grant funding from the Scottish Government and current high tender and development costs - timescales for the progression of projects may change depending on the developing organisations financial position and ability to proceed in a high inflationary environment. This may cause movement within the development programme with projects moving between the three tier project priority groups to ensure all funding available to Renfrewshire can be fully utilised. Delivery Both the Council and its housing association partners will continue to look for efficiencies in construction methods and work with design teams to determine the suitability of non- traditional construction methods for projects included within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan. The Council will continue to explore options for joint working around innovative delivery mechanisms that support the delivery of affordable housing throughout Renfrewshire. Page 81 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 23 Housing Infrastructure Fund As part of the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 strategy, Scottish Ministers agreed to continue with the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) in the period up to 2026. The Housing Infrastructure Fund provides both Councils and housing association partners with additional grant to support the unlocking of challenging sites where the scale and nature of infrastructure costs would prevent these sites from being progressed as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan where projects can deliver affordable homes in line with the Council’s strategic priorities. The funding allocated to the Housing Infrastructure Fund nationally is around £50 million in the 2021-2026 period. In recent years, a number of Renfrewshire projects have successfully accessed the Housing Infrastructure Fund with housing association partners continuing to look at options to bid for support from the Housing Infrastructure Fund as and when required. At present, no project developer within this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan is looking to access Housing Infrastructure Fund support, however this may change as developments move on site. Monitoring Progress To monitor progress in delivering individual projects and ensure that resources are managed effectively, a range of project management measures are employed. These include ongoing liaison between services within the Council and between the Council and housing association partners on specific projects; quarterly tripartite meetings between the Council, individual housing association partners and the Scottish Government; regular internal officer group meetings to review progress in delivering the overall development programme and a monthly review of project progress with all developers of affordable housing. Strategic Housing Investment Plan Appendices Appendix 1 details progress with projects currently on site as well as proposals for future projects identified as part of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Appendix 2 shows recent affordable housing completions with a breakdown of property size delivered on each site. Appendix 3 lists projects that are currently progressing and/or expected to require grant funding as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process. Page 82 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 24 Equalities This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan includes housing provision for a range of different needs groups including housing for older people and those with physical disabilities. This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan has been prepared in consultation with the Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure that projects take account of opportunities to deliver housing that meets the needs of a range of households with specific needs. In line with The Equality Act 2010 and the associated protected characteristics, an Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment has been prepared alongside the preparation of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan to identify the likely or actual effects of it on people. The assessment includes identifying where there will be a positive impact and further opportunities to promote equality. The assessment did not identify any negative impacts on people in relation to this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Viewing this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan This draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan can be viewed on the Council’s website by visiting: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/4232/Strategic-Housing- Investment-Plan If you require a printed copy of this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan, please email: strategyandplace@renfrewshire.gov.uk Renfrewshire Council development, Ferguslie Park, Paisley Page 83 of 314
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25 Appendix 1: Renfrewshire Affordable Housing Project Updates 1A: Projects completed in 2023/24 Development Units Status Comment Ferguslie Park, Paisley 101 Completed July 2023 101 new social rented homes from Renfrewshire Council that contribute to the regeneration of the Ferguslie Park area. The final homes were completed in July 2023 with the development consisting of 22 x 1 Bed, 67 x 2 Bed, 10 x 3 Bed and 2 x 4+ Beds homes. Abbey Quarter Phase IV, Paisley Town Centre 81 Completed December 2023 81 new homes for social rent from Link Group. This fourth phase of development completes the redevelopment of the former Arnott’s site, a key strategic location in Paisley Town Centre. The final homes were completed in December 2023 with the development consisting of 10 x 1 Bed and 71 x 2 Bed homes. Woodend House, Houston, West Renfrewshire 14 Completed January 2024 14 new homes for social rent from Link Group within a larger private sector development in Houston, West Renfrewshire which was delivered as part of the Council’s Affordable Housing Policy. The final homes were completed in January 2024 with the development consisting of 14 x 2 Bedroom homes. Page 84 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 26 1B: Projects currently on site or due to start on site Development Units Status Comment Napier Street, Linwood 51 On site, due to complete September 2024 This social rented development of 51 homes by Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply in Linwood. This project is expected to be completed by the end of September 2024. Property sizes include 37 x 2 Bed, 14 x 3 Bed. Paisley West End, Sutherland Street 35 On site, due to complete February 2025 Sanctuary Scotland are on site developing 35 new homes for social rent as part of the regeneration of Paisley’s West End. Property sizes include 28 x 2 Bed, 7 x 3 Bed. East Lane, Paisley Town Centre 48 On site, due to complete March 2025 This social rented development of 48 homes by Loretto Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply in central Paisley. Property sizes include 16 x 1 Bed, 32 x 2 Bed. Orchard Street, Paisley 46 On site, due to complete mid to late 2025 Work has now started on the Comprehensive Tenement Improvement (CTI) project at Orchard Street/Causeyside Street, Paisley following 5 blocks of flats being designated as a Housing Renewal Area (HRA) in March 2017. The overall development is expected to complete in the second half of 2025. Property sizes still to be confirmed. Cartha Crescent, Paisley 33 On site, due to complete April 2025 Williamsburgh Housing Association are now on site developing 33 homes for social rented that will add to the affordable housing supply in central Paisley. Property sizes include 12 x 2 Bed, 21 x 3 Bed. Hawkhead, Paisley 30 On site, due to complete May 2025 Link Group are onsite developing 30 homes for social that will add to the affordable housing supply in Paisley. Property sizes include 30 x 2 Bed. Page 85 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 27 Johnstone Castle Phase II 68 On site, due to complete August 2026 Link Group are onsite delivering the second phase of affordable housing in Johnstone Castle. This development will provide 68 homes for social rent as well as infrastructure and green spaces. Property sizes include 40 x 2 Bed, 28 x 3 Bed. Gallowhill, Paisley 65 Off site, Due to start on site in January 2025 Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver this development of around 65 new Council homes for social rent that will add to the affordable housing supply in the Gallowhill area. Howwood Road, Johnstone (Site 1 of 2) 70 Off site, Due to start on site in January 2025 Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver 70 new Council homes in this first phase of development in the Howwood Road Area of Johnstone. 1C: Projects expected to start on site in 2025/26 or later or when a projected site start date has still to be confirmed Development Units Status Comment West End - Remaining Sites 120 Offsite - Start date tbc Sanctuary Scotland are progressing plans for approximately 120 affordable new homes developed as part of the regeneration of Paisley’s West End. Bishopton, Phase 3 62 Offsite - Start date tbc The third phase of development at Bishopton Dargavel Village is expected to provide 62 new homes for social rent. Construction of these homes was due to start in 2023 but has been delayed following the administration of Stewart Milne Homes who were the developer of these homes for Loretto Housing Association. Page 86 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 28 Bishopton, Phase 4A 20 Offsite - Start date tbc Potential site identified for progression by Loretto Housing Association and a Private Developer for approximately 20 social rented homes within Bishopton Community Growth Area (CGA) (Dargavel Village). Bishopton, Phase 4B 23 Offsite - Start date tbc Potential site identified for progression by a Housing Association and a Private Developer for approximately 23 social rented homes within Bishopton Community Growth Area (CGA) (Dargavel Village). Foxbar Rivers, Paisley 40 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 40 homes by Renfrewshire Council will add to the affordable housing supply in the Foxbar area of Paisley and bring vacant sites back in to use. Thrushcraigs, Paisley 50 Offsite, Due to start on site in July 2027 Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver around 50 new Council homes in the Thrushcraigs Area of Paisley. Springbank, Paisley (Phase 1 of 2) 65 Offsite, Due to start on site in October 2026 Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver around 65 new Council homes in this first phase of development in the Springbank Road Area of Paisley. Broomlands (West Campbell Street), Paisley 25 Offsite - Start date tbc Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver around 25 new Council homes in the Broomlands Area of Paisley. Howwood Road, Johnstone (Site 2 of 2) 60 Offsite, Due to start on site in October 2027 Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver around 60 new Council homes in this second phase of development in the Howwood Road Area of Johnstone. Carbrook Street, Paisley 18 Offsite - Start date tbc Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver 18 new Council homes in the Carbrook Street Area of Paisley. Page 87 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 29 Older Persons Housing Reprovisioning, Erskine 24 Offsite - Start date tbc Bridgewater Housing Association are progressing plans for a new purpose built older persons housing development of around 24 units that will replace existing scattered older persons housing provision across Erskine. Construction of these homes was due to start in early 2024 but has been delayed following the administration of Stewart Milne Homes who were the developer of these homes for Bridgewater Housing Association. Property sizes were likely to include 6 x 1 Bed, 18 x 2 Bed homes but this may change when a new development partner is identified. Stirling Drive, Linwood 65 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 65 homes by Linstone Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply in Linwood. Springbank, Paisley (Phase II) 35 Offsite, Due to start on site in January 2030 Renfrewshire Council regeneration area. Following public consultation, plans are being progressed to deliver around 35 new Council homes in this second phase of development in the Springbank Road Area of Paisley. MacDowall Street, Johnstone 35 Offsite - Start date tbc Discussions will take place to identify an affordable housing provider to develop this gap site for affordable housing. Ryefield, Johnstone 36 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of approximately 36 homes by Linstone Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply of houses in the Johnstone area. Gibson Crescent, Johnstone 28 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 28 homes by Williamsburgh Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply in Johnstone. Garthland Lane, Paisley 32 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 32 homes by Renfrewshire Council will add to the affordable housing supply in central Paisley. West Renfrewshire Villages 62 Offsite - Start date tbc Three potential sites identified for progression by Housing Association partners for approximately 62 social rented homes as part of mixed tenure developments proposed in West Renfrewshire. Page 88 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 30 Foxbar Rivers, Paisley 40 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 40 homes by Paisley Housing Association will add to the affordable housing supply in the Foxbar area of Paisley and bring vacant sites back in to use. Westburn Avenue/Blackstoun Road, Ferguslie Park, Paisley 22 Offsite - Start date tbc This social rented development of around 22 homes by a developer still to be identified will add to the affordable housing supply in the Ferguslie Park area of Paisley and bring a vacant site back in to use. East Lane, Paisley (Site 2 of 2) 30 Offsite - Start date tbc Site identified for longer term development. Supported Housing, Paisley (Site tbc) 14 Offsite - Start date tbc Efforts will continue to identify a potential site for supported housing in Paisley Town Centre. Town Centres tbc Offsite - Start date tbc Efforts will continue to identify potential site(s) for affordable housing in Town Centre locations to promote mixed tenure communities and the growth of resident town centre populations. West Renfrewshire Villages tbc Offsite - Start date tbc Efforts will continue to identify additional potential site(s) for affordable housing in West Renfrewshire to promote mixed tenure communities. North Renfrewshire Villages tbc Offsite - Start date tbc Efforts will continue to identify additional potential site(s) for affordable housing in North Renfrewshire to promote mixed tenure communities. Local Development Plan Affordable Housing Policy Future Requirements Subject to the availability of Scottish Government grant, this draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan will support the development of new affordable homes within private sector sites as part of Renfrewshire’s Affordable Housing Policy. Page 89 of 314
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31 Completions between 2019 and 2024 & estimated completions 2024/25 Appendix 2 2019/20 Sanctuary Paisley West End (Phase I (Co-op), Paisley 9x 1 Bed, 18x 2 Bed, 12x 3 Bed 39 Sanctuary Love Street, Paisley 47x 2 Bed, 85x 3 Bed 132 Link New Sneddon Street, Paisley 24x 2 Bed 24 195 2020/21 Link Smithhills Street, Paisley 26x 2 Bed 26 Renfrewshire Council Bishopton Phase I 10x 1 Bed, 34x 2 Bed, 34x 3 Bed, 2x 4+ Beds 80 Williamsburgh HA Milliken Road, Kilbarchan 14x 1 Bed, 4x 2 Bed 18 124 2021/22 Renfrewshire Council Johnstone Castle, Johnstone 4x 1 Bed, 67x2 Bed, 20x 3 Bed, 4x 4+ Beds 95 Link Group Amochrie Road, Foxbar, Paisley 34x 2 Bed, 2x 3 Bed 36 Link Group Thrushcraigs Phase II (St Ninians), Paisley 12x 2 Bed, 11x 3 Bed 23 Paisley HA Westerfield House, Paisley 16x 1 Bed 16 170 2022/23 Sanctuary/Paisley HA Glenburn, Paisley 8x 1 Bed, 73x 2 Bed, 50x 3 Bed 131 Link Group Millarston, Paisley 16x 1 Bed, 62x 2 Bed, 2x 3 Bed, 19x 4+ Beds 99 Renfrewshire Council Auchengreoch Road, Johnstone 8x 1 Bed, 17x 2 Bed, 12x 3 Bed, 2x 4+ Beds 39 Loretto Bishopton Phase II 12x 1 Bed, 14x 2 Bed, 32x 3 Bed 58 Williamsburgh HA Albert Road, Renfrew 13x 2 Bed, 29x 3 Bed 42 369 2023/24 Renfrewshire Council Ferguslie Park, Paisley 22x 1 Bed, 67x 2 Bed, 10x 3 Bed, 2x 4+ Beds 101 Link Group Abbey Quarter Phase 4 (AQP4), Paisley 10x 1 Bed, 71x 2 Bed 81 Link Group Woodend House, Houston 14x 2 Bed 14 196 1,054 2024/2025 - Estimated Completions Sanctuary Napier Street, Linwood 37x 2 Bed, 14x 3 Bed 51 Sanctuary Sutherland Street, Paisley 28x 2 Bed, 7x 3 Bed 35 Loretto East Lane, Paisley 16x 1 Bed, 28x 2 Bed 48 Page 90 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 32 Appendix 3 £ Million Homes Total Est Grant Req (£M) Est Spend by of End March 2025 Est Grant Req (Yr 1) 2025/26 Est Grant Req (Yr 2) 2026/27 Est Grant Req (Yrs 3-5) 2027/28- 2029/30 Est Grant Req (Yrs 6+) 2030/31 & Beyond Core Projects Johnstone Castle Phase II* 68 N/A N/A £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 Cartha Crescent, Paisley 33 £3.233 £3.233 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 Hawkhead, Paisley 30 £3.102 £1.951 £1.150 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 Orchard Street/Causeyside Street (HRA) 46 £5.003 £5.003 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 East Lane, Paisley 48 £6.044 £6.044 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 Howwood Road, Johnstone (Site 1 of 2) 70 £10.431 £1.315 £5.997 £3.119 £0.000 £0.000 Gallowhill, Paisley 65 £9.634 £0.707 £5.000 £3.927 £0.000 £0.000 West End - Remaining Sites 120 £10.942 £4.655 £0.000 £2.100 £4.191 £0.000 Affordable Housing Policy Future Reqs tbc tbc tbc tbc tbc tbc tbc *Funded without Grant from RPA 480 £48.389 £22.908 £12.147 £9.146 £4.191 £0.000 £ Million Homes Total Est Grant Req (£M) Est Spend by of End March 2025 Est Grant Req (Yr 1) 2025/26 Est Grant Req (Yr 2) 2026/27 Est Grant Req (Yrs 3-5) 2027/28- 2029/30 Est Grant Req (Yrs 6+) 2030/31 & Beyond Shadow Projects Bishopton Phase 3 62 £5.653 £0.000 £0.000 £2.000 £3.653 £0.00 Bishopton, Phase 4A 20 £1.824 £0.000 £0.000 £1.824 £0.000 £0.000 Bishopton, Phase 4B 23 £2.097 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £2.097 £0.000 Springbank, Paisley (Phase 1 of 2) 65 £5.433 £1.352 £0.450 £1.000 £2.631 £0.000 Foxbar Rivers, Paisley 40 £3.343 £0.050 £0.500 £1.000 £1.793 £0.000 Howwood Road, Johnstone (Site 2 of 2) 60 £5.015 £0.400 £0.400 £0.400 £3.815 £0.000 Thrushcraigs, Paisley 50 £4.179 £0.119 £0.600 £1.000 £2.460 £0.000 Page 91 of 314
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Draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025 to 2030 33 Springbank, Paisley (Phase 2 of 2) 35 £2.925 £0.350 £0.000 £0.000 £2.575 £0.000 Older Person's Reprovisioning, Erskine 24 £2.578 £0.000 £0.578 £1.000 £1.000 £0.000 Stirling Drive, Linwood 64 £6.936 £0.859 £1.000 £1.500 £3.577 £0.000 Broomlands & Carbrook Street, Paisley 43 £6.130 £0.287 £0.000 £0.000 £5.843 £0.000 486 £46.113 £3.417 £3.528 £9.724 £29.444 £0.000 Homes Total Est Grant Req (£M) Est Spend by of End March 2025 Est Grant Req (Yr 1) 2025/26 Est Grant Req (Yr 2) 2026/27 Est Grant Req (Yrs 3-5) 2027/28- 2029/30 Est Grant Req (Yrs 6+) 2030/31 & Beyond Longer Term Projects Ryefield, Johnstone 36 £3.664 £0.150 £0.000 £0.000 £3.514 £0.000 Gibson Crescent/North Road, Johnstone 28 £2.553 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £2.553 £0.000 West Renfrewshire Villages (3 sites) 62 £5.653 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £1.641 £4.012 Garthland Lane, Paisley 32 £2.675 £0.225 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £2.450 Foxbar Rivers, Paisley 45 £3.647 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £3.647 Westburn Avenue/Blackstoun Road, Paisley 22 £1.839 £0.143 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £1.696 East Lane, Paisley (Site 2 of 2) 30 £2.735 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £2.735 MacDowall Street, Johnstone 35 £3.191 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £3.191 Supported Housing, Paisley (Site tbi) 14 £1.277 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £0.000 £1.277 Town Centres (Future sites tbi) tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc West Ren Villages (Future sites tbi) tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc North Ren Villages (Future sites tbi) tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc £tbc 304 £27.234 £0.518 £0.000 £0.000 £7.708 £19.008 1,270 £121.736 £26.843 £15.675 £18.870 £41.343 £19.008 Page 92 of 314
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34 Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR Page 93 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2024/25 Award of Funding ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council has been allocated up to £2,061,138 for qualifying projects under the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland Area Based Schemes (EES: ABS) programme for 2024/25. 1.2 The report updates members on the funding application that has been submitted and the projects which will be supported, subject to formal confirmation of award of funding from Scottish Government. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the allocation of up to £2,061,138 funding from the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Schemes programme and the projects submitted for funding. 2.2 Authorises the Head of Housing Services to accept the funding of up to £2,061,138 on receipt of formal offer of grant from Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Schemes programme, for projects set out within this report. 2.2 Authorises the Head of Housing Services to oversee the delivery and operational management of the programme and notes an update on the outcomes delivered from the programme will be provided to a future meeting of the Policy Board. Item 7 Page 95 of 314
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3. Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes (EES:ABS) 2024/25 3.1 The Scottish Government’s EES:ABS programme was formerly known as the Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS: ABS) which was introduced in 2013/14. The programme is targeted at private sector homeowners to assist their participation and ensure projects to improve energy efficiency can proceed. The key objectives are to address fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate an appropriate strategic fit and approach to improving energy efficiency. 3.2 The potential benefits of EES: ABS support a wide range of social housing initiatives including maintaining stock at the levels required by the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) as well as the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and the proposed Social Housing Neet Zero Standard (SHNZS), and local authorities act as coordinating agents for all EES: ABS programmes for their area. 3.3 The Council has been allocated funding of up to £2,061,138 for 2024/25 and has submitted projects for the full amount. Details of the projects included within the bid are set out below: 3.4 As in previous years, the projects within the bid focussed on mixed tenure blocks of solid wall construction type to support social landlords in meeting the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and the proposed Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS), as well as an allocation of funding to support private homeowners in houses or wholly private blocks which will be delivered through a Managing Agent. 3.5 The Council has again secured the services of a Managing Agent with the intention of offering this support to private homeowners in areas where the Council has previously carried out investment programmes, where houses and/or blocks were not included in our programme due to them being wholly privately owned. The costs of the Managing Agent role will be met by the EES:ABS funding. Project Value of HEEPS:ABS Renfrewshire Council Mixed Tenure Blocks External Wall Insulation and Solar PV throughout Renfrewshire £837,600 Managing Agent for Wholly Privately Owned Properties £386,538 Renfrewshire Council Regeneration Area Mixed Tenure Blocks in Auchentorlie and Howard Street £837,000 Total £2,061,138 Page 96 of 314
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4. EES:ABS Programme 2023/24 Update 4.1 In 2023/24 the Council was awarded £2,061,138 in EES:ABS grant funding and the full amount of funding was successfully drawn down to support the delivery of energy efficiency works to eligible private owners. 4.2 The Council’s mixed tenure blocks investment project delivered external improvement works including, external wall insulation and associated measures to 90 flatted properties in the Elderslie area. The EES:ABS funding allowed 39 private owners to benefit from these works, whilst the works to a further 51 Council homes were funded by the Council through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme. 4.3 Linstone Housing Association successfully delivered External Wall Insulation to four mixed tenure blocks. Six private owners and six Linstone HA tenants benefitted from these works, with EES:ABS funding being utilised to allow the owners to participate and Linstone HA funding the works to their own properties. 4.4 In addition, in 2023/24 the Council continued to work with the Wise Group to act as a managing agent to offer EES:ABS funded energy efficiency improvement works to residents in fully privately owned blocks and individual houses. Targeting eligible residents in the Whitehaugh area of Paisley, where the Council has previously carried out investment programmes, measures including external wall Insulation and solar PV panels were installed to 69 wholly private houses and flats, and funded by EES:ABS. 5. EES:ABS Programme 2024/25 5.1 Members should note there continues to be complexity and a degree of flexibility required around the programming schedule to reflect fluctuating labour resource availability within the construction industry. This may impact on the scheduling of works for 2024/25 and the timetable for drawing down EES:ABS funding, which may result in works being rescheduled over the course of 2024/25 and into 2025/26, however, this will be managed by the Head of Housing Services in line with the Scottish Government’s funding criteria timescales. 5.2 An update on the outcomes of the 2024/25 programme will be provided to the Policy Board on completion of the programme. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – EES:ABS allocation of £2,061,138 for 2024/25 to support owner participation in a range of energy efficiency projects within the Renfrewshire area 2. HR & Organisational Development - None Page 97 of 314
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3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – assisting private owners to participate in programmes to improve housing conditions, making Renfrewshire a great place to live • Our Renfrewshire is well – improving housing conditions benefitting tenants and private owners. Addressing fuel poverty. • Reshaping our place, our economy, and our future – investment in the refurbishment of social rented and private dwellings will create jobs and contribute to the economy. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets – Improvements in the energy performance of both social rented and private dwellings 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement – Procurement of suppliers to deliver some elements of this programme of work. 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. Climate Risk – Projects will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency of both social rented and private dwellings. 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. COSLA Policy Position – None ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 22 August 2023 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2023/24 Award of Funding Page 98 of 314
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(b) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 16 August 2022 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2022/23 Award of Funding (c) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 17 August 2021 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2020/21 Award of Funding (d) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 20 August 2020 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2020/21 Award of Funding (e) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 20 August 2019 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2019/20 (f) Report to Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 12 March 2019 – Home Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Programmes: 2019/20 ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Mark Brown, Housing Asset & Energy Strategy Manager Email: mark.brown@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 99 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities & Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Scottish Housing Regulator requires local authority landlords and RSLs to carry out a Tenant Satisfaction Survey at least once every three years. The SHR sets out standard questions which must be asked of tenants to gauge satisfaction. The purpose of this report is to advise the Policy Board of the outcomes from the 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. 1.2 To meet this requirement, we carry out a Tenant Satisfaction Survey every two years. The survey for 2024 was carried out between March and May 2024. The report is attached at Appendix 1. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Note the contents of this report and any actions arising from it. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The aim of the survey was to find out tenants’ views on the services that Renfrewshire Council provides as a landlord, and how well these services are carried out. Additionally, the survey asks tenants to identify areas where the service can be improved. In particular, the survey focused on the following: • The quality of information provided by the Council; • Feedback on customer care; • Quality of accommodation and the neighbourhood; Item 8 Page 101 of 314
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• Service provision including repairs, maintenance and improvements; • Tenant involvement/opportunities for participation; • Value for money of rents; and • Service priorities. It is against this background that Research Resource were commissioned to carry out Renfrewshire Council’s 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. 3.2 The survey was conducted by an independent market research firm - ‘Research Resource’ - by telephone, covering just over 1,200 households, representing around 11% of the Council’s tenanted stock. 3.3 The survey questionnaire was based on six key questions developed by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) to assist in evaluating performance against core Charter indicators and outcomes. The answers are categorised into five possible responses: • Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied, Dissatisfied and Very Dissatisfied. It should be noted that for the purpose of reporting the percentage satisfied, the ‘Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied’ responses are counted as dissatisfied in line with SHR guidance and this can significantly drive down apparent satisfaction levels. The impact of this is demonstrated in this report. 3.4 The full survey is appended at Appendix 1 of this report. It provides independent information on our tenants’ views in relation to: • Their own homes, neighbourhoods and general environment; • Services provided, and how these could be improved; • Value for money; and • How we communicate with them and how they prefer to receive information. 4. Survey findings and actions 4.1 The six key Charter Indicators for Renfrewshire Council for 2024 show satisfaction levels remaining high at 70% or above. Whilst satisfaction levels remain high, there has been a decrease in levels since the last survey in 2022. It is noted that this is against a backdrop of particularly challenging times for social landlords and difficult economic circumstances for many of our tenants. In addition, data sourced from Scotland’s Housing Network’s Annual Return on the Charter: Performance Overview (June 2024) notes that there has been a decline in satisfaction generally throughout the Scottish local authority housing sector. Also of note is that in the instances where some authorities have seen improvement, in the main these improvements have been marginal, whereas where authorities have seen decreases in satisfaction these have been significant. Page 102 of 314
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4.2 Overall satisfaction The majority of respondents (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the overall service provided by Renfrewshire Council as a landlord. Although this has declined by 10% points from the survey carried out in 2022, the satisfaction figure has been influenced by those tenants who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied, as this rose sharply from 5% in 2022 to 11% in 2024. Of the 17% who stated they were dissatisfied with the service, the main issues reported were: • Inaction and waiting too long for repairs to be completed; • The standard of the property and general maintenance of the buildings; • Issues with the neighbourhood or environment; and • Customer service. Satisfaction levels varied across Renfrewshire, and analysis by area revealed Ferguslie Park respondents reported the highest levels of satisfaction (86%) while Johnstone Castle respondents were least likely to be satisfied (63%). Whilst the overall majority of tenants are satisfied with the service provided, further analysis will be undertaken to understand the shift to Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied, with a view to improving overall satisfaction rates. 4.3 Moving into your home Just under three quarters (72%) of the tenants who had moved into their current home within the last five years were very or fairly satisfied with the condition of their home when they moved in and when asked if they were happy with the type of house they currently have, the majority of respondents stated yes (81%). 4.4 Complaints The survey asks tenants if they had made a complaint in the past year, what it was about and how it was dealt with. Almost 90% of respondents had not made a complaint to the Council and of the small number who had (139 from 1,216), 69 were regarding repairs and 34 related to anti-social neighbours. Around 79% of respondents commented that it was easy it was to make a complaint. 4.5 Repairs The survey asks wide ranging questions on the repairs service. All respondents were asked generally how satisfied they are with the way Renfrewshire Council as their landlord deals with repairs and maintenance. The majority of respondents (73%) were very or fairly satisfied in this respect. This satisfaction survey asks tenants if they have had a repair over the year, whereas our own repairs survey for the ARC return uses a point of service survey and takes responses from a higher number of tenants. Based on that survey, our figure for repairs satisfaction in the ARC return was 76.7%. Page 103 of 314
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Satisfaction with various aspects of the repairs service remains very high, including 94% of respondents saying it was easy to report a repair and being satisfied with the attitude of workers (94%). With regards to appointments, 91% of respondents stated they were offered a suitable appointment time for their repair, with almost all (97%) stating the appointment was kept. 4.6 Communication and participation Three out of four tenants (75%) felt their landlord was very or fairly good at keeping them informed about their services and decisions. The 2022 survey had a satisfaction rate of 91%. Similarly to Indicator 1 there was a marked rise in the number of tenants who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied from 4% in 2022 to 11% in 2024 which has therefore affected the overall satisfaction figure. The survey highlighted differences by area on how tenants felt the Council kept them informed, ranging from 86% satisfaction in Ferguslie Park to 66% in Glenburn. Similarly, more older tenants (84% of those over 75) believed that the Council was good at keeping them informed than younger tenants (70% of those aged 35 - 54). Most tenants said they would prefer to be consulted by telephone (33%) or letter (54%), which remains consistent with the feedback from the previous two surveys. Satisfaction with the opportunities to participate was 84% which is above the local authority average of 77%, albeit down from 99% in 2022. Notwithstanding this, we now offer a wider range of opportunities to engage with us and contribute to consultation than ever before. This indicator has seen the largest shift in those who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied from 0.7% in the 2022 survey to 12% in this year’s survey. 4.7 Contact with the Housing Service As with consultation and participation, most tenants would prefer to use the telephone to get in touch with their landlord (88%) and this was also the method tenants prefer their landlord to use when it needed to get in touch with them. Of those who responded the most common reason to contact the Council, other than paying rent, was to report a repair (73%). Of tenants who had contact with the Council within the last 12 months, 80% said they found staff to be helpful. Page 104 of 314
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4.8 Your home The majority of tenants (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the quality of their home, although this is down from previous survey (80%). Again, there was a high percentage of tenants who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied - 15% compared to 8% in the 2022 survey. From the 13% of tenants who said they were dissatisfied the main reasons for dissatisfaction with the condition of the home were: • Properties needing upgrades and improvements; • Outstanding repairs; and • The general quality of the buildings. The report notes that satisfaction with the quality of the home is lower among younger tenants (at 63% satisfaction) and similarly tenants who had lived in their home longer (between 3 to 10 years) were also more dissatisfied. One factor that may have contributed to the level of dissatisfaction was that most respondents (87%) said they had not had any major improvements carried out to their home over the last two years, which reflects the challenging environment in the construction sector and the resultant delays in recommencing some of our programmes of capital investment works. However, it is encouraging to note that where improvements had been carried out, satisfaction levels were very high at 88%, which is an improvement on the 2022 result when 83% were satisfied. Within this section of the survey, tenants of high-rise properties are specifically asked for their views and just over 1 in 10 tenants (12%) who took part said they lived in a multi storey property. Tenants who lived in multi storey properties and who received a concierge or caretaker service were asked for their opinions on the service. Satisfaction levels here remained very high with 85% of respondents saying the block was clean and 95% saying that caretakers or concierge staff were easy to contact. 4.9 Neighbourhood management Tenants were asked to rate how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood they live in and the majority of tenants (75%) were very or fairly satisfied in this respect. This indicator has seen a 12% reduction in satisfaction from the last survey in 2022. Again, there were many tenants who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied at 13.5% compared to 5.6% in 2022. As members will be aware, environmental management remains a priority for improvement with increased investment and resources directed to this area. This includes additional investment in the maintenance of open spaces within our estates, as well as the establishment of a new post of Housing Estate Manager for Council Housing reporting directly to the Area Housing Manager to strengthen local estate management. Page 105 of 314
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This new post has lead responsibility for the provision of the housing estate management service, building links with council tenants within communities and strengthening local connections between and across teams through working collaboratively with colleagues across all service areas for the benefit of council tenants. It is also of note that satisfaction levels vary greatly between neighbourhoods, from 95% satisfaction in Ferguslie Park to 67% in Johnstone and Villages. The most common reasons given for dissatisfaction were: • The area is run down; • Poor garden maintenance; and • Anti-social behaviour. An early example of the action being taken by the Housing Estate Manager to improve environmental management is the Estate Management Pilot within the Moorpark Area, where an action plan for environmental improvements has been created in collaboration with colleagues across services in Housing Services; Neighbourhood Services, Waste and Fleet; and Roads. This Pilot will inform how services can improve environmental and estate management within communities, with a view to this approach then being rolled out on a phased basis. The service is aware that sometimes issues which are outwith the council’s responsibility can impact residents’ view of their neighbourhood – for example garden maintenance within mixed tenure blocks. The complexity of issues in relation to estate management have been included in a recent review of Neighbourhood Disputes which was reported to the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board in May this year – officers from Housing Services contributed to this review. This report sets out plans to hold a workshop with all key services and departments in order to take a collective approach with a focus on estate management, to highlight approaches and opportunities for early intervention in order to prevent escalation. Officers from Housing Services will participate in this workshop and the findings will be reported in the ongoing Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Policy Board review. The survey also asked tenants an open question relating to the best things about living in their neighbourhood. The responses to this were very positive and the top four responses were: • The areas are quiet/peaceful/feel safe: • Good neighbours/friendly people/community spirit; • Close to local amenities/good amenities: and • Nice area/pleasant views/well maintained/happy with neighbourhood. Tenants were also asked a further open question on what they perceive to be the greatest problems or issues in their neighbourhood. Of note, more than a third of tenants (38%) did not believe there were any problems or issues in their neighbourhood. Page 106 of 314
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4.10 Rents and benefits Seven in ten respondents (70%) were of the opinion their rent represents very or fairly good value for money. Although satisfaction with this indicator has reduced from 83% it has also seen a very large shift in those who responded Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied from 7% in 2022 to 18% in 2024. The 12% of respondents who felt the rent they paid was not good value for money were asked to explain why they had said that. The main reasons were that rents were too expensive, dissatisfaction with rent increases or dissatisfaction with the quality of the home. This response is not unexpected in the context of the last few years when both tenants and social landlords have been facing some of the most challenging economic times. The cost-of-living crisis continues to cause hardship for many social housing tenants, whilst landlords are also facing increasing costs to deliver their core services whilst investing in maintaining and improving their homes. However, it remains the case that our average rental charge is lower than that of other social housing providers in Renfrewshire. 4.11 Service Improvements and Priorities All respondents were asked an open question regarding what they thought the best thing about the Housing Services that Renfrewshire Council provides. The top three comments were: • Repairs service e.g. prompt/quality of workmanship; • Customer service e.g. staff helpful/friendly; and • The overall service is good/good landlord. Tenants were then given the opportunity to provide an open response to the parts of the housing service of Renfrewshire Council that could be improved upon. The most popular response was that nothing needed to be improved (25%) and a further 18% answered ‘don’t know’ to this question. Where a suggestion was provided, this was most likely to be in relation to improving the repairs service (14%) and upgrading homes (11%). 5. Next steps and customer engagement 5.1 The survey provides a lot of useful information which will help inform both ongoing and future service improvements and the report notes tenant feedback split by age, length of stay and disability which will help inform service design to ensure it meets the needs of our diverse customer base. Through our Tenant Participation Strategy, we will increase awareness of how tenants can influence service improvement, we will work closely with tenants on estate management issues through Neighbourhood Services and will aim to improve satisfaction rates with the quality of the home as we progress the ongoing investment programme. Page 107 of 314
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5.2 Although most tenants felt happy with the management of their neighbourhood, we will use feedback to prioritise and resource neighbourhood management, both in terms of matters such as anti-social behaviour and the physical environment. We will continue to work with tenants in line with our Tenant Participation Strategy through focus groups/lived experience panels to examine the detail of the survey to address specific issues impacting our tenants. 5.3 Linked to improved engagement and consultation, a new corporate engagement policy is being designed, led by the Head of Marketing and Communications, to provide best practice guidance on engagement and consultation practice and to improve consistency in approach across services. The Housing Service will contribute to the development of that policy and will be able to draw on this in the design of future engagement activity. In addition, a new annual citizen survey will be introduced by Marketing and Communications later this year, to provide further insight into resident perceptions and impact of local services. The Housing Service will continue to further build and develop its day-to-day communication channels with tenants to ensure information is relevant and of use, easily understood and easy to access. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – Meeting the needs of housing applicants • Building strong, safe and resilient communities – Creating strong communities in our approach to allocating homes 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights – 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. Page 108 of 314
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8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – None 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Climate Change – None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Ray Walkinshaw, Housing Regeneration and Development Manager Email: ray.walkinshaw@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 109 of 314
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A Appendix 1 Cert No. 0501 036 Prepared by: Prepared for: Research Resource Renfrewshire Council Contact: Lorna Shaw Contact: Paul McLean Tel: 0141 641 6410 E-mail: Lorna.shaw@researchresource.co.uk Tel: 0141 618 6264 E-mail: paul.mclean@renfrewshire.gov.uk Renfrewshire Council Tenant Satisfaction Survey June 2024 Page 110 of 314
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2 Report written by: Rosemary Stafford Date: 13/06/2024 Reviewed by: Elaine MacKinnon/ Lorna Shaw Date: 13/06/2024 Page 111 of 314
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3 Renfrewshire Council Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2024 Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 5 2. INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................. 9 2.1. Introduction and background ............................................................................................. 9 2.2. Background and objectives ................................................................................................ 9 2.3. Research method ............................................................................................................... 10 2.4. Questionnaire design .......................................................................................................... 10 2.5. Sample size .......................................................................................................................... 11 2.6. Interviewing and quality control ........................................................................................ 12 2.7. Survey Analysis and Reporting ........................................................................................... 13 2.8. Report Structure .................................................................................................................. 13 3. OVERALL SATISFACTION .............................................................................................................. 14 3.1. Satisfaction with Renfrewshire Council as a landlord (Q1) .............................................. 14 4. MOVING INTO YOUR HOME ....................................................................................................... 17 4.1. Length of tenancy (Q2) ...................................................................................................... 17 4.2. Satisfaction with condition of new home (Q3) ................................................................. 18 4.3. Satisfaction with current type of house (Q4) .................................................................... 19 4.4. Number of rooms (Q5/6) .................................................................................................... 20 5. COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATION ................................................................................... 21 5.1. Keeping tenants informed (Q7) ......................................................................................... 21 5.2. Tenant Participation Opportunities (Q8) ........................................................................... 23 5.3. Satisfaction with opportunities for participation (Q11/12) ............................................... 24 6. CONTACT WITH COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND PLANNING SERVICES .................................... 26 6.1. Contacting the Council (Q13/14) ..................................................................................... 26 6.2. Internet use (Q15) ............................................................................................................... 27 6.3. Accessing the Council website for housing services information (Q16-18) .................... 28 6.4. My Account (Q19) .............................................................................................................. 29 6.5. Contacting the Council about a housing matter (Q20-23) ............................................ 30 7. COMPLAINTS ............................................................................................................................... 32 7.1. Nature of complaint (Q24/25) ........................................................................................... 32 Page 112 of 314
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4 7.2. Satisfaction with aspects of the complaints process (Q26/27) ....................................... 33 8. THE REPAIRS SERVICE ................................................................................................................... 36 8.1. General satisfaction with repairs and maintenance (Q28/29) ....................................... 36 8.2. Satisfaction with aspects of the repairs service (Q30-33) ................................................ 39 9. YOUR HOME ................................................................................................................................ 43 9.1. Overall satisfaction with quality of the home (Q34/35) ................................................... 43 9.2. Major works carried out (Q36-39) ...................................................................................... 45 9.3. Satisfaction with aspects of the home (Q40) ................................................................... 46 9.4. Multi-storey blocks (Q41) .................................................................................................... 47 10. NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 48 10.1. Landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood (Q42/43) ............ 48 10.2. Best thing about the neighbourhood (Q44) ..................................................................... 51 10.3. Greatest problems or issues in the neighbourhood (Q45) ............................................... 52 11. RENT AND BENEFITS .................................................................................................................. 53 11.1. Value for money (Q46/47) ................................................................................................. 53 11.2. Housing benefit and Universal Credit (Q48) ..................................................................... 56 11.3. Financial advice and support (Q49/50) ............................................................................ 56 12. SERVICE PRIORITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS ............................................................................. 58 12.1. Best aspect of service provided (Q51) .............................................................................. 58 12.2. Service improvement (Q52) ............................................................................................... 59 13. HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 60 13.1. Tenant or partner (Q54) ...................................................................................................... 60 13.2. Age and gender (Q55/56) ................................................................................................. 60 13.3. Household composition (Q57) ........................................................................................... 60 13.4. Disability status (Q58/59) .................................................................................................... 61 13.5. Ethnicity (Q60) ..................................................................................................................... 61 APPENDIX 1: Survey Questionnaire APPENDIX 2: Technical Report Summary Page 113 of 314
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5 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Research Resource was commissioned by Renfrewshire Council to undertake their 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. The aim of the research was to seek tenants’ views on the services that Renfrewshire Council provides as a landlord, how well it performs these services and to help identify areas where the service can be improved. A total of 1,223 interviews were carried out with tenants using a telephone methodology. 1,223 interviews provide data accurate to +2.64% (based upon a 50% estimate at the 95% confidence interval). Interviews were spread across all areas of Renfrewshire Council’s stock. CHARTER INDICATORS The table below shows the results for the Scottish Housing Regulator indicators for Renfrewshire Council for 2024 compared with the 2020 and 2022 results and the Scottish average for Local Authorities for the year 2022/23. As can be seen below, satisfaction levels have decreased for all indicators. The biggest decreases can be seen regarding keeping tenants informed (satisfaction decreased by 16 percentage points) and in terms of participation opportunities (decreased by 15 percentage points). Renfrewshire Council Housing Service is performing below the Scottish average for all but one indicator (satisfaction with participation opportunities). Scottish Social Housing Charter Indicators [2018/2020/2022 TSS and LA Scottish Average comparison] 2020 2022 2024 LA Scottish Average 2022/23 1 - Taking everything into account, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the overall service provided by your landlord? (% very/ fairly satisfied) 89% 82% 72% 83% 2 - How good or poor do you feel your landlord is at keeping you informed about their services and decisions? (% very/ fairly good) 88% 91% 75% 81% 5 - How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the opportunities given to you to participate in your landlord’s decision making processes? (% very/fairly satisfied) 94% 99% 84% 77% 7 - Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the quality of your home? (% very/fairly satisfied) 86% 80% 72% 82% 13 - Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your landlord's contribution to the management of the neighbourhood you live in? (% very/fairly satisfied) 85% 87% 75% 82% 25 - Taking into account the accommodation and the services your landlord provides, do you think the rent for this property represents good or poor value for money? Is is….? (% very/ fairly good) 78% 83% 70% 82% Page 114 of 314
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6 KEY FINDINGS The key findings of Renfrewshire Council’s 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey are as follows: OVERALL SATISFACTION The majority of respondents (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the overall service provided by Renfrewshire Council as a landlord. MOVING INTO YOUR HOME Just under three quarters (72%) of the tenants who had moved into their current home within the last five years were very or fairly satisfied with the condition of their home when they moved in. All respondents were then asked if they were happy with the type of house they currently have. The majority of respondents stated yes (81%). More than 8 in 10 respondents felt they had about the right number of rooms in their home (83%). COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATION Three out of four tenants (75%) felt their landlord was very or fairly good at keeping them informed about their services and decisions. Renfrewshire Council’s Housing service uses a range of different methods to contact and consult with tenants. The methods tenants would prefer Renfrewshire Council Housing Service to use to consult with them about issues that may affect them were by letter (54%), via telephone call (33%) or by email or SMS text message. Over 8 in 10 respondents (84%) were very or fairly satisfied with the opportunities given to them to participate in their landlord’s decision-making processes. CONTACT WITH HOUSING SERVICES The majority of tenants would prefer to use the telephone to get in touch with their landlord (88%), this was also the method tenants prefer their landlord to use when they need to get in touch with them (68%). More than half of tenants (56%) stated they access the internet via a home Wi-Fi, while 38% connect to the internet via a mobile phone. Just over a third of tenants said they did not use the internet and less than 1% access the internet at a public building such as a library. Over half of tenants who used the internet (54%) said they visit the Council website Renfrewshire.gov.uk to find out more information about housing services and of these tenants, 51% said they were looking for information on repairs and 43% had a rent enquiry. All respondents were asked if they would be interested in using ‘My Account’, the Council’s online customer account which allows access to Council services online 24 Page 115 of 314
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7 hours a day. Just under 7 in 10 tenants (68%) stated they were already registered and a further 5% said they would be interested in using ‘My Account’. Just over 6 in 10 respondents (61%) had been in contact with the Council about a housing or housing related matter in the last 12 months with a query other than to pay their rent. Tenants were most likely to have contacted the Council about a repair (73%). Of tenants who had contact with the Council within the last 12 months, 80% said they found staff to be helpful. COMPLAINTS More than 1 in 10 respondents (11%) stated they had complained to Housing Services in the last 12 months. The majority of complaints were regarding repairs (50%) or anti-social neighbours (25%). Satisfaction with service-based complaints was mixed, ranging from 35% with regards to the speed with which the complaint was dealt with to 79% with regards to how easy it was to make the complaint. Just over 1 in 4 respondents (27%) who made a service- based complaint were very or fairly satisfied with the way their complaint was handled by the Council. Satisfaction with anti-social complaints was also mixed, ranging from 35% with regards to the speed with which the complaint was dealt with to 79% with regards to how easy it was to make the complaint.. Just under 4 in 10 tenants (35%) who made an anti-social complaint were very or fairly satisfied with the way their complaint was handled by the Council. REPAIRS All respondents were asked generally, how satisfied they are with the way Renfrewshire Council as their landlord deals with repairs and maintenance. The majority of respondents (73%) were very or fairly satisfied in this respect. Half of respondents (50%) stated they had repairs carried out in their property within the last 12 months. Respondents who had had a repair carried out in their property within the last 12 months were then asked if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with various aspects of the repairs service. Satisfaction was high, ranging from 77% with regards to the repair being done ‘right first time’ to 94% with regards the ease of reporting repairs and the attitude of workers (94%). The majority of tenants (75%) who had a repair carried out in the last 12 months said the worker or tradesperson showed proof of their identity. With regards to appointments, 91% of respondents stated they were offered a suitable appointment time for their repair, with almost all (97%) stating the appointment was kept. Page 116 of 314
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8 YOUR HOME The majority of tenants (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the quality of their home. More than one in ten respondents (13%) stated that they had major improvements carried out over the last two years. The most common major improvements were new bathrooms (4% of all respondents). The majority of tenants (88%) who have had major improvements carried out in their home within the last two years were very or fairly satisfied with the quality of work. Tenants were then asked if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with various aspects of their home. Satisfaction levels ranged from 85% with regards to the cleanliness of the block to 95% in terms of caretakers or concierge staff being easy to contact. NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT Tenants were asked to rate how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood they live in. 75% of tenants were very or fairly satisfied in this respect. Tenants were most likely to say the best thing about their neighbourhood is that it is quiet and peaceful (42%) followed by there being good neighbours and friendly people (39%). These were also the most common responses provided in 2022. Tenants were then asked what they perceive to be the greatest problems or issues in their neighbourhood. More than a third of tenants (38%) did not believe there were any problems or issues in their neighbourhood. Where tenants did believe an issue to be present, this was most likely in relation to anti-social behaviour/ anti-social neighbours (19%). RENT AND BENEFITS Seven in ten respondents (70%) were of the opinion their rent represents very or fairly good value for money. Just under half of respondents (47%) were in receipt of full housing benefit, 7% were in receipt of partial housing benefit, 17% received Universal Credit, 25% said they did not receive any housing benefit and 3% were unsure. The majority of respondents (97%) stated that they did not require any help with maintaining rent payments. Just under 1 in 5 respondents (18%) said they have spoken to Renfrewshire Council Housing staff about money advice. Of these respondents, 87% found the advice and assistance very or slightly helpful. Page 117 of 314
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9 2. INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY 2.1. Introduction and background This report represents and discusses the findings to emerge from Renfrewshire Council’s Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2024. 2.2. Background and objectives The aim of the research was to seek tenants’ views on the services that Renfrewshire Council provides as a landlord, how well it performs these services and to help identify areas where the service can be improved. Specifically, the research was designed to provide customers views on the following: The quality of information provided by the Council; Feedback on customer care; Quality of accommodation and the neighbourhood; Service provision including repairs, maintenance and improvements; Tenant involvement/ opportunities for participation; Value for money for rent; Service priorities. It is against this background that Research Resource were commissioned to carry out Renfrewshire Council’s 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Page 118 of 314
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10 2.3. Research method We note that the guidance on surveying tenants and service users prepared on behalf of the Regulator debates the use of a range of different methodologies for carrying out the survey, including postal, online, telephone and face to face survey methods. However, given the requirement to a robust level of data and ensuring representative samples of tenants, it was decided that the tenant survey was carried out utilising an interviewer led telephone methodology which is the method that has been used for Renfrewshire Council’s previous tenant satisfaction surveys. An interviewer led methodology provides a high quality and positive response to the research, whilst still allowing control over the representativeness of the survey sample. Our primary reasons for recommending an interviewer led methodology were: Administering the survey utilising an interviewer led methodology allows us to maximise the response rate. The proposed methodology is an inclusive methodology and allows interviewers to ensure that, for example, elderly or those with a disability or literacy problems can be included in the process. It also lets us identify any potential barriers to participation which can be raised and addressed in partnership with the Council. Facilitates high quality of survey output as it allows the interviewer to build up a rapport with the participant ensuring that the questionnaire is answered in full and allowing explanation of the necessity for asking personal data. Telephone methodology provides similar benefits as face-to-face interviews in terms of survey completion, response rates and quality, however, at a lower cost. Given the geographical spread of tenants this method was the most practical and cost- effective option for delivery of the research. 2.4. Questionnaire design After consultation with Renfrewshire Council’s representatives, a survey questionnaire was agreed which fully met the information needs and requirements of the organisation and included all issues of importance for tenants. In developing the questionnaire, the following issues were considered: The information needs listed in the survey brief; The Scottish Social Housing Charter indicators upon which Renfrewshire Council is required to report; Research Resource experience in relation to customer satisfaction surveying. A copy of the questionnaire can be found in Appendix 1 of this report. Page 119 of 314
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11 2.5. Sample size The aim of the survey was to achieve a robust level of data upon which the Council can have confidence making decisions upon. Overall, a total of 1,223 interviews were achieved with tenants from an overall population of 10,931 tenants, providing data accurate to +2.64% (based upon the 95% confidence level and a 50% estimate). A representative sample of the Council’s tenants was drawn from which it was sought to achieve the targeted 1,200 interviews. The sample was spread across each area of the Council’s stock to ensure coverage of all house types and sizes. The guidance from the Scottish Housing Regulator states that in all surveys, particularly postal surveys, some groups are more likely than others to respond. This means that certain subgroups will be under-represented, and others will be over-represented in the final achieved sample (i.e. all the people who responded). Weighting ensures that received responses are representative of the whole survey population. The guidance suggests that social landlords will be likely to have suitable information on the population in terms of dwelling type (flats, semi- detached house, detached, terraces) and the number of bedrooms. The following tables show the sample profile broken down by area, property type and property size compared to the population. As can be seen below, the interview profile is relatively in line with the overall tenant population profile, varying by no more than 7% points with regard to Gallowhill being slightly over-represented and Johnstone and Villages being underrepresented. Furthermore, own door flats are also slightly overrepresented . We are comfortable however, that the coverage of the tenant population is sufficiently close that weighting of survey data is not required. The data reported is therefore unweighted. Area No. of tenants % of tenants No. of interviews % of interviews FERGUSLIE PARK 308 3% 58 5% FOXBAR 901 8% 102 8% GALLOWHILL 1058 10% 206 17% GLENBURN 851 8% 87 7% J'STONE & VILL 2440 22% 180 15% J'STONE CASTLE 656 6% 46 4% PAISLEY 3062 28% 382 31% RENFREW 1655 15% 161 13% Grand Total 10931 100% 1222 100% Page 120 of 314
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12 Bed Size No. of tenants % of tenants No. of interviews % of interviews 0 335 3% 22 2% 1 3164 29% 382 31% 2 5265 48% 595 49% 3 1959 18% 192 16% 4 205 2% 31 3% 5 2 0% 0 0% 7 1 0% 0 0% Grand Total 10931 100% 1222 100% House type No. of tenants % of tenants No. of interviews % of interviews Amenity Flat 15 0% 0 0% Deck access Flat 231 2% 17 1% Deck access Maisonette 219 2% 28 2% Detached Bungalow 21 0% 4 0% Detached House 2 0% 0 0% End terrace Bungalow 117 1% 11 1% End terrace House 660 6% 52 4% Mid terrace Bungalow 99 1% 10 1% Mid terrace House 993 9% 93 8% Multi-storey Flat 956 9% 129 11% Own Door Flat 2526 23% 362 30% Permanent Prefab 15 0% 1 0% Semi-detached Bungalow 119 1% 15 1% Semi-detached House 640 6% 55 5% Tenement Flat 3907 36% 408 33% Walk Up Flat 336 3% 34 3% Walk Up Maisonette 75 1% 3 0% Grand Total 10931 100% 1222 100% 2.6. Interviewing and quality control All interviewing was undertaken by Research Resource’s highly trained and experienced interviewers’, all of whom are highly experienced in undertaking tenant satisfaction surveys for Housing Associations and Local Authorities. Interviewing took place between the 11th of April and the 23rd of May 2024. Page 121 of 314
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13 2.7. Survey Analysis and Reporting Survey data has been analysed and reported on in a number of ways. Data has been analysed by area and key variables as agreed by the organisation. Where any particular trends or issues are found for any one key group, this is detailed in the survey report. Where relevant, data has been compared to the Council’s 2020 and 2022 tenant satisfaction survey results with significant changes in satisfaction highlighted in the report. Please note that not all percentages sum to 100% due to rounding. 2.8. Report Structure This document details the key findings to emerge from the survey for Renfrewshire Council. Chapter 3. OVERALL SATISFACTION Chapter 4. MOVING INTO YOUR HOME Chapter 5. COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATION Chapter 6. CONTACT WITH COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND PLANNING SERVICES Chapter 7. COMPLAINTS Chapter 8. THE REPAIRS SERVICE Chapter 9. YOUR HOME Chapter 10. NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT Chapter 11. RENT AND BENEFITS Chapter 12. SERVICE PRIORITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS Chapter 13. HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE APPENDIX 2: TECHNICAL REPORT SUMMARY Page 122 of 314
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14 3. OVERALL SATISFACTION 3.1. Satisfaction with Renfrewshire Council as a landlord (Q1) The survey opened by asking tenants how satisfied they were with the Council as their landlord. The majority of respondents (72%) were very or fairly satisfied in this respect, a decrease from the 89% reported in 2020 and 82% in 2022. Renfrewshire Council is performing in line with the ARC 2022/2023 Local Authority average (83%) with regards to overall satisfaction. Analysis by area reveals Ferguslie Park respondents reported the highest levels of satisfaction (86%) while Johnstone Castle respondents were least likely to be satisfied (both 63%). Q1 Taking everything into account, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the overall service provided by Renfrewshire Council as your landlord? [Analysed by office] PAISLEY FERGUSLIE PARK J'STONE & VILL GLENBURN RENFREW FOXBAR GALLOWHILL J'STONE CASTLE Base 382 58 180 87 161 102 206 46 Very satisfied 35.6% 19.0% 25.0% 20.7% 20.5% 21.6% 36.9% 37.0% Fairly satisfied 36.1% 67.2% 42.2% 49.4% 44.7% 52.9% 42.7% 26.1% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 11.0% 5.2% 16.7% 11.5% 10.6% 15.7% 9.2% 8.7% Fairly dissatisfied 7.1% 3.4% 10.0% 6.9% 12.4% 2.9% 4.9% 13.0% Very dissatisfied 9.9% 5.2% 6.1% 11.5% 11.8% 5.9% 5.8% 15.2% No opinion 0.3% - - - - 1.0% 0.5% - % Satisfied 72% 86% 67% 70% 65% 75% 80% 63% Page 123 of 314
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15 Further analysis reveals that the results to this question vary significantly in terms of: Length of stay: Those who lived in their home for less than 2 years were most likely to be satisfied with the overall service provided by their landlord (80%). Age: Tenants aged 75 and over were more likely to be satisfied with the overall service (79%) than tenants aged 35-54 (69%). Disability: Those who had a disability were less likely to be satisfied with the overall service (69%) than those who did not have a disability (79%). Page 124 of 314
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16 Respondents who were not satisfied with the overall service provided by Renfrewshire Council as their landlord were then asked to explain why they felt this way. Respondents were most likely to state this was due to a lack of action from the Council after reporting repairs or complaints (24%) or due to being dissatisfied with the repairs service (22%). Q1a If not satisfied, can you explain why? Base: Not satisfied with overall service, n=339 No. % Inaction from the Council after reporting repairs, complaints etc. 82 24.2% Poor repairs service e.g. too long to be completed 73 21.5% Issues with dampness/ mould/ water damage/ leaks 49 14.5% Poor customer service 49 14.5% Property needs upgrades 40 11.8% Lack of area maintenance 37 10.9% Anti-social behaviour issues 35 10.3% Poor maintenance of properties 13 3.8% Poor quality of the home 12 3.5% Rent increases/ too expensive 12 3.5% Waiting to move property 12 3.5% Issues with pests 7 2.1% Other 5 1.5% Don't know/ not used them 10 2.9% Page 125 of 314
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17 4. MOVING INTO YOUR HOME 4.1. Length of tenancy (Q2) Respondents were asked to specify how long they had been a tenant of Renfrewshire Council. This revealed 20% had been Council tenants for 2 years or less, 38% for between 3 and 10 years and 42% for more than 11 years. The results to this question have not changed significantly compared to the 2022 results. Those who lived in Ferguslie Park and in Gallowhill had the highest proportion of respondents who were new tenants of 2 years or less (both 24%) while Johnstone Castle had the lowest proportion of new tenants (13%). Over half of respondents who lived in Glenburn (51%) and in Johnstone Castle (57%) had been tenants for 11 or more years compared to just 35% of Ferguslie Park tenants. Q2 How long have you/ your household been a Renfrewshire Council tenant? [Analysed by office] PAISLEY FERGUSLIE PARK J'STONE & VILL GLENBURN RENFREW FOXBAR GALLOWHILL J'STONE CASTLE Base 382 58 180 87 161 102 206 46 Under 1 year 9.7% 17.2% 6.7% 5.7% 11.2% 9.8% 10.7% 2.2% 1-2 years 11.8% 6.9% 8.9% 16.1% 8.7% 5.9% 13.1% 10.9% 3-5 years 16.0% 22.4% 12.8% 13.8% 18.0% 18.6% 17.0% 15.2% 6-10 years 21.2% 19.0% 31.1% 13.8% 18.0% 24.5% 19.9% 13.0% 11-20 years 22.0% 13.8% 16.7% 25.3% 24.2% 21.6% 21.4% 26.1% 21+ years 18.6% 20.7% 23.9% 25.3% 19.9% 17.6% 16.5% 30.4% Don’t know/ can’t remember 0.8% - - - - 2.0% 1.5% 2.2% Page 126 of 314
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18 4.2. Satisfaction with condition of new home (Q3) Tenants who stated they have moved into their current home within the last five years were then asked how satisfied they were with its condition when they moved in. Just under three quarters of respondents (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the condition of their home when they moved in, 10% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 18% were very or fairly dissatisfied. The proportion of respondents who were either very or fairly satisfied is consistent with the 2022 survey result (73%) and less than was reported in 2020 (77%). Those who were not satisfied with the condition of their home when they moved in were asked to explain why this was. Respondents were most likely to state this was due to their home being in a poor condition (35%) or where there were outstanding repairs needing done (30%). Q3a If dissatisfied, why were you not satisfied with the condition of your home when you moved in? Base: Not satisfied with home when moved in, n=125 No. % Home in poor condition/ quality/ run down 44 35.2% Outstanding repairs/ work needing done 38 30.4% Problems with damp/ water damage 21 16.8% Property was dirty 15 12.0% Décor was poor/ a lot of decoration was required 12 9.6% Upgrades required to property 9 7.2% Nothing in it/ unfurnished 6 4.8% Other 6 4.8% Page 127 of 314
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19 4.3. Satisfaction with current type of house (Q4) All respondents were then asked if they were happy with the type of house they currently have. The majority of respondents stated yes (81%) while 18% stated no. The proportion of respondents who were not happy with their type of house has increased from 13% in 2020 and in 2022 to 18% in 2024. Those who were not happy with the type of house they currently have were asked to explain why this was. Tenants were most likely to state this was due to the property being too small (24%) and where they were unhappy with the condition of their home (21%). Q4a Are you happy with the type of house you currently have? If no (why is that?) Base: Not happy with home when moved in, n=219 No. % Property is too small 53 24.2% Property is in poor condition/ needs upgrades or repairs 45 20.5% Would like different property type e.g. move from a flat to a house 37 16.9% Require ground floor/ level access 35 16.0% Anti-social neighbours 19 8.7% Property is too big 16 7.3% Need medical adaptations i.e. walk in shower 8 3.7% Would like a property with a garden 2 0.9% Would like sheltered accommodation/ need supported accommodation 1 0.5% Other 23 10.5% Page 128 of 314
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20 4.4. Number of rooms (Q5/6) More than 8 in 10 respondents (83%) felt they had about the right number of rooms in their home, while 12% felt they had too few and 5% felt they had too many. These results are consistent with the results from the 2020 and 2022 tenant satisfaction surveys. Analysis by age reveals that tenants aged 55-64 (11%) were most likely to say they had too many bedrooms, while those aged 25-34 (22%) and aged 35-44 (25%) were most likely to say they had too few bedrooms. Tenants who live in 2 parent households (38%), 1 parent households (26%) and households with 3 or more adults (25%) were most likely to say their home had too few bedrooms. On the other hand, single adults (88%) and 2 adult households (87%) were most likely to say they had about the right number of bedrooms. Single adult households and households with 2 adults had the highest proportion stating they had too many rooms in their home (both 7%). The majority of the 63 respondents (59%) who felt that they had too many rooms said they would be willing for someone from Housing Service’s to contact them to discuss if they would be willing to move to a smaller property. Page 129 of 314
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21 5. COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATION 5.1. Keeping tenants informed (Q7) Three quarters of respondents (75%) felt their landlord was very or fairly good at keeping them informed about their services and decisions, while 11% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 14% were very or fairly dissatisfied. The proportion of tenants who felt Renfrewshire Council were very or fairly good at keeping them informed has decreased since the previous survey, from 91% in 2022 to 75% in 2024. Dissatisfaction has increased considerably from 5% in 2022 to 14% in 2024. The 2024 results are lower than the ARC 2022/23 LA average (81%). Analysis by area shows that almost all tenants who lived in Ferguslie Park (86%) said they feel their landlord is very or fairly good at keeping them informed. Those who lived in Glenburn were least likely to feel this way (66%). Q7 How good or poor do you feel your landlord (Renfrewshire Council) is at keeping you informed about their housing services and decisions? [Analysed by office] PAISLEY FERGUSLIE PARK J'STONE & VILL GLENBURN RENFREW FOXBAR GALLOWHILL J'STONE CASTLE Base 382 58 180 87 161 102 206 46 Very good 34.3% 29.3% 20.0% 10.3% 15.5% 13.7% 28.6% 39.1% Fairly good 38.0% 56.9% 52.8% 55.2% 61.5% 57.8% 53.9% 39.1% Neither good nor poor 10.2% 6.9% 15.0% 18.4% 6.8% 14.7% 8.7% 6.5% Fairly poor 8.6% 5.2% 5.6% 10.3% 10.6% 4.9% 5.8% 4.3% Very poor 8.9% 1.7% 6.7% 5.7% 5.6% 8.8% 2.9% 10.9% % Good 72% 86% 73% 66% 77% 72% 83% 78% Page 130 of 314
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22 The results to this question vary significantly in terms of: Age: Tenants aged 75 and over were most likely to be of the opinion that their landlord is good at keeping them informed (84%), while tenants aged 35-54 were least likely (70%). Household composition: Single adult households were most likely to be satisfied in this respect (79%), while single parent families were least satisfied (68%). Disability: Households with a disability were less likely to say their landlord was good at keeping them informed (72%) than households with no disability (83%). Page 131 of 314
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23 5.2. Tenant Participation Opportunities (Q8) Tenants were most likely to say they would prefer to be consulted by telephone call (33%) or by letter (54%). These were also the two most popular options identified in the 2020 and 2022 surveys. Analysis by age reveals that as age increases the preference for written communications also increases for example 40% of tenants aged 16-34 preferred to be kept informed via letter compared to 65% of tenants aged 75 and over, and 15% of tenants aged 16-34 preferred to be kept informed via magazines or newsletters compared to 30% of tenants aged 75 and over. Digital communications on the other hand such as email or SMS communication is most likely to be preferred by tenants aged 16-34 (41%), and this decreases with aged to just 4% for those aged 75 and over. Q8 Renfrewshire Council’s Housing service uses a range of different methods to contact and consult with tenants. Which methods do you prefer Renfrewshire Council Housing Service to use to consult with you about issues that may affect you? (tick as many that apply) Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % By letter 657 53.7% Telephone call 409 33.4% By e mail/SMS text 324 26.5% Magazine / Newsletter/Peoples news 254 20.8% Online 44 3.6% Personal visit 41 3.4% Organised public meetings 18 1.5% Through Tenants and Residents Associations 10 0.8% Through Tenants Forums 9 0.7% By Focus Group 8 0.7% Other 19 1.6% None 25 2.0% Page 132 of 314
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24 5.3. Satisfaction with opportunities for participation (Q11/12) The majority of respondents (84%) were very or fairly satisfied with the opportunities given to them to participate in their landlord’s decision-making processes, compared to 12% who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 4% who were very or fairly dissatisfied. The proportion of tenants who were very or fairly satisfied in this respect has decreased from 94% in 2020 and 99% in 2022. The 2024 result is above the ARC 2022/23 LA average of 76%. Analysis by area shows that satisfaction with participation opportunities ranged from 76% in Johnstone and Villages and 75% in Paisley to 96% in Gallowhill and 98% in Johnstone Castle. Q11 How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the opportunities given to you to participate in your landlord’s (Renfrewshire Council’s) decision making processes? PAISLEY FERGUSLIE PARK J'STONE & VILL GLENBURN RENFREW FOXBAR GALLOWHILL J'STONE CASTLE Base 382 58 180 87 161 102 206 46 Very satisfied 40.8% 22.4% 27.8% 13.8% 18.0% 10.8% 23.3% 21.7% Fairly satisfied 33.8% 70.7% 47.8% 64.4% 75.8% 71.6% 72.8% 76.1% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 18.3% 3.4% 18.3% 19.5% 4.3% 14.7% 3.4% - Fairly dissatisfied 4.2% 3.4% 1.7% 1.1% 1.2% 2.9% 0.5% 2.2% Very dissatisfied 2.9% - 4.4% 1.1% 0.6% - - - % satisfied 75% 93% 76% 78% 94% 82% 96% 98% Page 133 of 314
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25 Further analysis indicates that the results to this question vary significantly in terms of: Disability: Households with a disability were less likely to be satisfied with participation opportunities (81%) than households with no disability (91%). Tenants who were not satisfied with the opportunities given to them to participate in their landlord’s decision-making processes were then asked for suggestions for improvement. Just over a third stated they were not aware they could become involved (37%). Q12 What could Renfrewshire Council do to make you satisfied with the opportunities for getting involved? Base: Not satisfied with participation opportunities, n=201 No. % Not aware/ need more information on what they do 74 36.8% Not enough opportunities to participate/ don't get a say/ need more opportunities 26 12.9% Decisions made without consulting tenants/ won't make a difference/ need to listen 21 10.4% Not interested in getting involved 14 7.0% Can't get in touch with anyone/ don't hear from them 13 6.5% Don't have time/ not able to/ have meetings at different times 6 3.0% Other 19 9.5% Don't know 36 17.9% Page 134 of 314
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26 6. CONTACT WITH COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND PLANNING SERVICES 6.1. Contacting the Council (Q13/14) Respondents were asked about the methods they would prefer to use when getting in touch with their landlord and also the methods they would prefer their landlord to use when they need to get in touch with them. Telephone contact was by far and away the most preferred way for both tenants to use when they need to get in touch with their landlord (88%) and also for when their landlord needs to contact them (68%). Tenants were more likely to prefer their landlord to use email (27%) and letters (39%) than for tenants themselves to use these to communicate with their landlord (14% and 5% respectively). Q13 Which of the following methods would you prefer to use when getting in touch with your landlord and which would you prefer your landlord to use when getting in touch with you? Q13 Which of the following methods would you prefer to use when getting in touch with your landlord? Q14 Would you prefer your landlord to use when getting in touch with you? [ALL THAT APPLY] Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % No. % Email 170 13.9% 333 27.2% Phone 1,076 88.0% 828 67.7% In person 71 5.8% 51 4.2% Online 75 6.1% 36 2.9% Letter 55 4.5% 479 39.2% Text message - - 103 8.4% Other 35 2.9% 11 0.9% Analysis by age shows that digital communications such as email contact and online contact were most likely to be preferred by younger tenants, and that the preference level decreases with age with those aged 75 and over being least likely to prefer to use this type of communication themselves or for their landlord to use these communications to keep in touch with them. Page 135 of 314
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27 6.2. Internet use (Q15) More than half of tenants (56%) stated they access the internet via a home Wi-Fi, while 38% connect to the internet via a mobile phone. Just over a third of tenants said they did not use the internet and less than 1% access the internet at a public building such as a library. Analysis by age of respondent shows that as age increases, the proportion of tenants who do not use the internet generally increases with those aged 75 and over being most likely to say they do not use the internet (83%). Page 136 of 314
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28 6.3. Accessing the Council website for housing services information (Q16-18) Over half of tenants who used the internet (54%) said they visit the Council website Renfrewshire.gov.uk to find out more information about housing services. Of these 452 individuals, just over half (51%) said they were looking for information on repairs and 43% had a rent enquiry. Q17 If yes, what information are you looking for? Base: Use the website, n=452 No. % Repairs 230 50.9% Rent enquiry 192 42.5% Moving House (Housing Options) 41 9.1% Housing improvements 36 8.0% Garden/close maintenance 23 5.1% General information/ browsing 23 5.1% Contact numbers 17 3.8% Housing benefit 13 2.9% Neighbour problem or Anti-Social Behaviour 10 2.2% New developments 5 1.1% Homelessness 2 0.4% Other 16 3.5% Those who did not use the website were asked why this was the case. Over half of these tenants said they got information elsewhere or by other means (54%), 25% said the website was difficult to navigate or they could not find what they were looking for and 10% said they were unaware of the website. Q18 If not, why not? Base: Gave a response, n=342 No. % Got information elsewhere/ by other means 186 54.4% Difficult to navigate/ couldn’t find what I was looking for 86 25.1% Unaware of the website 35 10.2% Other 14 4.1% No reason 10 2.9% Prefer to phone/ to talk to someone 7 2.0% Don't use/ can't use the internet 6 1.8% Only just moved in/ just got the internet 4 1.2% Family member does it for me 3 0.9% English is not good 2 0.6% Disability reasons 2 0.6% Page 137 of 314
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29 6.4. My Account (Q19) It was explained to respondents that “My Account” is the Council’s online customer account which allows customers to access Council services online 24 hours a day. Tenants are able to do things such as view their rent balance, apply for housing benefit, make rent payments or provide information on change of household details or circumstances. All respondents were asked if they would be interested in using ‘My Account’, with the majority (68%) stating they were already registered and a further 5% stating they would be interested in using ‘My Account’. The proportion of respondents who were already registered has seen a significant increase from 53% in 2022 to 68% in 2024. Page 138 of 314
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30 6.5. Contacting the Council about a housing matter (Q20-23) More than 6 in 10 tenants (61%) have contacted Renfrewshire Council about a housing matter in the last 12 months (56% in 2022). Of these respondents, over half (52%) said they contacted a repairs and maintenance officer, 26% contacted the contact centre (26%) and 16% contacted a housing officer. Q21 Who did you contact? Base: All who had been in contact, n=741 No. % Repairs and maintenance officer 387 52.2% Contact Centre 190 25.6% Housing Officer 120 16.2% Other 44 5.9% The three most likely matters tenants contacted the Council about were repairs (73%), moving house (9%) and regarding a neighbour or anti-social behaviour problem (5%). In 2022 the top three reasons were to report repairs (69%), about moving house (8%) and neighbour problems or anti-social behaviour (5%). Q22 What did you last contact the Council about? Base: All who had been in contact, n=741 No. % Repairs 543 73.3% Moving House (Housing Options) 64 8.6% Neighbour problem or Anti-Social Behaviour 35 4.7% Garden/close maintenance 35 4.7% Housing improvements 19 2.6% Rent enquiry 15 2.0% Housing benefit 6 0.8% Homelessness 3 0.4% Problems with damp/ mould 3 0.4% Other 18 2.4% Page 139 of 314
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31 The majority of tenants (80%, 84% in 2022) who had contact with the Council within the last 12 months found staff to be helpful, while 11% said staff were unhelpful (8% in 2022) and 9% said staff were neither helpful nor unhelpful (8% in 2022). Analysis by reason for contact reveals that tenants who had contacted the Council about homelessness (100%), about repairs (85%) and about moving house (72%) were most likely to say staff were helpful. On the other hand, respondents who had been in touch about a neighbour problem (49%) or regarding housing improvements (47%) were least likely to find staff helpful. Care should be taken when reading these results due to the small base numbers associated with certain contact reasons. Q22 What did you last contact the Council about? Base Helpful Unhelpful Neither Homelessness 3 100% - - Repairs 543 85% 7% 7% Other (please specify) 18 78% 17% 6% Moving House (Housing Options) 64 72% 19% 9% Rent enquiry 15 67% 27% 7% Housing benefit 6 67% - 33% Problems with damp/ mould 3 67% 33% - Garden/close maintenance 35 63% 20% 17% Neighbour problem or Anti-Social Behaviour 35 49% 37% 14% Housing improvements 19 47% 26% 26% Page 140 of 314
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32 7. COMPLAINTS 7.1. Nature of complaint (Q24/25) Just 11% of respondents had complained to Renfrewshire Council about Housing Services in the last 12 months (7% in 2020 and 5% in 2022). Complaints were most likely to be regarding repairs (50%) or anti-social neighbours (25%) which is consistent with the results from the 2020 and 2022 surveys. It should be noted that the respondent may have answered this question about issues which they perceived as being a complaint, however these issues may not in actual fact be recognised as official complaints using the Council’s formal complaints policy. Q25 If yes, please can you describe the nature of the complaint? Base: Made a complaint, n=139 No. % Complaint about repairs 69 49.6% Anti-social neighbour complaint 34 24.5% Complaint about damp/ mould 13 9.4% Complaint about Improvements 12 8.6% Complaint against a member of staff 4 2.9% Complaint about Allocations 2 1.4% Complaint about landscaping 2 1.4% Other 3 2.2% Complaints regarding bins/ uplifts, ground maintenance and ‘other’ complaints have been removed from the following analysis as these issues do not pertain to housing services. Page 141 of 314
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33 7.2. Satisfaction with aspects of the complaints process (Q26/27) Tenants who had made a complaint were asked to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of the complaints process. The following analysis has been separated into service-based complaints and anti-social complaints. Satisfaction with service-based complaints was mixed, ranging from 23% regarding the speed with which the complaint was dealt with to 78% with regards to how easy it was to make the complaint. Satisfaction with anti-social complaints was also mixed, ranging from 35% with regards to the speed with which the complaint was dealt with to 79% with regards to how easy it was to make the complaint. Page 142 of 314
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34 As can be seen from the chart below, 27% of respondents who made a service-based complaint were satisfied with the way their complaint was handled compared to 35% of respondents who made an anti-social behaviour complaint. The chart below shows the response to this question for housing service complaints in 2022 versus 2024. Care should be taken when reading these results due to the small base numbers for both years. One third of respondents who made housing service complaints in 2022 (33%) were satisfied with the way their complaint was handled versus 27% of respondents who were satisfied in 2024. Page 143 of 314
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35 The following charts shows satisfaction with how the complaint was handled for anti-social behaviour complaints in 2022 versus 2024. Again, care should be taken when reading these results due to the small base numbers for both years. In 2022 37% of respondents who made anti-social behaviour complaints were satisfied with how their complaint was handled versus 35% in 2024. Page 144 of 314
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36 8. THE REPAIRS SERVICE 8.1. General satisfaction with repairs and maintenance (Q28/29) All respondents were asked generally, how satisfied they are with the way Renfrewshire Council as their landlord deals with repairs and maintenance. The majority of respondents (73%) were very or fairly satisfied in this respect. Satisfaction has decreased from 86% in 2020 and 83% in 2022. Dissatisfaction has continued to increase marginally from 8% in 2020 to 11% in 2022 and 14% in 2024. Page 145 of 314
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37 Analysis by demographic reveals that overall satisfaction varies significantly in terms of: Age: Analysis by age indicates that older respondents aged 75 and over (80%) and aged 55-74 (78%) were more likely to be satisfied with the repairs service generally than those aged 16-34 (69%) and aged 35-54 (68%). Household composition: Analysis by household composition indicates that 1 parent families were least satisfied with the repairs service (61%). Disability: Households with a disability were less likely to be satisfied with the repairs service (71%) than those who did not have a disability (78%). Gender: Males were more likely to be satisfied in this respect (78%) than females (71%). Page 146 of 314
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38 Half of respondents (50%, 38% in 2022) stated they had repairs carried out in their property within the last 12 months. Further analysis reveals tenants who had a repair carried out in the last 12 months (71%) were slightly less likely to be very or fairly satisfied with the way Renfrewshire Council as their landlord deals with repairs and maintenance (71%), than those who have not had a repair carried out in the last 12 months (75%). Page 147 of 314
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39 8.2. Satisfaction with aspects of the repairs service (Q30-33) Respondents who had had a repair carried out in their property within the last 12 months were then asked if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with various aspects of the repairs service. Satisfaction was high, ranging from 77% with regards to the repair being done ‘right first time’ to 94% with regards the ease of reporting repairs and the attitude of workers (94%). Page 148 of 314
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40 Compared to the results from 2022 satisfaction levels have generally seen no significant change with the exception of the time taken before work started where satisfaction has fallen from 85% in 2022 to 78% in 2024. Q30 Thinking of repairs you have had carried out in the last year, how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the following? [2018/2020 comparison] % satisfied 2022 % satisfied 2024 Time taken before work started 85% 78% The process of reporting repairs through the customer service centre 93% 92% Ease of reporting repairs 93% 94% Being told when workers would call N/A 89% Keeping dirt and mess to a minimum 94% 93% Being able to make an appointment 93% 89% The speed of completion of the work 84% 81% The attitude of workers 92% 94% The overall quality of work 83% 83% The repair being done 'right first time' 81% 77% The tradesperson doing the job you expected 87% 85% Where respondents were dissatisfied with any aspect of the repairs service, they were asked to explain why this was. Respondents were most likely to say this was because the repair took too long (49%) or that they were unhappy with the quality of the repair or where the repair was not fixed on the first attempt (39%). Q30l If you were dissatisfied with any aspect of the repairs, can you please explain why? Base: Not satisfied with aspects of repairs, n=181 No. % Repair took too long 88 49.4% Poor quality repair/ repair not fixed on first attempt/ still not fixed 69 38.8% Poor communication re repair/ repairs appointments/ still to get back to me 27 15.2% Left a mess behind/ damage to home 19 10.7% Tradesman had bad attitude/ poor customer service 15 8.4% Problems with damp/ mould not being addressed/ patched up 12 6.7% Tradesman did not turn up/ come back to finish the job 11 6.2% Patch up job instead of replacing things 5 2.8% Other 12 6.7% Page 149 of 314
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41 The majority of tenants (75%) who had a repair carried out in the last 12 months said the worker or tradesperson showed proof of their identity, compared to 12% who said they did not and 14% who said they couldn’t remember. This is a decrease from the 82% reported in 2020 and 79% reported in 2022. With regards to appointments, almost all tenants (91%) stated they were offered a suitable appointment time for their repair (97% in 2022 and 88% in 2020). Page 150 of 314
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42 Of those who had an appointment, almost all (97%) stated the appointment was kept. In 2020, 97% said their appointment was kept and 96% said this was the case in 2022. Page 151 of 314
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43 9. YOUR HOME 9.1. Overall satisfaction with quality of the home (Q34/35) Over 7 in 10 tenants (72%) were very or fairly satisfied with the quality of their home, compared to 15% who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 14% who were very or fairly dissatisfied. The proportion of respondents who were satisfied with the quality of their home is less than was reported in 2020 (86%) and in 2022 (80%). The 2024 result is lower than the ARC 2022/23 LA average of 82%. Respondents who were not satisfied with the quality of their home were asked to explain why this was. Respondents were most likely to say this was where their home required upgrades or improvements (31%) or where their home had a problem with dampness or mould (27%). Q35 Can you please explain why you are not satisfied with the quality of your home? Base: Not satisfied with quality of the home, n=348 No. % Needing upgrades/ improvements e.g. kitchen/ bathroom/ windows/ doors 106 30.5% Problems with dampness/ mould 93 26.7% Repairs needing done 92 26.4% Poor quality/ run down/ old building/ cracks in walls 36 10.3% Home is too small 17 4.9% Poor heating/ boiler system 16 4.6% Outside maintenance required 8 2.3% Poor insulation 6 1.7% Nothing done as getting demolished 4 1.1% Other 32 9.2% Page 152 of 314
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44 Analysis by demographic indicates that the results vary significantly in terms of: Length of stay: Tenants who had lived in their home for 21 or more years were most likely to be satisfied with the quality of their (76%) than tenants who had lived in their home between 3 and 10 years (68%). Age: Satisfaction with the quality of the home is highest amongst the 75 and over age category (83%) and lowest for those aged 16-34 and aged 35-54 (both 63%). Household composition: Single adults were most likely to be satisfied with the quality of their home (78%), while 2 parent families were least likely to be satisfied (54%). Disability: Households with a disability were less likely to be satisfied with the quality of their home (70%) than tenants who did not have a disability (77%). Gender: Females were less satisfied with the quality of their home (68%) than males (76%). Page 153 of 314
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45 9.2. Major works carried out (Q36-39) The majority of respondents (87%) said they had not had any major improvements carried out to their home over the last two years. The proportion of respondents who had improvements carried out (13%) was more than was reported in 2022 (5%) and less than 2020 (16%). The most common major improvements were new bathrooms (52 respondents) and heating systems (34 respondents). Q36 Over the past two years has your home had any major improvements carried out? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % Bathroom 52 4.3% Heating System 34 2.8% Kitchen 30 2.5% External works 30 2.5% Windows 24 2.0% Solar panels 16 1.3% Re wired 7 0.6% Insulation 4 0.3% Other 10 0.8% None 1062 86.8% Of the 30 respondents who had external works completed on their home, 12 (40%) said they had noticed an improvement in energy efficiency, 5 (17%) had not noticed an improvement and 13 (43%) were unsure. The majority of tenants (88%) who have had major improvements carried out in their home within the last two years were very or fairly satisfied with the quality of work. This is higher than the 2022 result where 83% were satisfied. Page 154 of 314
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46 9.3. Satisfaction with aspects of the home (Q40) Tenants were then asked if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with various aspects of their home. Satisfaction was high, ranging from 66% in terms of common internal areas to 91% with regards to the wiring. Please note the proportion of respondents who had no opinion or said any of these were not applicable has been excluded from this analysis. As can be seen from the table below, satisfaction levels have not changed significantly since 2022 with the exception of the kitchen (decreased by 9 percentage points), the bathroom (decreased by 6%), common internal areas (decreased by 12%) and the immediate common external areas (decreased by 9%). Q40 How satisfied are you with the following elements of your home? [% Satisfied 2020/2022/2024 comparison] 2020 2022 2024 Kitchen 82% 79% 70% Bathroom 83% 80% 74% The wiring 93% 93% 91% The roof 84% 83% 84% Roughcast/ condition of walls 79% 78% 75% Gutters and drains 76% 77% 72% Overall design and layout 94% 92% 90% Heating system 86% 84% 80% Common internal areas (e.g. stairwells, common entrance, close etc) 77% 78% 66% Immediate common external areas, (bin areas, front and rear grass areas etc) 76% 79% 70% Page 155 of 314
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47 9.4. Multi-storey blocks (Q41) Just over 1 in 10 tenants (12%) said they lived in a multi storey property. Tenants who lived in multi storey properties and who received a concierge or caretaker service were asked for their opinions on the service. Satisfaction levels ranged from 85% with regards to the cleanliness of the block to 95% in terms of caretakers or concierge staff being easy to contact. Satisfaction with the cleanliness of the block has decreased from 93% in 2020 and in 2022 to 85% in 2024. Q41 If you live in a high rise block could you please provide answers on the following: What do you think of: [% Good 2018/2020 comparison] 2020 2022 2024 Is the caretaker/ concierge easy to contact 97% 94% 95% General attitude of Caretaker / concierge staff 100% 98% 94% The cleanliness of your block 93% 93% 85% Page 156 of 314
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48 10. NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT 10.1. Landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood (Q42/43) Tenants were asked to rate how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood they live in. Three out of four tenants were very or fairly satisfied in this respect (75%), compared to 14% who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 11% who were very or fairly dissatisfied. Satisfaction has decreased from 87% in 2022. The 2024 result is marginally higher than the ARC 2022/23 LA average of 82%. Analysis by area reveals that satisfaction with the Council’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood ranges from 67% for tenants living in Johnstone and the Village to 95% for those living in Ferguslie Park. Q42 Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood you live in? [Analysed by office] PAISLEY FERGUSLIE PARK J'STONE & VILL GLENBURN RENFREW FOXBAR GALLOWHILL J'STONE CASTLE Base 382 58 180 87 161 102 206 46 Very Satisfied 27.7% 6.9% 17.8% 16.1% 23.0% 13.7% 26.2% 28.3% Satisfied 42.1% 87.9% 48.9% 56.3% 53.4% 60.8% 60.2% 47.8% Neither 14.7% 1.7% 17.2% 20.7% 15.5% 14.7% 7.3% 10.9% Dissatisfied 6.0% 1.7% 7.2% 4.6% 6.8% 7.8% 3.9% 13.0% Very dissatisfied 9.4% 1.7% 8.9% 2.3% 1.2% 2.9% 2.4% - % Satisfied 70% 95% 67% 72% 76% 75% 86% 76% Page 157 of 314
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49 Where tenants were not satisfied with their landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood, they were asked to explain why they felt this way. The main reason was where respondents were unhappy that the area is rundown or that they don’t see much being done in the neighbourhood (30%). This was followed by poor garden maintenance (22%) and the requirement to deal with anti-social behaviour issues. Q43 (If not satisfied )Can you please explain why you are not satisfied with your landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood you live in? Base: Gave a response, n=303 No. % Area is run down/ nothing being done/ don't see them 92 30.4% Poor garden maintenance/ landscaping 67 22.1% Need to deal with ASB/ ASN 51 16.8% Area untidy with litter/ rubbish 37 12.2% Maintain back courts/ communal areas 13 4.3% Don't know what they do for area 9 3.0% Problems with vermin 9 3.0% Problem with dog fouling 8 2.6% Bin area needs improved/ issues with bins 8 2.6% Better close cleaning service 5 1.7% Vet tenants 3 1.0% Other 36 11.9% No comment/ don't know 24 7.9% Page 158 of 314
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50 Analysis by demographic shows that overall satisfaction varies significantly with regards to: Age: Tenants aged 75 and over were most likely to be satisfied in this respect (82%) and tenants aged 35-54 were least satisfied (70%). Disability: Households who had a disability (72%) were less likely to be satisfied with the Council’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood than households with no disability (83%). Page 159 of 314
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51 10.2. Best thing about the neighbourhood (Q44) All respondents were then asked an open question relating to the best things about living in their neighbourhood. Answers have been coded thematically to allow for quantitative analysis. Tenants were most likely to say the best thing about their neighbourhood is that it is quiet and peaceful (42%) followed by there being good neighbours and friendly people (39%). These were also the most common responses provided in 2022. Q44 What are the best things about living in your neighbourhood? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % Quiet/ peaceful/ feel safe 514 42.0% Good neighbours/ friendly people/ community spirit 473 38.7% Close to local amenities/ good amenities 321 26.2% Nice area/ pleasant views/ well maintained/ happy with neighbourhood 213 17.4% Good public transport/ transport links 132 10.8% Good location/ close to town 129 10.5% Close to family/ friends 67 5.5% Lived here a long time/ know the area well 62 5.1% Good concierge/ warden 16 1.3% It is ok/ fine 8 0.7% Everything 5 0.4% Other 71 5.8% Don't know 57 4.7% Nothing 52 4.3% Page 160 of 314
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52 10.3. Greatest problems or issues in the neighbourhood (Q45) Tenants were then asked what they perceive to be the greatest problems or issues in their neighbourhood. Again, answers have been coded thematically. As can be seen from the table below, more than a third of tenants (38%) did not believe there were any problems or issues in their neighbourhood. Where tenants did believe an issue to be present, this was most likely in relation to anti-social behaviour/ anti-social neighbours (19%). Q45 And what would you say are the greatest problems or issues in your neighbourhood? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % No problems/ nothing 468 38.3% Anti-social behaviour/ problems with neighbours e.g., noise, loitering 233 19.1% Rubbish/ litter problems/ Area is untidy/ rundown 108 8.8% Drug / Alcohol problems 94 7.7% Lack of ground maintenance i.e. landscaping 54 4.4% Problems with pets e.g. fouling/ barking 51 4.2% Lack of/ poor local amenities 47 3.8% Parking issues 43 3.5% Busy/ noisy roads/ traffic issues 31 2.5% Condition of properties/ upgrades required 31 2.5% Lack of activities for kids/ kids hanging about 27 2.2% Problems with vermin 22 1.8% Condition of roads and pavements 19 1.6% Communal maintenance required 18 1.5% Gardens not being maintained by tenants 16 1.3% Security improvements, e.g. lighting, cameras, door entry systems etc 13 1.1% Other 74 6.1% Don't know/ no comment given 159 13.0% Page 161 of 314
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53 11. RENT AND BENEFITS 11.1. Value for money (Q46/47) Tenants were asked to rate the extent to which they considered their rent to be value for money. 70% of tenants were of the opinion their rent represents very or fairly good value for money, compared to 18% who said it represented neither good nor poor value and 12% who said it represented very or fairly poor value for money. The proportion of respondents who felt their rent represented very or fairly good value for money has decreased marginally from 83% in 2022 to 70% in 2024. Renfrewshire Council is performing in line with the ARC 2022/2023 LA average (82%) with regards to value for money for rent. Page 162 of 314
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54 Respondents were asked to explain why they said their rent was not good value for money. As can be seen from the table below, the main reason was where tenants said rents were too expensive or dissatisfaction with rent increases (35%) or where they were unhappy with the quality of the home (33%). Q47 Can you please explain why you say that value for money for your rent is not good? Base: Said rent was not good value, n=363 No. % Too expensive/ keeps increasing 126 34.7% Poor quality home e.g. requires upgrades/ repairs 121 33.3% Don't pay rent/ receive housing benefit 37 10.2% Receive poor services e.g. repairs/ maintenance 35 9.6% Expensive for size/ type of property 26 7.2% Unhappy with management of the area e.g. maintenance/ ASB 23 6.3% It is average/ ok 11 3.0% Other 10 2.8% Don't know 31 8.5% Page 163 of 314
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55 Analysis of this question by demographic indicates that value for money varies significantly in terms of: Length of stay: New tenants (lived in their home less than 2 years) were significantly less likely than all other tenants to say their rent was poor value for money (7%). Age: Tenants aged 75 and over were most likely to say their rent is good value for money (76%), while tenants aged 35-54 were least likely (66%). Household composition: Single adults were most likely to say their rent was good value for money (74%) and 2 parent families were least likely (58%). Ethnicity: Tenants who were White Scottish, British or Irish were more likely to say their rent was poor (12%) than other ethnicities (3%). Page 164 of 314
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56 11.2. Housing benefit and Universal Credit (Q48) Just under half of respondents (47%) stated that they were in receipt of full housing benefit, 7% were in receipt of partial housing benefit, 17% were in receipt of Universal Credit, 25% said they did not receive any housing benefit and 3% stated they did not know. 11.3. Financial advice and support (Q49/50) As can be seen from the table below, the majority of respondents (97%) stated that they did not require any help with maintaining rent payments. On the other hand, 12 tenants said they would benefit from budget support, 11 tenants would like regular reminders to pay their rent and 6 tenants said they would like advice on bank accounts. A total of 23 tenants provided other comments, these were largely where they would like general money advice, where they spoke about challenges they were facing regarding their income or where they would like help to find out what benefits they may be entitled to. Q49 Is there any help you may require with maintaining rent payments? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % Budget support 12 1.0% Advice on bank accounts 6 0.5% Regular reminders to pay 11 0.9% Other, please specify 23 1.9% None 1182 96.8% Page 165 of 314
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57 Just under 1 in 5 respondents (18%, 14% in 2022) said they have spoken to Renfrewshire Council Housing staff about money advice. Of these respondents, 87% found the advice and assistance very or slightly helpful, while 5% stated it was not very helpful and 8% felt it was not helpful at all. The proportion of respondents who felt the advice and assistance given was helpful has increased marginally from 84% in 2022. Page 166 of 314
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58 12. SERVICE PRIORITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS 12.1. Best aspect of service provided (Q51) All respondents were then asked an open question regarding what they thought the best thing about the Housing Services that Renfrewshire Council provides. As can be seen from the table below, the most commonly mentioned aspects were the repairs service (18%) and customer service (17%). Q51 What do you think is the best thing about the Housing Service that Renfrewshire Council provides? [PROBE FULLY] Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % Repairs service e.g. prompt/ quality of workmanship 217 17.7% Customer service e.g. staff helpful/ friendly 206 16.8% None 122 10.0% The overall service is good/ good landlord 113 9.2% Good quality homes 43 3.5% Prompt response to issues 38 3.1% Neighbourhood maintenance/ management/ communal maintenance 36 2.9% Everything 31 2.5% They provide affordable housing/ rents 29 2.4% Not had any issues 23 1.9% Good communication/ information provided 18 1.5% Quick/ good at allocating homes 14 1.1% Provide good money/ rent/ welfare advice 3 0.2% Upgrades/ improvements been made to home 3 0.2% Other 32 2.6% Don't know 326 26.7% No comment 47 3.8% Page 167 of 314
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59 12.2. Service improvement (Q52) Tenants were then given the opportunity to provide an open response to the parts of the housing service of Renfrewshire Council that could be improved upon. One in four tenants stated ‘none’ (25%) and a further 18% answered ‘don’t know’ to this question. Where a suggestion was provided, this was most likely to be in relation to improving the repairs service (14%) and upgrading homes (11%). Q52 If you were to recommend a key area for improvement for the Housing Service that Renfrewshire Council provides, what would it be? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % None/ nothing 306 25.0% Improve repairs service/ deal with outstanding repairs 167 13.7% Homes need upgraded 137 11.2% Improvements to neighbourhood/ neighbourhood maintenance/ communal areas 125 10.2% Improvements to customer service 64 5.2% Better communication/ listen to tenants 56 4.6% Deal with ASB/ ASN 34 2.8% Better allocation of homes 29 2.4% Deal with damp/ mould 28 2.3% Build new homes 26 2.1% Sort the bins/ bin area/ comments about bins 26 2.1% Clean up the area/ deal with vermin 17 1.4% Vet tenants 17 1.4% Fix roads 16 1.3% Better facilities for kids/ for the community 11 0.9% Everything 9 0.7% Improve security 8 0.7% Reduce rent 3 0.2% Other 55 4.5% Don’t know 225 18.4% Page 168 of 314
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60 13. HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION 13.1. Tenant or partner (Q54) Almost all respondents (99%) who took part in the survey were the tenant of the house, while 1% were the tenant’s partner or spouse. 13.2. Age and gender (Q55/56) Just over 6 in 10 respondents (61%) were female, while 38% were male. Two respondents described themselves in another way and 1% (9 respondents) refused to say. In terms of the age profile of respondents, 13% were aged 18 to 34, 36% were aged 35 to 54, 17% were aged 55 to 64 and 31% were aged over 65. 2% of respondents refused to provide their age. Q55 What is your age? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % 16-24 32 2.6% 25-34 128 10.5% 35-44 232 19.0% 45-54 212 17.3% 55-64 216 17.7% 65-74 224 18.3% 75+ 160 13.1% Prefer not to say 19 1.6% 13.3. Household composition (Q57) In terms of household composition, 54% consisted of single adults, 17% consisted of two adults, 5% consisted of three of more adults, 15% were one-parent families and 6% were two parent families. Q57 How would you describe the composition of your household? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % One adult under 60 302 24.7% One adult aged 60 or over 361 29.5% Two adults both under 60 91 7.4% Two adults both over 60 66 5.4% Two adults, at least one 60 or over 51 4.2% Three or more adults, 16 or over 60 4.9% 1 parent family with children at least 1 under 16 179 14.6% 2 parent family with children at least 1 under 16 71 5.8% Other 42 3.4% Page 169 of 314
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61 13.4. Disability status (Q58/59) More than 6 in 10 households (65%) stated that they or someone in their household had a long- term illness, health problem or disability that limits their daily activities or the work they can do (including problems due to old age). This is consistent with the 2022 results (63%). The most common long-term illness, health problem or disability cited was mobility or physical disabilities (52%), followed by mental ill health (23%). Q59 What is the nature of their disabilities? Base: Had disability, n=799 No. % Mobility/ physical disabilities 417 52.2% Mental ill health 180 22.5% Learning difficulties 49 6.1% Being frail due to old age 25 3.1% Difficulties with sight 24 3.0% Difficulties with hearing 17 2.1% Drug/ Alcohol dependency 6 0.8% Dementia 3 0.4% Other 273 34.2% Don’t know 5 0.6% Prefer not to say 58 7.3% 13.5. Ethnicity (Q60) Almost all tenants (92%) were White Scottish (88%) or White other British (4%). Q63 Renfrewshire Council monitors the ethnic origin of its tenants to ensure it provides a quality service to all members of the community who require it. Can you tell me which of the following groups you consider you belong to? Base: All respondents, n=1223 No. % White Scottish 1074 87.8% White Other British 52 4.3% White Irish 5 0.4% Polish 17 1.4% Any other white ethnic group (please specify) 6 0.5% Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups (please specify) 1 0.1% Pakistani, Pakistani Scottish or Pakistani British 1 0.1% Indian, Indian Scottish or Indian British 2 0.2% Other (please specify) 6 0.5% African, African Scottish or African British 11 0.9% Caribbean, Caribbean Scottish or Caribbean British 3 0.2% Black, Black Scottish or Black British 2 0.2% Other (please specify) 19 1.6% Arab, Arab Scottish or Arab British 3 0.2% Any other group (please specify) 21 1.7% Page 170 of 314
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62 Appendix 1 Survey Questionnaire Page 171 of 314
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63 Overall satisfaction 1. [SSHC1] Taking everything into account, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the overall service provided by Renfrewshire Council as your landlord? Very satisfied 1 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 No opinion 6 [CODE 3,4,5] If not satisfied, can you explain why? [INTERVIEWER: PLEASE NOTE THAT IF TENANT MENTIONS SERVICES OR ISSUES THAT ARE NOT HOUSING SERVICE ISSUES, REMIND THEM IT RELATES TO THE HOUSING SERVICE AND ASK THEM ABOUT THE LANDLORD SERVICE] Your home 2. How long have you lived in your current home? Under 1 year 1 Go to Q3 1-2 years 2 3-5 years 3 6-10 years 4 Go to Q4 11-20 years 5 21+ years 6 Don’t know/ can’t remember 7 3. When you moved into your current home, how satisfied were you with its condition? Very satisfied 1 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 Don’t know/ Can’t remember 6 If dissatisfied, why were you not satisfied with the condition of your home when you moved in? 4. Are you happy with the type of house you currently have? Yes 1 No (why is that?) 2 Don’t know 3 5. Do you think the number of rooms you have in your home is….? Too few 1 Go to Q7 Too many 2 Go to Q6 About right 3 Go to Q7 Page 172 of 314
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64 6. If too many, would you be willing for someone from Renfrewshire Council to contact you to discuss if you would be willing to move to a smaller property ….? Yes (confirm that respondent happy for contact details to be passed over to the Council so that they can be contacted in this respect. All other responses will remain confidential and anonymous) 1 No 2 Communication and Participation 7. [SSHC2] How good or poor do you feel your landlord (Renfrewshire Council) is at keeping you informed about their housing services and decisions? Very good 1 Fairly good 2 Neither good nor poor 3 Fairly poor 4 Very poor 5 8. Renfrewshire Council’s Housing service uses a range of different methods to contact and consult with tenants. Which methods do you prefer Renfrewshire Council Housing Service to use to consult with you about issues that may affect you? (tick as many that apply) Organised public meetings 1 Through Tenants and Residents Associations 2 Through Tenants Forums 3 By letter 4 Telephone call 5 Personal visit 6 Online 7 Magazine / Newsletter/Peoples news 8 By Focus Group 9 By e mail/SMS text 10 Other (please advise) 11 None 12 9. If Renfrewshire Council was looking to discuss any points similar to those raised in the survey, would you be willing to participate? Yes 1 Go to Q10 No 2 Go to Q11 10. If you are willing would you be happy for us to pass your contact details on to Renfrewshire Council so they can get in touch about any potential opportunities? All your other responses will remain completely confidential. Yes 1 Go to Q11 No 2 11. [SSHC5] How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the opportunities given to you to participate in your landlord’s (Renfrewshire Council’s) decision making processes? Very satisfied 1 Go to Q13 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Go to Q12 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 Page 173 of 314
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65 12. What could Renfrewshire Council do to make you satisfied with the opportunities for getting involved? Go to Q13 Contact with Housing Services 13. How do you want to contact Renfrewshire Council Housing Service? [ALL THAT APPLY] Email 1 Phone 2 In person 3 Online 4 Letter 5 Other (please specify) 6 14. How do you want your landlord to contact you? [ALL THAT APPLY] Email 1 Phone 2 In person 3 Online 4 Letter 5 Text message 6 Other (please specify) 7 15. How do you use the internet? ALL THAT APPLY Home wifi 1 Go to Q16 Mobile phone 2 At a public building like a library 3 Other (please specify) 4 Do not use the internet 5 Go to Q20 16. Do you use the Council website Renfrewshire.gov.uk to find out information about housing services? Yes 1 Go to Q17 No 2 Go to Q18 17. If yes, what information are you looking for? Repairs 1 Rent enquiry 2 Housing benefit 3 Homelessness 4 Moving House (Housing Options) 5 Neighbour problem or Anti-Social Behaviour 6 Garden/close maintenance 7 Housing improvements 8 Other (please specify) 9 NOW GO TO Q19 Page 174 of 314
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66 18. If not, why not? Difficult to navigate/ couldn’t find what I was looking for 1 Unaware of the website 2 Got information elsewhere/ by other means 3 Other (please specify) 4 19. ‘My Account’ is the Council’s online customer account which allows you to access Council services online 24 hours a day? You can do things such as view your rent account balance, apply for housing benefit, make a rent payment or provide information on change of household details or circumstances. Would you be interested in using ‘My Account’? Yes, I am already registered 1 Yes, I would be interested in registering 2 No, I would not be interested in using My Account 3 20. Have you contacted Renfrewshire Council about a housing matter in the last 12 months? Yes 1 Go to Q21 No 2 Go to Q24 Can’t remember 3 21. Who did you contact? Contact Centre 1 Go to Q22 Housing Officer 2 Repairs and maintenance officer 3 Other (please specify) 4 22. What did you last contact the Council about? Repairs 1 Rent enquiry 2 Housing benefit 3 Homelessness 4 Moving House (Housing Options) 5 Neighbour problem or Anti-Social Behaviour 6 Garden/close maintenance 7 Housing improvements 8 Other (please specify) 9 23. Did you find the staff helpful or unhelpful? Helpful 1 Unhelpful 2 Neither 3 Complaints 24. Have you complained to Renfrewshire Council about Housing Services in the last 12 months? This refers to complaints you may have made when you have not been happy with the quality of service provided Yes 1 Go to Q25 No 2 Go to Q28 Page 175 of 314
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67 25. If yes, please can you describe the nature of the complaint? [INTERVIEWER: PLEASE WRITE IN THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT AND THEN CODE NATURE OF COMPLAINT] SPECIFIC NATURE OF COMPLAINT Complaint about repairs 1 Complaint about Rent 2 Complaint about Housing Benefit 3 Complaint about Allocations 4 Complaint about Improvements 5 Anti-social neighbour complaint 6 Complaint against a member of staff 7 Other 8 26. How satisfied were you with the following aspects of the way in which your complaint was handled? Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither nor Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied DK/ NA How easy it was to make your complaint 1 2 3 4 5 6 The information and advice provided by staff 1 2 3 4 5 6 How well you were kept informed about the progress of your complaint 1 2 3 4 5 6 The support you received while your complaint was dealt with 1 2 3 4 5 6 The speed with which your complaint was dealt with 1 2 3 4 5 6 27. Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way your complaint was handled? Very satisfied 1 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 Don’t know/ no opinion 6 The Repairs Service [INTERVIWER: READ OUT] Turning now to the Council’s reactive repairs service which comprises emergency, urgent and routine repairs, can I ask you… 28. Generally, how satisfied are you with the way Renfrewshire Council deals with repairs and maintenance? Very satisfied 1 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 29. Have you had any repairs carried out in this property in the last 12 months? Yes 1 Go to Q30 No 2 Go to Q34 Page 176 of 314
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68 30. Thinking of repairs you have had carried out in the last year, how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the following? Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither nor Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied DK/ NA Ease of reporting repairs 1 2 3 4 5 6 The process of reporting repairs through the customer service centre 1 2 3 4 5 6 Being told when workers would call 1 2 3 4 5 6 Being able to make an appointment 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time taken before work started 1 2 3 4 5 6 The speed of completion of the work 1 2 3 4 5 6 The attitude of workers 1 2 3 4 5 6 The overall quality of work 1 2 3 4 5 6 Keeping dirt and mess to a minimum 1 2 3 4 5 6 The repair being done ‘right first time’ 1 2 3 4 5 6 The tradesperson doing the job you expected 1 2 3 4 5 6 If you were dissatisfied with any aspect of the repairs, can you please explain why? 31. Did the workers/ tradespeople show proof of identity? Yes 1 No 2 Can’t remember 3 32. Were you offered a suitable appointment time? Yes 1 Go to Q33 No 2 Go to Q34 Not applicable 3 33. If you had any appointments for repairs, were they kept? Yes 1 No 2 Your Home 34. [SSHC7] Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the quality of your home? Very satisfied 1 Go to Q36 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Go to Q35 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 Page 177 of 314
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69 35. Can you please explain why you are not satisfied with the quality of your home? 36. Over the past two years has your home had any major improvements carried out? Kitchen 1 Go to Q38 Bathroom 2 Heating System 3 Re wired 4 External works (e.g. new roof, solar panels, external wall insulation) 5 Go to Q37 Other (please describe) 6 Go to Q38 None 7 Go to Q40 37. If you have had external works done, have you noticed an improvement in energy efficiency in your home? Yes 1 No 2 Don’t know 3 38. How satisfied were you with the quality of the work? Very satisfied 1 Go to Q40 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Go to Q39 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 39. Can you please explain why you are not satisfied with the quality of the work? 40. How satisfied are you with the following elements of your home? Very satisfied Fairly satisfied Neither nor Fairly dissat. Very dissat. No opinion/ NA Kitchen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bathroom 1 2 3 4 5 6 The wiring 1 2 3 4 5 6 The roof 1 2 3 4 5 6 Roughcast/ condition of walls 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gutters and drains 1 2 3 4 5 6 Overall design and layout 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heating system 1 2 3 4 5 6 If relevant Common internal areas (e.g. stairwells, common entrance, close etc) 1 2 3 4 5 6 If relevant Immediate common external areas, (bin areas, front and rear grass areas etc) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Page 178 of 314
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70 41. [INTERVIEWER: ASK QUESTION ONLY IF LIVE IN A MULTI STOREY FLAT & RECEIVE CONCIERGE/CARETAKER SERVICE – MARKED ON SAMPLE. OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q42] If you live in a high rise block could you please provide answers on the following: What do you think of: Very good Fairly good Neither nor Fairly poor Very poor No opinion General attitude of Caretaker / concierge staff 1 2 3 4 5 6 Is the caretaker/ concierge easy to contact 1 2 3 4 5 6 The cleanliness of your block 1 2 3 4 5 6 The security of your block 1 2 3 4 5 6 Neighbourhood Management 42. [SSHC13] Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood you live in? [INTERVIEWER NOTE: Neighbourhood is defined as the street in which the tenant lives and the immediate surrounding area.] Very satisfied 1 Go to Q44 Fairly satisfied 2 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 3 Go to Q43 Fairly dissatisfied 4 Very dissatisfied 5 43. (if not satisfied )Can you please explain why you are not satisfied with your landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood you live in? 44. What are the best things about living in your neighbourhood? [ASK AS OPEN QUESTION AND CODE RESPONSE – DO NOT PROMPT - record up to 3] 1. 2. 3. 45. And what would you say are the greatest problems or issues in your neighbourhood? [ASK AS OPEN QUESTION AND CODE RESPONSE – DO NOT PROMPT - record up to 3] 1. 2. 3. Rent and benefits 46. [SSHC25] Taking into account the accommodation and services your landlord provides, to what extent do you think your rent represents value for money? Is it… Very good 1 Go to Q48 Fairly good 2 Neither good nor poor 3 Go to Q47 Fairly poor 4 Very poor 5 Page 179 of 314
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71 47. Can you please explain why you say that value for money for your rent is not good? 48. Does your household currently receive housing benefit?/Universal Credit? Yes, Full housing benefit 1 Yes, Partial housing benefit 2 Yes Universal Credit 3 Don’t receive housing benefit 4 Don’t know 5 49. Is there any help you may require with maintaining rent payments? Budget support 1 Advice on bank accounts 2 Regular reminders to pay 3 None 4 Other, please specify 5 50. If you have ever spoken to Renfrewshire Council Housing Staff about money advice, how helpful was the advice and assistance given? Very helpful 1 Slightly helpful 2 Not very helpful 3 Not helpful at all 4 Not applicable – not sought money advice 5 Services Priorities and Improvements 51. What do you think is the best thing about the Housing Service that Renfrewshire Council provides? [PROBE FULLY] 52. If you were to recommend a key area for improvement for the Housing Service that Renfrewshire Council provides, what would it be? [PROBE FULLY] Page 180 of 314
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72 53. Is there anything else you would like to say about your home and/or services your landlord provides? [INTERVIEWER: PROBE FULLY AND WRITE IN BELOW] About You and Your Household Finally, I’d like to ask some questions about you and your household. Please be assured that these questions are completely confidential, and they will only be used for analysis purposes to see if there are differences in the views between different tenants. 54. Which of these are you? Tenant of this home 1 Tenant’s partner/ spouse 2 55. What is your age? 16-24 1 25-34 2 35-44 3 45-54 4 55-64 5 65-74 6 75+ 7 Prefer not to say 8 56. Which of the following best describes how you think of yourself? Male 1 Female 2 In another way 3 57. How would you describe the composition of your household? One adult under 60 1 One adult aged 60 or over 2 Two adults both under 60 3 Two adults both over 60 4 Two adults, at least one 60 or over 5 Three or more adults, 16 or over 6 1 parent family with children at least 1 under 16 7 2 parent family with children at least 1 under 16 8 Other (please specify) 9 58. Does anyone living in this household have any long term illness, health problem or disability which limits their daily activities or the work they can do (including problems due to old age)? Yes 1 Go to Q59 No 2 Go to Q60 59. What is the nature of their disabilities? Mental ill health 1 Mobility/ physical disabilities 2 Page 181 of 314
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73 Learning difficulties 3 Difficulties with sight 4 Difficulties with hearing 5 Dementia 6 Being frail due to old age 7 HIV/ AIDS 8 Drug/ Alcohol dependency 9 Other (please write in) 10 Don’t know 11 60. Renfrewshire Council monitors the ethnic origin of its tenants to ensure it provides a quality service to all members of the community who require it. Can you tell me which of the following groups you consider you belong to? WHITE White Scottish 1 White Other British 2 White Irish 3 Gypsy/ Traveler 4 Polish 5 Any other white ethnic group (please specify) 6 MIXED OR MULTIPLE ETHNIC GROUPS Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups (please specify) 7 ASIAN, ASIAN SCOTTISH OR ASIAN BRITISH Pakistani, Pakistani Scottish or Pakistani British 8 Indian, Indian Scottish or Indian British 9 Bangladeshi, Bangladeshi Scottish or Bangladeshi British 10 Chinese, Chinese Scottish or Chinese British 11 Other (please specify) 12 AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN OR BLACK African, African Scottish or African British 13 Caribbean, Caribbean Scottish or Caribbean British 14 Black, Black Scottish or Black British 15 Other (please specify) 16 OTHER ETHNIC GROUP Arab, Arab Scottish or Arab British 17 Any other group (please specify) 18 THANK YOU AND CLOSE Page 182 of 314
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74 Appendix 2 Technical Report Summary Page 183 of 314
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75 TECHNICAL REPORT SHEET – QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH Project number P1411 Project name Renfrewshire Council Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2024 Objectives of the research The aim of the survey was to seek tenants’ views on the services Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Service provides and how well it performs these services and to help identify areas where the service can be improved. Specifically the research will provide customers views on the following: Overall satisfaction The quality of information provided Quality of accommodation Contribution to the neighbourhood How the Council deals with anti-social behaviour Tenant involvement/ opportunities for participation Value for money. Target population Tenants of Renfrewshire Council Description of sample frame/ source and validation methods if applicable Database was provided by Renfrewshire Council containing 10927 tenants with name, address and telephone number and email addresses where available. Sampling method (probability or non- probability) and quotas used A representative sample was drawn across geographical areas to ensure coverage of all stock types. Sample units drawn 7057 Target sample size The aim was to achieve 1200 interviews Achieved sample size and reasons if target not achieved A total of 1,223 tenant interviews were achieved. Date of fieldwork Interviewing took place between the 11th of April and the 23rd of May 2024. Data collection method Interviews were undertaken with the tenant or their partner by telephone. All responses were recorded electronically on tablet, entered directly into our SNAP survey software package. Response rate and definition and method of how calculated 17% (1223 interviews from a sample of 7057) Page 184 of 314
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76 Questionnaire length c. 10-15 mins Any incentives? No Number of interviewers 18 interviewers were working on this. Interview/ self- completion validation methods 5% of telephone interviews were validated using remote listening. Showcards or any other materials used? Not applicable Weighting procedures (if applicable) Not applicable Estimating and imputation procedures (if applicable) Not applicable Reliability of findings and methods of statistical analysis if applicable Data accurate overall to +/-2.6% for tenants based upon a 50% estimate at the 95% confidence level NB If publishing any results please ensure that any conclusions or data reported are adequately supported by the data provided in this report. Page 185 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Social Housing Charter Performance: 2023/24 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords are required to submit an Annual Return on the Charter relating to service performance to the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR). 1.2 The Annual Return on the Charter consists of 32 performance indicators and fourteen contextual indicators and is submitted to the SHR at the end of May each year. This report provides an update on performance against the Charter Indicators for the year 2023/24. 1.3 There are three Indicators (one relating to RSLs and two relating to Gypsy travellers) that are not applicable to Renfrewshire. Since April 2023, of the 29 remaining indicators, the majority – sixteen – have improved, twelve have dipped in performance and one has remained unchanged. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Note the 2023/24 report on Scottish Social Housing Charter Performance attached as Appendix 1. 2.2 Note that the Scottish Housing Regulator is carrying out a review of the ARC indicators. ___________________________________________________________________ Item 9 Page 187 of 314
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3. Charter Report for 2023/24 3.1 The Scottish Social Housing Charter report provides information for 2023/24 on: • Section 1 – performance information against the Charter indicators along with comparative data for the last three years and the average figure for the past three years, where this is applicable; • Section 2 – information on contextual indicators collected by the Scottish Housing Regulator; and • Section 3 – management information for key areas of the housing service: allocations and managing tenancy change; repairs; homelessness and housing advice; and rent arrears. 3.2 In the context of the volume of indicators that are reported each year, it is to be expected that there will always be some degree of fluctuation of performance, either positively or negatively. The information in the report at Appendix 1 therefore also considers the 3 year average position where possible, which allows consideration of the wider performance trend. 3.3 The Charter data for 2023/24 displays improved performance in most indicators, with significant levels of improvement particularly notable in relation to emergency repairs, adaptations and void property management. The sixteen areas of improved performance were: • Indicator 6 – Percentage of stock meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS); • Indicator 8 – Average time to complete emergency repairs; • Indicator 11 – How many times in the reporting year did you not meet your statutory obligations to complete a gas safety check within 12 months of a gas appliance being fitted or its last check?; • Indicator 12 – Percentage of tenants who have had repairs or maintenance carried out in last 12 months satisfied with the repairs and maintenance service; • Indicator 14 – Percentage of tenancy offers refused during the year; • Indicator 15 – Percentage of anti-social behaviours cases reported in the last year which were resolved; • Indicator 18 – Percentage of rent lost to properties being empty during the last year; • Indicator 19 – Number of households currently waiting for adaptations to their home; Page 188 of 314
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• Indicator 20 – Total cost of adaptations completed in the year by source of funding; • Indicator 21 – The average time to complete adaptations; • Indicator 22 – Percentage of the court actions initiated which resulted in eviction and the reasons for eviction; • Indicator 24 – Homelessness (LAs only) – the percentage of homeless households referred to RSLs under section 5 and through other referral routes; • Indicator 26 – Rent collected as percentage of total rent due in the reporting year; • Indicator 27 – Gross rent arrears (all tenants) as at 31 March each year as a percentage of rent due for the reporting year; • Indicator 29 – Percentage of factored owners satisfied with the factoring service they receive; and • Indicator 30 – Average length of time taken to re-let properties in the last year. . 3.4 Within the data for 2023/24 there are twelve indicators where performance has declined, reflecting the challenges faced by the Council in continuing to provide core housing services during the current challenging economic climate. Of these twelve areas, six relate to tenant satisfaction and these are reported in more detail in the Tenant Satisfaction Survey report which is also being presented to the Policy Board. Of the remaining six, two dipped in performance by less than 5% and the other four are: • Indicator 3 – The percentage of all complaints responded to in full at Stage 1 and the percentage of all complaints responded to in full at Stage 2; • Indicator 4 – The average time in working days for a full response at Stage 1 and the average time in working days for a full response at Stage 2; • Indicator 9 – Average length of time taken to complete non- emergency repairs; and • Indicator 17 – Percentage of lettable houses that became vacant in the last year. Page 189 of 314
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3.5 The Contextual Indicators in Section 2 are returned annually to the SHR. Of note, the number of lets has remained consistent at 949 lets, as has the number of applicants on the housing list at the year end. There is a notable increase in the number of possession orders granted, which is due to a return to usual rent arrears recovery activity after Covid. 3.6 Management information in Section 3 notes the following: • With regard to allocations and managing tenancy changes, it is of note that there is a continued increase in lets associated with the housing-led regeneration programme and there has been a significant increase in lets to homeless applicants. This is in line with the current position of increasing homelessness, both locally and nationally, which has previously been reported to this Policy Board; • Repairs completion remains relatively stable and there is some improvement in repairs call handling in the Customer Contact Centre; • In homelessness and housing advice, satisfaction levels remain high despite increased pressure on the service. This pressure is reflected in the slight reduction in the proportion of assessments completed within 28 days; and • There is an improved picture with rent arrears, in that there is a reduction of £200,000 in current rent arrears from last year. It is also noticeable that there is an increase in recovery action and cases called to court - this is due to a return to a normal arrears’ recovery service after Covid. 4. Service Improvement Plan, reporting performance to tenants and benchmarking performance 4.1 In May this year, the Communities and Housing Policy Board was presented with the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services 2023-2026 Service Improvement Plan. Three indicators on service performance are included in the plan and the performance of each is reported accordingly. The indicators are: a. The percentage of reactive repairs carried out in the last year completed first time, which is included in the ARC report as Indicator 12; b. The overall percentage of repairs completed within target, which is included in the Appendix at Table 2 and Graph 8; and c. The average length of time taken to complete non-emergency repairs (in days), which is included in the ARC report as Indicator 9. Page 190 of 314
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4.2 The Scottish Housing Regulator publishes all social landlords’ performance on its website in August each year. In common with other Councils and RSLs, the Council will be required to report its performance against the Charter to all tenants in October. 4.3 In accordance with guidance from the Scottish Housing Regulator and the Council’ practice over previous years, tenants will be consulted with on the preferred format for the Tenants’ Report. A report will be presented to a future meeting of this Policy Board which benchmarks Renfrewshire Council’s performance in 2023/24 against that of other Social Landlords. 5. Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter Indicators 5.1 In May this year the Scottish Housing Regulator set out plans to carry out a comprehensive review of the Annual Return on the Charter (ARC) during 2024/25. The Regulator has established advisory groups to work with it to consider the current ARC indicators and help it to develop appropriate and meaningful indicators on tenant and resident safety, including new indicators on damp and mould. 5.2 The Regulator will use the feedback it received about the ARC indicators during its recent framework review. It also intends to include the development of appropriate indicators for the Social Housing Net Zero Standard following the conclusion of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed Standard. 5.3 The Regulator will consult formally on the revised ARC indicators later this year. The new ARC will take place for collection year 2025/26, and landlords will make the first return under the new indicators in May 2026. The existing ARC will continue until then. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning Building strong, safe, and resilient communities – Improving and maintaining neighbourhoods and homes. Working together to improve outcomes – Increasing resident satisfaction with neighbourhoods and communities. 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None Page 191 of 314
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6. Information Technology – None 7. 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 because it is for noting only. 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 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risks – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – N/A 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Climate Risk – None _________________________________________________________ Background Papers The foregoing background papers will be retained within Communities, Housing and Planning Services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. • Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 22 August 2023, ‘Scottish Social Housing Charter: Annual Return 2022/23’. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Ray Walkinshaw, Housing Regeneration and Development Manager E Mail: ray.walkinshaw@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 192 of 314
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Scottish Social Housing Charter Outturn Report 2023/2024 Page 193 of 314
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1 1. Outturn Report 1.1 Overall Satisfaction No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 1 Percentage of tenants satisfied with the overall service provided by their landlord. (b)82.4% (b)82.4% (c)72.0% 81.3% The most recent survey is 9 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys. Sources: (b) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey (c) 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey 1.2 The Customer Landlord Relationship Communication No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 2 Percentage of tenants who feel their landlord is good at keeping them informed about their services and decisions. (b)91.1% (b)91.1% (c)75.1% 85.1% The most recent survey is 10 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys. Sources: (b) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey c) 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey Complaints No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 3/4 The percentage of all complaints responded to in full at Stage 1. 95.1% 97.9% 93.1% 95.7% There were 977 Stage 1 complaints received. 910 were responded to in full, in an average of 7.6 days. Last year there were 1,050 Stage 1 complaints. The average time in working days for a full response at Stage 1. 6.6 days 5.8 days 7.6 days 6.6 days The percentage of all complaints responded to in full at Stage 2. 96.2% 84.6% 71.7% 81.0% There were 53 Stage 2 complaints received. 38 were responded to in full, in an average of 18.9 days. Last year there were 26 Stage 2 complaints The average time in working days for a full response at Stage 2. 16.6 days 14.5 days 18.9 days 17.1 days Participation No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 5 Percentage of tenants satisfied with the opportunities given to them to participate in their landlord’s decision- making processes. (b)99.0% (b)99.0% (c)83.6% 93.1% The most recent survey is 10 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys. Sources: (b) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey c) 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey Page 194 of 314
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2 1.3 Housing Quality and Maintenance Housing Quality No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 6 Percentage of stock meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). 57.1% 67.9% 68.6% 64.5% The percentage of stock meeting SHQS has increased slightly to 68.6%. Excluding EICR and smoke detector failures we would be 85% compliant with SHQS. 7 Percentage of tenants satisfied with the quality of their home. (b)79.9% (b)79.9% (c)71.6% 79.4% The most recent survey is 8 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys. Sources: (b) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey (c) 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey Repairs, Maintenance and Improvements No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 8 Average length of time taken to complete emergency repairs (hours). 7.1 9.8 5.6 7.6 This year just over 14,300 emergency repairs were completed in 2023/24. The average time to complete improved from 9.8 hours to 5.6 hours. 9 Average length of time taken to complete non- emergency repairs (days). 14.6 6.1 7.9 9.5 This year just over 24,200 non-emergency repairs were completed in an average of 7.9 days. This is a slight increase in average time from last year (6.1 days), but reflects resources being prioritised to dealing with emergency repairs more quickly. 10 Percentage of reactive repairs carried out in the last year completed right first time. 84.9% 90.0% 87.3% 87.4% Of the 23,788 reactive repairs carried out in 23/24, 20,774 were completed right first time. 11 How many times in the reporting year did you not meet your statutory obligations to complete a gas safety check within 12 months of a gas appliance being fitted or its last check? 142 58 11 N/A Renfrewshire Council has at all times followed the Scottish Government guidance and the more detailed guidance from Gas Safe and HSE. All of these services have been completed and there are no outstanding gas services. 12 Percentage of tenants who have had repairs or maintenance carried out in last 12 months satisfied with the repairs and maintenance service. 95.0% 73.3% 76.7% 79.8% 2,608 tenants were asked how satisfied they were with the repairs, of these 1,999 said they were satisfied or very satisfied. (11) No average included as 2021/22 figures were still reflective of the impact of Covid (12) Source: Point of service survey Page 195 of 314
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3 1.4 Neighbourhood and Community Estate Management, Anti-Social Behaviour, Neighbour Nuisance and Tenancy Disputes No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 13 Percentage of tenants satisfied with the landlord’s contribution to the management of the neighbourhood they live in. (b)87.0% (b)87.0% (c)75.1% 82.4% The most recent survey is 7 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys 14 Percentage of tenancy offers refused during the year. 39.6% 39.3% 37.4% 38.6% From 1,430 formal offers there were 535 refusals. 15 Percentage of anti-social behaviour cases reported in the last year which were resolved. 99.7% 98.0% 99.3% 99% 434 of the 437 cases were resolved. Sources: (b) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey c) 2024 Tenant Satisfaction Survey 1.5 Access to Housing and Support Tenancy Sustainment and Tenancy Turnover No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 16 Percentage of new tenancies sustained for more than a year, by source of let. These figures relate to tenancies which commenced between April 2022 and March 2023. Overall sustainment has gone down slightly over this period. In the ‘other’ section 59 tenancies were sustained from a total of 66. This relates to lets to Ukrainian Displaced Persons. Existing tenants 93.5% 95.2% 94.1% 94.3% Homeless applicants 89.4% 91.6% 86.5% 89.3% Housing List applicants 94.5% 94.5% 91.8% 93.5% Other 0.0% 0.0% 89.4% 89.4% Overall 92.2% 95.3% 90.5% 92.0% 17 Percentage of lettable houses that became vacant in the last year. 8.3% 7.2% 7.8% 7.8% There was a small increase in the number of lettable houses that became vacant in the year, with 896 this year compared to 828 last year. 18 Percentage of rent due lost through properties being empty during the last year. 2.0% 1.9% 1.4% 1.7% There was a decrease in the rent lost through void properties this year. Housing Options and Access to Housing No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 19 Number of households currently waiting for adaptations to their home. 107 177 58 114 During 2023/24 the Service completed 280 adaptations, around 100 more than last year. At the end of March 2023/24 there were 58 households waiting for an adaptation compared to 177 in the previous year. Page 196 of 314
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4 No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 20 Total cost of adaptations completed in the year by source of funding (£) 608,555 769,216 702,435 693,402 The average time to complete adaptations improved significantly to 50.4 days from 96.0 days. 21 The average time to complete adaptations 141.9 96.0 50.4 93.0 days 22 Percentage of the court actions initiated which resulted in eviction and the reasons for eviction 0.8% 5.0% 35.5% N/A In line with legislation the Service resumed a full arrears recovery service. There is no three-year average as due to restrictions on evictions set there has not been a full three years of a full recovery service. Non-payment of rent 0.0% 4.4% 34.0% Anti-social behaviour 0.8% 0.6% 1.4% Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Homelessness No Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 23 Homelessness (RSLs only) – the percentage of referrals under Section 5, and other referrals for homeless households made by the local authority, that result in an offer, and the percentage of those offers that result in a let. This indicator relates to RSLs only and is therefore N/A 24 Homelessness (LAs only) – the percentage of homeless households referred to RSLs under section 5 and through other referral routes. 32.0% 28.2% 30.9% 30.6% The Council continues to work with RSL partners to refer households through the section 5 and Nomination Agreement routes. The actual number of houses let to homeless applicants by RSLs increased in 2023/24 and has improved, in line with our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. 1.6 Getting Good Value from Rents and Service Charges Value for Money No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 25 Percentage of tenants who feel that the rent for their property represents good value for money. (b)83.4% (b)83.4% (c)70.3% 77.4% The most recent survey is 7 percentage points below the average of the last three surveys Sources: (b) 2020 Tenant Satisfaction Survey (c) 2022 Tenant Satisfaction Survey Page 197 of 314
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5 Rents and Service Charges No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 Average Notes 26 Rent collected as percentage of total rent due in the reporting year. 98.2% 100.0% 100.4% 99.6% Last year £50,888,381 rent was collected which was more than the amount due (£50,675,517). 27 Gross rent arrears (all tenants) as at 31 March each year as a percentage of rent due for the reporting year. 8.0% 8.6% 8.3% 8.3% There has been a reduction in the level of gross rent arrears over the past year. 28 Average annual management fee per factored property. £58 £108 £108 £91 The Annual management fee remained the same as last year. 29 Percentage of factored owners satisfied with the factoring service they receive. 60.4% 71.2% 72.8% 67.2% This indicator has improved. 30 Average length of time taken to re-let properties in the last year (days) 66.0 60.6 50.4 59.1 There were 949 re-lets in 2023/24. There has been improvement in the average re-let times. Our void turnaround times and processes remain an area of primary focus for the service, and we will continue to look for improved ways of working. (29) Source: Annual owners services survey 1.7 Other Customers – Gypsies/Travellers No. Indicator 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 31 Gypsies/travellers – Average weekly rent per pitch. Currently there are no gypsy/traveller sites in Renfrewshire. 32 For those who provide sites – percentage of gypsies/travellers satisfied with the landlord’s management of the site. Page 198 of 314
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6 2. Core Contextual Indicators 2.1 These relate to the stock and profile of our service users. Not all of these are reported by local authorities. The core contextual indicators are included in the table below: No. Indicator 21/22 22/23 23/24 C2 Number of lets during the reporting year, by source of let Existing tenants 228 270 215 Housing List applicants 343 291 297 Mutual Exchanges 15 10 0 Other sources 0 66 46 Homeless applicants 369 318 391 Total number excluding exchanges 940 945 949 C3 Number of lets during the reporting year General Needs 902 898 900 Supported Housing (sheltered housing only) 38 47 49 C14 Types of tenancies granted for the reporting year Occupancy agreements 0 0 0 Short SST 6 4 1 SST 934 941 948 C15 Housing Lists New applicants 2,976 2,694 2,964 Applicants on list at end of year 5,347 4,951 4,964 Suspensions 61 46 64 Cancelled 3,271 3,163 2,994 C4 Abandoned properties 122 101 114 C30 Number of notices of proceedings issued 112 622 501 The number of orders for recovery of possession granted during the reporting year 6 38 78 C29 Average number of reactive repairs completed per occupied property 3.7 3.6 3.1 C16 The Landlord’s wholly owned stock 12,216 12,216 12,305 C17 Stock by house type House 2,696 2,755 2,789 High Rise 1,000 1,002 1,005 Tenement 4,637 4,601 4,610 4 in block 2,832 2,795 2,825 Other flat/maisonette 1,051 1,063 1,076 C20 Number of self-contained properties void at the year end 619 546 546 Void for more than 6 months 196 207 146 C5 Rent increase 2.0% 5.5% 6.0% C6 Number of households for which landlords are paid housing costs 7,478 7,377 7,119 Value of direct housing cost payments received during the year £27,385,200 £27,539,258 £29,505,217 C7 Percentage of former tenant rent arrears written off at the year end 15.84% 27.48% 26.99% Page 199 of 314
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7 3. Management Information 3.1 Allocations and Managing Tenancy Change There were just under 5,000 applicants applying for housing in 2023/24 (Graph 1). This is the same as 22/23. The origins of their applications remained proportionally similar to the previous year (Graph 2). Graph 1 (Applicants on housing list) Graph 2 (Source of application) In 2023/24, 949 properties were let by the Council. Most of these lets (76%) were made through the group system (Graph 3), although this is a reduction from last year (81%). There has been a further increase in lets associated with the Regeneration programme (Graph 4) Graph 3 (Number of lets) Graph 4 (Lets outwith the Group system) Within the group system, 54% of lets went to Group 1 (Homeless) applicants (Graph 5). This is a significant increase from 41% last year. 0 2000 4000 6000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Applicants on Housing List Number of applicants on housing list - at 31st March 2024 Of which number who have their application on hold 0.00%15.00%30.00%45.00%60.00%75.00% Statutory Homeless Mobility General Applicants (not … Transfer Applicants… Transfer Applicants (no… Source of application 23/24 % 22/23 % 21/22 % 0 200 400 600 800 1000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Lets Lets outwith group system Lets through group system Page 200 of 314
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1 Graph 5 (Lets and targets) Last year saw a slight percentage increase in lets in tenement flats and own door flats (Graph 6). Graph 6 (percentage of lets by property type) Council nominations for RSLs reduced from 74 in 2021/22 to 48. The number and percentage of Section 5 Lets was broadly the same as 2021/22 (Table 1, Graph 7). Nomination & S5 Lets Council nomination lets % of overall lets to Council nominations Section 5 lets % lets to Section 5 % overall lets to Council General stock Specialist/sheltered/supported Total stock 21/22 74 3 8.58% 174 24.20% 27.98% 22/23 48 11 7.59% 171 26.50% 29.60% 23/24 19 3 3.50% 183 36.80% 32.40% Table 1: Nominations and Section 5 - general stock only (excludes specialist) 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% Statutory Homeless Mobility General Applicants (not landlord’s own tenant) Transfer Applicants (with housing need) Transfer Applicants (no housing need) Lets and Targets 21/22 22/23 Lets 23/24 Targets Page 201 of 314
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2 Graph 7 Nominations and Section 5 - general stock only (excludes specialist) 3.2 Repairs In 2023/24 just under 40,000 repairs were carried out and 92% were completed within the target timescale. This is fewer than 2022/23 where over 43,700 repairs were complete with 93.1% completed within the target timescale. Table 2 outlines repairs performance completed by category of repair and graph 8 illustrates the performance trend of all repairs completed over the past few years. • an emergency repair is classed as one where there is a threat to health and safety or where we need to take quick action to prevent damage • ‘right to repair’ qualifying repairs are urgent repairs which must be carried out within a specified timescale in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 • routine repairs are everyday repairs which are required as a result of normal wear and tear of the property • programmed repairs are generally non-urgent general maintenance repairs which are carried out on a programmed basis rather than carrying out individual responsive repairs (usually larger scale repairs within common ownership) Repairs % completed in target time Category of Repair 21/22 22/23 23/24 Emergency Completed 97.0% 95.0% 98% Right to Repair Completed 100.0% 95.0% 98% Urgent Completed 86.0% 61.0% 63% Routine Completed 87.0% 92.0% 89% Programmed Completed 100.0% 99.0% 98% Total Repairs Completed 93.6% 93.1% 92% Table 2 – Repairs % completed in target time Graph 8 Total repairs completed in target time 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% 0 50 100 150 200 21/22 22/23 23/24 Nominations and Section 5 lets Council nomination lets General stock Council nomination lets Specialist/sheltered/supported % of overall lets to Council nominations Section 5 lets Total stock % lets to Section 5 % overall lets to Council 86.00% 88.00% 90.00% 92.00% 94.00% 96.00% 98.00% 100.00% 21/22 22/23 23/24 Total Repairs Completed Page 202 of 314
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1 Graph 9 provides information on Customer Contact Centre performance in relation to housing repairs calls. This shows the volume of calls in 2023/24 and the outcomes for calls received. Over 70,000 calls were made to report repairs and 93% of these were answered, an improvement of 4% points from last year, where the figure was 89% (2022/23). 63% of all attempted calls were answered within the 40 second target. Graph 9 (CCC Calls answered/abandoned) Graph 10 (CCC Calls answered in 40 seconds) 3.3 Homelessness and Housing Advice 2023/24 saw continued increases in the number of people presenting as homeless that require assessment, those who were looking for housing advice and the number of applications where the Council has a statutory duty to re-house. This is symptomatic of the pressures faced within the service and reflected nationally. The proportion of assessments completed within 28 days remains high at 95.2% but is down a little from last year at 99% (Graph 11). Graph 11 (Homelessness, applications and decision making) 90% 95% 100% 105% 0 2000 4000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Application and Decision Making Number of homeless applications requiring assessment Total number of service users – those who were homeless, threatened with homelessness, or requiring housing options advice. Number of applications assessed as ‘homeless or threatened with homelessness’ (i.e., the Council had a duty to rehouse) Proportion of assessments completed within 28 days 20% 40% 60% 80% Total Calls answered in 40 Seconds % answered calls answered within 40 sec target % of all attempted calls answered within 40 sec target (service level) Page 203 of 314
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1 Satisfaction with the quality of advice (94.6%), the quality of temporary accommodation (95%) and the overall quality of service received (96.3%) remains high. (Graph 12). Graph 12 (Homeless Services satisfaction) 3.4 Rent Arrears Graph 13 that the annual rental income due to be collected is over £50.67m. At the end of March 2024, £2.1 million was owed in arrears which is an improvement on the previous year’s figure of £2.3million. Graph 13 Rent arrears value Graph 14 shows the recovery action taken, with the return to normal arrears recovery activity there is an increase to cases being called to court. Graph 15 also shows average calling times increasing. 90% 92% 94% 96% 98% 100% 21/22 22/23 23/24 Homeless Satisfaction % pleased with the quality of advice and information they were given % pleased with the overall quality of the service they received. % Satisfied with temporary accommodation 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000 13,000 £0 £10,000,000 £20,000,000 £30,000,000 £40,000,000 £50,000,000 £60,000,000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Rental Income Total Arrears Owed All Number of Tenants Page 204 of 314
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2 Graph 14 Recovery action Graph 15 Court calling time Graph 16 highlights the status of debt from post and pre court. The amount of debt pre court has increased due to no court activity during the pandemic. Graph 16 Status of rent debt 0 500 1000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Recovery Action NPRP issued All Cases calling at Court Decrees Granted Evictions enforced S/Officer £0 £500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000 £2,500,000 £3,000,000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Status of Rent Debt Arrears Rent Direct Arrears Post Court Arrears Pre-Court 0 5 10 15 Average time first calling (weeks) Average time recalled at court (weeks) Recovery Action Court Time 23/24 22/23 21/22 Page 205 of 314
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Graph 17 provides a profile of arrears by value. There has been some reduction in total arrears with specific reductions in the bands £250 to £500 and in the band where the debt is over £1,000, the other arrears values have remained relatively stable. Graph 18 shows the amount owed by tenants by age profile which shows that the main group with the majority of arrears are those in the 25 to 49 age band. Graph 17 Arrears by value Graph 18 Arrears age bands Graph 19 provides summary information on benefit levels comparing with previous years. Benefit uptake remains high with 76% of our tenants in receipt of some form of benefit. Graph 19 Housing Benefit £0 £500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000 £2,500,000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Arrears by value Under £250 Between £250 & £500 Between £500 & £1,000 Over £1,000 70% 72% 74% 76% 78% 80% 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Housing Benefit Number of tenants Tenants with benefit Tenants without benefit % in receipt of Housing Benefit £0 £500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000 £2,500,000 21/22 22/23 23/24 Arrears by age Under 25 years Between 25 & 49 years Between 50 & 60 years Over 60 Page 206 of 314
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Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR Page 207 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing (Scotland) Act 1987- Representation in Respect of a House Failing to Meet the Tolerable Standard ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Following approval by the Communities and Housing Policy Board in 2021 and 2022 to implement the Council approved Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Investment Programme, measures have been taken to acquire privately owned properties within identified regeneration areas where this facilitates the delivery of the investment programme within these areas. 1.2 The top floor flat identified as 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley is one property within the block at number 9 which remains in private ownership, despite efforts to engage the owner in agreeing voluntary acquisition of this flat. The flat (and building generally) is subject to significant fire damage and is therefore considered to fail to meet the Tolerable Standard, as defined within the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended and approval is being sought from this Board to issue a Demolition Order in terms of Section 115 of the Housing (Scotland) act 1987 for the whole blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. 1.3 The Communities and Housing Policy Board on 16 May 2023 authorised the promotion and use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the last remaining privately owned property within the Auchentorlie regeneration area namely Flat 2/1, 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Policy Board: 2.1 approves a Demolition Order being issued for the properties at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley, PA1 1QY. Item 10 Page 209 of 314
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2.2 approves the Council carrying out the demolition of the blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley, PA1 1QY in the event that, subject to their right to appeal, the owners fail to demolish the block within the prescribed period. 2.3 Notes that in accordance with the existing board authorisation outlined above, a Compulsory Purchase Order will be promoted and submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval to acquire the property 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley after conclusion of the demolition order process in the event that further efforts to acquire the property voluntary are unsuccessful. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Boards of 18 January and 15 March 2022 approved the acquisition of privately owned properties within identified regeneration areas where this facilitates the delivery of the investment programme within these areas, including properties at Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. The Communities and Housing Policy Board on 16 May 2023 authorised the promotion and use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the last remaining privately owned property within the Auchentorlie regeneration area namely Flat 2/1, 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. 3.2 The blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant are, apart from Flat 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, under full ownership of the Council (all are vacant). However, the owner of 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant has failed to positively engage with Regeneration Officers to allow the Council to take possession of this property, with the outcome that the demolition of the blocks at 5, 7 and 9 has been delayed. 3.3 The Housing Regeneration team have engaged with the owner of Flat 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant for over two years with the intention of acquiring the property. The owner has repeatedly advised that the outstanding mortgage on the property far outweighs the market value in the property’s current condition. This was confirmed in an email from the owner’s solicitor on 19 March 2024. 3.4 As there has been no means of agreement regarding the Council acquiring this property and given the delays in the regeneration programme arising from this, authorisation is being sought to promote a Compulsory Purchase Order to compulsorily acquire the property Flat 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley to complement the promotion and service of the Demolition Order and, subject to the rights of appeal, subsequent demolition of the blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. 3.5 The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 places a duty on local authorities to secure that all houses within their district are closed, demolished or brought up to the Tolerable Standard within a period which is reasonable in the circumstances. 3.6 Section 115 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended makes provision for a local authority to issue a Demolition Order where it is satisfied that a house, or houses, do not meet the Tolerable Standard and ought to be demolished, further requiring that the building shall be demolished within six weeks after the expiration of a 28 day period (which is to allow for the properties to be vacated). The owner of any property has a period of 21 days to appeal to the Sheriff Court against the Demolition Order. Page 210 of 314
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3.7 All properties within the buildings at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley are vacant and there is no requirement to specify within the Demolition Order any period for the properties to be vacated. 3.8 The Tolerable Standard, as defined within Section 86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 is a basic minimum standard which all properties are required to meet and is reproduced for information within Appendix 1. As this is a condemnatory standard a property only requires failing to meet one element of it to fail the Tolerable Standard overall. 3.9 The flats within 9 Auchentorlie are generally in a very poor condition, which has arisen as a result of a fire during 2021, originating in Flat 2/1 and in respect of Flat 2/1 itself, it is noted that the roof across a significant proportion of the flat has been destroyed due to the fire; this is resulting in significant water penetration to the flat (and building). In addition to this, there is no supply of electricity or water to the building and Officers are therefore satisfied that the property Flat 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley fails the Tolerable Standard on the following grounds: • It is not substantially free from penetrating damp (due to the extensive roof damage); • It does not have satisfactory provision for artificial lighting and heating (due to there being no electricity supply); • It does not have an adequate supply of wholesome water available within the house; • It does not have a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water; • It does not have a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water at any fixed bath, shower and wash hand basin; • It does not have satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food (due to there being no electricity supply), and • It does not have satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, fire or suspected fire. 3.10 Authorisation is therefore sought to issue a Demolition Order in respect of all flats within the blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley and to demolish the blocks. Demolition of this block is in accordance with the approved Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for the Auchentorlie area. 3.11 The Council would seek to recover the expenses of demolition via the statutory powers available to it. ___________________________________________________________________ Page 211 of 314
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Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The costs associated with the demolition of these blocks is included within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget and efforts will be made to recover the associated proportion of these costs from the sole private owner. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy- Improving and maintaining neighbourhoods and homes. 4. Legal – The Demolition Order may require input from Legal Services in relation to valid service and promotion of the Order and any appeal. There will be a requirement for Legal Services to carry out conveyancing work to voluntarily or compulsorily acquire the property at 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley. 5. Property/Assets – Seventeen of the eighteen flats in the blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley are Council owned. 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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 because for example it is for noting only. 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. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk – The owner of the property 2/1 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley has a right of appeal against the Demolition Order which, if exercised, could delay the works for a significant period. 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable. 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. Climate Risk - None _________________________________________________________________________ Page 212 of 314
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List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1- Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 18 January 2022 titled, Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme (b) Background paper 2- Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 15 March 2022 titled, Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme- Consultation Update (c) Background paper 3 – Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board on 16 May 2023 by the Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure titled, Compulsory Purchase Orders _________________________________________________________________________ Author: Colin Hunter, Environmental Health and Community Safety Manager Email: colin.hunter@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 213 of 314
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Appendix 1 – Tolerable Standard Definition Tolerable Standard as Defined in S86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a house meets the tolerable standard for the purposes of this Act if the house— (a) is structurally stable; (b) is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp; (c) has satisfactory provision for natural and artificial lighting, for ventilation and for heating; (ca) has satisfactory thermal insulation; (d) has an adequate piped supply of wholesome water available within the house; (e) has a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house; (f) has a water closet, or waterless closet available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and suitably located within the house; (fa) has a fixed bath or shower and a wash-hand basin, each provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water and suitably located within the house; (g) has an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water; (ga) in the case of a house having a supply of electricity, complies with the relevant requirements in relation to the electrical installation for the purposes of that supply; “the electrical installation” is the electrical wiring and associated components and fittings, but excludes equipment and appliances; “the relevant requirements” are that the electrical installation is adequate and safe to use; (h) has satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food within the house; (i) has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings; (j) has satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, fire or suspected fire; (k) has satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, carbon monoxide present in a concentration that is hazardous to health, and any reference to a house not meeting the tolerable standard or being brought up to the tolerable standard shall be construed accordingly. Page 214 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 _________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure _________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing (Scotland) Act 1987- Representation in Respect of a House Failing to Meet the Tolerable Standard _________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Leadership Board approved a Regeneration Masterplan for Paisley West End on 12 December 2017, to be implemented in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association Ltd [“Sanctuary”]. The acquisition of over 100 private properties was required so that demolition could be carried out to facilitate delivery of the Regeneration Masterplan. Sanctuary’s agents have successfully negotiated the acquisition of most of these properties and this work continues in respect of any properties not yet acquired, in parallel with the process of promoting a Compulsory Purchase Order over the remaining privately-owned properties in the Paisley West End Masterplan Area. 1.2 The ground floor flat identified as 0/2 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley and the first floor flat identified as 1/1 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley remain in private ownership, with the remaining flatted properties having been brought into the ownership of Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association who are delivering the Regeneration Masterplan for Paisley West End. 1.3 Efforts have been made to engage with the owners of Flats 0/2 and 1/1 by both Council and Sanctuary staff to agree the voluntary acquisition of these flats with negotiations progressing well for Flat 1/1. It is noted that the building is in a poor condition and all flats therein (eight in total) fail to meet the Tolerable Standard, as defined within the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended. 1.4 Flat 0/2 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley is subject to a Closing Order, issued by the Council to the current owner on 13 June 2014, based on the property failing to meet the Tolerable Standard and that it ought otherwise to be demolished. To allow the Demolition Order to be issued, approval is sought from this Board to revoke the Closing Order served on the owner of Flat 0/2 3 Clavering Street East. Item 11 Page 215 of 314
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1.5 Approval is being sought from this Board to issue a Demolition Order in terms of Section 115 of the Housing (Scotland) act 1987 for the whole block at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley. 1.6 The Communities and Housing Policy Board on 12 March 2024 agreed that a Compulsory Purchase Order be submitted by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure to the Scottish Ministers for confirmation to acquire the revised list of remaining privately-owned residential and commercial properties and land within the Paisley West End Masterplan Area, which includes the remaining privately owned flatted dwellings and registered feudal superiority within the block at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley. _________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Policy Board: 2.1 approves the revocation of the Closing Order issued on 13 June 2014. 2.2 approves a Demolition Order being issued for all the properties within the building at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley, PA1 2PU. 2.2 approves the Council carrying out the demolition of the block at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley, PA1 2PU in the event that, subject to their right to appeal, the owners fail to demolish the block within the prescribed period. 2.3 Notes that in accordance with the existing board authorisation outlined above, a Compulsory Purchase Order will be promoted and submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval to acquire the all remaining privately owned properties in the Paisley West End Masterplan Area including the flatted properties at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley after conclusion of the demolition order process in the event that further efforts to acquire the properties voluntarily are unsuccessful. _________________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 On 16 May 2023, the Communities and Housing Policy Board in accordance with the previous decisions taken at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 12 December 2017 and the meeting of this Policy Board held on 25th October 2022, a further Compulsory Purchase Order (or, at most, two such Orders) would be promoted with a view to acquiring the remaining privately owned residential and commercial properties and land within the Paisley West End Masterplan Area. The Communities and Housing Policy Board on 12 March 2024 agreed that a Compulsory Purchase Order is submitted in respect of a revised list of remaining privately-owned residential and commercial properties and land within the Paisley West End Masterplan Area. The revised lists included the Flats 0/2 and 1/1 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley and the registered feudal superiority over the block. Page 216 of 314
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3.2 The block of eight flats at 3 Clavering Street East is, apart from Flats 0/2 and 1/1 3 Clavering Street East and the aforementioned registered feudal superiority, under full ownership of Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association (all flats are vacant). However, the owner of Flat 0/2 3 Clavering Street East has failed to positively engage with Regeneration Officers to allow the Council to take possession of this property, with a potential impact on the phasing of demolition in the Paisley West End Masterplan Area. 3.3 The Housing Regeneration team and Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association have engaged with the owner of Flat 0/2 3 Clavering Street East with the intention of acquiring the property. The owner has repeatedly advised that they intend to renovate and improve the property, with a view to residing there. The owner has been offered a price representing the property’s current market value to sell it to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, however the owner has refused to accept this offer. Negotiations for voluntary acquisition of the Flat at 1/1 3 Clavering Street East are progressing well with agreement reached between the owner and Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association. It is expected this acquisition will conclude shortly. Efforts are being made to resolve the feudal superiority administratively, if this fails it will be included in the forthcoming Compulsory Purchase Order. 3.4 As there has been no means of agreement regarding Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association acquiring the property at 0/2 3 Clavering Street East and given the delays in implementing the Regeneration Masterplan arising from this, authorisation is being sought for the promotion and service of the Demolition Order and, subject to the rights of appeal, subsequent demolition of the block at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley. 3.5 The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 places a duty on local authorities to secure that all houses within their district are closed, demolished or brought up to the Tolerable Standard within a period which is reasonable in the circumstances. 3.6 Section 115 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended makes provision for a local authority to issue a Demolition Order where it is satisfied that a house, or houses, do not meet the Tolerable Standard and ought to be demolished, further requiring that the building shall be demolished within six weeks after the expiration of a 28 day period (which is to allow for the properties to be vacated). The owner of any property has a period of 21 days to appeal to the Sheriff Court against the Demolition Order. 3.7 All properties within the building at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley are vacant and there is no requirement to specify within the Demolition Order any period for the properties to be vacated. 3.8 The Tolerable Standard, as defined within Section 86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 is a basic minimum standard which all properties are required to meet and is reproduced for information within Appendix 1. As this is a condemnatory standard a property only requires failing to meet one element of it to fail the Tolerable Standard overall. Page 217 of 314
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3.9 The flats within 3 Clavering Street East are in a very poor condition. Apart from Flat 0/2 the rest do not have supplies of water or electricity (these were disconnected to the building a number of years ago, and prior to 2014 when the Closing Order had been issued in respect of Flat 0/2 Clavering Street East). Whilst Flat 0/2 does have a supply of electricity, Officers are satisfied that all flats within 3 Clavering Street East, including Flats 0/2 and 1/1 fail to meet the Tolerable Standard on the following grounds: • The flats do not have satisfactory provision for artificial lighting and heating (due to there being no electricity supply, excepting Flat 0/2 which has a supply of electricity to it); • The flats do not have an adequate supply of wholesome water available within each house; • The flats do not have a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water; • The flats do not have a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water at any fixed bath, shower and wash hand basin; • The flats do not have satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food, and • The flats do not have satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, fire or suspected fire. 3.10 Authorisation is therefore sought to issue a Demolition Order in respect of all flats within the block at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley and to demolish the block. Demolition of this block is in accordance with the approved Paisley West End Regeneration Masterplan. 3.11 The Council would seek to recover the expenses of demolition via the statutory powers available to it. _________________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The costs associated with the demolition of this block will be paid by the Council and reclaimed as part of the overall agreement approved for the regeneration masterplan for Paisley’s West End and efforts will be made to recover the associated proportion of these costs from any private owners. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy- Improving and maintaining neighbourhoods and homes. 4. Legal – The Demolition Order may require input from Legal Services in relation to valid service and promotion of the Order and any appeal. There will be a requirement for Legal Services to carry out conveyancing work to voluntarily or compulsorily acquire the remaining privately owned properties at 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley. 5. Property/Assets – none. 6. Information Technology - None Page 218 of 314
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7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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 because for example it is for noting only. 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. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk – The owners of the properties 0/2 and 1/1 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley have a right of appeal against the Demolition Order which, if exercised, could delay the works for a significant period. 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable. 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. Climate Risk - None _________________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1- Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board on 12 March 2024 titled, Update on Paisley West End Regeneration and addresses for Compulsory Purchase Order (b) Background paper 2- Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board on 16 May 2023 by the Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure titled, Compulsory Purchase Orders (c) Background paper 3 - Report to Communities and Housing Policy Board on 25 October 2022: Paisley West End – Regeneration Update (d) Background paper 4 – Report to Leadership Board on 12 December 2017 titled Paisley West End Regeneration (e) Background paper 5 - Closing Order issued on 13 June 2014 to the current owner of the property /02 3 Clavering Street East, Paisley _________________________________________________________________________ Author: Colin Hunter, Environmental Health and Community Safety Manager Email: colin.hunter@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 219 of 314
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Appendix 1 – Tolerable Standard Definition Tolerable Standard as Defined in S86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a house meets the tolerable standard for the purposes of this Act if the house— (a) is structurally stable; (b) is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp; (c) has satisfactory provision for natural and artificial lighting, for ventilation and for heating; (ca) has satisfactory thermal insulation; (d) has an adequate piped supply of wholesome water available within the house; (e) has a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house; (f) has a water closet, or waterless closet available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and suitably located within the house; (fa) has a fixed bath or shower and a wash-hand basin, each provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water and suitably located within the house; (g) has an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water; (ga) in the case of a house having a supply of electricity, complies with the relevant requirements in relation to the electrical installation for the purposes of that supply; “the electrical installation” is the electrical wiring and associated components and fittings, but excludes equipment and appliances; “the relevant requirements” are that the electrical installation is adequate and safe to use; (h) has satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food within the house; (i) has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings; (j) has satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, fire or suspected fire; (k) has satisfactory equipment installed for detecting, and for giving warning of, carbon monoxide present in a concentration that is hazardous to health, and any reference to a house not meeting the tolerable standard or being brought up to the tolerable standard shall be construed accordingly. Page 220 of 314
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To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Heading: Business Regulation Service Plan 2024/2025 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council is required by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to produce a Service Plan to provide detail on the work being undertaken in Food Law across Renfrewshire Council. 1.2 The team who cover this for Renfrewshire Council (Business Regulation Team within Environment, Housing and Infrastructure) also lead on workplace health and safety and other areas of Environmental Health work which are included within the plan. 1.3 The Service Plan sets out the objectives, what work is undertaken, service delivery, resources and quality assurance. 1.4 The Business Regulation Service Plan 2024/25 is attached to this report as an appendix. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the Business Regulation Service Plan 2024/25. 3. Background 3.1 Business Regulation forms part of the Climate, Public Protection and Roads Service within Environment, Housing and Infrastructure. Item 12 Page 221 of 314
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3.2 The team provide an effective regulatory service for food law, and occupational health and safety at work on behalf of Renfrewshire Council, ensuring the Council’s statutory responsibilities are met. The objective of the service is to improve the quality and effectiveness of these regulatory activities, and in doing so ensure public health and safety are maintained. 3.3 In terms of food law enforcement, Renfrewshire Council is a statutory food authority under the Food Safety Act 1990 for all food businesses within Renfrewshire. The Council is also an enforcing authority in terms of Section 18 of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Service is the enforcing authority for health & safety legislation in certain types of premises within Renfrewshire. This is determined by the main activity being undertaken at the premises as laid down in the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998. 3.4 Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 puts a duty on the HSE and Local Authorities (LAs), as Enforcing Authorities, to make adequate arrangements for enforcement. The Section 18 Standard sets out the arrangements that LAs and HSE’s Field Operation Directorate should put in place to meet this duty. 3.5 The Business Plan 2024/25 highlights the work undertaken by the Business Regulation Team, the current position with regards to premises (as of 1 April 2023) and the planned work for the coming 12 months. 3.6 Overall, Food Law and Health & Safety Performance within the Business Regulation Team remained high during the period (1/4/23 to 31/3/24).Work included; 95 in-depth Health & Safety Interventions carried out within a range of businesses and1586 Food Law interventions. 98.3% (1559) of these interventions were completed within the 28 days specified in the Food Law code of practice. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 2. HR & Organisational Development - none 3. Community Planning Renfrewshire is safe – By implementing the attached Service Plan, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure will ensure that food that is prepared and consumed in Renfrewshire is safe and that workplace Health & Safety is regulated. 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none Page 222 of 314
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7. 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 8. Health & Safety – where staff are required to visit premises, all risk assessments and safe working procedures have been developed. 9. Procurement - none 10. Risk - none 11. Privacy Impact - none 12. CoSLA Policy Position - None 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Climate Risk- None List of Background Papers None Author: Robert Marshall, Environmental Health (Business Regulation) Manager e-mail: Robert.marshall@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 223 of 314
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1 Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 Environment, Housing and Infrastructure APPENDIX Page 224 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 2 Contents 1. Service Aims and Objectives .............................................................................. 5 1.1. Aims and Objectives .............................................................................. 5 1.2. Links to Corporate Objectives and Plans .............................................. 5 1.3. Overview ................................................................................................ 6 2. Background ....................................................................................................... 7 2.1. Organisational Structure ....................................................................... 7 2.1.1. Role of Public Protection within Climate, Public Protection and Roads ... 7 2.1.2. Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ................................................. 7 2.2. Scope of the Service .............................................................................. 8 2.3. Demands on the Service ....................................................................... 9 2.4. Performance Management ................................................................. 13 2.5. Enforcement Policy & Procedures ....................................................... 13 3. Service Delivery ............................................................................................... 14 3.1. Food and Health & Safety Premises Inspections ................................ 14 3.2. Food and Health and Safety Service Requests ................................... 17 3.3. Investigation of Accidents ................................................................... 20 3.4. Enforcement Management Model (EMM) ............................................ 20 3.5. Home Authority Principle & Primary Authority Scheme ...................... 20 3.6. Advice to Business ............................................................................... 22 3.7. FHIS & EatSafe ..................................................................................... 22 Page 225 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 3 3.8. Sampling ............................................................................................. 23 3.9. Health and Safety Interventions .......................................................... 23 3.10. Control and Investigation of Outbreaks and Food Related Infectious Diseases ........................................................................................................... 24 3.11. Food Incidents ..................................................................................... 25 3.12. Liaison with Other Organisations ........................................................ 25 4. Resources ........................................................................................................ 27 4.1. Financial Allocation ............................................................................. 27 4.2. Staffing Allocation ............................................................................... 27 4.3. Employee Development Plan .............................................................. 28 5. Quality Assessment ......................................................................................... 29 5.1. Quality Assessment & Internal Monitoring .......................................... 29 6. REVIEW 2023-24 ............................................................................................... 30 6.1. Review of Food Law Activity ................................................................ 30 6.2. Review of Health and safety activity. ................................................... 32 6.3. Areas for Improvement ........................................................................ 34 7. Emerging Issues 2024/25 ................................................................................. 35 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 37 2. Approach to Sampling ..................................................................................... 37 2.1. Informal Samples ................................................................................ 37 2.2. Formal Samples .................................................................................. 37 Page 226 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 4 2.3. Sampling Priorities .............................................................................. 38 2.4. Manufacturing/Approved Premises .................................................... 38 2.5. Sampling Plan 2024/25 ....................................................................... 38 3. Complaints and Food Borne Disease Investigations ....................................... 38 3.1. Co-ordinated Sampling ....................................................................... 38 3.2. Imported Food .................................................................................... 38 3.3. Special Investigations ......................................................................... 39 4.0 Priority Actions ................................................................................................ 40 3.4. Routine Sampling ................................................................................ 41 Appendix 2: Public Protection Structure Page 227 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 5 1. Service Aims and Objectives 1.1. Aims and Objectives The Food and Health & Safety Service is delivered by the Environmental Health, Business Regulation Team. This team forms part of the Climate, Public Protectiopn and Roads Service within Environment, Housing and Infrastructure. The aim is to provide an effective regulatory service for food law, and occupational health and safety at work on behalf of Renfrewshire Council, ensuring the Council’s statutory responsibilities are met. The objective of the Service is to improve the quality and effectiveness of these regulatory activities, and in doing so ensure public health and safety are maintained. In order to achieve this aim, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure will: Apply the relevant legislation at premises regulated by the Local Authority in line with the Scottish Regulators Code of Practice, Work in partnership with agencies such as Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to achieve nationally agreed strategic aims, Ensure that all staff undertaking enforcement activity are properly qualified and competent to undertake their duties, Operate a risk based approach to inspection and regulation, Carry out a programme of specific, targeted and appropriate interventions in order to improve food safety, quality and health & safety standards, Work with local businesses in an open and transparent manner, Investigate and take appropriate action upon receipt of accident notifications, service requests, food borne infection notifications and complaints. 1.2. Links to Corporate Objectives and Plans The Environmental Health, Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-25 contributes to Climate, Public Protection and Roads outcomes as well as Renfrewshire Council’s Corporate Objectives and Plans. In particular, the service has a critical role to play in supporting sustainable economic development, ensuring the health and safety of the public, addressing the impact of poverty and the protection of both the public and legitimate businesses from criminal activities. Page 228 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 6 1.3. Overview In terms of food law enforcement, Renfrewshire Council is a statutory Food Authority under the Food Safety Act 1990 for all food businesses within Renfrewshire. The Council is also an Enforcing Authority in terms of Section 18 of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Service is the enforcing authority for health & safety legislation in certain types of premises within Renfrewshire. This is determined by the main activity being undertaken at the premises as laid down in the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998. Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 puts a duty on the Health & Safety Executive ( HSE) and Local Authorities (LAs), as Enforcing Authorities, to make adequate arrangements for enforcement. The Section 18 Standard sets out the arrangements that LAs and HSE’s Field Operation Directorate should put in place to meet this duty. Page 229 of 314
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7 2. Background 2.1. Organisational Structure The Food Safety and Health & Safety service is delivered by suitably qualified officers within the Business Regulation Team operating in Environment, Housing and Infrastructure as part of Climate, Public Protection and Roads. (Appendix 2) 2.1.1. Role of Public Protection within Climate, Public Protection and Roads Public Protection within Climate, Public Protection and Roads, consists of the Business Regulation, Community Safety,Public Health and Trading Standards teams. Their combined role is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the local community and to safeguard public health, the quality of the local environment and to enhance economic, social and environmental welfare by improving and maintaining standards of fair trading in terms of safety, quality, quantity and price. 2.1.2. Environment, Housing and Infrastructure The Service is based at: Climate, Public Protection and Roads Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR The Service can be contacted by: email: b-serv.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk, or phone: 0300 300 0380 Page 230 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 8 2.2. Scope of the Service The main role of Environmental Health, Business Regulation is to undertake regulatory functions of relevant legislation in terms of Food Law and Occupational Health and Safety at Work on behalf of Renfrewshire Council. The aim is to secure compliance with the standards laid down in primary legislation, associated regulations and codes of practice. The key activities of Environmental Health Business Regulation are based on the implementation of inspection/intervention, survey and sampling programmes and other appropriate monitoring and investigative activities, including responding to, and learning from food complaints, accidents and incidents at work. Under Section 5 of the Food Safety Act 1990, Renfrewshire Council is a statutory Food Authority, responsible for delivery of official controls under the Act and associated Regulations. Statutory appointments of Head of Food Service and Lead Officer for Food Safety are detailed in the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions. Enforcement of the legislation, under Section 6 of the Food Safety Act 1990, includes food hygiene and food standards covering the safety, quality, presentation and labelling of food. To this end, a programme of food business inspections and the surveillance of food is carried out by co-ordinated food sampling and a food standards inspection programme. Food and premises hygiene complaints are investigated where required. The investigation and control of food-borne infections within food premises is carried out in conjunction with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The Service acts as the Originating Authority to those large-scale food manufacturers within the area, co-ordinating and assisting in complaints and enquiries from other Food Authorities within the UK and third Countries. As an Enforcing Authority, the Service also has responsibility for the provision of health & safety enforcement services in a range of business activities covering approximately 2500 premises and an estimated 10,000 employees. The enforcement of health & safety legislation is split between the Local Authority (Renfrewshire Council) and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), depending on the main activity being undertaken at the premises as laid down in the Health & Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998. The HSE are responsible for the more traditional “factory” or industrial premises. The premises within the remit of the Council include: offices, shops, warehouses, leisure, hotel and catering premises. Page 231 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 9 The principal activities of the service, outlined above, have relevance to the Planning, Building Standards, Civic Licensing and Alcohol Licensing services of the Council. The Service also delivers official controls in relation to Food Law in all Renfrewshire Council food operations. The Service provides advice and guidance to all businesses to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. The 2024/25 Business Regulation Service plan provides data and information for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 2.3. Demands on the Service Table 1: Profile of food businesses in Renfrewshire Premises Number Caring Establishment 169 Hotels and Guest Houses 26 Mobile Traders 38 Primary Food Producers 10 Pubs/Clubs 148 Restaurant/ Caterer 414 Takeaway Premises 212 Retail 348 Schools and Colleges 83 Manufacturers and Packers 45 Importers/Exporters 6 Distributors/Transporters 25 TOTAL 1524 Page 232 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 10 Table 2: Profile of Businesses for Health & Safety Enforcement Premises Number Retail 773 Wholesale 123 Offices 321 Catering 527 Hotels etc 26 Residential Care 19 Leisure 196 Consumer Services 427 Others 67 Total 2479 The Food Law and Health & Safety Services provided by Renfrewshire Council operate solely from Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1BR. The Service’s standard working day is 8.45am - 4.45pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am - 3.55pm on Friday, with an out of hour’s service also being provided in cases of emergency. Officers operate a hybrid model where they are operating from home, in the office and in the field e.g. inspecting premises and investigating incidents. The Service works in a number of complex areas, which include: Glasgow International Airport As Glasgow International Airport lies within the Authority, this adds further elements of work to the Environmental Health, Business Regulation Team. Consignments of food, particularly fruit and vegetables come through Glasgow Airport from third Countries. These foods are subject to controls administered by Environmental Health, Business Regulation. The Service is also involved in the surveillance of exports from the Airport and provides export certificates to those businesses exporting foodstuffs from Renfrewshire. The Business Regulation Team provides a port health role at the airport. Renfrewshire Port Health Authority was originally set up with the primary objective of preventing dangerous epidemic diseases entering the country. Although this can still occur, if a person is patently unwell, this function is now more realistically aimed at contacting and monitoring persons who may be carrying a communicable disease and preventing further cases arising from environmental contamination of aircraft. Page 233 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 11 There are also currently two businesses which operate flight catering within the airport estate and these are subject to inspection by the service. Environmental Health Officers operate on a rota basis, with one officer allocated for each day of the working week. The officer carries out all imported food functions at the airport on his/her allocated day. In addition, on weekends and public holidays an emergency call out service is in place to deal with port health incidents. Communication and Language The Council area has several food businesses operating for whom English is not a first language. This can introduce communication challenges during the course of inspection and enforcement visits. In order to address this issue, information leaflets translated into other languages have been produced. A translation service is available to officers if required during inspections and other meetings. Council Operated Food Businesses The control of food enforcement in Local Authority catering operations provided by Facilities and Property Services is a complex and sensitive area of work. These premises include catering in residential establishments such as those run by the Council’s Social Work Services as well as schools and nurseries. The service employs the same approach to enforcement in these premises. Approved/Authorised Premises There are nine Approved/Authorised Businesses operating within Renfrewshire, all of which are Approved/Authorised under Regulation (EC) 853/2004. These are: DNATA Airline Catering Arran Avenue, Paisley, PA3 2AY Gate Gourmet Airline catering Campsie Drive, Paisley, PA2 8DP Gormack Foods Sandyford Road, Paisley, PA3 3HP CFPU RAH Hospital Corsebar Road, Paisley, PA2 9PJ Scottish Leather Group Seedhil Road, Paisley, PA1 1JL Scottish Leather Group Baltic Works, Bridge of Weir Gleddoch Family Butchers Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3PW Lomond Cold Store Blackstoun Road, Paisley, PA3 3AF Rice and Spicy Eddison street, Hillington, G524JW Page 234 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 12 Events A significant number of events are held throughout Renfrewshire on an annual basis, particularly, but not exclusively, during the summer months. These events require a food law enforcement presence in response to the level of external food retailers and caterers providing food for the large number of visitors and this can result in a minor short-term impact on the food service. The Service also works closely with Renfrewshire Council’s Events Team. Health & Safety Enforcement The review of Health & Safety enforcement activities by the UK Government has influenced the approach in this area. HSE priority planning guidance directs the work of Local Authorities in relation to Health & Safety, with an emphasis on targeting resources on higher risk activities and reducing the number of routine inspections. An Intervention Plan based on this guidance has been developed which takes into account local conditions and priorities. Enforcement within Arm’s Length Organisations - Renfrewshire Leisure In 2019, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advised Renfrewshire Council that enforcement within Council owned leisure facilities operated by arm’s length organisations, are: in accordance with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the enforcement responsibility of the Local Authority. This is a sensitive area of work due to close relationships between the Council and One Ren including the corporate control as the Council is the sole shareholder of the Company. The Council does not have outright control of One Ren, as the charity has an independent board of directors, but it does have the right to appoint and remove some of the directors. As a result, strategic decisions affecting the operation of One Ren could (in some instances) be directed, by the Council. For the purpose of enforcement, the Business Regulation Team employs the same approach for all businesses within Renfrewshire. Page 235 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 13 2.4. Performance Management Elected Members receive quarterly reports on performance in key areas including Food Safety/Health & Safety enforcement and Managers provide an operational update at a bi- monthly Management Meeting. Certificates of Compliance and formal notices are reported to elected members via the Regulatory Functions Board and Information Bulletin reports. Performance reviews are carried out on a six-monthly basis with staff involved in Food Safety and Health & Safety enforcement, to maintain performance. 2.5. Enforcement Policy & Procedures An Integrated Enforcement Policy is in place to ensure the consistency of enforcement across all areas of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure. The Policy sets standards clearly outlining the level of service which the public and businesses can expect to receive. It encourages fair and open regulation and commits the Service to ensuring our enforcement service works with businesses to assist them in complying with the law. Information Systems Premises records are held on the Authority Public Protection (APP) system, which is used to manage the inspection programme and record details of inspections, accidents, complaints and enquiries. The database is regularly reviewed and updated to facilitate the planning of inspection programmes and production of management reports. Progress towards local, regional and national outcomes is monitored on a monthly basis using the reporting functions of the system. Statutory returns are made using data from the APP system. Page 236 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 14 3. Service Delivery 3.1. Food and Health & Safety Premises Inspections In accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland), all food premises are risk- assessed for food law. Risk assessments are entered in the Services database, which generates a target inspection date. A report is generated from the database of visits due for each officer. The Service undertakes a full inspection programme based on the risk category of premises. Regulatory activity in relation to Health and Safety at Work is determined in accordance with the HSE priority planning guidance. The tables below illustrate the number of premises in Renfrewshire in each risk category for Food Law and Health & Safety. Table 3 - Total premises (Food Law) with Group & Rating GROUP RATING NUMBER 1 A 9 1 B 12 1 C 7 1 D 0 1 E 0 TOTAL 28 GROUP RATING NUMBER 2 A 55 2 B 518 2 C 281 2 D 12 2 E 0 TOTAL 866 GROUP RATING NUMBER 3 A 46 3 B 441 3 C 92 3 D 0 3 E 0 TOTAL 579 Page 237 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 15 Table 4: Premises per group Rating Category Group Number of Premises 1 28 2 866 3 579 Food Standards Only 5 Approved 8 Farms 8 Sub Total 1494 Unrated 44 Total 1538 The Food Law risk rating of a food business is based on a number of elements. Hygiene, structure, food safety management and food standards are assessed to determine the risk posed by an establishment and the frequency of intervention by the local authority. These are numerically scored and used to derive the rating that is presented as the 'score', A-E; Category E posing the highest risk. Table 5: Profile by Health & Safety risk category Risk Category Total number in category A 1 B1 33 B2 764 C 1565 Unrated 465 Total 2828 The tables below illustrate the number of inspections programmed for 2024/25 in each risk category for Food Law. A total of 903 food law programmed interventions are projected for the 12 months commencing 1 April 2024. Page 238 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 16 Table 6: Food Law Programmed Interventions for 2024/2025 GROUP RATING NUMBER 1 A 3 1 B 10 1 C 6 1 D 0 1 E 0 TOTAL 19 GROUP RATING NUMBER 2 A 9 2 B 399 2 C 284 2 D 19 2 E 0 TOTAL 711 GROUP RATING NUMBER 3 A 1 3 B 105 3 C 66 3 D 1 3 E 0 TOTAL 173 The inspection programme for 2024/25 has been developed to comply fully with the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) and LAC Circular 67/2 (Rev 7) Health & Safety priority planning. So far as the inspection of premises outwith normal working hours is concerned, our policy is to ensure that, where premises are only open outwith normal hours, then appropriate provision is made for them to be visited in accordance with at least the minimum number of visits determined by their risk rating. 6.8 full time equivalent officers carry out the work of the Business Regulation team, including the Business Regulation Manager. The staffing allocation to Food Law enforcement is 75% of 6.8 FTE’s, with the other 25% allocated to Health & Safety enforcement. Officers are allocated premises within specific geographical areas. Page 239 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 17 It is considered that the Service has adequate expertise to provide a competent and full portfolio of enforcement and educational roles in relation to Food Law and Health & Safety. However, where necessary, we are able to draw on expertise from Food Standards Scotland, Glasgow Scientific Services – the Public Analyst, Health Protection Scotland, the Director of Public Health, Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA), The Health & Safety Executive and other local authorities. 3.2. Food and Health and Safety Service Requests Complaints and Service Requests are dealt either by the duty Environmental Health Officer or by the officer responsible for the premises which are the subject of the complaint/request. All service requests are logged in the APP database against the premises concerned. The Service has documented policies relating to the investigation and handling of complaints and service requests which ensure that all complaints are investigated in accordance with the appropriate Code of Practice. All complaints are recorded and their risk evaluated to distinguish between those which require an on-site investigation and others which may be resolved by telephone or written advice. The numbers of complaints and service requests are detailed by category, for 2023/24 and estimated for the year 2024/25 are shown in the tables and charts below: Page 240 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 18 Table 7 – Food Complaints and Service Requests 2023/2024 Service Request Category 2023/2024 Estimated requests 2024/2025 Advice to Consumer 34 40 Advice to Business 300 330 Food Hygiene Complaint 72 75 Food premises Complaint 38 40 Food Standards 28 40 Section 50 Certificates/ Building warrant 5 5 Licensing Consultation 67 67 Imported Food 2 2 Export Certificate 23 25 other 7 Total 576 624 Chart 1- Summary of Complaints and Service Requests for Food Page 241 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 19 Table 8- Health and Safety Complaint and Service Requests 2023/24 Service Request Category 2023/24 Estimated requests 2024/25 Leisure 11 12 Consumer 9 9 Retail 9 9 Catering 4 4 Hotel 2 2 Wholesale 1 1 Animal Licensing 1 3 Solicitor request 1 1 RIDDOR 9 10 Other 9 10 Attend H&S Group 4 4 TOTAL 60 65 Chart 2- - Summary of Complaints and Service Requests for Health and Safety Page 242 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 20 3.3. Investigation of Accidents A procedure is in place for the investigation of notified accidents designed to ensure consistency and quality of the accident investigation service. It is not possible or appropriate to investigate all incidents and a systematic approach has been adopted to ensure that the more serious incidents are investigated. 3.4. Enforcement Management Model (EMM) The Guidance in the LAC22/18 along with detailed guidance that was issued for use by Environmental Health Officers is used to promote consistency of enforcement between individual officers, LAs and with HSE. All officers in the team have been trained in the use of the Enforcement Management Model. The model is used by officers when considering the most appropriate action to take in more complex situations which are occasionally encountered, including serious accident investigations. It is also used as a monitoring tool by the Business Regulation Manager. 3.5. Home Authority Principle & Primary Authority Scheme For companies operating under two or more local council jurisdictions, Primary Authority provides reliable and consistent regulatory advice from a single source when dealing with key aspects of Environmental health, Trading Standards, Health & Safety, and Licensing services. Renfrewshire Council currently has no partnerships in relation to health & safety advice and enforcement. The Primary/Home authority principle is applied when dealing with food complaint investigations and also routinely in relation to food standards and labelling issues. It is considered to be an aid to good enforcement practice. The Council has no formal agreements in place to act as a Home Authority with any specific business, but has listed the following significant establishments as ones which are considered as home authority/originating authority premises: Page 243 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 21 Table 9- Originating Authority Businesses A&A Bakers Moss Road Linwood PA3 3HR DNATA Arran Avenue Paisley PA3 2AY AP Jess Sandyford Road Paisley PA3 4HP Aulds Delicious Desserts Barnsford Avenue Inchinnan PA4 9RG Bidfood Barnwell Street Renfrew PA3 2EU Big Bear Bakery 15 Edison Street Hillington Park G52 4JW Buon Giorno 11A Queen Street Renfrew PA4 8TR Davidson Butcher Mossedge Paisley PA3 3HR Diageo Global Supply 1 Argyll Avenue Renfrew PA4 9EA Diageo Global Supply 500 Renfrew Road Renfrew G51 4SP Faodail Foods Westway Renfrew PA4 8DJ Filshill Westway Renfrew PA4 8DJ G Porrelli & Co Ltd 25 Lacy Street Paisley PA1 1QN G&A McHarg Dalziel Road Hillington Park G52 4NN Gate Gourmet Glasgow Airport Paisley PA2 8DP Gleddoch Family Butchers 60 Glasgow Road Paisley PA1 13W Hannah's of Johnstone 18-20 Walkinshaw Street Johnstone PA5 8AB Henderson Meats Hillington Glasgow PA8 6BS Ingram Brothers 15 East Lane Paisley PA1 1QA Jenier Limited Earl Haig Road Hillington G52 4JU John Scott Meats Sandyford Paisley PA3 3HR Kismet Lyon Road Linwood PA3 3BQ Kerry Foods (UK) Ltd) 55-59 Kelvin Avenue Hillington Park G52 4LT MacSpice/McAusland Crawford 79/81 Abercorn Street Paisley PA3 4AS Scottish Leather Ltd Kilbarchan Road Bridge Of Weir PA11 3RL Rice 'n' Spicy 15 Edison Street Hillington Park G52 4JW Sutherland Cakes 15-17 Earl Haig Road Hillington G52 5JU Glasgow Distillery Company Deanside Road Renfrew G52 4XB The Elderslie Scottish Tablet Co 37 Glenpatrick Road Elderslie PA5 9AE W P Tulloch 22a Skye Crescent Paisley PA2 8EL Rise and Grind Roastery 104 Abercorn Street Paisley PA34AY Page 244 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 22 3.6. Advice to Business The Environmental Health, Business Regulation Team undertakes an on-going advisory role to all businesses in Renfrewshire. A range of information and promotional material is made available for businesses by Environmental Health Officers during visits. 3.7. FHIS & EatSafe The Food Hygiene Information Scheme continues to operate in Renfrewshire with around 1300 food premises who sell food to the public being included within the scope of the scheme. Currently 99% of premises within Renfrewshire have a pass certificate. The scheme is currently under review by Food Standards Scotland. The review will take account of the changes to the food law code of practice and the introduction of the risk rating scheme for food law. There are 12 premises with Eat Safe Awards within Renfrewshire. This is the highest award in the scheme. These are: Table 10 -Eat Safe Award Recipients Premises Name Premises Address Accord Hospice Morton Avenue, Paisley, PA2 7BW Mosswood Care Home Moss Road, Linwood, PA3 3FA Capability Scotland Wallace Court, 191 Main Road, Elderslie, PA5 9EJ Erskine mains Care Home Meadow drive, Erskine, PA8 7ED Hanover(Scotland) Housing Association Newton Court 23 Maree Road, Paisley, PA2 9DH Hanover(Scotland) Housing Association, Ailsa Court 23 Walkinshaw Street, Johnstone, PA5 8AF Hanover(Scotland) Housing Association Orchard Court "Orchard Court", Orchard Street, Renfrew, PA4 8RZ Hanover(Scotland) Housing Association, Walikinshaw Court Walkinshaw street, Johnstone, PA5 8AF Kibble Education & Care Centre Goudie Street, Paisley, PA3 2LG Holiday Inn Caledonia Way, Glasgow Airport PA3 2TE Cochrane Care Home Quarrelton Road, Johnstone, PA5 8LQ Rashilee Care Home Little Inch, 8 Rashilee Avenue, Erskine, PA8 6HA Page 245 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 23 3.8. Sampling Renfrewshire Council, along with nine other local authorities have a Service Level Agreement with Glasgow City Council for the provision of analytical services. The analyst service is provided by Glasgow Scientific Services, Colston Laboratory, 64 Everard Drive, Glasgow G21 1XG. Glasgow Scientific Services are this Authority’s appointed Public Analyst for chemical analyses of all food samples, Food Examiner for all microbiological examination of food samples and Agricultural Analyst for all feeding stuffs samples taken. The sampling programme for 2024/25 is attached as Appendix 1 to this Service Plan. The programme will focus on high-risk premises in Renfrewshire, whilst reflecting national priorities recommended by FSS and the Scottish Food enforcement Liaison Committee (SFELC). Food sampling will also be undertaken at Glasgow International Airport to monitor the quality, composition and labelling of foods imported through the airport as part of the Service’s imported food controls. It is not possible to estimate sample numbers or types for this sampling at present. 3.9. Health and Safety Interventions The Health and Safety programme for 2024/25 has been drawn up having cognisance to Local Authority Circular, LAC 67/2 (Rev 12) Health & Safety priority planning. (See Table 11) The LAC provides LAs with guidance and tools for priority planning and targeting of interventions taking a proportionate and consistent risk-based approach to, enable Renfrewshire Council to meet the requirements of the National Local Enforcement Authority Code (hse.gov.uk) (the Code). Planned regulatory activity is focussed on improved outcomes and reduced injuries to employees or members of the public. The Code provides flexibility for LAs to address local priorities alongside the national priorities set by HSE. Page 246 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 24 Table 11 Health and Safety Priorities 2024/25 Special Interventions Interventions at animal visitor attractions in an effort to reduce the risk of contamination especially to children. Crowd management at large scale public gatherings. Intervention at craft bakeries where loose flour is used and inhalation exposure to flour dust is likely to frequently occur in an effort to reduce the risk of occupational lung disease (asthma). Intervention at commercial catering premises using solid fuel cooking equipment where there may be a risk of carbon monoxide exposure due to poor ventilation and unsafe appliances. Intervention at residential care homes to minimise the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) arising from moving and handling of residents. Intervention to minimise the risk of health and safety incidents in hotels. Intervention to assess Legionella controls in water systems within hotels. 3.10. Control and Investigation of Outbreaks and Food Related Infectious Diseases Environment, Housing and Infrastructure works closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board Consultants in Public Health Medicine in outbreak control situations and the routine investigation of infectious disease. In addition, the Health Board has produced an outbreak control plan for dealing with major outbreaks of food related illness to which this authority has had a major input. The Business Regulation Team work in partnership with the Public Health Protection Unit at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to ensure the plan is adhered to. In addition, an outbreak control and investigation of notifications of food borne disease procedure is in place. Present resources within Environment, Housing and Infrastructure are adequate to meet current levels of notification; however, in the event of a major outbreak, any required additional resources would be made available by seconding Environmental Heath Officers from other service areas. Page 247 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 25 3.11. Food Incidents Food incidents are dealt with in accordance with the relevant codes of practice the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) Notifications of incidents are received from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) by e-mail or telephone. In case of emergencies, an Officer is on stand-by and has contact details for all relevant members of staff. Procedures for food safety incidents are in place and are available to all staff. This allows for alerts to be appropriately actioned, investigations set in motion and warnings issued if necessary. Any enforcement activity which is required in support of an incident is carried out within the terms of the relevant legislation and the Council’s enforcement policy for assuring the safety of food. In addition to responding to notified incidents, Renfrewshire Council will, where necessary, initiate Food Alerts in accordance with Code of Practice Guidance and will liaise with Food Standards Scotland in such situations. 3.12. Liaison with Other Organisations To ensure enforcement and other activities carried out by the Service are consistent with neighbouring Authorities and to ensure best practice, Renfrewshire Council actively participates in the West of Scotland Food and Health & Safety Liaison Groups. The groups meet regularly throughout the year and comprise representatives from the fourteen authorities, which previously made up Strathclyde Regional Council, together with representatives from Glasgow Scientific Services, Food Standards Scotland and the Health & Safety Executive. The groups are attended by the Business Regulation Manager or a suitable deputy. The Service also has formal and informal links to a range of other organisations and agencies. These Include: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board Association of Port Health Authorities Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee Health Protection Scotland Food Standards Scotland Health & Safety Executive Glasgow Scientific Services Page 248 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 26 Animal and Plant Health Agency Marine Scotland Border Force H.M. Revenue and Customs APP Scottish Users Group Page 249 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 27 4. Resources 4.1. Financial Allocation The budget detailed below indicates the level of resources available 2024/25 to deliver the necessary services. As highlighted at 3.1 above the resource allocation within the Business Regulation Team is 75% of Food Law enforcement and 25% on Health & Safety enforcement. This split is at the discretion of the Environmental Health - Business Regulation Manager and can be amended where there is a service demand. Budget 2024/25 Employee Costs £486,000 Supplies and Services £173,347 Travel and Subsistence £0 Training £1600 Total £695,947 Projected Income Source 2023/24 Export Health Certificates £650 Sales, Fees and Charges £250 Miscellaneous Income £0 Total £900 4.2. Staffing Allocation Within the context of this plan, the allocation of staff is designed to provide an effective enforcement service for Food Law and Occupational Health and Safety at Work on behalf of Renfrewshire Council. All food enforcement officers are authorised in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) commensurate with their training and experience. A range of additional relevant qualifications are held including: the REHIS Advanced Food Hygiene Diploma, the REHIS Certificate in the Inspection of Meat and Other Foods, Certificate in Nutrition & Health and the RIPHH Certificate in HACCP Principles. Three officers have completed the ISO 9000 Lead Assessors course and All current Food Law officers have attended and passed the Official Controls verification Course. Page 250 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 28 The Service secures administrative support from a pool of administrative and support staff in the Council’s Business Support Service. 4.3. Employee Development Plan The Service is committed to ensuring all officers are suitably qualified, trained and remain competent in terms of the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) and in terms of Section 18 of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. This is facilitated by the provision of in-house training, and all employees have the opportunity on a rotation basis to attend relevant external training events. Any employee attending such a course is required to “cascade” the relevant information accrued as a result of their attendance to other officers. Business Regulation Team meetings are held weekly, where performance, enforcement and other relevant issues are discussed. Matters arising from the quality assessment model for inspections, consistency issues and interpretation issues are discussed. Liaison Group minutes are stored in the staff manual for all officers to use. Relevant points from the Liaison Groups are also discussed at Team meetings. In addition, all staff have full access to, and are trained in the application of, policies and procedures, which are a requirement of the framework agreement on local authority food law enforcement. Training records are maintained for each officer. All officers have completed a training needs analysis and will have individual development plans prepared for 2024/25. Page 251 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 29 5. Quality Assessment 5.1. Quality Assessment & Internal Monitoring The Service has a documented “Internal Monitoring Procedure – Internal Checks” quality assessment model for inspections. The Business Regulation Manager has primary responsibility for carrying out quality assessments within the Service. The Senior Manager, Climate and Public Protection has a secondary responsibility to oversee the performance of the Business Regulation Manager and to ensure that quality assessments are being carried out consistently throughout the Service. The Internal checks include file checks, one-to-one discussions, team discussions and accompanied inspections. Records of these are retained by the Business Regulation Manager and the head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads. This quality assessment model facilitates the Service’s requirement in accordance with annex 2 of the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) and the Section 18 guidance issued by the HSE to ensure that all staff engaged in enforcement activities retain their competence. The Business Regulation Manager reviews a monthly report on the performance indicators to ensure that the targets are met. The monthly report also details performance information relating to inspection deadlines, complaints and service requests received and food sampling activity are also monitored. Page 252 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 30 6. REVIEW 2023-24 6.1. Review of Food Law Activity Group Band Estimated Total Interventions Actual Interventions 1 A 3 5 1 B 10 10 1 C 6 10 1 D 0 0 1 E 0 0 Total 19 25 Group Band Estimated Total Interventions Actual Interventions 2 A 9 38 2 B 399 352 2 C 284 231 2 D 19 26 2 E 0 1 Total 711 648 Group Band EstimatedTotal Interventions Actual Interventions 3 A 1 6 3 B 105 94 3 C 66 21 3 D 1 1 3 E 0 1 Total 173 123 Group Estimated Total Interventions Actual Interventions Food Standards Only N/A 8 5 Farms N/A 6 6 Approved Premises N/A 9 10 New Business Inspections Group1- Group2- Group3- 4 133 55 4 132 55 Businesses Ceased Trading Group1- Group2- Group3- 3 123 39 1 142 87 REVISITS 116 442 Page 253 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 31 Table 9 - Formal Enforcement Notices Programmed Food Hygiene Inspections: The Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) states that” Intervention programmes should be planned so that establishments receive an intervention no later than 28 days after the scheduled date as detailed in Annex 5”. During the period 1/4/23 to 31/3/24 1586 Food Law interventions were carried out. 98.3% (1559) interventions were completed within the 28 days specified in the code of practice. 1.7% (27) Interventions were not completed within the 28 days and this was mainly due to access difficulties for example seasonal operation and issues relating to security access for Glasgow Airport. All outstanding visits have now been completed or the premises have permanently closed. Sampling: The review against sampling is included in the Sampling Programme attached at Appendix 1. Type of Notice Actual Remedial Action Notice 13 Hygiene Improvement Notice 10 Voluntary Closure 0 H&S Improvement Notice 14 H&S Prohibition Notice 6 Page 254 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 32 6.2. Review of Health and safety activity. Review of Health and safety activity. In the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, the following Health and Safety interventions were undertaken: Intervention Category 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Estimated work to be undertaken 2024/25 Accident / incident/Complaint investigations 25 20 New Premises Interventions 116 100 Advice visits to Businesses 5 30 Interventions 96 100 Revisits 21 20 Licensing Visits 37 35 RIDDOR reportable notifications received 75 75 Total 373 380 Specific Health and Safety Projects/Interventions carried out 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024: Gas Safety Interventions: special interventions at commercial catering establishments to assess gas safety and where the risk of explosion or carbon monoxide may be present were carried out. A total of 53 interventions were carried out with 4 Improvement Notices and 17 written warnings issued as a result. The businesses were checked to ensure compliance with the notices and warnings. Animal visitor attractions Intervention An intervention was carried out at an animal visitor attraction to reduce the risk of contamination especially to children. One Improvement Notice was served regarding inadequate provision of hand wash basins within the park. Cellar Safety and Licenced premises using stored gas : 17 interventions were carried out at licenced premises that have cellars and used stored gas. This was to ensure continued compliance with cellar safety standards and minimise the risk of explosion from stored gas cylinders. 1 Prohibition Notice was issued to one business for an unguarded cellar hatch and no other formal warnings were issued. Recommendations and advice were issued to all of the businesses. Page 255 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 33 Softplay Intervention: The interventions focused on softplay premises to reduce the risk of accidents to children. A total of 6 premises were visited and 3 Improvement Notices were served covering maintenance of softplay equipment, insufficient risk assessment and unsafe access points within premises. Recommendations and advice were given to all businesses and follow up checks where defects were noted, were carried out. Health & Safety in Industrial Retail/Wholesale Warehouses: 5 interventions were carried out at industrial retail/ wholesale warehouses. These assessed work at height, workplace transport and the loading/unloading of vehicles. Some minor issues were noted with recommendations and advice provided requiring no follow up from officers. Swimming Pool Interventions: 10 interventions took place in swimming pools split between private premises and One Ren premises. Due to the HSE no longer enforcing Arms Length Organisations this was the first time interventions had been carried out within One Ren businesses by the service. The purpose of these interventions was to reduce the risk to employees and the public from Health & Safety and Public Health incidents. No notices were served however, due to issues found officers were involved in several follow up visits after providing advice. Trampoline Park: An intervention was carried out within the one trampoline park in the area due to a request for information regarding an alleged accident that took place. No issues were noted during the intervention. Residential Care Homes: 2 Residential Care homes received interventions to minimise the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) arising from moving and handling of residents. Recommendations and advice were provided with no formal action being taken. Page 256 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 34 6.3. Areas for Improvement Further development of the APP electronic database will take place during 2024/25 including the addition of new codes to allow more efficient reporting of Health and Safety. The use of the Power BI system will continue during 2024/25 to assist in performance monitoring and review. An electronic filing system for Business Regulation premises files has progressed and is expected to be complete by year ending 2024/25. Review and update of the reporting codes will be carried out to improve efficiency and accuracy in 2024/25. Page 257 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 35 7. Emerging Issues 2024/25 Food Crime This continues to be a focus for FSS and Food Authorities. It is expected that due to the challenges post pandemic, Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis that there will be an increase in Food Fraudulent activity. This in turn will have resource implications for the service. Food Crime erodes confidence and disempowers consumers. This leads in turn to financial losses, negative economic impact and poses a threat to jobs and exports. Tackling food crime is so Nationally/Internationally important that The Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) was established and the Business Regulation Team already work closely with this team and will continue to build on the established working relationships with them and other partner Agencies. Brexit The challenges and uncertainties relating to the UK exit from the EU remain. Officers regularly attend meetings in relation to port issues and discussions continue into inland import checks and the impacts that this may have on the service. Page 258 of 314
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36 Appendix 1 Climate, Public Protection and Roads BUSINESS REGULATION FOOD SAMPLING PROGRAMME 2024/25 Page 259 of 314
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37 1. Introduction The annual sampling programme for 2024-25 is designed to fulfil aims and objectives in line with the Services Food Sampling Policy. The programme outlines the sampling priorities for the year, however it is recognised that circumstances and priorities may change, which require the programme to be flexible in order to respond to these changing circumstances. Most samples are taken informally for the purpose of monitoring, surveillance and information gathering however; formal samples will be taken where enforcement action is anticipated. Environmental Health Officers, Food Safety Officers and other authorised officers are responsible for undertaking the food sampling functions of the Council. At present there is a Service Level Agreement in place with Glasgow City Council to provide analytical services to Renfrewshire Council. The analyst is: Glasgow Scientific Services, Colston Laboratory, 64 Everard Drive, Glasgow, G21 1XG. 2. Approach to Sampling Renfrewshire Council complies with the requirements of the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 1990 and the Food Law Code of Practice. The sampling programme for 2024/25 is designed to be more focused on high risk/high value products which are manufactured in Renfrewshire. Focussing on these items will ensure that those which pose the greatest risk to the public of Renfrewshire are adequately controlled. 2.1. Informal Samples An informal sample may be taken covertly, however; the food business operator will always be informed of the results of the sample where this fails. For enforcement purposes formal sampling must be undertaken overtly. 2.2. Formal Samples In accordance with the Regulatory Services Integrated Enforcement Policy, which promotes action which is consistent, fair and proportionate, formal samples will generally be taken after routine samples have been found to fail statutory requirements and no satisfactory remedial action has been taken. Page 260 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 38 2.3. Sampling Priorities Food Standards Scotland and The Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee have identified, through intelligence, the areas deemed to be priorities in terms of sampling. The priority plan considers the Scottish perspective but also takes account of the UK. FSA. priorities. In addition to National priorities, Renfrewshire Council will focus on areas of particular interest to the authority. 2.4. Manufacturing/Approved Premises Renfrewshire Council will continue to concentrate on sampling from manufacturers and approved premises in our area. These premises will be sampled at least annually. Where possible, samples will be taken in advance of Food Hygiene/Food Standards inspections in order to discuss sample results with the food business operator. 2.5. Sampling Plan 2024/25 The sampling plan for 2024/25 outlines the project work to be undertaken by Renfrewshire Council in high-risk areas. The sampling plan is outlined at point 4.0. 3. Complaints and Food Borne Disease Investigations In response to complaints and notifications of food borne disease received the service may opt to take samples in order to resolve any issues arising as a result of any investigations. 3.1. Co-ordinated Sampling Where appropriate, the Service will participate in food surveillance programmes arranged by regional and national bodies such as Food Standards Scotland, SFELC and the West of Scotland Food Liaison Group. 3.2. Imported Food In order to monitor the quality, composition and labelling of imported foods, samples of foods imported through Glasgow Airport will be submitted to the Public analyst for examination. Page 261 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 39 3.3. Special Investigations There may be circumstances whereby an incident will require special investigation and resources may have to be directed towards dealing with the investigation. In addition, this may involve liaison with other partners including Health Protection Scotland and Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board. Page 262 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 40 4.0 Priority Actions The following topics have been identified as priority actions by FSS and will be the subject of sampling activity during 2024/25, along with other local surveillance activities. Food Type Premises Type Testing parameters Number of Samples Imported whole cantaloupe melon Retailers Salmonella, generic E. coli 2 Cut fruit salad Retailers Listeria monocytogenes detection and enumeration, Salmonella, generic E. coli 2 Imported tomatoes Retailer Salmonella, STEC, generic E. coli 2 Hummus Retailers Listeria monocytogenes detection and enumeration, Salmonella, generic E. coli 1 Sushi Retailers Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes detection and enumeration, Staphylococcus aureus 2 Infant formula Retailers Cronobacter sakazakii 2 Non-wheat cereal products Retailers Tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine) 1 Domestic, fresh fin-fish, cephalopods and crustacean Manufacturers Processors Retailers Dioxins, PCBs, PFAS, generic E. coli 1 Cinnamon and turmeric Retailers Lead 2 Hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, almonds Retailers Aflatoxins 2 Honey Retail Diastase, HMF 1 Products containing mince-meat labelled as a lamb or beef Retailers Meat Speciation, generic E. coli 1 Latte/milky coffee Caterers Soya, almond 1 Pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) products Retailers and caterers Milk, Gluten 1 Page 263 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 41 3.4. Routine Sampling The project sampling initiatives listed above will be the focus of sampling activities however, in the course of routine work, officers will take samples as appropriate. This sampling will focus on locally produced foods and manufacturing businesses within Renfrewshire. A total of 187 samples were taken during the period 2023/24: 108 for microbiological examination, of which 23 failed and 79 for chemical/ compositional analysis of which 8 failed to meet compositional standards. (See below): Page 264 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 42 Sample detail Chemical Analysis/Microbiological Examination Reason for failure Cooked Rice Micro Escherichia coli level was unsatisfactory Cooked Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Chicken Liver Micro Coagulase positive Staphylococci level was borderline, Aerobic Colony Count and Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Pilau Rice Micro Aerobic Colony Count and Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Pilau Rice Micro Aerobic Colony Count and Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Pork Link Chemical - composition/labelling Pork content lower than advertised Beef Link Chemical - composition/labelling Sample contained excess preservative Pork Link Chemical - composition/labelling Sample contained excess preservative Beef Link Chemical - composition/labelling Sample contained excess preservative Cooked Rice Micro Aerobic Colony Count at 30°C was borderline Fried Rice Micro Escherichia coli level was unsatisfactory Fried Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Cooked Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Cooked Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Cooked Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Pilau Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Pilau Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Chilled Pilau Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Page 265 of 314
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Business Regulation Service Plan 2024-2025 43 Chicken Mayo Micro Escherichia coli level was unsatisfactory Scottish Tablet Ice Cream Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Chicken Mayo Roll Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Boiled Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Cold Boiled Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Cold Boiled Rice Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Tuna Mayonnaise Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was unsatisfactory Tuna Mayonnaise Micro Enterobacteriaceae level was borderline Lorne Sausage Chemical - composition/labelling sample contained excess preservative Tuna Mayonnaise Micro Aerobic Colony Count was unsatisfactory Pre Game Energy Supplement Chemical - composition/labelling Protein content declared was incorrect Lorne Sausage Chemical - composition/labelling Sample contained excess preservative Link Sausage Chemical - composition/labelling Incorrect labelling and no declaration of allergens Where samples were found to be unsatisfactory, visits to the businesses concerned were undertaken by officers, the results discussed, and advice given in respect of how the sample may have failed and how to ensure compliance in future. Where available, resamples were taken. Page 266 of 314
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44 Appendix 2 Page 267 of 314
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45 Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR Page 268 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Draft Community Learning and Development Partnership Plan 2024-2027 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Local authorities in Scotland have a statutory duty to consult on and publish a plan every three years setting out how they will co-ordinate the provision of Community Learning and Development (CLD) activities across their area. The next suite of plans are due to be prepared in 2024, and in Renfrewshire the draft plan must be published before mid September 2024. 1.2 In May 2024, members received an update on the recent follow up inspection of community learning and development, with the inspection team making specific recommendations requiring the Council to strengthen its approach to developing and implementing the local Community Learning and Development Plan. This included the need to review and strengthen partnership governance arrangements to ensure that the plan was owned by all partners and that progress was reviewed on a regular basis by all partners. 1.3 This report provides information on the new governance arrangements recently established for CLD in Renfrewshire and the partnership work that is being undertaken to consider local needs and identify shared priorities for ensuring community learning and development activities achieve the best possible outcomes in Renfrewshire. This process has informed the development of an initial draft CLD Partnership Plan for 2024-2027 which is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. Given the feedback from the inspection team it is proposed that we undertake a final stage of consultation to allow for Item 13 Page 269 of 314
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any stakeholders that have a view on the Plan to participate in the final stages of its development. The consultation period will allow the partnership to gather final information that must be included within the strategy, including scoping additional or “unmet” needs and allow partners to consider the recommendations from the recent national review of community learning and development, and incorporate actions as appropriate within the plan itself. 1.4 The finalised strategy will be submitted to the board for approval in October 2024. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Communities and Housing Policy Board: • Note the draft plan included at Appendix 1; • Agree that the draft plan now proceed to the final consultation stage involving wider stakeholders; • Note that the final plan will be presented to this Board for approval in October 2024. 3. Background 3.1 Under the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013, local authorities in Scotland are required to consult on and publish a plan every three years which sets out how the local authority will co-ordinate provision of CLD across the area, what will be provided by the local authority and by partners, and any unmet CLD needs within the period of the plan. Each three year plan should be based on an assessment of need which has included consultation and engagement with service users and communities as well as analysis of data. There is an expectation of regular review of evidence to assess the impact of CLD activity and inform future planning. 3.2 The requirements also place an obligation on local authorities to ensure that: communities have access to the CLD support they need; that communities are enabled to express their needs for CLD provision and; that Community Planning Partnerships, local authorities and public service providers more generally respond appropriately to the expectations set out by CLD Strategic Guidance. 3.3 CLD delivery in Scotland was recently subject to a national review, and findings published in July 2024. The review covered the skills and career pathways of the CLD workforce; the impact of provision on learners; how data Page 270 of 314
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is collected and used to ensure the best possible outcomes for learners; the alignment of CLD with post-16 education and included a three-month period of consultation with stakeholders. 3.4 The review makes 20 recommendations for CLD governance and delivery in Scotland. A number of these are for the Scottish Government to act upon, including the recommendations on governance, on the policy narrative around lifelong learning and on the strategic intent for CLD. There are potential implications for local government, including on: • Where CLD services sit within local authority structures; • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision; • Funding allocations; • Staff and volunteer membership of the CLD Standards Council; • A shared framework for tracking performance. 3.5 Since April 2023, CLD within Renfrewshire Council sits within the Chief Executive’s service under the Head of Policy and Partnerships. This has aligned the Council’s CLD service more closely with Community Planning Structures and has improved awareness of the council-led elements of provision across that wider partnership. 3.6 In February 2024, HM Inspectors undertook a community learning and development progress visit, as part of a schedule of visits to all Scottish local authorities. The visit focused on partnership working in CLD, particularly the effectiveness of CLD partners to self-evaluation and planning for improvement, and on progress made against identified priorities in the CLD Plan. The findings were reported to this Board in May 2024. 3.7 The inspection highlighted operational strengths such as the contribution of Street Stuff to reducing anti-social behaviour; the strong volunteering culture; effective safeguarding processes; success in removing barriers to participation in learning through a number of projects; and the role of Renfrewshire Youth Voice in helping young people have a say in issues affecting them. However, inspectors also found that the CLD strategy was focused on the delivery of council-led activity and needed to be wider in focus and ambition. They highlighted that partners were not sufficiently involved in the development of the strategy and there was no strategic partnership group in place. The strategy did not have a performance framework which could be used to measure progress. 4. Governance arrangements for Community Learning and Development in Renfrewshire Page 271 of 314
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4.1 In order to strengthen partnership working across CLD provision, we have established two new governance groups. The CLD Partnership Executive Group provides collective strategic leadership and is co-chaired by the Chief Executive of Engage Renfrewshire and Community Development Manager within the Council. This group had its first meeting in May 2024 and will work on establishing arrangements for representing learner and citizen voice within our governance, on enhancing our information sharing and maximising opportunities for joint working. The Executive Group has met three times so far. 4.2 A Partnership Forum has also been established. This group has a larger membership drawn from a range of public and third sector organisations. It is intended that this group will do much to facilitate the joint working and information sharing that is so important for service delivery. It will also act as a sounding board for new ideas, and feedback from this group is relayed to the Partnership Executive. As the governance arrangements embed, we will consider how best to formalise the link between the two groups. The Partnership Forum has met twice so far, with the next meeting scheduled for the end of August. 5. Draft Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027 5.1 An initial draft of the Community Learning and Development Plan for 2024- 2027 is included as Appendix 1 to this report. The Strategy is aligned to the themes set out in Renfrewshire’s Community Plan: thriving, well, fair, and safe. Both the Partnership Executive Group and the Partnership Forum have been engaged during the development of the priorities and the plan. 5.2 In developing the priorities, publicly available data was used to supplement locally gathered information to inform needs. Engagement with people who take part in CLD activity highlighted what is important to them. For adults, personal and social development, health and wellbeing and being active in the community were priorities. For young people, climate change, mental health, poverty and personal safety were priorities. 5.3 The Fairer Renfrewshire programme recognises the significant inequalities that exist across Renfrewshire’s communities. The CLD Partnership Plan needs to recognise these priorities, and partners agreed that there was a requirement to target specific groups that face wider barriers to engagement and participation. There is also a need for the plan to be flexible and to respond to emerging needs as our communities evolve, and the consultation will allow us to gain further views on how best to achieve this. Page 272 of 314
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5.4 We recognise the importance of the voice of partners, learners and service users in identifying local needs and priorities, and informing the shape of local provision. It is also important that regular and meaningful engagement with our stakeholders takes place on an ongoing basis. 5.5 Based on engagement activity and on consideration of data about Renfrewshire undertaken to date, 12 initial priorities have been identified, aligned to the four Community Plan themes. 5.6 Our CLD Thriving priorities are: • Supporting communities to engage and participate in community regeneration; • Helping citizens develop skills for work and life; • Contributing to Community Wealth Building in Renfrewshire; • Providing opportunities for volunteering. 5.7 Our CLD Well priorities are: • Create and support opportunities for citizens to make positive connections within and across communities; • Help build cultural capacity by facilitating and increasing access to arts and cultural opportunities; • Promote and facilitate access to nature, green spaces and outdoor activities. 5.8 Our CLD Fair priorities are: • Promoting equity and equality in access to learning opportunities; • Providing mechanisms for citizens to contribute to decision-making; • Delivering targeted support to address disadvantage in our communities. 5.9 Our CLD Safe priorities are: • Providing safe spaces for the delivery of CLD activity; • Giving people the skills to help them make safe and informed choices. 5.10 The plan has a fifth theme, which is about Strengthening our Partnership. This allows us to identify how we will develop our governance arrangements, how we will monitor delivery of the strategy, and how we will support and develop our workforce. 6. Next Steps 6.1 It is intended that the draft Partnership Plan at Appendix 1 be issued for consultation with the CLD community, to include our service users. That exercise will then inform the final version, which will be brought to this board Page 273 of 314
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in October 2024 for approval. As part of the process, we will also develop an action plan to provide more detail of delivery, and a performance scorecard to support the tracking of progress. __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none, though the recent national review includes recommendations relating to CLD funding. 2. HR & Organisational Development – the draft plan includes activity relating to staff development; the national review referred to in the report makes a recommendation about staff and volunteers and their registration with the CLD Standards Council. 3. Community/Council Planning – the priorities identified in the draft plan are aligned to the four Community Plan themes and will support delivery of the Community Plan. 4. Legal – the report sets out how the Council is complying with its statutory duties in relation to CLD provision. 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology – none, though digital skills remain an important element of CLD provision. 7. Equality & Human Rights – an EQIA is being developed as part of the development of the Partnership Plan. 8. Health & Safety – none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – any CLD activity arising from the draft strategy will be appropriately risk assessed. 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. COSLA Policy Position – n/a 13. Climate Risk- the draft strategy includes activity intended to mitigate climate impacts and raise awareness of climate change and the importance of biodiversity. Page 274 of 314
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14. Children’s Rights: CLD activity in Renfrewshire supports and promotes the participation of children in decision-making and takes a rights-based approach. _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: none Page 275 of 314
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COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN RENFREWSHIRE 2024-2027 PLAN “Working together to ensure our communities, people and families living in Renfrewshire have the capacity, support, resilience and opportunities they need to thrive” Page 276 of 314
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What is Community Learning and Development? Community Learning and Development (CLD) is an approach to lifelong learning with an aim of empowering people and communities to take part in, and help shape, their own learning and development at all stages of life and in ways that suit a person’s needs. The identification of local priorities and the delivery of activity to meet those priorities should be an inclusive and collaborative process involving stakeholders including learners, young people, community members, community volunteers, local authorities, voluntary and charity sector organisations, educational institutions, and other organisations across the public and third sectors. The key principles of Community Learning and Development practice are: • Inclusion and equality • Empowerment • Partnership and collaboration • Lifelong learning • Participation and engagement • Inclusive learning • Assets-based approach Under the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013, local authorities in Scotland are required to consult on and publish a plan every three years which sets out how the local authority will co-ordinate provision of CLD across the area, what will be provided by the local authority and by partners, and any unmet CLD needs within the period of the plan. Each three year plan should be based on an assessment of need which has included consultation and engagement with service users and communities as well as analysis of data. There is an expectation of regular review of evidence to assess the impact of CLD activity and inform future planning, The requirements also place an obligation on local authorities to ensure that: communities have access to the CLD support they need; that communities are enabled to express their needs for CLD provision and; that Community Planning Partnerships, local authorities and public service providers more generally respond appropriately to the expectations set out by CLD Strategic Guidance. HM Inspectors conducted an inspection visit in Renfrewshire during February 2024 with a strong focus on leadership, governance, performance and outcomes. Whilst the inspection team highlighted positive areas of practice in terms of delivery, a number of recommendations were made in relation to partnership working, governance arrangements and planning. The refreshed CLD Plan for 2024-2027 seeks to respond Page 277 of 314
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positively to these recommendations, with the plan being developed jointly with local partners. It is also recognised in our shared priorities and action plan, that we will continue to build and strengthen this work as we go forward. CLD delivery in Scotland was recently subject to a national review, commissioned by the Minister for Further and Higher Education and Veterans in 2023 and published in July 2024. This is part of a programme of reviews across education and skills provision. The review will cover the skills and career pathways of the CLD workforce; the impact of provision on learners; how data is collected and used to ensure the best possible outcomes for learners; the alignment of CLD with post-16 education. An online consultation ran between January and March 2024 and is being supplemented with face-to-face consultation and evidence gathering with learners, potential learners, partners and other key stakeholders. The review makes 20 recommendations for CLD governance and delivery in Scotland. A number of these are for the Scottish Government to act upon, including the recommendations on governance, on the policy narrative around lifelong learning and on the strategic intent for CLD. Page 278 of 314
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Our Policy Context In developing this plan, we have aligned it to the legislative requirements governing CLD and to national and local strategies which have similar or complementary aims. The diagram below sets out some of the key policies we have aligned to. Legislative Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013 Fairer Scotland Duty National National Youth Work Strategy 2023-2028 The Case for Change: Adult Learning Strategy 2022-2027 National Improvement Framework Community Wealth Building Local Renfrewshire Community Plan 2017-2027 Renfrewshire Children's Services Partnership Plan 2023-2026 Renfrewshire Council Council Plan 2022-2027 Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero Shaping our Future: Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership Strategic Plan 2022-2025 Page 279 of 314
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CLD in Renfrewshire: an overview Community Learning and Development activity across Renfrewshire broadly falls into three categories – youth services, adult and family learning, and building community capacity. Renfrewshire Council allocates a budget each year for the direct delivery of CLD activity; in 2024/25 this budget is just over £1.6m. Additional funding supports community empowerment and community capacity building, such as the work undertaken by Engage Renfrewshire (the local third sector interface), the funding for Local Partnerships, our Sustainable Communities Fund and our participatory budgeting programmes You Decide and Celebrating Renfrewshire. Youth Services: targeted and universal services •community-based youth work •youth voice •accredited programmes •volunteering opportunities •tackling poverty Adult and Family Learning: working with adults, families, schools and communities •digital learning •personal development •skills for work •family learning •adult literacy and numeracy •English for Speakers of Other Languages Building Community Capacity: supporting thriving and cohesive communities •supporting communities to act together on local priorities •accessing green spaces •participatory budgeting •working with Local Area Partnerships Page 280 of 314
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The Council also commissions or funds projects which directly deliver on CLD priorities, such as the long-running Street Stuff initiative delivered by St Mirren Football Club; and the work to tackle disability-related hate crime led by I Am Me. The Council’s Fairer Renfrewshire programme and Future Paisley programmes have funded a number of third sector projects which contribute to the delivery of CLD priorities. Other funding sources include the UK Government, the Scottish Refugee Council, and the Scottish Funding Council. Key successes in local delivery include work done to improve youth voice, helping adult learners with numeracy and digital skills, work to support jobseekers, ESOL provision, participatory budgeting, and our Environmental Taskforce. Case Study: Caroline’s Adult Learning Journey Caroline has been taking part in Adult Learning groups for over 10 years. She originally sought out support with her literacies so she could help her grandchildren with their learning. Overtime with support from her tutor her goals have shifted and expanded. Caroline has said that thanks to coming to the group she has done things that she “never thought she would be able to learn or do.” For example, driving theory and negative numbers. Through attending the adult literacies group Caroline has built her confidence and has sought out other learning opportunities both within Adult Learning and beyond. She has joined the Talking Heads group in Southend, participated in various college course, including: Understanding Mental Health, Sewing and Knitting. She is now starting a psychology course with the Open University. When asked if the group has been beneficial for her wellbeing, Caroline said it had. Case Study: The Promise Arts and Culture Programme The Promise Arts and Culture Programme (PACP) aims to build social and cultural capital amongst Renfrewshire’s Care Experience young people and Young Carers, ultimately improving outcomes for these disadvantaged and marginalised groups in the short and longer-term. Page 281 of 314
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Since it’s beginning in March 2022, the Promise arts and Culture programme has brought Care Experience young people from across Renfrewshire to work with artists from different disciplines such as Film Making, Animation, Graffiti and Street Art, Design, Photography and Fashion and Textiles in order to create dynamic creative environments within which Care Experienced could explore their creative voices. The success in engaging Care Experienced young people and Young Carers across Renfrewshire in diverse creative projects has already resulted these young people moving onto the Youth Services project Art Boss. Here these young people will continue to have creative and artistic experiences that respond directly to their needs. Case Study: Friends of Howwood Park After the installation of a new park in Howwood, the Friends of Howwood Park group was set up hoping to make the park more relevant to village life. The group have organised regular fitness classes, an Easter Egg hunt, outdoor bingo, a mini library, a Halloween Scavenger Hunt and a Christmas Tinsel Walk. The group have also taken on ownership of the Pavilion within the park and use it to host a breakfast club, a children’s library, and provide changing facilities and storage for football and other events in the park. Through the Green Spaces, Parks and Villages Investment Fund, the group secured £21,000 to create a large shelter in the park, which now provides a space for park users to meet and socialise regardless of the weather. The group has also received funding for tools which help them keep the park clean and tidy. The Chair of the Friends of Howwood Park said: “The Parks and Villages Investment Fund really has changed the landscape of Howwood Park, offering an exciting experience for users of all ages. Footfall has without a doubt increased; we are all so proud of what we have collectively achieved, especially with the new group looking specifically after the interests of the Park! With our new shelter, and new seating and benches in the village, the Green Spaces and Village Investment Fund has been a great catalyst for bringing our communities together.” Page 282 of 314
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In Renfrewshire, the Council is leading on the Connected Communities programme. The aim of the programme is to strengthen partnership working with communities and the third sector, to have a locality model where services are closer to their community and are more joined-up. This programme is in its early stages and our CLD plan will be reviewed regularly to ensure it aligns with new approaches. Page 283 of 314
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Understanding our communities Our changing population Renfrewshire is home to almost 184,000 people, mainly in urban areas but with a number of semi-rural villages too. Our population is projected to keep growing in the next 10 years, particularly those aged 60 and over. We also expect the number of households to increase to over 90,000 by 2028, predominantly driven by an increasing number of single adult or two-adult households without children. Renfrewshire is a place of growing ethnic diversity. We have growing African, Asian and Polish communities in particular. Through national refugee resettlement programmes, we have welcomed new Scots from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine amongst other countries. The widening of asylum dispersal across the UK and steady pressures in relation to support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children have also contributed to changes in our local population and its needs. Renfrewshire has areas of high relative deprivation and areas of relative affluence. According to the most recent Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) data (from 2020), 10 areas of Renfrewshire are in the top 5% for income deprivation; 5 of these areas are within Ferguslie, and the others are in Gallowhill and Hillington, Linwood South, Paisley North East, Johnstone South East and Renfrew West. The SIMD data measures domains other than income, and indicated that the main deprivation issues in Renfrewshire at that time were health, employment and housing. Poverty and the cost of living Child poverty remains a concern in Renfrewshire, with 20.4% of children in households with relatively low income in 2022/23. The most recently published figures on child poverty show that in Renfrewshire the rate of child poverty after housing costs is 20.4%, an increase of 2.4% since 2019/20. This figure is slightly less than the Scottish average of 21.3%. The figure is not consistent across Wards, however, with Renfrew South and Gallowhill having the highest rate at 36.4.% and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank the lowest at 9%. There have been particularly sharp increases in some areas; Gallowhill’s child poverty rate had been 26.8% in 2021 whilst in Paisley Northwest the rate rose from 22.9% in 2021 to 33.5% in 2023 and in Johnstone South and Elderslie it rose from 14.5% in 2021 to 21.6% in 2023. There continues to be a poverty-related gap in terms of attainment in literacy and numeracy. The gap is measured in terms of the percentage of pupils meeting specified levels at key stages – P1, P4, P7 and S3 - or on the highest level of attainment at the point of leaving school. In Renfrewshire, the literacy gap in 2022/23 got wider as pupils Page 284 of 314
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progressed through primary school so that by P7,60.3% of pupils in the most deprived 20% of areas met the required literacy standard compared with 86.7% in the least deprived 20% of areas. The gap did reduce by S3 but widens again by the time pupils leave school. The gap for numeracy is smaller than for literacy until pupils reach S3. This persists into senior phase; with stay-on rates lower for pupils from more deprived areas, there are fewer sitting exams at Levels 5 and 6. Food prices rose by 23.9% between March 2022 and March 2024. The rising cost of essentials has been cited as the main reason for accessing food vouchers from Renfrewshire Foodbank in 2023/24. At the same time, private rental prices in Renfrewshire have risen, with the average private rent in March 2024 being £742 per month, up 10.9% from £669 in March 2023. The number of people accessing Advice Works for support increased by 7.8% to just over 10,700. In common with many areas across Scotland, there are growing numbers of people presenting as homeless, and challenges in having enough suitable housing stock to meet the rising level of demand. In the period February to April 2024, homeless applications in Renfrewshire included 17 from young people aged 16-18, and 44 households with children. Our local economy The latest Renfrewshire Economic Profile notes that Renfrewshire is performing well when compared to regional and national data on some key economic indicators including employment, qualifications and earnings. The average weekly income for Renfrewshire residents rose to £715.70 in 2022/23. This is higher than the Scottish average but slightly lower than the average for Glasgow City Region. However, the average weekly wage for people who work in Renfrewshire is £645.70, around 10% lower. Renfrewshire has a higher than average proportion of workers in low-paid sectors – 34.9% of workers are in these industries, compared with 29.2% in Scotland as a whole. The three largest employment sectors are retail, business administration and manufacturing. Data for 2023/24 from NOMIS indicated that there were 26,200 economically inactive people in Renfrewshire. Within that group, 6,200 (23.7%) were retired, 6,100 (23.3%) were students and 8,300 (30.9%) had a long term illness. NOMIS data shows that Renfrewshire’s benefits claimants includes 1,100 lone parents, 1,980 carers and 1,280 people with a disability; all groups who face additional barriers to accessing economic activity and other opportunities. Page 285 of 314
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Health and Wellbeing The 2022/23 Adult Health and Wellbeing Survey carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde provides a wealth of data on physical, mental and social needs of people in Renfrewshire. The survey found a sharp increase in the number of people who had a limiting condition or illness – 33% of those surveyed, up from 19% when the survey was last carried out in 2017/18. The proportion of people reporting feeling lonely or isolated also rose sharply since the previous survey, with 18% reporting that they felt isolated from family and friends, compared with 7% in the 2017/18 survey. The figure rises to 24% in the most deprived communities. There is no particular age group more affected than others, but people with a limiting condition or illness were more likely to feel isolated. Across Renfrewshire, one in six people live alone, but this rises with age; 28% of people aged 65-74 and 48% of people aged 75 and over live alone. The survey asked people about their community – whether they felt it was a place where people supported each other, whether they felt they could generally trust people, and whether there was someone they felt they could count on for help if needed. There were clear differences in views in more deprived areas; whilst 79% of respondents overall felt that their neighbourhood was a place where people looked out for one another, this fell to 58% in the most deprived areas. The level of formal volunteering is on a par with the Scottish average, with 22% of Renfrewshire respondents saying that had done some formal volunteering in the past 12 months. The survey found that 24% of respondents did not think their income was adequate, with this being more pronounced for people aged 45-54% (36%), people with a limiting condition (35%) and people in the 15% most deprived areas (38%). This was a position that had worsened since the previous survey in 2017/18, when 15.9% did not feel their income was adequate. Respondents were also asked about whether they often or occasionally had difficulty meeting specific expenses; 36% of people had some difficulty in meeting the cost of food and/or energy at some time. Again, this was more pronounced for people aged 45-54 (45%), people with a limiting condition (55%) and people living in the 15% most deprived areas (50%). Renfrewshire has a higher than average number of carers; an estimated 24% of residents have a regular caring commitment. The 55-64 age group are most likely to have caring responsibilities, and women are more likely than men to be carers. Page 286 of 314
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Our adult learners The findings of the latest Adult and Family Learning Survey, carried out at the start of 2024 by Renfrewshire Council, provided insight into what would interest current and potential learners, and what barriers to accessing adult and family learning may be. Almost half of respondents were interested in personal and social development, with health and wellbeing activity, confidence building, creative activities and being active in the community all featuring strongly. Our learners identified these as their top three areas of interest for each of our areas of work: Our young people Consultation with young people is a key part of the work that the Council’s Youth Services team do, and views have been gathered multiple times over the past year including through Welcome to Your Vote, Celebrating Renfrewshire and work in schools. This engagement work has highlighted climate change, the cost of living, poverty and mental health as priorities for young people. Topics relating to personal safety were also raised; this included concerns about drug and alcohol use, vaping, and gender based violence. Not feeling safe in the community was also highlighted more generally and this covered issues such as younger children being afraid of large groups of young people congregating in public places, bullying and sexual harassment, and a perception that streetlighting and CCTV could be improved. Personal and Social Development • Health and wellbeing • Arts, crafts and upcycling • Confidence building Adult Literacies • Helping children with homework • Driving Theory Test • Writing Digital Skills • Using the internet safely • Social media • Job seeking Page 287 of 314
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Youth Survey 2024: Top 5 activities requested by respondents Our new partnership and governance arrangements, which are set out later in this plan, will help further develop our approach to ongoing assessment of need through strengthened sharing of information. We will be creating capacity within the Council, as part of our Connected Communities service, to co-ordinate this. Renfrewshire is committed to keeping The Promise and listen to the voices and needs of our care-experienced community. Community Learning and Development have established mechanisms for ensuring that their voice is heard. Scotland has entered year 4 of this 10-year programme of change with strong evidence of activity across Renfrewshire to #KeepThePromise with significant developments underway and more planned. The delivery of The Promise in Renfrewshire requires a strongly committed multi-agency partnership working approach and demonstration of a collective understanding, commitment, and activity in relation to The Promise across all the partners. Community Learning and Development recognises our key role to deliver on The Promise and are a key active partner in Keeping The Promise in Renfrewshire. Delivering The Promise in Renfrewshire is part of a wider vision on improving outcomes for Children and Young People who are more likely to face poorer outcomes because of experience of child poverty, other inequalities, trauma and adversity. The Promise approach in Renfrewshire is clearly aligned with significant other policy areas and part of a wider ambition that Renfrewshire’s children and young people are happy, healthy, safe and thriving. The Promise aligned policy areas include United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Getting it right for every child, National Trauma Transformation Programme and wider equalities strategies and legislation. We make every effort as Community Learning and Development professionals to adopt a loving, nurturing approach that encourages a culture where our service users are empowered to ask us about any aspect of our services. Central to our approach to The Promise and our wider policy development work is actively listening to our Children, Young People and Families. In all our Community Learning and Development activity we are ambitious for our Care Experienced children and The Promise is a key priority for us to ensure children who are Care Experienced have all they need to thrive, while recognising that they may experience unique challenges. Sports Activities Trips and Experiences Outdoor Activities Youth Groups Arts and Creative Activity Page 288 of 314
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Our shared priorities Our shared priorities are aligned on Renfrewshire’s four Community Planning themes – Fair, Well, Thriving and Safe and on the three focus areas identified within that Community Plan Below, we set out what these mean in relation to CLD and what our focus will be in the next three years. Renfrewshire is Thriving In our Community Plan, Thriving is about inclusive and sustainable growth. For CLD then, thriving is about skills for life and work, supporting activity that is linked to community wealth building and sustainability, and promoting community regeneration. We also know there are people in our communities who face barriers to economic activity, whether that’s because they are caring for children or another adult, because of their own health needs, or because they feel they don’t have the right mix of skills for the work they would be interested in. Our learners have told us that they are interested in personal and social development, and want to be active in their communities. We know that more than one in five people in Renfrewshire have undertaken some volunteering in the past. We also know that there are examples across Renfrewshire of people coming together and working to make their community a great place to live. Page 290 of 314
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Our CLD Thriving priorities are: • Supporting communities to engage and participate in community regeneration • Helping citizens develop skills for work and life, enhancing employability for all ages • Contributing to Community Wealth Building in Renfrewshire • Providing opportunities for volunteering Renfrewshire is Well In our Community Plan, Well is about supporting the wellness and resilience of our citizens and communities. For CLD, it is about supporting communities to be well through offering opportunities to connect with others and to engage in activities which contribute to positive health and wellbeing. We know the damaging impact on health and wellbeing of isolation and loneliness. We also know there are physical and mental benefits from being outside, from enjoying green spaces, and from taking part in creative activities. Our CLD Well priorities are: • Create and support opportunities for citizens to make positive connections within and across communities; • Help build cultural capacity by facilitating and increasing access to arts and cultural opportunities; • Promote and facilitate access to nature, green spaces and outdoor activities. Renfrewshire is Fair In our Community Plan, Fair is about addressing the inequalities which limit life chances. For CLD, this is about working with citizens and communities to try and deliver equity and equality in accessing opportunities to learn, strengthening citizen voice by empowering and enabling people to contribute to decision-making, and providing targeted support where needed to support those who experience inequality and disadvantage. We know that poverty still impacts educational attainment, and that this can impact on opportunities throughout life. We know that some groups face greater barriers in accessing learning and other opportunities, and this could be about health needs, about poverty, about being care-experienced, or about being perceived by others as different. In recent years, we have welcomed growing numbers of New Scots to Renfrewshire, and recognise the challenges that come with moving to a new country. Page 291 of 314
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Our CLD Fair priorities are: • Promoting equity and equality by removing barriers to accessing learning opportunities, including for care experienced people, people with a disability, people with a hearing impairment and New Scots; • Providing mechanisms for citizens to contribute to decision-making; • Delivering targeted support to address disadvantage in our communities; • Involving and empowering our local communities to help shape and develop our CLD priorities and activities. Renfrewshire is Safe In our Community Plan, Safe is about protecting vulnerable people, and working together to minimise the risk of harm. For CLD, it is about ensuring our spaces feel safe and welcoming in terms of our physical spaces but also in terms of our culture and ethos. It is also about equipping people with the skills that will support them to make safe and informed choices whether that is about online safety, sharing public protection messages or interventions relating to anti-social behaviour. We know there are groups of people who can find it more challenging to access learning, family activities and community activism because of their own past experiences, their current needs or concerns about how others may treat them. We want the spaces we use for CLD activity to be open, accessible and welcoming to all. People have told us that they don’t always feel safe in their community, and we will continue to work with partners to tackle this, whether through practical efforts or by challenging negative perceptions about some of our communities. We also know that communities can include online communities, and we want to give people the tools to feel safe in that environment too. We also know that young people in Renfrewshire have concerns about their own personal safety, and that this is about feeling safe in the community as well as understanding the consequences and risks of alcohol, drugs, vaping and other behaviours. Our CLD Safe priorities are: • Providing safe, welcoming spaces for the delivery of CLD activity, making them accessible, stigma-free and trauma-informed; • Giving people the skills to help them make safe and informed choices; • Exploring options for outreach work that engages with young people who may Page 292 of 314
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become involved in high-risk behaviors. Strengthening our partnership As well as our four Community Plan themes, we have added a fifth theme which is about strengthening our partnership working in relation to Community Learning and Development. Stronger partnerships will allow us to maximise opportunities to make a difference, to enhance our information sharing, reduce duplication and help us make the best use of our resources. It will help with identifying unmet need and gaps in provision and target resources in a joined-up way. We have recently established a CLD Partnership Executive Group to provide collective strategic leadership, and a Partnership Forum to facilitate information sharing and delivery of joint priorities. As these are new governance structures, there will be a strong focus in Year 1 of this plan in developing these groups and ensuring that the right mechanisms are in place to deliver community learning and development activity as a true partnership. This will include agreeing how we represent learner and citizen voice within our governance structures, and how our third sector and community partners are best represented on the Executive Group. We will also agree a communications approach and establish arrangements for enhanced information sharing and joint working. We consider workforce development to be a key component in strong partnership working. As we embed our governance arrangements, we will look for opportunities to share learning and development opportunities. By amplifying the voices of partners, learners and citizens within our governance structures, we will also create development opportunities for staff and volunteers looking to work in different ways. Page 293 of 314
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Monitoring this Plan The Plan will be monitored by the Partnership Executive Group. The Partnership Executive will consider progress on a quarterly basis, and updates will be provided to Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board every six months. These updates will contain both progress on actions within the plan’s delivery plan and the latest available data for the agreed performance indicators. Page 294 of 314
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20th August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Funding Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 As agreed previously by the board, the Policy and Partnerships service now prepares and submits a paper for consideration each cycle in relation to Council led community funding available for allocation through the Greenspaces, Villages Investment and Sustainable Communities Fund(s). This paper represents the most recent update for members in relation to these funds. 1.2 Whilst the Greenspaces and Villages Investment Fund are well established, elected members will be aware that the Sustainable Communities Fund was launched in early October 2023. The response to the fund continues to be very positive with a strong pipeline of applications under development. 1.3 An officer panel has been established to review applications for the Sustainable Communities Fund and to make recommendations on funding awards to members of the Communities and Housing Board. The panel met several times in July to consider applications received through the fourth funding round which closed on 30th June 2024. 1.4 Section 4 of the report provides an overview of the Sustainable Communities Fund and sets out recommendations for consideration by the board in relation to this funding round. 6 applications are recommended for approval, 9 applications are recommended to be deferred at this time to allow for further information gathering and engagement on applications with the community organisations concerned. 3 applications are not recommended for funding, as these were not assessed as meeting the funding criteria by the officer panel. Item 14 Page 295 of 314
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1.5 Members are asked to note that where projects are not recommended for award, this does not reflect the quality and value of these projects and associated organisations at a local level, and officers will work with wider partners to signpost to other appropriate funding mechanisms. 1.6 The Sustainable Communities Fund has been very popular since its launch and has attracted a significant number of initial formal applications and more informal contacts and expressions of potential interest. Applicants are strongly advised to engage with co-ordinating officers as early as possible in the application development process. There continue to be a number of applications where further information is required to fully assess an application, which has led to a number of applications being recommended to be deferred at this time, in order to give applicants the best possible chance of success as part of the assessment process. 1.7 Full detail on all applications and related recommendations relating to the Sustainable Communities Fund is provided in Appendix 1 of this report. Elected members are asked to note that the next funding round ends on 31st August 2024. 1.8 Sections 5 and 6 of this report sets out recommendations in relation to the allocation of Greenspaces and Villages Investment funding. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Board: • Approve the funding recommendations detailed in Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this report in relation to the proposed allocation of the Sustainable Communities Fund • Approve the funding recommendations outlined in Section 6 in relation to the proposed allocation of funding from the Villages Investment Fund 3. Background 3.1 To strengthen monitoring and oversight of funding recommendations made in relation to a number of specific Council funding streams, the Policy and Partnerships service now submits a community funding paper to each cycle of the Communities and Housing Board. This includes recommendations from officers in relation to funding awards through the Greenspaces Fund, Villages Investment Fund and the more recently launched Sustainable Communities Fund. 4. Sustainable Communities Fund 4.1 In March 2023, Council agreed to combine the remaining monies from the Community Empowerment Fund and Climate Change Action Fund to create a single Sustainable Communities Fund. This was further boosted by £650,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Communities and Place for the support and improvement of community assets and infrastructure. £1.5m is available as funding to support projects and organisations through this Fund. Page 296 of 314
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4.2 On 20th September 2023, Leadership Board approved the key objectives and criteria of the fund and agreed that applications to the Sustainable Communities Fund be submitted to the Communities and Housing Board for final approval with a key focus on community infrastructure, place and climate. 4.3 The Sustainable Communities Fund utilises a tiered funding model to reflect different- sized community projects as well as the varying levels of support required at different stages of development. A tiered approach helps to ensure ease of access to a proportionate application process to enable a range of initiatives that align with community empowerment: • Small - awards up to £10K: capital and revenue funding to develop local projects and initiatives which are targeted at enabling community participation and promoting community collaboration and which build resilience within our communities. This level would be targeted at groups where a small amount of money can make a significant difference to enabling community participation. • Intermediate – awards of £10K to £25K: capital and revenue funding to develop projects or organisations with a focus on improving community infrastructure and/or community wellbeing and which have the potential to be replicated in other areas; and • large – awards up to £100K: larger capital grants with the aim of supporting communities that aspire to take ownership or develop land or buildings in local communities. 4.4 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which makes up part of the Sustainable Communities Fund, comprises a clear split between capital and revenue funding with set amounts allocated over financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. UKSPF will be allocated to approved projects which meet the criteria and to maximise drawdown within each financial year. 4.5 The Fund officially opened to applications on 10 October 2023, and the fourth funding round closed on 30th June 2024. 4.6 All applications were assessed in July 2024 by the cross service panel of officers which has been established to review and assess the applications against the agreed objectives and criteria outlined within the funding guidance. This included follow up discussions on applications which were deferred through previous funding rounds. In summary the panel has recommended that: • 6 applications be recommended for funding awards with total funding to be allocated of £143,004 • 9 applications be deferred to gather further information and to allow for further engagement to be undertaken • 3 applications are not recommended for funding awards as these were assessed as not meeting the criteria of this particular funding stream. 4.7 The six applications recommended for approval through the Sustainable Communities fund in this founding round are: Page 297 of 314
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• The New Tannahill Centre • Clydeside Orienteers • 5th Paisley (Oldhall) Scout Group • RIG Arts • The Star Project • Creating a Sustainable Gryffe 4.8 Nine applications were submitted where further information requires to be gathered and evaluated before officers are able to make recommendations on these applications to the Board. To allow for further work to be carried out with groups relating to their proposals, it is recommended that applications are deferred as follows: • Caledonia Bowling Club • Friends of Barshaw Park • Thorn Athletic Community Trust • Paisley Model Yacht Club • Loud n Proud • Langbank Bowling Club • Fèis Phàislig • Studio FV • Houston Old School Trust 4.9 As mentioned in Section 1 of this report, applicants are strongly advised to engage with co-ordinating officers as early as possible in the application development process. In the first two rounds there have been a number of applications where further information is required to fully assess an application, which has led to a number of applications being recommended to be deferred at this time, in order to give applicants the best possible chance of success 4.12 Finally, following assessment by the officer panel, the following applications are not recommended for a funding award, as they do not meet the criteria of the fund: • Dates-n-Mates • Two applications from Stemran Ltd 4.13 Members are asked to note that where projects are not recommended for award, this does not reflect the quality and value of these projects and associated organisations at a local level, and officers will work with wider partners to signpost to other appropriate funding mechanisms. 4.14 More detailed information in relation to each application is provided in Appendix 1. Elected members will note that for some projects this will require the development of partnership agreements to be progressed with relevant community organisations should funding recommendations be agreed by the Board. 4.15 The residual balance of available funding within the Sustainable Communities Fund is £228,968 of revenue funding, and £634,635 of capital funding. This includes the contribution from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, but does not include the recommendations detailed within this paper. Page 298 of 314
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4.16 Subject to the approval of recommendations as set out in Appendix 1, £143,004 would be allocated to successful projects through Round 2 of the fund (£120,000 Capital and £23,004 revenue). Of the total £143,004, £110,000 of the capital funding will be funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 4.17 The next funding round will close on 31st August 2024, and officers will continue to work with all new applicants and deferred applicants to progress information and proposals proactively over the coming months. 4.18 As highlighted in Section 1, following learning from the early rounds of the Sustainable Communities Fund, several areas have been identified where Fund guidance can be clarified and strengthened to improve the application process for both applicants and officers. Officers will work to reflect learning both in the formal guidance in due course, as well as the advice given to applicants, and applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their application with officers in advance. 4.19 Officers are also undertaking work to map successful applicants from the fund, in order to identify localities within Renfrewshire which may benefit from some further targeting or awareness raising with local groups. 4.20 Officers continue to work with organisations with successful awards to support the development of projects and evaluate the progress and impact of Sustainable Communities Fund awards. Information on the progress of organisations awarded funding to date are detailed at Appendix 2, and updates will continue to be reported back to the Communities and Housing Board as they become available. 5. Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas Fund 5.1 The Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas Fund has supported 58 community projects since October 2018. As previously agreed by members of the board, remaining Greenspaces funding has been divided into three streams: • General funding available to fund greenspace, parks and play areas improvements. • Funding to support school-based developments. • Funding to support Team Up to Clean Up developments. 5.2 The Fund currently has approximately £13,000 available to support community projects, a further £20,000 is available for school projects meeting the fund criteria, and £13,000 for Team Up to Clean Up volunteers and projects. Team Up to Clean Up Fund 5.3 There has been an upward trend in volunteers tackling detritus and detrimental weed growth within their neighbourhoods. The volunteers work compliments Renfrewshire Council’s own weed killing programme, where volunteers are actively removing the treated growth from the site. Page 299 of 314
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5.4 Posts reflecting this work have proven popular amongst members with a social media reach in some cases of 41k, and others noting their inspiration to follow this example. 3 committed volunteers, well known in the group, have been gifted a set of 3 battery operated power tools, hand tools and PPE to support their work in Ferguslie, Renfrew and Lochfield. 6. Villages Investment Fund 6.1 The Villages Investment Fund continues to support the villages in delivering innovative projects for local people. 81 villages projects have been funded since the launch of the fund in 2018. 6.2 Since the last update to board in May 2024, eleven Villages Investment Fund projects have been funded under the Delegated Approval process. A list of these is provided in the table below. Community Group Project Sum Awarded Bridge of Weir Gala Committee Bridge of Weir Gala Day £5,000 Bonnie Bishopton Community Benches – Repairs and Replacements £2,700 Bishopton Week Group Bishopton Gala Week £4,887 Elderslie Community Council Evergreen Elderslie £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Planters and Signs £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Improvements to Hidden Corner £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Railway Mural – repairs to steps and large-scale vegetation removal £2,250 Elderslie Community Council Queens Road Park Seating £3,300 Friends of Howwood Park Pavilion Management Support and table-top sports provision £2,048 Langbank Swingpark Regeneration Group Public Park Picnic and Seating Provision £5,000 Lochwinnoch Arts Group Lochwinnoch Arts Festival £4,600 TOTAL under delegated authority £32,785 6.3 An application has also recently been received and considered in relation to the Villages Investment Fund, with £25,000 applied for by Kilbarchan Smile in relation to a heritage garden project. Page 300 of 314
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6.4 Kilbarchan Smile have been increasing biodiversity, as well as improving the appearance and appeal of their village since 2016. The group has to date developed a Gateway Garden, where local school pupils and residents alike, visit to grow and tend to their own plants and vegetables. Kilbarchan Smile further care and maintain the local Old Library’s ‘Secret Garden’, as well as various planters and hanging baskets in and around the village. 6.5 Kilbarchan Smile are seeking to create a Heritage Garden on Ewing Street, as a focal point in the centre of the village, celebrating Kilbarchan’s rich history and local talent. The site, currently uneven and grassy, with overgrown vegetation and a tired bench, will be transformed into a fully accessible Heritage Garden. The Garden will present interpretation boards celebrating local talent, a relevant sculpture, new seating, heritage plants will be kept onsite which were traditionally used by local weavers to dye fabrics, and a new path laid to enable full accessibility. 6.6 A full public meeting was carried out in January 2024 to gauge local support. This continues to be followed up by regular Facebook updates by the group seeking ideas and contributions. Kilbarchan Smile posted a flier through resident’s doors living nearby, as well as presented the concept to local school children requesting their input. 6.7 Following engagement with the group around the project and funding required, it is recommended that £23,416 of funding is allocated from the Villages Investment Fund to support this project. 6.8 Subject to the recommendations being approved in the report, £167,799 of Villages Investment Funding would remain for future allocation. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – This paper recommends the allocation of £143,004 of funding from the Sustainable Communities Fund (£120,000 Capital and £23,004 Revenue). Section 6 also sets out recommendations to approve one application for £23,416 from the Villages Investment Fund. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none. 3. Community/Council Planning – the Fund set out in the paper supports engagement and collaboration with local communities on a range of activities which align with the new Council Plan 2022-2027; Our Renfrewshire Community Plan and/or Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero. 4. Legal - none. 5. Property/Assets – there are a number of applicants to this fund seeking to pursue community asset transfers, and where there are relevant property or asset issues these are covered as part of discussions at the officer panel. 6. Information Technology – none. 7. Equality and Human Rights – the Recommendations included within this report are considered to have a positive impact on equality and human rights. The fund continues to attract applicants seeking to make community assets more accessible for communities, for example in this round there are recommended awards to support disabled access and facilities in community venues, dedicated projects for older people, as well as a number of projects seeking to address poverty and socio-economic disadvantage faced within some local communities. Page 301 of 314
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8. Health and Safety – none. 9. Procurement – none. 10. Risk – none. 11. Privacy Impact – none. 12. COSLA Policy Position – none. 13. Climate Risk – the Sustainable Communities Fund aligns with the themes within Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero and the delivery of relevant projects will assist the local response to the climate emergency. 14. Childrens Rights – while there are no specific children’s rights implications associated with the recommendations for this round Sustainable Communities Fund, there are applications in the pipeline which seek to widen opportunities for children and young people to actively participate within their communities. Appendix 1: Summary of applications with Officers recommendations Appendix 2: Progress Report on Sustainable Communities Fund – Round 1 ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: Sustainable Communities Fund Guidance Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships Page 302 of 314
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TABLE A - RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments The New Tannahill Centre The purpose of this project is to secure expert support to work with existing projects operating from the Tannahill Centre - Community market, Senior’s lunch club and Ferguslie Growing area – enabling them to become self-sufficient and secure long-term sustainability. Intermediate £25,000 Approve partial award of £10,000 Note application deferred from previous round. A partial award of £10,000 is recommended. Funding to be used for specific training and capacity building activity detailed in the original application (£4,000) and a maximum of £6,000 to commission specialist support with the individual groups to produce short-term business plans and funding projections for their first year of operation as well as future development proposals (3-5 years). The panel noted the Council already fund specialist support for groups seeking to being constituted and develop charity / SCIO status – and will refer the Page 303 of 314
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organisation to Engage Renfrewshire or Invest in Renfrewshire Community Economic Development Team. Clydeside Orienteers The organisation is requesting funding for 2 new professional maps on Clyde Muirshiel and 2 new urban professional maps in Renfrewshire. Small £8,000 Approve 5th Paisley (Oldhall) Scout Group The purpose of the project is to help the group become net zero at the same time as reducing electricity costs and heating costs for the group. It will also allow the group to offer the hall during the day to other community groups and social services as running costs will reduce dramatically so assisting the local community Small £10,000 Approve RIG Arts Funding is requested for a feasibility study for the community to take over the space once funding ends in March. Small £9,623 Approve Note application deferred from previous round. The Star Project The principal aims of the project is to update the current outdated facilities as well as expanding into adjacent premises to increase space to create a more efficient, fully accessible and functional space that Large £100,000 Approve in principle It is noted that this is a significant capital project at an early stage, with a total estimated cost in the region of £1.7m. The panel noted that the application has a number of detailed supporting Page 304 of 314
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allows the centre to grow while continuing community activity and outreach. documents, including feasibility studies, drawings and plans, as well as a funding strategy in place. Due to the scale of the project, the officer panel recommends: • A Strategic Partnership Agreement should be developed with Star Project. • The Officer Panel recommends officers work alongside Star to align the schedule of works and release of funding, recognising further funding will be required to commence major capital works. Creating Sustainable Gryffe The purpose of the project is to encourage share and repair to help keep items in use longer and also to help the local community develop skills, such as mending, bike repair and small electrical repairs. Small £5,381.00 Approve TABLE B - RECOMMENDATION TO DEFER Page 305 of 314
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Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments Caledonia Bowling Club The purpose of the project is to improve the Club's internal and external facilities to provide a safe and inclusive environment for members (playing & social), wider community groups and visitors. Small £10,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note application deferred from previous round. Recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Friends of Barshaw Park The group have requested support from the Fund for a range of capital works as well as a project manager and contingency to maintain structural support of the wall and bring buildings back into use as workshops and venues for activities. Large £80,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note application deferred from previous round. Recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Thorn Athletic Community Trust Funding is sought to create a business plan, options appraisal and feasibility to RIBA 1 on how to create the most appropriate facilities and projects to meet local needs. Intermediate £24,840 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Paisley Model Yacht Club The project is requesting funds to procure a suitable stairway in wood or steel and its installation in the Clubhouse. Small £2,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Loud n Proud The purpose of the project is to provide 5 soundproof rooms that would cater for group and ensemble Large £80,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Page 306 of 314
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music, recording music, loud instruments such as brass, bag pipes and drums. This will increase the range and number of opportunities for local people to take part in music and it will increase revenue generation opportunities. Langbank Bowling Club The purpose of the project is to sustain Langbank Bowling Club by restoring the main brick retaining wall between the raised bowling green and Langbank Main Road. Small £3,500 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Fèis Phàislig The purpose of the project is to upgrade instrumental equipment to ensure high-quality learning experiences. Small £10,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Studio FV The purpose of the project is to deliver film production services and workshop training in the use of the mobile community cinema kit (which they are caretakers of) to 3 organisations in Renfrewshire delivering social activities to people facing isolation and health inequalities. Intermediate £23,485 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Houston Old School Trust Replacement of one of the Centre's gas central heating boilers. This boiler provides the heating for four Small £4,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Page 307 of 314
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of the rooms available for let and the hot water for the Kitchen. TABLE C - RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments Dates N Mates Funding was requested to support a percentage of staff costs of Community Engagement and Events costs. Small £10,000 No award The application did not meet the core funding criteria as it focused on recurring revenue costs with no identified plan for sustainability. STEMRAN Limited The project seeks to provide 34 weeks SQA qualification course including prelims and cost for registering for the SQA exams; staffing access to eBooks of zeta maths textbook SQA exam registration per candidate; printed resources. Intermediate £25,000 No award The application did not meet the eligibility criteria for the fund as a private limited company. STEMRAN Limited This project would provide training and support for learning Numeracy at Home – Empowering Parents to Support Their Children’s Learning. Intermediate £13,000 No award The application did not meet the eligibility criteria for the fund as a private limited company. Page 308 of 314
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Appendix 2 - Progress Report on Round One Sustainable Communities Fund Awards August 2024 1. Summary 1.1 This report updates the Communities and Housing Policy Board on progress made by community groups and organisations in receipt of funding from the Sustainable Communities Fund. It provides updates for the Board on projects awarded in round 1 of the fund. 1.2 The key objective of the Sustainable Communities Fund is to strengthen work within communities to identify opportunities for land and assets within local areas to develop local projects which benefit those who live there – connecting people through regenerated local spaces and tackling inequality through community collaboration. 1.3 The Sustainable Communities Fund is an open funding call which comprises both capital and revenue funding and which will remain open until at least 31st March 2025 or until all funding is fully committed, with applications being evaluated on a quarterly basis, with submission deadlines for each evaluation clearly set out. 1.4 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Communities and Place portion of the Sustainable Communities Fund is made up of a clear split between capital and revenue funding; and has set amounts allocated over financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and will be allocated within these guidelines. 1.5 At its meeting on 16th January 2024 the Communities and Housing Policy Board agreed to allocate funding to 6 community organisations, totalling £213,406.00, of which £194,725 was allocated from the shared prosperity element of the funding available. This paper provides an update on some of the projects funded at that time. 2. Progress of successful projects 2.1 Friends of Howwood Park – Intermediate Award £25,000 2.1(a) Friends of Howwood Park were awarded £25,000 to complete the renovations of the pavilion in round 1 of the Sustainable Communities funding programme. The group also received £50,000 from the Community Empowerment Fund, which preceded the Sustainable Communities Fund. 2.1(b) The pavilion had been empty and unused for a period of 20 years. Through the Community Asset Transfer process, a 10-year lease was granted to the group in January 2024. Since then, the group have been working hard to secure a total of Page 309 of 314
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£118,290 from a range of funders, to see the renovations to completion, and have created a space for community use and a ‘park hub’ for local park users. 2.1 (c) The building itself has had an extensive transformation both externally and internally and hosts a moderate size multipurpose function room, a changing facility for amateur sports/football teams, which can also be used as a function room when not in use as a changing facility, a kitchen and servery window, which is anticipated to be used as a part time café a compliant disabled toilet with baby changing facilities and a separate WC. There is also a large amount of storage space within the facility. Old pavilion exterior New Exterior 2.1(d) The multi-purpose function room(s) have been designed to be used for a range of purposes, including hosting community group sessions, and are currently being utilised by local cubs and beavers’ groups and ‘moonology’ mindfulness sessions. A few birthday parties have already taken place, with the pavilion being used as a base and the park being used to host a range of outdoor activities. The pavilion will be hosting a parent and baby drop-in session on Tuesday mornings, starting in August 2024. The group have yet to advertise the facility to the community as the external ramp to allow wheelchair access is not yet complete but do anticipate a demand once they have a booking system in place. Multipurpose Rooms before After 2.1(e) Friends of Howwood Park hosted a tabletop toy sale at the Pavilion at the beginning of the summer, to showcase the newly refurbished building and engage with the wider community on what they would like to see the building used for. As a result, the group are in the process of looking into setting up a 'Lending Library'. This will be similar to the 'Share Shed', Share Shed – A Library of Things where they will buy items that people only use on occasion, such as gazebos, wallpaper strippers, power tools, tents and tables and people borrow them when needed. The items will be stored in the Pavilion, and this has been viewed as being a service that will be useful to the people of Howwood, saving them money and space in their own houses, and encouraging people not to buy things they don't need to. Page 310 of 314
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This is possible due to the great amount of storage space they now have at the Pavilion. Tabletop sale/open day 2.2 Inchinnan Development Trust – Intermediate Award £24,750 2.2(a) Inchinnan Development Trust received £24,725, in round 1 of the Sustainable Communities Fund to support development costs of proposals relating to provision of a synthetic pitch at India Tyres site. Funding was approved to support costs of site investigation works and one-off project management costs. 2.2(b) Through the Community Asset Transfer process, India tyres playing fields (ITPF) was transferred into community management (long lease option, 50 years) on 20th March 2024. 2.2(c) To date the group have completed their site investigation, topographical survey and drainage and utility survey. The sustainable communities fund was awarded to support these investigations, as without them the project would not have been able to go ahead. The group have not yet completed their developed detailed designs or technical designs for the site, but are in the process of arranging these, in partnership with MAC Consulting, who have developed an initial site layout. 2.2(d) The conceptual programme of work for ITPF regeneration has been well received by The National Lottery (TNL) community led fund and the fund have awarded the Trust £149k over 3 years (2024/25/26) for running costs to support the work of the Trust as a whole. 2.2(e) Although funds are not currently secured the Trust continues to work with SFA grassroots fund to secure funding for the various elements of the ITPF programme; - drainage solution for the whole site - synthetic sports pitch and 2 grass pitches all to SFA standard - toilet facilities - community growing grounds (no dig allotments) - network of pathways, creating access for all with seating and historical information boards - improved biodiversity for the whole site; wild flowers and native planting. 2.2(f) The funding received by the trust was pivotal in enabling them to secure the services of MAC Consulting and the trust say that: Page 311 of 314
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‘MAC Consulting continues to work with IDT staff to guide the regeneration project. Securing these professional services has been great for the project and has helped us to secure TNL funding as we are able to demonstrate the ability to ensure the project is planned, remains attainable/feasible and is properly executed. Malcolm’s support also allows the Trust to focus our capacity/own resource on consulting our community throughout the project and ensuring the project meets the needs/wants of our community while being in-line with the Trust’s environmental ambitions’. 2.3 Kustom Kruizers - Small Award £10,000 2.3(a) Kustom Kruizers received £10,000 in round 1 of the fund to run a 6-month community recycling programme. The workshops have entailed individuals bringing their own bike that requires repairs, or they have been given their own pre-owned bike and have used that to learn the process of bike maintenance. The sessions have covered the identification of problems, stripping down the bike, replacing worn components, and then customizing the bike. Community members have learned practical life skills, and they also now own a newly restored bicycle. This has allowed those without current access to a bike to participate in cycling which can form part of a healthy and active lifestyle. 2.3(b) Since April 2024 Kustom Kruizers have delivered 20 workshops to 20 families of 4. The booking list for these workshops is full until September 2024. As well as providing maintenance workshops to 20 families, Kustom Kruizers have also provided 20 young people with their own bike, free of charge. 2.3(c) The family workshops have been very well received; some parent/youth feedback is outlined below: ‘Brilliant session, Ollie and I both learned loads and had fun. Highly recommend this to anyone with kids who cycle’. Page 312 of 314
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2.4 Western Desert Recce Group (WDRG) – Large Award £125,000 2.4(a) The purpose of this project was to secure the building fabric of Whitehaugh Barracks from further deterioration caused by severe water penetration. External and internal areas of the building impacted by water ingress include areas identified as having High Heritage Significance i.e. Drill Hall and North-east corner of the Main building. This project was informed by the findings of a Condition Survey on Whitehaugh Barracks undertaken by LDN Architects, Narro Associates and Gardiner & Theobald in June 2023. 2.4(b) The group have begun clearing out the main building on the barracks site and are meeting with their architects on 22nd August to agree plans, which will ensure the fabric of the building is wind and watertight and will include the removal of internal walls in the drill hall. All the internal wood that has been removed and is still in reasonable condition is being recycled for use in other areas of the project. The group are in the process of procuring a building company to carry out the works in the main building, it is hoped that a contactor will be in place to allow the works to commence in the autumn of 2024. 2.4(c) The group are currently operating onsite and have moved all their equipment onsite, utilising the garage space until the work on the main building is completed. A range of WW1 & WW2 vehicles are currently onsite, and local people have been dropping by to chat with WDRG group members and explore the vehicles. 2.4(d) WDRG received £80,000 from the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) which has enabled them to carry out works within the garage space, which include installation of an alarm system and CCTV to both the garages and the main building. The group continue to have problems with attempted break ins to the property and hope that these measures will assist in mitigating this issue. The group have also erected perimeter fencing (chain link fencing with screens) which the neighbours to the rear of the property are very happy about, as it provides them with better privacy. A full rewiring of the garage is also being undertaken. 2.4(e) The group continue to build relations with surrounding neighbours of the barracks, and as a result have secured new local members and volunteering support from residents. Volunteers are working with the group to research the history of the Barracks and the site as well as WW1 and WW2 historical information. Volunteers are also providing practical groundwork support to clear all the overgrown foliage and weeds to bring the outdoor space back to ground level. A range of practical support is also being supplied by local volunteers, who are offering their trades to support the development of the site, such as painting and joinery work. Erskine Hospital Art Department have also offered to paint WW1 & WW2 murals on the garage shutters and the internal walls of the drill hall in the main building once the renovation works are completed. Page 313 of 314
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"I am in awe of the work that has been done so far in just three weeks since the mammoth logistical move from their old premises in Blantyre. There is nothing that phases this group and their diversity of skills is immense. I am looking forward to being part of it" Andy R, Local Resident " a fantastic group who have great ideas and the potential is huge, for not only history but the local community and looking forward to helping bring this site back in to use again” Colin, Local Resident 2.4(f) WDRG have also been in discussion with Paisley FM and Paisley Men’s Shed who are interested in utilising space in the building once the renovation works are completed. WDRG continue to work with local schools delivering talks on WW1 & WW2 to young people learning world and local history. 2.4(g) The group have erected signage to the fencing with contact information, so the local community can be in touch with them when they are off site. Further community engagement with residents is planned, to showcase what works have been completed to date and to find out more from residents what they’d like to see on the site. The engagement event will be in the form of an end of summer BBQ, planned for early September. Page 314 of 314