3. Service Update Report - Report
Renfrewshire Council · 11 March 2025
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 11 March 2025 and its agenda
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__________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 11 March 2025 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Service Update Report __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides and 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. Updates for Communities and Housing Policy Board 3. Housing Services 3.1 Housing Management Income Advice 3.1.1 Information from advice interviews at the end of February 2025 confirms that over 6,236 income advice cases involved households from Council tenancies this financial year. During these interviews staff assess any entitlements to assistance that are due and support people to access benefits they are eligible for, alongside giving advice on all money matters and budgeting.
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3.1.2 There are several sources of additional assistance accessed which can include universal credit/housing benefit attendance allowance and disability payment, food vouchers and many more. In monetary terms this equates to £8.3 million between April 2024 and February this year. 3.1.3 Between April 2024 and February 2025 there have been 250 tenants referred for Tenant Support Fund assessment, which have the added value of full income assessment and advice provision. Of the referrals 189 have engaged with Specialist Income Advisors and 170 have qualified for assistance from the fund. Officers continue to engage with tenants to maximise access to any underlying entitlement to benefits and funds available. Housing Advice 3.1.4 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. At the end of February 2025, we have 3,066 applications received via the online process. 3.1.5 Staff are available to assist in completing online forms. For those applicants who apply online, we offer a follow up housing options discussion. The housing options discussion is an important part of the process, with the aim of assisting those making a housing enquiry to gain a realistic understanding of the choices available to suit their circumstances. 3.1.6 The online housing application is available alongside existing ways to apply, such as telephone, video conferencing (Near Me), and in person as requested. Tenancy Management 3.1.7 Use of the ASB app as a method of online reporting of antisocial behaviour for Renfrewshire Council tenants’ is now in the pilot phase. 3.1.8 Staff have been trained and the App will be piloted for a period of 6 weeks from 8 January 2025. During this period views of staff and customers will be gathered to ensure the App meets the needs of those using it and the service, thereafter, it is anticipated the App will be launched across all housing teams. 3.1.9 The intention of the pilot is to offer the App to customers already engaged with services. Information available to date suggests the App provides additional functionality, it is an all-round tool which enables users to collect and submit noise recordings, diary sheets and videos at the time of an incident. The App is available across all App stores and where a user cannot access the App for any reason a web-based version is available. The App will complement the traditional methods including telephone, email, in writing and in person. 3.2 Housing Innovation Project (HIP) 3.2.1 The Council formally entered into contract with NEC on 29th January 2025 and a project plan with defined milestones and anticipated go live dates for both phases of project implementation was confirmed by the end of February 2025.
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3.2.2 Work has begun in earnest with three of the solution design modules now underway in Allocations, Core and Rents. 3.2.3 Recruitment has taken place for Module Team members and four team members are now in place for Allocations, Core, Tenancy Management and Rents Modules. 3.2.4 Work is continuing with NEC to set up Virtual Private Network. Consideration is being given to options available for data migration and archiving and the project team is currently scoping requirements for test and training resources. is being carried out. 3.3 Homeless & Housing Support Services Homeless Applications 3.3.1 The number of homeless applications has continued at the high level of 2023/24, and it is anticipated that there will again be an annual increase in the number of presentations. 3.3.2 The Council is on schedule to meet the target of 55% of general lets going to homeless applicants, and there has been regular liaison with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) who have responded by similarly having a strong focus on letting their properties to those who are statutorily homeless. 3.3.3 A detailed report will be provided to the next meeting of the Policy Board on a review of 2024/25 performance and an update on the measures in place to mitigate the pressures in the homeless system – including the contribution from RSLs. Early Release Programme 3.3.4 Legislation to help reduce the prison population has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Prisoner (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill changes the release point for offenders serving sentences of less than four years from 50% of their sentence to 40%. Homeless Services have been involved in discussions with the Scottish Prison Service and other partners to allow planning for prisoners from Renfrewshire who are will be subject to release over 3 trenches between February and March. Measures have been put in place to provide advice, support and temporary accommodation (if needed) for each prisoner upon their release. Housing Support 3.3.5 Housing Support continue to have very high levels of referrals, with over 950 being received by the end of January since April 2024, which is a significant increase over the last couple of years.
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Refugee Resettlement 3.3.6 Our Refugee Resettlement Team are currently supporting 233 households across Renfrewshire, with a small increase in Afghan national arrivals as well as people from Syria and Somalia. Many of the Ukrainians who resettled in Renfrewshire will be eligible to apply for an 18-month visa extension over the coming months. Sheltered Housing 3.3.7 The strong focus on tackling the threat of loneliness continues across our 10 sheltered complexes and a range of meaningful activities, parties and trips to theatre were organised throughout 2024/25. 3.3.8 Joint initiatives have been arranged with our partners such as Erskine Hospital, local schools, Roar - Connections For Life and St Mirren, with music and dance projects/intergenerational working, creative writing projects, domino competitions, and gentle exercise activities. 3.3.9 Our in-house Befriending Services continues to support 13 tenants who do not have family or friends who are able to visit. 3.3.10 There have been improvements carried out to the ‘warden call’ system, and a planned upgrade to fire safety alarms. 3.3.11 The installation of ‘digital notice boards’ at each complex to update tenants with information, support and advice has now commenced. 3.4 Housing Asset and Investment Response to Storm Eowyn 3.4.1 Over 400 repairs were reported in the days immediately following the storm, mainly for minor damage to roofs, guttering, fascia boards, windows and fencing. Colleagues in Building Services attended initially to make safe with follow up repairs arranged as required. 3.4.2 118 inspections were raised during the week following the storm, for the Housing Asset and Investment Team, Repairs and Maintenance officers (RMOs) to attend, the majority of which were for fencing. Repairs to common areas in mixed tenure blocks are required to go through owner consent processes before full repairs can be carried out. 3.4.3 There were 3 properties with more serious damage to roofs that required tenants to be decanted. These properties required to be assessed by the Council’s insurer’s independent loss adjustor prior to reinstatement works being arranged. 3.4.4 There was minor damage to render at Glencairn Court which required the installation of temporary protective measures whilst awaiting the full repair.
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3.4.5 The team responded well to the incident with good internal communication through the established winter preparation group. The resultant ongoing repair requirements continue to be managed. Kitchen and Heating Replacement 3.4.6 Housing Services have been working collaboratively with Building Services to consider the feasibility of Building Services undertaking some of the internal capital investment work scheduled over the next 5 years. 3.4.7 Agreement has been reached with Building Services to carry out kitchen replacements and boiler replacements. 3.4.8 Preparations are underway for the required resources to be in place for the new Building Services workstream and it is hoped that work can commence in the second quarter of 2025/26. Targeted annual volume for Building Services will be approximately 350 kitchens and 680 boilers per annum. 3.4.9 The Housing Asset and Investment team will continue to appoint external contractors for other internal investment works such as full kitchen, bathroom and rewires which will supplement the works being carried out by Building Services. The current contract with our external contractor, Bell Group is underway and progressing well. 3.5 Regeneration Update Housing – Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme 3.5.1 Tenant rehousing is complete in blocks approved for demolition in Auchentorlie Quadrant and Waverley Road, Paisley. Officers continue to prioritise phasing of rehousing across the Thrushcraigs and Springbank areas to effectively manage the clearing of blocks in advance of further demolition. 3.5.2 Owner conversations continue to progress well across the programme where acquisition is necessary to facilitate demolition. Similarly, conversations have taken place with several owners in retention blocks within the Auchentorlie area to understand the percentage of private owners within mixed tenure blocks who may be interested in participating in the improvement programme, along with the wholly Council owned blocks receiving enhanced improvements. 3.5.3 Officers from the Housing Investment team are consulting with private owners in the Howard Street area to further encourage participation across mixed tenure blocks as far as possible, before moving on to consult in Howwood Road and Waverley Road areas of the programme later this year. Tannahill Area of Ferguslie Park 3.5.4 The demolition of Council owned blocks in Tannahill area continues to progress well, with all 52 blocks within the initial contract now demolished. Contractors remain on site for site clearance works in line with the contract award.
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3.5.5 Voluntary acquisition of the last remaining block in the Tannahill area has been agreed in principle and officers will take forward demolition of this block once the Council have full ownership. Paisley West End 3.5.6 Demolition contractors have been appointed by Sanctuary Housing Association to commence the next phase of demolition in Paisley West End. This is another positive step in the delivery of the wider masterplan approved for this area. The Council will continue to transfer ownership on a phased basis to allow further demolition and newbuild development subject to Planning approval being received in due course. Council Newbuild Projects 3.5.7 Whilst Planning approval has been obtained for both Gallowhill and Howwood Road projects, the statutory approvals process is ongoing in respect of building warrant approval and specifically Scottish Water technical approval for both newbuild developments. 3.5.8 Whilst it is expected approvals will be obtained, officers continue to engage with Scottish Water to ensure the most economic and sustainable design options and solutions are realised. 3.6 Service Improvement Update Scottish Housing Regulator; Outcome of the consultation on the Annual Return on the Charter 3.6.1 At the August Board, members were advised that 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 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. 3.6.2 This consultation has now concluded and on 14 January 2025 the SHR published its findings and revisions to the ARC return. 3.6.3 The review will see that a small number of indicators have been removed, and a few others have had their definitions improved for clarity. 3.6.4 The Regulator has introduced new tenant and resident safety indicators including fire safety, electrical safety and three new indicators on damp and mould. The SHR has acknowledged complexities regarding the Damp and Mould indicators and as such the usefulness of these indicators will be reviewed after the first year of submission. 3.6.5 All social landlords will start collecting data for the new indicators from 1 April 2025 and the first ARC using the new indicators will be due by 31 May 2026. The Board will receive our performance against these indicators in 2026.
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3.6.6 Members can access the full details of the consultation at the following https://www.housingregulator.gov.scot/for-landlords/annual-return-on-the- scottish-social-housing-charter-consultation-outcome/ 4. Public Protection 4.1 Trading Standards 4.1.1 At a UK level, work continues towards a “smokefree future” that is, an eventual full ban on the sale of tobacco. The Tobacco & Vapes Bill will raise the age of sale for tobacco products incrementally, year on year, until the restriction applies to the whole population. This Bill is currently at Committee Stage in the House of Commons. 4.1.2 Operation CECE continues to be a UK-wide priority for HMRC and Trading Standards services, as the illicit trade in tobacco shows no signs of slowing. The Team continues to work with HMRC and Police Scotland to disrupt supply chains, and to impose the most effective enforcement outcomes on offenders. 4.1.3 Figures recovered so far in the financial year 2024/25 are: 7,030 packs of cigarettes, 555 packs of hand-rolling tobacco (28kg), equating to evaded Excise Duty of over £123,000. 4.1.4 Alongside this activity, the Team continue to recover large quantities of non- compliant Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs or Vapes). Compliance issues include matters such as a lack of health or tactile warnings, or too large a tank size. During routine or unplanned visits, the Team are ensuring traders are aware of the upcoming ban on the sale/supply of single use vapes, which is due to commence on 1 June 2025. Single-use vapes are defined as any vaping device – whether nicotine based or otherwise – which is not both rechargeable and refillable. 4.2 Community Safety 4.2.1 The proposal to implement Fireworks Control Zones (FCZ), where appropriate, was approved at the Communities & Housing Policy Board in August 2024. 4.2.2 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. Community requests can be considered where there is justification to do so, by means of 25 or more signatories, as well as evidence of a particular issue which a FCZ can reasonably resolve. Any community requests which can meet the relevant standard, will be considered at a multi-agency group early in March, and any accepted requests will be subject to robust consultation. This is because the imposition of a Zone removes the rights of the citizens in that area to use fireworks in their properties, and indeed would criminalise that use.
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4.2.3 The application process for community requests opened on 13 January 2025, and closed on 28 February 2025. Decisions on applications will be published online by the end of March, and any consultation (where relevant) will then take place between April and July. Any established Zones must be publicised at least 60 days before coming into effect and as such must be published by 15 August to be in place for Guy Fawkes period 2025. 4.3 Environmental Health 4.3.1 One of the workplace Health and Safety Priorities for 2024/25 was an assessment of Legionella controls in water systems within hotels. Legionella bacteria is commonly found in water, where the bacteria can multiply where temperatures are between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia, contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable legionella bacteria. Premises such as hotels must have adequate controls in place to control the risk of legionella. This can include risk assessments, temperature checks of the water system, flushing outlets, improving the design of the water system and sampling. Earlier in the year a general health and safety intervention for hotels were completed and from the information gathered Officers collated a list of hotels, using a risk-based approach, which has been prioritised for a more in-depth Legionella intervention. At the time of the earlier intervention, the level of compliance was found to be generally high; however, where areas of improvement were noted, businesses were provided with advice and guidance. These were subsequently re-visited to confirm compliance. 4.3.2 Officers within the Business Regulations Team have recently completed training on non-surgical cosmetic procedures in advance of the proposed introduction of a new licensing regime to effectively regulate the industry. It is proposed that some lower risk procedures will be licenced by local authorities and Officers require to understand the procedures, their safe administration and use of properly regulated products/medicines as part of the proposed licensing requirement. 4.3.3 The Environmental Health, Business Regulation Team were recently contacted by a multinational company with a premises in Hillington to advise that they had been impacted by a RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed). The RASFF system allows for the exchange of information between members countries to support swift reaction by food safety authorities in cases of public health risks arising from the food chain. In this instance the business was advised that a Soya Flour (from a supplier in Serbia) was found to have levels of Aflatoxin B1 above, EU permitted levels. 4.3.4 The business had acted quickly and whilst 40 bags of finished product had been delivered to a customer based in Northern Ireland, 38 of these were unused and quarantined. The remaining 2 bags had been used by the customer to produce products which were already within the market, however a risk assessment was carried out to assess these and because of inclusion rates of flour within the finished products, the Aflatoxin B1 levels were within the permitted levels. All the remaining stock of the soya flour has been held on site in Hillington and all further imports of the Soya Flour had been blocked by the business.
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4.3.5 Food Standards Scotland were contacted regarding the issue to make them aware as RASFF notification had not been received in the UK. Officers continue to work with the business and FSS regarding the issue, with FSS providing evidence that the product had been distributed within the UK to the European Commission. 5. Connected Communities Service Update 5.1 CLD Inspection Follow Up 5.1.1 Elected members will recall that Education Scotland undertook an inspection visit in Renfrewshire last February. As previously reported to board we have implemented a number of changes to partnership governance arrangements relating to the delivery of CLD support across all sectors and have also developed and finalised a CLD Partnership Plan. 5.1.2 In recent months we have been working closely with Education Scotland on our partnership development and self-assessment processes, and we anticipate that a follow up visit from the inspection team will take place in March 2025. 5.2 Good Vibes Only Programme Update 5.2.1 As our community outreach work continues in communities across Renfrewshire, we are preparing our next Good Vibes Only programme targeting a new group of young people identified by the Community Safety Partnership. The programme will run for seven weeks during the spring months and feature contributions from Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Youth Services and the Youth Team. Participants will also visit the Regen FX project (The Street) and those who complete the course will receive a personal recognition reward. 5.3 Safe Kids Event 5.3.1 We are currently planning the next Safe Kids event, scheduled to take place before the summer. This event is open to all primary 6 children and aims to educate them on key community safety issues. 5.4 Anti-Social Behaviour Talks 5.4.1 The Community Safety Youth Team continue to deliver anti-social behaviour talks to P7 and S1 students delivering key messages to raise awareness of the impact antisocial behaviour has on our communities and potential consequences should they choose to get involved in risk taking behaviour. Positive feedback has been received from teachers and young people. 5.5 Renfrewshire Youth Commission 5.5.1 The Renfrewshire Youth Commission will be launching in February with the first meeting of young people who voiced an interest at the Youth Assembly.
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The group will evaluate the event and begin to collate the findings from the workshops on Safety, Vaping and Violence, and begin to draft the report and proposed work for the Youth Commission into tackling the issues around Violence in 2025. 5.5.2 The End of Project Celebration and Awards Ceremony will be held on 14 March 2025, in Paisley Arts Centre which will celebrate Art Boss, the Creative Young Producers programme that has transformed lives and empowered young people in Renfrewshire since its launch in 2020. This event marks the culmination of an incredible journey of artistic exploration and professional growth by care- experienced young people and young carers aged 12-21. The event will include the presentation of accredited Arts Awards, showcase exhibition of creative projects and highlights from the programme, and a chance to celebrate the collective achievements of our young producers and the community that supported them. 5.6 Duke of Edinburgh 5.6.1 Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards have 524 active DofE participants of whom 26.3% are SIMD 1-3 (which is an increase of 3% from last quarter) and 127 active DofE leaders and supporting adults. The DofE Programme in Renfrewshire is now 48% school based, and 52% in the community, and focussed on targeted groups and 3rd sector. The DofE Celebrations was held at the Paisley Town Hall on the evening of 19 February 2025, focussing on the theme of “Impact” on young people, and their communities. 6. Environmental Taskforce 6.1 Team Up to Clean Up 6.1.1 Team Up to Clean Up grew to 7,000 group members by the end of January ‘25. Overall group viewings increased significantly in January, most likely, because of volunteers and neighbours supporting one another to clean up their neighbourhoods after Storm Eowyn. One post, which focused on neighbours grouping together to clean their street after bins toppled and a tree feel down, reached over 100,000 views. The highest number of daily posts and activity since summer ‘24 was noted on 25 January, with 36 posts of activity, and over 60,000 views to the group. 6.1.2 Fixed signage has been installed on Moss Road to deter flytipping. The sign warns potential offender’s cameras and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) are in the area. Similar signage has been erected in alternative local rural hotspots warning perpetrators the area is a “No Flytipping Zone”. 6.1.3 Poles have been erected on Moss Road and other rural areas to facilitate mobile cameras. Cameras stream images back to the Environmental Taskforce Officers to assist in identifying those responsible for flytipping. 6.1.4 A positively worded fixed sign, aimed at reducing litter, has also been erected in the Gleniffer Braes car park.
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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 – None. 12. Climate Risk – there are a range of actions and activities throughout the Service Update Report which support the Council’s Plan for Net Zero. 13. Children’s Rights – None. 14. Cosla Policy Position – None. _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: None. _______ __________________________________ Author: Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Email: Gordon.mcneil@renfrewshire.gov.uk