Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 25 October 2022
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 25 October 2022 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Communities and Housing Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 25 October 2022 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, Councillor Gillian Graham, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Alec Leishman, Councillor Mags MacLaren, Councillor Colin McCulloch, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Cathy McEwan, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Emma Rodden Chair Councillor McGurk, Convener, presided. In Attendance L McIntyre, Head of Policy & Commissioning, A Armstrong-Walter, Strategic Partnership & Inequalities Manager, M Kirk, Assistant Planning & Policy Development Officer, S Marklow, Strategy & Place Manager and D McLavin, Senior Communications Officer (all Chief Executives); J Trainer, Head of Child Care & Criminal Justice (Children’s Services); F Carlin, Head of Housing Services, O Reid, Head of Communities & Public Protection, N Drummond, Lead Officer (Environmental Co-ordination), L Feeley, Housing Asset & Investment Manager, T Irvine, Homeless & Housing Support Services Manager, D Murray, Area Housing Manager, C Robertson, Warden Services Manager and R Walkinshaw, Housing Regeneration & Development Manager (all Communities & Housing Services); and J Kilpatrick, Finance Business Partner, G Dickie, Partnering & Commissioning Manager, D Pole, End User Technician, R Devine and C MacDonald both Senior Committee Services Officers and D Cunningham, Assistant Democratic Services Officer (all Finance & Resources). The item of this minute against which is set the prefix ND is a non-delegated item Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast on the Council's internet site.
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Apologies Councillor Hood and Councillor McGuire. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. 1 Police and Fire & Rescue Services Scrutiny Sub-committee There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Sub-committee held on 16 August 2022, which forms the Appendix to this Minute. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 2 General Services Revenue, Housing Account and Capital Budget Monitoring Report There was submitted a General Services Revenue, Housing Account and Capital Budget Monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April to 16 September 2022. The report stated that the projected outturn as at 31 March 2023 for all services reporting to this Policy Board was an overspend position of £0.028 million. The projected capital outturn for projects reporting to this Policy Board was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. Summaries were provided over the relevant services in the tables within the report, together with further analysis. It was also highlighted that following changes in responsibilities, agreed at the meeting of Renfrewshire Council held on 29 September 2022, the report excluded reference to Building Standards, which now reported to the Planning & Climate Change Policy Board and highlighted the consequential budget adjustment of £0.189m to reflect this transfer of responsibility. It was also noted that the report incorporated Regulatory Services responsibilities which had previously reported to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board and that the budget had been increased by £1.775m to reflect this transfer of responsibilities. In addition, the report indicated that further revenue expenditure budget adjustments totalling £0.464 million, comprising adjustments of £0.037 million in respect of Housing Support Pay Uplifts, £0.194 million transferred from the Tenant Hardship Grant Fund Reserve and £0.233 million relating to the Summer Holiday Food & Child Care Programme, had been processed since consideration of the previous report by the Policy Board. DECIDED: (a) That the projected Revenue outturn position, detailed in table 1 of the report, be noted; (b) That the projected Capital outturn position, detailed in table 2 of the report, be
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noted; and (c) That the budget adjustments, detailed in sections 4 and 6 of the report, be noted. 3 Greenspace, Parks and Play Park Funding There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund. The report indicated that the key objective in allocating funding was to work with, and support, community groups to identify and deliver improvement projects in their local communities, improve their local greenspaces, including parks and play areas, and strengthen the identity, heritage, uniqueness and character of village life. An update on progress made in supporting community projects through the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, detailed, in Appendix 1 of the report, projects approved by the Director of Communities & Housing Services in terms of delegated authority and outlined projects currently being developed by communities across Renfrewshire. It was highlighted that the current projects being developed by communities, and referred to in section 3 of the report, would almost fully commit the available Greenspaces, Parks and Play areas element of the fund. It was also noted that as the Greenspaces fund moved toward closure in terms of the development of new projects and bids, the work of the team had been increasingly focused on supporting successful community projects to be delivered. In this connection challenges impacting on expected delivery dates and costs which, in turn, provided challenges for communities in realising their aspirations as quickly as anticipated were referenced. The report advised that Lochfield Bowling Club Bowling Club wished to repurpose the funding previously awarded for a synthetic green and feasibility study, to improve drainage, create new banking, steps and fencing, repairs to the irrigation system and replacement of the clubhouse kitchen; and Corseford Tenants' & Residents' Association wished to use funding, previously awarded to purchase tools and a container for storage, to create a butterfly boulevard in the community with wildflowers. The specific reasons why the original proposals were no longer being pursued were provided. DECIDED: (a) That the work currently being undertaken to support communities as they developed and delivered projects to be funded using the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund be noted; (b) That the project, detailed within section 3 of the report and Appendix 1, be awarded grant funding totalling £50,000; (c) That the proposals from Lochfield Bowling Club and Corseford Tenants' & Residents' Association to repurpose the funding previously awarded, as set out in section 1 of the report, be agreed; (d) That the positive impact of the funding and the benefits to the wider communities delivered by the projects, as set out in section 4 of the report, be noted; and
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(e) That it also be noted that the projects currently being developed by communities, and listed in section 3 of the report, would almost fully commit the available Greenspaces, Parks and Play areas element of the fund. 4 Community Empowerment Fund There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to applications considered for funding from the Community Empowerment Fund in the current round of funding. The total value of the requested grant funding was £16,920. A cross- service panel of officers had been established to review and assess applications to the Community Empowerment Fund against agreed objectives and criteria. The report outlined the key objectives and aims of the Fund and indicated that one new application had been received in the current round and had been considered along with one application which had previously been deferred. Summaries of the applications for funding, together with recommendations, were provided within an appendix to the report. The report also intimated that following the award of Community Empowerment Funding of £50,000 to Renfrew Victoria FC in the previous round, the group had secured a further £83,000 from Sports Scotland to upgrade the facilities at Kirklandneuk. DECIDED: That the recommendations, detailed in Section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report, to (a) award £7,720 to Inchinnan Development Trust for support with legal fees relating to the Community Asset Transfer lease for India Tyres Playing Fields; and (b) award £9,200 to Lochwinnoch Development Trust for soil testing on the Lochhead Gardens site be approved. 5 Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023/28 There was submitted a joint report by the Chief Executive and Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023/28. The report indicated that the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which detailed how the Council and partners would deliver new affordable homes across Renfrewshire over the next five-year period and how the delivery of existing projects currently included within the Plan would be maximised. It was noted that funding for affordable housing would be targeted to achieve the objectives contained within Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy and be reviewed and updated annually. The Renfrewshire SHIP 2023/28, a copy of which was appended to the report, had been developed following consultation and took cognisance of projects which were expected to complete, potential slippage and estimates of when new projects could potentially be brought forward. The finalised Plan incorporated issues raised via the comments received during the consultation process. Details of the Future Resource Planning Assumptions for the period 2022/26 were also provided. It was noted that, subject to approval, the Renfrewshire SHIP 2023/28 would be submitted to the Scottish Government. DECIDED: That the Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023/28 be approved for submission to the Scottish Government.
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6 Paisley West End - Regeneration Update There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to progress made in terms of the implementation of the regeneration masterplan for the West End area of Paisley. The report made reference to the Regeneration Masterplan for the West End area of Paisley, approved at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 12 December 2017, which was to be implemented by Sanctuary (Scotland) Housing Association Limited in partnership with the Council and Scottish Government. The plan required the acquisition of 129 private properties which would thereafter be demolished to facilitate the delivery of new development. It was highlighted that despite considerable effort by Council officers, Sanctuary and its agents to engage with the local community and those within the wider West End area it had not been possible to contact all of the property owners. Sanctuary’s appointed agent had successfully negotiated the acquisition of a number of privately owned residential and commercial property interests throughout the masterplan area and continued to actively negotiate terms with private owners, with transactions at various stages of the legal process. Sanctuary’s application for planning permission for 35 new residential units on sites at Sutherland Street, Paisley and Underwood Lane, Paisley had been granted on 21 April 2021 and Sanctuary was currently procuring a contract for the erection of the housing. Provision was included within Renfrewshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for grant funding from the Scottish Government to support their delivery. It was noted that architects had been appointed to design the subsequent phases of development and that this process would consider arrangements for issues such as traffic, cleansing and waste services, geotechnical & land remediation, parking, open space, tenure, archaeology and demolition & conservation. These proposals would be progressed to a detailed design and be subject to community consultation and stakeholder engagement with a view to submitting an application for full planning permission for the remainder of the masterplan area. Updates were also provided in respect of the acquisition process for properties at 1, 2 and 4 Underwood Lane, 2-20, 13-17, 22, 26, and 30-34 Well Street, Paisley, 1-5 Clavering Street, Paisley and an area of land behind 2-20 Well Street, Paisley. Authorisation was now sought to progress Compulsory Purchase Order procedures to cover all private properties in the Masterplan area, where no previous approval had been granted, provided that all reasonable attempts to contact owners and agree voluntary acquisition were made by Sanctuary and its agents. It was noted that these Compulsory Purchase Order processes would run in parallel with continued efforts to acquire the properties on a voluntary basis and where an acquisition was successful, the property would be removed from the list of those subject to the Compulsory Purchase Order. DECIDED: (a) That the positive progress made in implementing the Regeneration Masterplan for the West End area of Paisley, in partnership with Sanctuary Housing Limited, be noted; (b) That the progress being made in acquiring properties within the Masterplan area, including through Compulsory Purchase Order no. 1, be noted; and
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(c) That the use of Compulsory Purchase Order procedures be authorised where voluntary acquisition could not be secured to ensure the acquisition of properties in the area, as indicated and detailed within the Appendix. 7 Review of Tenant Participation There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the outcome of consultation undertaken in connection with the Draft Tenant Participation Strategy following the last meeting of this Policy Board. The report reminded members that following consideration of the Draft Tenant Participation Strategy at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 16 August 2022 the Director of Communities & Housing had been authorised to undertake consultation and to submit a report in relation to the outcome of that consultation and the proposed final Tenant Participation Strategy. The report indicated that tenant representatives had played a central role in developing the Strategy and had contributed to the proposed content at all stages of the process. Following the Policy Board meeting a further digital consultation exercise had been undertaken, between 12 -30 September 2022, seeking comments from tenants and all tenants’ groups on the proposed Strategy. It was noted that members of the Policy Board had also had opportunities to comment on the Strategy. These additional consultation exercises had now ended and the Renfrewshire Council Tenant Participation Strategy 2022/27, a copy of which was attached as Appendix 1 of the report, was submitted for approval. It was highlighted that annual updates regarding the Strategy would be provided to Members for consideration and review. DECIDED: (a) That the Renfrewshire Council Tenant Participation Strategy 2022/27, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved; and (b) That the Director of Communities & Housing Services be authorised to progress the Action Plan set out in the Strategy, in partnership with tenants and relevant agencies, and provide an Annual Report on progress to the Policy Board. 8 Annual Housing Performance Benchmarking Report 2021/22 and Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2022 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the annual Housing Performance Benchmarking Report 2021/22, a copy of which was appended to the report, and which had been submitted to the Scottish Housing Regulator during May 2022. The report also provided further information in relation to the Tenant Satisfaction Survey which would be used to inform the ongoing improvement work of the Service. The report provided information and analysis on the Council’s performance during 2021/22 in relation to key Housing Charter indicators, such as tenant satisfaction, housing quality and maintenance, customer and landlord relationship, estate management, anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood nuisance, tenant disputes, homelessness, rents and services charges. Comparative information together with analysis was provided in respect of other local authorities and Registered Social
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Landlords (RSLs). A copy of the executive summary of the tenant satisfaction survey was attached as Appendix 2 to the report. A summary of the headline results relating to customer & landlord relationships; housing quality and maintenance; estate management, anti- social behaviour, neighbourhood nuisance, tenant disputes; housing options and access to housing; homelessness; and value in terms of rents and service charges was provided. It was noted that the outcome of the survey and performance and benchmarking updates would be used to inform the programme of improvements and commitments required to meet the needs of tenants DECIDED: (a) That the Council’s performance during 2021/22, in relation to key Housing Charter indicators compared to other Social Landlords and the terms of Tenant Satisfaction Survey, set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted; and (b) That the Director of Communities & Housing Services be authorised to use the information set out in the benchmarking report, tenant satisfaction survey and other performance related documents to continue the programme for ongoing improvement in the delivery and operations of the Council’s housing function to ensure that the quality of service to meet the needs of tenants was maintained and enhanced. 9 Regulation of Social Housing - Assurance Statement 2022 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the Annual Assurance Statement 2022 which the Council required to submit to the Scottish Housing Regulator in terms of the Scottish Housing Regulator’s Framework for the Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland The report referred to the regular reports submitted to this Policy Board on housing services performance and benchmarking which demonstrated continuing strong performance across most areas of the housing service during 2021/22 and identified areas for improvement. Reference was made to the continuing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on housing services and highlighted areas where Covid-19 continued to impact. Appendix 1 of the report detailed the Regulator’s Framework requirements for all local authorities and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and provided evidence to demonstrate Renfrewshire Council’s compliance. A copy of the proposed Annual Assurance Statement 2022 for Renfrewshire Council was attached as Appendix 2 of the report, for approval. DECIDED: (a) That the regulatory requirements and evidence of Renfrewshire Council’s compliance, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted; and (b) That the Renfrewshire Council Annual Assurance Statement 2022, attached as Appendix 2 of the report, be approved for submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator.
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10 Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan and Homelessness Update There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to progress made in terms of implementation during 2021/22 of Renfrewshire’s Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 2019/24, together with a general update on homelessness in Renfrewshire The report advised that the five-year Rapid Re-housing Transition Plan (RRTP) demonstrated how each local authority and its partners would ensure that those who were homeless were provided with accommodation as quickly as possible, minimise the need to stay in temporary accommodation and have greater access to an up- scaled use of the Housing First model and/or other support. Key partners including local and national Housing Associations, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership and a range of third sector organisations had been consulted on the content of Renfrewshire’s RRTP. A review of the implementation of the RRTP during 2021/22 had been undertaken and submitted to the Scottish Government. A copy of the review findings, which highlighted evidence of innovative partnership working, measures to prevent homelessness in Renfrewshire, together with a summary of the challenges that impacted on maintaining progress in delivering key outputs, was attached as Appendix 1 of the report. Confirmation had been received from the Scottish Government that funding of £190,000 would be provided for 2022/23, year 4 of the Renfrewshire RRTP, which was in line with the funding awards in years 1 – 3. Arrangements would be made to continue to update this Policy Board on progress with the implementation of Renfrewshire’s RRTP. The report also detailed Renfrewshire’s response to homelessness and provided a general update on homelessness and the support services provided in Renfrewshire. DECIDED: That the progress made to date, in terms of meeting the needs of those who were homeless or threatened with homelessness, with the implementation of Renfrewshire’s Rapid Housing Transition Plan, a copy of which was appended to the report, be noted. 11 Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2022 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the emergency measures contained within the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2022 The report detailed the two main emergency measures contained within the Bill, the first relating to the establishment of a rent cap until at least March 2023, which applied to the majority of tenancies across the private and social rented sector. It was highlighted that the rent cap had initially been set at 0% and was therefore in effect a rent freeze. The second emergency measure was a temporary moratorium on evictions. It was noted that the moratorium would prevent enforcement action for individual evictions, for a maximum of six months, in the private and social rented sector except in a number of limited circumstances. The report advised that the Bill had been passed by the Scottish Parliament on 6 October 2022. DECIDED: That the report be noted.
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12 Communities and Housing Services - Service Improvement Plan 2022/22 Mid-Year Monitoring Report There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the performance and achievements of Communities & Housing Services during the period 1 April to 30 September 2022. The report stated that the Service Improvement Plan 2022/25 for Communities and Housing Services, approved at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 7 June 2022, sets out the priorities for the development of the service over a three-year period, the actions which would ensure continuous improvement across the service and the performance indicators which ensured the impacts could be measured. Since the Service Improvement Plan had been developed, Council had approved a new five- year Council Plan at its meeting held on 29 September 2022. Consequently, minor changes had been made to the Service Improvement Plan to align it to the themes in the new Council Plan and the refreshed Community Plan. The report provided details of the key achievements of the Service during the period; an update on changes made to the action plan and scorecard to reflect the new Council Plan themes; a progress update on implementing the action plan linked to the 2022/25 Service Improvement Plan; an assessment of performance in relation to the service scorecard of core performance indicators; and an overview of priorities for the service over the next six months. The report also indicated that the Service had made good progress in delivering positive outcomes for Renfrewshire and its residents. This included through the actions within the Service Improvement Plan and additional areas of priority/ focus which had subsequently arisen over the first six months of 2022/23, such as the increasing support and participation of the Council in dealing with refugee and resettlement programmes and the cost of living crisis. DECIDED: (a) That the progress to date on delivering the actions contained within the Communities & Housing Services Service Improvement Plan 2022/25 be noted; (b) That the current performance of the service, as measured by the scorecard indicators, be noted; and (c) That otherwise the report be noted. 13 Prohibition of Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to The Prohibition of Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and the proposed local enforcement approach to be adopted. The report advised that during 2017, the Scottish Government had informed of the intention to introduce new legislation to address concerns about persons smoking within the immediate environs of hospital buildings. The benefits, in terms of the public health agenda, of introducing statutory no-smoking areas around hospital buildings were detailed. It was noted that progress on the introduction of the legislation had been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prohibition of Smoking Outside
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Hospital Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2022, effective from 5 September 2022, introduced new offences for knowingly permitting smoking and for smoking within fifteen metres of hospital buildings, with an additional offence for not displaying signage at hospitals to make persons aware of the requirement. Local authorities and Police Scotland had enforcement powers to issue fixed penalty notices where persons breached the requirements of the Regulations and to report offences to the Procurator Fiscal. The report indicated that locally it was the intention that enforcement would be intelligence-led and follow the 4E’s approach, engage, educate, encourage and enforce, with a principle focus on Education and Encouragement. The report highlighted that enforcement would only be actioned as a last resort. It was noted that NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board was working with the four local authorities which had hospitals within the Board area to ensure consistency of approach and to resolve potential issues with compliance in terms of the legal obligations placed upon. DECIDED: That implementation of the new Regulations be noted and that it also be noted that a further report providing an update on enforcement activity in respect of the new legislation would be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board. 14 The Introduction of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. The Clerk advised that an additional recommendation required to be added to those detailed within the report. The terms of the additional recommendation were “That the Environmental Protection Act 1990 be added to undernote B which followed paragraph 56 of the delegations to the Director of Communities & Housing Services in the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions.” The report made reference to the perceived need to address littering and the ‘throw away’ culture in the UK and create a shift towards a circular economy in Scotland. In this connection the Scottish Government had brought into force the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, which from 12 August 2022 banned the commercial manufacture and supply of single-use plastic items in Scotland unless an exemption applied. A full list of the single-use plastic items banned in terms of the Regulations was provided within the report together with a summary of the exemptions applicable. It was noted that supply also included businesses making donations or gifts of items. Furthermore, it was highlighted that an exemption from the UK Internal Market Act had been granted to avoid conflicts. The report also highlighted that the introduction of the legislation was not as a statutory function and would lead to increased demand on resources and would not be funded by Government at a time when demand on business regulation services was already exceedingly high. DECIDED: (a) That the introduction of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 be welcomed and noted; (b) That the support for businesses and enforcement approach to be implemented, as
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set out in section 3 of the report, be agreed; (c) That the inspection of premises be aligned to other planned interventions to minimise additional resource demands; (d) That authority be delegated to the Director of Communities & Housing Services to authorise officers under the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021; and ND (e) That the Environmental Protection Act 1990 be added to undernote B which followed paragraph 56 of the delegations to the Director of Communities & Housing Services in the Council’s Scheme of Delegated Functions.” 15 Year 1 Progress - Community Learning and Development Strategy 2021/24 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to delivery, during 2021/22, of the Renfrewshire’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategy 2021/24. The report advised that in Scotland the actions and activities of CLD services were underpinned by the shared values identified by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council: It was highlighted that Renfrewshire’s Community Learning and Development Strategy 2021/24 and Action Plan had been considered and approved at the meeting of the former Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board held on 17 August 2021 and that the strategy had been developed in partnership with a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community groups, including individuals, to enable successful delivery of community learning development activities aligned to Renfrewshire’s Community Plan Vision and priorities. The report was the first annual update and detailed the significant progress achieved during 2021/22, the first year of the CLD Strategy, in terms of delivery of the agreed outcomes and actions. The report provided a summary update on the progress achieved during 2021/22, which was detailed more fully within the Appendix to the report. It was noted that progress achieved during 2021/22 was structured across the themes of Service Review; Service Development and Service Achievements; Digital Inclusion; Universal Provision; Targeted Provision; and Community Capacity/Connecting Communities. There had been a focus on working actively and collaboratively with a wide range of partners towards the recovery of local communities and building back services from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve better outcomes and opportunities for everyone in Renfrewshire. It was highlighted that the report also formed part of the governance and monitoring arrangements and referenced the significant contribution made by a wide range of partners to deliver on the actions, priorities, and vision of the CLD Strategy 2021/24. The report intimated that a service review and restructure had been completed to ensure that resources and capacity were in place to continue to support communities and build their capacity. In addition, individual, family and lifelong learning had been developed to ensure that all residents could have the opportunity to grow and thrive within their community. DECIDED: (a) That the progress achieved during 2021/22, as a result of the support and
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contribution of a wide range of partners, be noted; and (b) That it be agreed further updates on progress in terms of the Community Learning and Development Strategy be provided on an annual basis. 16 Summer of Fun 2022 There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the multi-agency, universal and targeted work developed and delivered across Renfrewshire throughout the summer holiday period as part of the 2022 Summer Holiday Provision initiative. The report made reference to the £10 million allocated to local authorities by CoSLA in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment for targeted provision of accessible activities, childcare and food for 5–14 year-old children from low-income families during the 2022 school summer holiday period. It was highlighted that the Scottish Government wanted a particular focus to be on 6 main targeted groups who were especially vulnerable to falling into poverty: (i) lone parent families; (ii) ethnic minority families; (iii) those with a disability; (iv) mothers under 25; (v) those with a child under one year of age; and (vi) those with more than 3 children. Renfrewshire Council had been allocated £292,415 of the funding, which had been used to deliver a highly successful programme of activities for children, families and young people, which encouraged them to access a wide range of activities and healthy food. Almost 1,000 individual children had benefitted from activities over the summer period. A summary of the final detailed evaluation report, which had been submitted to the Scottish Government, was attached as an appendix to the report. DECIDED: (a) That the ambitious and successful Summer of Fun programme, set out in section 3 of the report, developed and delivered during the summer of 2022 in Renfrewshire be noted; and (b) That the summarised version of the comprehensive evaluation report, a copy of which was appended to the report, submitted to the Scottish Government in compliance with the submission deadline date, be noted. 17 Community Justice update and annual return 2021/22 There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the Community Justice Renfrewshire Annual Report 2021/22, a copy of the template for which was appended to the report. The report advised that the Renfrewshire Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan (CJOIP) 2018/21, outlined how the Community Justice Renfrewshire Partnership would reduce re-offending locally. The document also highlighted key local priorities, which had been identified through needs assessment and interaction with stakeholders, and national priorities which required to be reported against and were contained within the National Strategy for Community Justice and the Outcomes, Performance and Improvement Framework. The Community Justice Renfrewshire Annual Report, covering the period 1 April 2021
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to 31 March 2022, required to be published and submitted to Community Justice Scotland by 30 September 2022. The template for the annual report had been produced by Community Justice Scotland to assist local partnerships to capture a range of data in a way that allowed local partners to highlight key aspects of community justice activities, outcomes and improvements over the specified period without it being onerous or time/resource demanding. It was highlighted that maintaining and recovering operational services during the Covid-19 pandemic and the continued inability to recruit to the Lead Officer Community Justice Position, had resulted in delays The report also indicated that Renfrewshire’s CJOIP had been due to be updated by April 2021, however in recognition of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on taking forward actions, it had been agreed by Community Justice Scotland (CJS) that Plans due for submission in 2021 could continue until 31 December 2021. The Scottish Government (SG) and CJS had issued a joint statement during May 2021 in relation to the review of the National Strategy for Community Justice and Review of the Outcomes, Performance, and Improvement Framework. This had been planned for March 2022 but had been published on 30 June 202. Given that local authorities required to review their CJOIPs after the publication of these frameworks it had been agreed that it was pragmatic for local authorities to delay publication. On that basis it was proposed that Renfrewshire utilised this time to develop its CJOIP for 2023/26 DECIDED: (a) That the Reporting Template for the Community Justice Renfrewshire Annual Report 2021/22, a copy of which was appended to the report, be approved; (b) That it be noted that the Community Justice Renfrewshire Annual Report Template 2021/22 had been submitted to Community Justice Scotland in draft format and, subject to approval and/or amendment by this Policy Board, the finalised Report would be submitted and published; (c) That the Criminal Justice Services Manager be authorised to make minimal changes to the report if required, prior to publication; and (d) That it be noted that Community Justice Renfrewshire was set to begin a strategic needs and strengths assessment to develop the Renfrewshire Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan 2023/26, following the review of the National Strategy for Community Justice and Outcomes, Performance and Improvement Framework. 18 Disposal of Land to the Rear of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed disposal of land to the rear of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood. The report advised that the occupiers of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood had expressed an interest in acquiring the Council’s title for land to the rear of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood, identified on the plan appended to the report, which was currently allocated for use by the occupiers of 16 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood. The area of land, which was held on the Housing Revenue Account, extended to 101m2 and was an area of garden ground. The proposed acquisition would facilitate additional garden ground for use by the owner of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood. The occupiers of number 16 did not use the land as there was sufficient garden ground located directly to the rear of their property. The Head of Economy &
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Development had confirmed that the area of land had no operational requirement and he was not opposed to the land being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements. Discussions had taken place with the occupiers of 16 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood and a purchase price agreed subject to the ground being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements by this Policy Board. It was noted that the Head of Economy & Development would utilise his delegated authority, in view of the value of the land, should it be deemed surplus to requirements by the Policy Board. DECIDED: (a) That the area of land located to the rear of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood, as shown on Plan E3166, a copy of which was appended to the report, be declared as surplus to requirements, with a view to disposing to the adjacent owner; (b) That the sale thereof to the adjoining propertier of 18 Blackstoun Avenue, Linwood on such terms and conditions as may be negotiated by the Head of Economy & Development utilising delegated powers be authorised; (c) That the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude the sale incorporating into the bargain such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary to protect the Council’s interest; and (d) That it be noted that the Chief Planning Officer would place an advert in the local press, in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1959, for the proposed sale of an area of open space. 19 Disposal of Land to the Rear of 14 New Street Kilbarchan There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed disposal of land to the rear of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan. The report advised that the owners of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan had expressed an interest in acquiring the Council’s title for land to the rear of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan, identified on the plan appended to the report and that the occupiers of the adjoining properties on Steeple Street, Kilbarchan had confirmed that they did not wish to acquire the site. The area of land, which was held on the Housing Revenue Account, extended to 90m2 and was an area of open ground. The proposed acquisition would facilitate off street parking and an electric charging point. It was highlighted that the land sold would be subject to an obligation to pay a share of maintenance and repair costs for the adjacent access lane, which is within Council ownership. The Head of Economy & Development had confirmed that the area of land had no operational requirement and he was not opposed to the land being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements. Discussions had taken place with the owners of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan and a purchase price agreed subject to the ground being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements by this Policy Board. It was noted that the Head of Economy & Development would utilise his delegated authority, in view of the value of the land, should it be deemed surplus to requirements by the Policy Board. DECIDED: (a) That the area of land located to the rear of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan , as shown on Plan E3187, a copy of which was appended to the report, be declared as surplus
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to requirements, with a view to disposing of to the adjacent owner; (b) That the sale thereof to the adjoining propertier of 14 New Street, Kilbarchan on such terms and conditions as may be negotiated by the Head of Economy & Development utilising delegated powers be authorised; (c) That the Head of Corporate Governance be authorised to conclude the sale incorporating into the bargain such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary to protect the Council’s interest; and (d) That it be noted that the Chief Planning Officer would place an advert in the local press, in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1959, for the proposed sale of an area of open space.