Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 12 March 2024
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 12 March 2024 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Communities and Housing Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 12 March 2024 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, Councillor Carolann Davidson, Councillor Gillian Graham, Councillor John Hood, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Alec Leishman, Councillor Kenny MacLaren, Councillor Mags MacLaren, Councillor Colin McCulloch, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Cathy McEwan, Councillor Jamie McGuire, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Emma Rodden Chair Councillor McGurk, Convener, presided. In Attendance G McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure; L McIntyre, Head of Policy & Partnerships, A Armstrong Walter, Strategic Partnership & Inequalities Manager, K Dalrymple, Development Plans & Housing Strategy Team Leader, S Inrig, Assistant Manager (Employability) and M Kirk, Assistant Planning & Policy Development Officer (all Chief Executive’s); A Scott, Criminal Justice Services Manager (Children’s Services); L Feeley, Head of Housing Services, G Hannah, Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads, N Drummond, Lead Officer (Environmental Co-ordination), G Heaney, Climate & Public Protection Manager, C Hunter, Environmental Health Public Health Manager, T Irvine, Homeless & Housing Support Services Manager, P McLean, Housing Lead Officer (Participation, Performance & Policy), M MacRury, Housing Newbuild Programme Manager, R Marshall, Environmental Health Business Regulation Manager, A Miller, Development Officer (Housing Regeneration & Service Improvement), J Murdoch, Housing Regeneration Manager, D Murray, Area Housing Manager, C Robertson, Warden Services Manager, K Sillars, Housing Asset & Investment Manager and R Walkinshaw, Housing Regeneration & Development Manager (all Environment, Housing & Infrastructure); and J Kilpatrick, Finance Business Partner, R Devine Senior Committee Services Officer and D Cunningham, Committee Services & Licensing Officer (all Finance & Resources).
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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. Declarations of Interest Councillor Hood declared an interest in item 9 for the reason that a property had been allocated to a member of his family. Councillor Hood indicated that as he had declared an interest he would withdraw from the meeting during any discussion and voting on the item. Transparency Statements Councillor McCulloch indicated that he had a connection to item 10 by reason of a family member being a member of one of the community groups that had applied for funding. However, he indicated that he had applied the objective test and did not consider he had an interest to declare. 1 Police and Fire & Rescue Services Scrutiny Sub-committee There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Sub-committee held on 16 January 2024, a copy of which forms the Appendix to this Minute. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 2 Consultation on Martyn’s Law - Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - Standard Tier Government consultation There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to consultation undertaken by the UK Government in connection with proposals impacting on security standards at public premises with a capacity between 100-799 individuals. The report advised that Martyn's Law was a proposed piece of legislation aimed at enhancing security measures at public venues and spaces in the United Kingdom. The law was named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 and the campaign had been spearheaded by Martyn's mother who advocated for improved security standards at public venues to prevent similar tragedies. Consultation on proposed legislation had been carried out during 2021 and significant feedback had been received on the application of proposals in relation to standard tier premises, with a capacity between 100-799. In response to that feedback, the Government had reviewed the proposed approach to standard tier venues, making changes to the requirements to ensure that they were proportionate and clear. In February 2024, the UK Government launched a further consultation to ensure that the public could share their views on the proposals for standard tier
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premises, which would support policy decisions prior to the legislation’s introduction. The deadline for submissions was 18 March 2024. A copy of the response prepared on behalf of the Council, as an organisation with venues which fell within the highlighted category, was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. DECIDED: (a) That the proposed response, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved as the Council’s consultation response, and (b) That it be noted that any further progress with the legislation and associated implementation would be reported through the Service Update reports to this Policy Board. 3 Consultation on Amendments to the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 and Proposed Regulation by SEPA There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to consultations undertaken by the Scottish Government and SEPA in connection with proposed amendments to the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations) and how SEPA intended to authorise the activities which would be brought under the proposed Integrated Authorisation Framework. The report advised that currently only radioactive substances were regulated under the 2018 Regulations and that it was proposed that Waste Management, Water and Industrial Activities, which were regulated under a number of pieces of legislation be brought under the new framework, with the level of authorisation required for each type of activity being directly proportionate to the environmental risk posed. In terms of the waste management sector, it was recognised that activities were subject to a complex regulatory regime and it was often found that low risk activities were over- regulated and higher risk activities under-regulated. In addition, it was further recognised that the current regulatory regime had not kept pace with the new waste and resource economy, as well as not being adequately equipped to prevent the increasingly evident infiltration of serious and organised crime into the waste industry. Regulation of water and industrial activities, whilst being brought under the Integrated Authorisation Framework would have only minor changes to their controls however, it was highlighted that there were four additional areas of activity, full details of which were provided within the report, which were intended to be also brought under the framework. The deadline for submissions to the Scottish Government consultation was 31 March 2024 while the closing date for responses to the SEPA consultation was 12 April 2024. Copies of the responses prepared on behalf of the Council, which were in agreement with the new Regulations and how SEPA intended authorising the various activities which would come into scope by virtue of the Integrated Authorisation Framework, were attached as Appendices 1 and 2 of the report. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Council’s response be amended, in terms of the Water Technical Provisions and specifically the General Binding Rule relating to the discharge of effluent from hot tubs, to incorporate a reference requiring
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cognisance be taken of the size and capacity of hot tubs rather than solely the number when requiring registration for discharges to groundwater. DECIDED: That the consultation proposals be noted and that the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure be authorised to submit the response to both consultations, as detailed within Appendices 1 and 2, subject to amendment, in terms of the Water Technical Provisions and specifically the General Binding Rule relating to the discharge of effluent from hot tubs, to incorporate a reference requiring cognisance be taken of the size and capacity of hot tubs rather than solely the number when requiring registration for discharges to groundwater. 4 General Services Revenue, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Budget Monitoring There was submitted a General Services Revenue, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Budget Monitoring report by the Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April 2023 to 5 January 2024. The report stated that the projected outturn, as at 31 March 2024, for all services reporting to this Policy Board was an overspend position of £0.021 million and that the projected capital outturn for projects was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. Summaries were provided over the relevant services in tables within the report, together with further analysis contained within appendices to the report. In addition, the report indicated that revenue expenditure budget adjustments totalling £0.016 million and £0.044 million of capital expenditure budget adjustments had been processed since approval of the budget in March 2023. Details of the adjustments were outlined within the report. 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 noted; and (c) That the budget adjustments, detailed in section 4 of the report, be approved. 5 Service Update Report There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to key service activities and providing an operational performance update in connection with services and key projects and changes to service areas covered within the remit of this Policy Board. Updates were provided in respect of housing services, public protection, community development and justice activities detailing specific projects and recent changes within each service area. The report highlighted that in accordance with the decision taken at the meeting of the former Housing and Community Safety Policy Board held on 14 March 2017, the Council was supporting Paisley Housing Association Ltd to carry out a comprehensive
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tenement rehabilitation project at 33 Causeyside Street and 3–9 Orchard Street, Paisley. The Housing Association had acquired all of the residential properties in the five closes involved, apart from three flats in 9 Orchard Street, Paisley with negotiations continuing for the voluntary acquisition of these properties. It was noted that there were also two commercial owners remaining within the above addresses, one operating as a public house the other as a shop. Significant progress had been made towards the delivery of the project, with the Housing Association appointing a contractor and works anticipated to commence on site during Spring 2024. Members were reminded that the cost of delivering the project would be met by the Housing Association, supported with grant funding from the Scottish Government and Private Sector Housing Grant funding from the Council and in order to ensure that the project could progress and as had previously been agreed by this Policy Board, the Council would underwrite the costs of essential common repairs due from private owners in the event that they did not pay their share and the Council would then seek to recover these costs. The report advised that the Council and Paisley Housing Association had signed a Minute of Agreement to that effect. Assurances were provided during discussion regarding the ‘Howwood Road Housing Investment Programme project’ that local elected members would be regularly updated, between meetings of this Policy Board, regarding projects being undertaken within their ward. DECIDED: (a) That the progress of the Orchard Street tenement rehabilitation project and the signing of a Minute of Agreement between Renfrewshire Council and Paisley Housing Association Ltd, as set out in paragraph 3.1.14 of the report be noted; and (b) That otherwise the report be noted. 6 Renfrewshire Council Tenant Participation Strategy - Update There was submitted an update report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the Council’s Tenant Participation Strategy Action Plan. The Tenant Participation Strategy 2022/27, approved at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 25 October 2022, outlined the range of opportunities available to tenants and residents to get involved and influence decisions relating to the housing services delivered by the Council. The strategy also included an Action Plan which detailed a range of priorities agreed for the period October 2022/March 2024. The report indicated that tenant representatives had worked closely with Council officers to develop the strategy and continued to monitor the progress of the Action Plan on a quarterly basis. Progress to date on the key priorities contained within the Action Plan was outlined within Appendix 1 of the report while section 4 of the report highlighted some of the actions undertaken. DECIDED: That the progress made with regard to the Tenant Participation Strategy Action Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted.
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7 Update on Paisley West End Regeneration and addresses for Compulsory Purchase Order There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the delivery of the Paisley West End Area Masterplan and seeking authorisation for the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure to submit a further Compulsory Purchase Order in relation to the remaining privately- owned residential and commercial properties and land in the Paisley West End Masterplan Area, detailed in the table at paragraph 4.2 of the report, to the Scottish Ministers for confirmation. The report indicated that since consideration of the previous report by this Policy Board at the meeting held on 16 May 2023, the list of properties to be subject to Compulsory Purchase Order had been revised as a result of voluntary acquisitions achieved by Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association and the identification of additional privately owned properties in the Masterplan Area. DECIDED: (a) That the progress made by the Council’s delivery partner Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association in acquiring private properties in the Paisley West End Masterplan Area on a voluntary basis be noted; (b) That the progress made in relation to the demolition of the dangerous building at 22 Well Street, Paisley and 1 Underwood Lane, Paisley be noted; and (c) That it be 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, as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report. 8 Renfrewshire Common Housing Allocation Policy – Council Allocation Targets for 2024/25 There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to the Common Housing Allocation Policy and, in particular, the Council targets set for 2024/25 in respect of the proportion of lets to each of the five groups in which applicants were placed according to their circumstances. The report advised that the Renfrewshire Common Housing Allocation Policy had been implemented during Spring 2019 by the Council and its housing association partners, and that allocation targets were set and reviewed annually by each landlord. The proposed Council allocation targets were detailed within section 4 of the report. To assist in setting the allocation targets, analysis of the homelessness trends and profile of the Council’s waiting list had been undertaken and a summary of the analysis was provided within the report. DECIDED: (a) That the Council’s allocation targets for 2024/25, detailed in section 4 of the report,
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be approved; and (b) That it be noted that the target for lets to the Statutory Homeless Group would be reviewed in September 2024 and that if any changes to targets were proposed, authorisation for these would be sought at the meeting of this Policy Board to be held on 29 October 2024. Declaration of Interest Councillor Hood, having previously declared an interest in the following item of business left the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon. 9 Allocation of property to staff, elected member or committee members: Housing Rule 2.5 There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure relative to Housing Rule 2.5, which required all housing allocations which involved either (i) Council members or their immediate families or (ii) members of staff of the Housing Services Division or their immediate families to be notified to the relevant Policy Board. DECIDED: That the report be noted. Sederunt Councillor Hood re-joined the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business. 10 Community Funding applications There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to various community funding applications. At the meeting of this Policy Board held on 31 October 2023 it had been noted that in order to strengthen the oversight of funding applications, a consolidated community funding report would be submitted each meeting cycle providing updated information and setting out recommendations for approval, as required, in relation to the Greenspaces, Villages Investment and Sustainable Communities Funds. Whilst the Greenspaces and Villages Investment Fund were well established, the Sustainable Communities Fund had been launched in early October 2023. The initial response to this fund continued to be very positive with a strong pipeline of applications under development. An officer panel had been established to review applications for the Fund and make recommendations on funding awards to this Policy Board. The panel had met in February 2024 to consider applications received through the second funding round which had closed on 31 January 2024. The report provided, within an appendix, specific information relating to recent applications to the Villages Investment Fund and Sustainable Communities Fund together with recommendations for funding. It was highlighted that the next funding round would end on 31 March 2024.
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DECIDED: (a) That the funding recommendations in relation to the proposed allocation of Sustainable Communities Funding, detailed in section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and (b) That the funding recommendations in relation to the Villages Investment Fund, outlined in section 6 of the report, be approved.