Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 11 March 2025
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee — 11 March 2025 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee Date Time Venue Tuesday, 11 March 2025 15:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Kenny MacLaren, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Cathy McEwan, Councillor Iain McMillan Chair Councillor Innes, Depute Convener, presided. In Attendance G Hannah, Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads (Environment, Housing & Infrastructure); and C MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officer and Donna Cunningham, Committee Services and Licensing Officer (both Finance & Resources). Also in Attendance Chief Superintendent R Fraser and Chief Inspector A Marshall (both Police Scotland); K Murphy, Area Commander and P Storrie, Group Manager (both Scottish Fire and Rescue Service). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Depute 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.
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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 to 31 December 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. It was highlighted that a series of preventative educational initiatives which included personal safety, sextortion awareness, cybercrime, anti-social behaviour, bullying prevention and fire safety training would be delivered across schools and community centres. An Adult Protection Awareness Day was also being planned and key road safety initiatives would be launched. The Chief Superintendent updated the Sub-committee that 19 new officers had recently been deployed across the Division, a further 15 recruits were due to complete their training at the end of May 2025 and an additional 10 new recruits were planned. DECIDED: That the contents of the report and verbal updates be noted. 2 Local Issues Councillor McMillan queried the Pavement Parking Ban which would be implemented from 17 March 2025. The Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads advised that enforcement would be conducted in a targeted approach by wardens. Councillor McMillan requested an update on Paisley Police Office. The Chief Superintendent advised that there were no imminent plans to relocate this office as an alternative location had not yet been identified. The Chief Superintendent advised that any further developments on this matter would be submitted to a future meeting of this Sub-committee. Councillor McMillan expressed concern regarding anti-social behaviour at Asda car park, and speeding drivers on Linwood Road, beside the Phoenix Retail Park. He also asked whether any initiatives were planned to deter groups gathering and the resulting damage which could occur with nights getting lighter. The Chief Superintendent responded that Police Scotland were aware of the issues and problem areas referred to and that action had been taken alongside road policing colleagues. Police Scotland would continue to gather information on hot spot areas to deploy resources accordingly and encouraged the continued reporting of any concerns to facilitate this. Councillor K MacLaren highlighted a new car parking location at Bankfood Road and Crawford Drive in Ferguslie which had resulted in increased parking and anti-social behaviour. The Chief Inspector requested the continued reporting of any issues to enable Police Scotland to gather data and deploy resources accordingly.
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The Group Commander outlined the recent Fire Skills Programme to Members which had recently run in Renfrewshire for school children in conjunction with partner agencies such as the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Airport Fire Service, this initiative had been well received by those who had attended and their families and it was hoped that this could be continued. The Area Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, advised that a consultation on their Service Plan for 2025-2028 was open until 2 April 2025 and they would appreciate any feedback from members. The Area Commander also advised that Group Commander Paul Storrie was leaving Renfrewshire to move to a new role and thanked him for his work in Renfrewshire. DECIDED: That the verbal updates be noted. Valedictory The Depute Convener and Members thanked Group Commander Storrie for his contribution to the work of the Police and Fire and Rescue Sub-committee and wished him well in his new role.