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Minutes of meeting

Renfrewshire Council · 4 November 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 4 November 2025 and its agenda

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Page 1

Minute of Meeting
Economy and Regeneration Policy Board
Date Time Venue
Tuesday, 04 November
2025
10:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council
Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton
Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN
Present: Councillor Alison  Ann-Dowling, Councillor Stephen Burns, Councillor Michelle
Campbell, Councillor Graeme Clark, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Neill Graham,
Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain
McMillan, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Sam Mullin, Councillor Iain Nicolson,
Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor Andy Steel
Chair
Councillor Steel, Convener, presided.
In Attendance
A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development, E Shearer, Senior Manager for
Regeneration & Place, R Cooper, Economic Development Manager (all Chief Executive’s);
and A McArthur, Director of Finance & Resources, V Howie, Finance Business Partner, R
Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and D Cunningham, Committee Services &
Licensing Officer (all Finance & Resources).
Webcasting of Meeting
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the
Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via 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.

Page 2

1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2025/26 as at 19 September
2025
There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the
Chief  Executive and Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April to 19
September 2025. The report intimated that the projected revenue outturn at 31 March
2026 for those services reporting to this Policy Board was an underspend position of
£0.022 million (0.7%) against the revised budget for the year. The projected capital
outturn at 31 March 2026 for projects reporting to the Board was a break even
position. Section 6.3 of the report detailed a budget adjustment relative to the
allocation of centrally held budgets already approved, together with the Council’s
share of a Scottish Government funding allocation for Employability Child Poverty Co-
ordinators.
DECIDED:
(a) That the projected revenue outturn underspend position of £0.022m be noted;
(b) That the projected capital outturn break even position be noted; and
(c) That the budget adjustment detailed at section 6.3 of the report be noted.
2 Scotland Loves Local Update 4
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Scotland Loves
Local Initiative.  The report provided an updated overview of the Scotland Loves Local
scheme and its associated gift card in Renfrewshire, outlining current levels of take-up
and spend to date and summarising recent marketing activities undertaken to promote
the scheme. The report also set out future potential partnerships that could
significantly enhance its uptake.
DECIDED:
(a) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to continue the Scheme
until May 2028; and
(b)  That otherwise the report be noted.
3 Net Zero Business Support and Grants
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to Net Zero Business
Support and Grants.  The report provided an update on the activities of the Economic
Development Team in advancing the Green Economy workstream with Renfrewshire
businesses. The report also outlined the current approach, progress of the fund to
date, proposed actions to increase successful applications and the broader package
of Green Economy support being implemented locally.
DECIDED: That the report be noted.

Page 3

4 Paisley Centre Redevelopment - Update
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed
redevelopment of the Paisley Centre.  The report provided an update on the proposed
redevelopment of the Paisley Shopping Centre since planning permission in principle
had been granted in March 2022 and the previous update report submitted to the
meeting of this Policy Board held on 7 November 2023. It was highlighted that the
conclusion drawn by officers, based on the information provided to date by the
proposed developer and the analysis of options in terms of the Council’s direct
involvement in the currently proposed development, was that it was not financially
viable.
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McNaughtan moved  (a) that the content
of the report be noted; (b) that the Board agrees to reiterate the Council’s support for
the redevelopment of the Paisley Centre as a key renewal project and recognises the
contribution that a successful outcome would make to the regeneration and vitality of
Paisley Town Centre and that officers continue to work with the property
owner/developer within an agreed partnership approach with the Council; and (c) that
in addition, officers utilise additional external professional advice to develop a
workable and sustainable partnership that unlocks the potential that the
redevelopment would make to the town centre strategic renewal fulfilling stated
objectives of both Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government; continue to
pursue and explore all sources of funding from UK and Scottish Government
programmes including those of Renfrewshire Council that could contribute to the
success of the scheme; and provide an update at the next Economy and
Regeneration Policy Board and regular reports on progress.  This was agreed
unanimously.
DECIDED: 
(a) That the content of the report be noted; 
(b) That the Board agree to reiterate the Council’s support for the redevelopment of
the Paisley Centre as a key renewal project, recognise the contribution that a
successful outcome would make to the regeneration and vitality of Paisley Town
Centre and that officers continue to work with the property owner/developer within an
agreed partnership approach with the Council; and
(c) That in addition, officers utilise additional external professional advice to develop a
workable and sustainable partnership that unlocked the potential that the
redevelopment would make to the town centre strategic renewal, fulfilling stated
objectives of both Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government; continue to
pursue and explore all sources of funding from UK and Scottish Government
programmes including those of Renfrewshire Council that could contribute to the
success of the scheme; and submit an update to the next meeting of the Economy &
Regeneration Policy Board and regular reports on progress to future meetings of this
Policy Board.