Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 21 May 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 21 May 2026 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Education and Children's Services Policy Board Date Time Venue Thursday, 21 May 2026 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Jennifer Adam, Councillor Fiona Airlie-Nicolson, Ms Mary Jane Bird, Provost Lorraine Cameron, Councillor Carolann Davidson, Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor Edward Grady, Councillor Gillian Graham, Councillor Neill Graham, Councillor Anne Hannigan, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Mr Jack Nellaney, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor Emma Rodden, Councillor Ben Smith Chair Councillor Rodden, Convener, presided. In Attendance J O'Neill, Director of Children's Services; E Henry, Head of Education, G McLaughlin, Head of Education (Strategy & Improvement), J Trainer, Head of Children & Justice Social Work, J Lochans, Strategic Manager (Learning Estate Strategy & Delivery) and M McCargo, Strategic Manager (Childcare & Criminal Justice) (all Children's Services); C Dalrymple, Head of Facilities & Property Management (Environment, Housing & Infrastructure); and M Conaghan, Head of Corporate Governance, R Conway, Finance Business Partner, and E Currie and E Gray, both Senior Committee Services Officers (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. Apologies Councillor McGonigle and Mr R Singh.
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Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Transparency Statements Councillor Davidson indicated that she had a connection to item 12 by reason that her daughter worked at Barochan Residential Children's House. However, she indicated that she had applied the objective test and did not consider she had an interest to declare. 1 Duty of Candour – Annual Report 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the Duty of Candour Annual Report, outlining the statutory requirement to publish an annual report covering any incidents triggering the duty of candour across regulated Children’s Services provision and confirming that no such incidents occurred during the reporting period. DECIDED: (a) That the annual Duty of Candour Report for the period April 2025 to March 2026 be noted; and (b) That it be noted that there were no adverse incidents which constituted a Duty of Candour response during the reporting period 2 Operational Policy - Kinship Care There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the updated Kinship Care Policy, reflecting legislative updates and developments in practice, clarifying formal and informal arrangements, and outlining the support and financial assistance available to kinship carers. DECIDED: That the updated Kinship Care Policy be approved. 3 National review of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. Announcement of a statutory public inquiry on group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to an update on the national Care Inspectorate-led review of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation and the announcement of a statutory public inquiry, including timescales, governance arrangements and Renfrewshire’s engagement in the process.
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DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the national review of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation had been confirmed by the Care Inspectorate; (b) That the nature of the review activity detailed in the report and the tight timescale for phase one activity be noted; and (c) That the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of a public inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation to be chaired by Professor Alexis Jay be noted. 4 Public Holiday Proposal: FIFA Men’s World Cup, 15 June 2026 There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the proposal to adopt Monday 15 June 2026 as an additional school holiday to align with the nationally designated public holiday, including Scottish Government approval for a conditional exceptional school closure. DECIDED: (a) That the Public Holiday Proposal for all educational establishments, as reflected in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved in line with the Finance, Resources & Customer Service Policy Board decision to agree to the additional public holiday at its meeting on 23 April 2026, to celebrate the FIFA Men’s World Cup; (b) That the Scottish Government’s approval of a conditional exceptional school closure on this date to celebrate the public holiday, changing school closure days for 2025/26 to 27 days instead of 26 days, be noted; and (c) That the Director of Children’s Services be instructed to implement and communicate the approved decision. Sederunt Councillor McGurk joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business. 5 Learning Estate Programme Update There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the delivery of the Learning Estate Programme, including progress on major capital projects and ongoing engagement activity in relation to future school estate developments. Councillor Hughes, seconded by Councillor Airlie-Nicolson, moved that: "The Board notes the progress of project delivery in the Learning Estate Programme as set out in the report.
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However, at the Board’s previous meeting on 12 March 2026, in addition to agreeing that the shortlisted options recommended in the OBC be taken forward to Full Business Case stage (FBC), the Board also agreed that in respect of the Netherton Avenue site that a further detailed report examining the legal, financial and deliverability considerations associated with that site be presented to the Board for further consideration. Since that meeting officers held a briefing session with ward Members in respect of the proposed initial consultation process in respect of Trinity High School replacement. In light of that briefing it is considered that there is a risk of confusion arising for those engaged in the public consultation if the position in respect of the Netherton Avenue site has not been resolved first. This was not a matter which would have been known prior to the ward Member briefing. That being the case, the Board agrees that the public engagement in respect of Trinity High School be paused until this Board has the opportunity to consider the report requested at the meeting of 12 March." The Convener noted that a decision on this matter had been taken by this Policy Board within the previous six months however she was satisfied that, in terms of Standing Order 28, that there had been a material change in circumstances and that this had been set out in the motion. The motion was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: The Board notes the progress of project delivery in the Learning Estate Programme as set out in the report. However, at the Board’s previous meeting on 12 March 2026, in addition to agreeing that the shortlisted options recommended in the OBC be taken forward to Full Business Case stage (FBC), the Board also agreed that in respect of the Netherton Avenue site that a further detailed report examining the legal, financial and deliverability considerations associated with that site be presented to the Board for further consideration. Since that meeting officers held a briefing session with ward Members in respect of the proposed initial consultation process in respect of Trinity High School replacement. In light of that briefing it is considered that there is a risk of confusion arising for those engaged in the public consultation if the position in respect of the Netherton Avenue site has not been resolved first. This was not a matter which would have been known prior to the ward Member briefing. That being the case, the Board agrees that the public engagement in respect of Trinity High School be paused until this Board has the opportunity to consider the report requested at the meeting of 12 March. 6 Insight February Release 2026 There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services summarising attainment and destination data for school leavers, highlighting improvements across attainment cohorts and strong performance relative to national comparators, including continued high levels of positive destinations.
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DECIDED: (a) That the contents of the report be noted; (b) That the efforts of children and young people and the commitment and dedication of teachers, support staff, education managers and the wider central team be noted; and (c) That the significant success of Renfrewshire having the second highest proportion of leavers obtaining a positive destination in Scotland be noted and acknowledged. 7 Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2025/26 Outturn Report There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services outlining performance against the Service Improvement Plan for 2025/26, including key achievements in service delivery, improvements in outcomes and progress against agreed priorities. DECIDED: (a) That the contents of the report be noted; and (b) That the achievements of Children’s Services during 2025/26 be noted. 8 Children's Services 2026/29 Service Improvement Plan There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the proposed Service Improvement Plan for 2026/29, setting out key priorities, actions and performance measures aligned to the Council Plan and focused on prevention, wellbeing and improving outcomes for children and families. DECIDED: (a) That the Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2026/29 be noted; (b) That the updates to the action plan and performance indicators, outlined in section 5 of the report, be approved; and (c) That it be noted that a mid-year progress update, including updated Performance Indicators and Action Plan would be submitted to the Policy Board in Autumn 2026. 9 Inspection of Bushes Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) by His Majesty’s Inspectorate in Scotland There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the recent inspection of Bushes Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Class by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland.
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DECIDED: That the very positive evaluation of Bushes Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Class be noted and celebrated, the key strengths be noted and the areas for further improvement in the inspection report be acknowledged. 10 Inspection of St Charles’ Primary School & Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) by His Majesty’s Inspectorate in Scotland There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the recent inspection of St Charles' Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Class by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in Scotland. DECIDED: That the key strengths be noted and celebrated and the areas for further improvement in the evaluation of St Charles' Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Class be recognised. 11 School Inspection Progress (2024 -2026) There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services providing a summary of inspection outcomes across Renfrewshire schools, highlighting strong overall performance and outcomes above national averages while identifying areas for continued improvement. DECIDED: That the content of the report be noted. 12 Inspection of Residential Children’s Houses by the Care Inspectorate There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services outlining the findings of recent Care Inspectorate inspections of residential children’s houses, highlighting very high standards of care, strong relationships and positive outcomes for young people. DECIDED: (a) That the “Very Good” grading for Barochan Residential Children’s House be noted; and (b) That the “Excellent” grading for Brediland Residential Children’s House be noted.