Agenda Document Pack - Education and Children's Services Policy Board - 20/08/2026
Renfrewshire Council · 20 August 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 20 August 2026 and its agenda
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13/08/2026 Notice of Meeting and Agenda Education and Children's Services Policy Board Date Time Venue Thursday, 20 August 2026 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Membership Councillor Emma Rodden (Convener): Councillor Jim Paterson (Depute Convener): 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 David McGonigle: Councillor Marie McGurk: Councillor Iain McMillan: Mr Jack Nellaney: Councillor Iain Nicolson: Mr Ravinder Singh: Councillor Ben Smith: Hybrid Meeting Please note that this meeting is scheduled to be held in the Council Chambers. However, it is a hybrid meeting and arrangements have been made for members to join the meeting remotely should they wish. Members of the Press and Public Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should report to the customer service centre where they will be met and directed to the meeting. Further Information This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk MARK CONAGHAN Head of Corporate Governance Page 1 of 142
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13/08/2026 Webcasting of Meeting This meeting will be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site – at the start of the meeting the Convener will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed. To find the webcast please navigate to https://renfrewshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home Page 2 of 142
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13/08/2026 Items of business Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements Members are asked to declare an interest or make a transparency statement in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest or the transparency statement. 1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring as at 19 June 2026 Joint report by the Director of Finance & Resources and the Director of Children's Services. 5 - 18 2 Learning Estate Programme Update Report by the Director of Children's Services. 19 - 24 3 Trinity High School OBC – AMIDS Netherton Avenue Option Report by the Director of Children's Services. 25 - 70 4 School Holiday Arrangements School Session 2027/28 Report by the Director of Children's Services. 71 - 74 5 Children’s Services Health and Safety Strategy Update 2025/2026 and Children’s Services Health and Safety Strategy Action Plan 2026/27 Report by the Director of Children's Services. 75 - 90 6 Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Renfrewshire Report by the Director of Children's Services. 91 - 98 7 Early Learning and Childcare – Payment of Sustainable Rates to Funded Providers Report by the Director of Children's Services. 99 - 106 8 Health and Social Care (Staffing) Act 2019 - Annual Report Report by the Director of Children's Services. 107 - 114 Page 3 of 142
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13/08/2026 9 Children’s Looked After Statistics - 2025 Report by the Director of Children's Services. 115 - 142 Page 4 of 142
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 Report by: Director of Finance and Resources and Director of Children’s Services Heading: Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring as at 19 June 2026 1. Summary of Financial Position 1.1. The projected Revenue outturn at 31 March 2027 for Children’s Services is an overspend of £1.496m (0.5%) against the revised budget for the year. 1.2. The projected Capital outturn at 31 March 2027 for Children’s Services is a break-even position. 1.3. This is summarised in the table below and further analysis is provided in the Appendices. Table 1: Revenue Division Revised Annual Budget £m Projected Outturn £m Budget Variance £m Budget Variance % Children’s Services 295.184 296.679 (1.496) (0.5%) Table 2: Capital Division Revised Annual Budget £m Projected Outturn £m Budget Variance £m Budget Variance % Children’s Services 46.867 46.867 0 0% 2. Recommendations Members are requested to: 2.1. Note the projected Revenue outturn position for Children’s Services detailed in Table 1 above; 2.2. Note the projected Capital outturn position for Children’s Services detailed in Table 2 above; and 2.3. Approve the Premises Related budget virements totalling £0.017m set out at section 6.3. Item 1 Page 5 of 142
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PUBLIC 3. Revenue Budget Projection - overspend of £1.496m by 31 March 2027 3.1. The Revenue Budget Monitoring report at Appendix 1 identifies a projected annual overspend of £1.496m (0.5% of total budget). 3.2. It should be noted that the projected outturn position reported here is based on the latest information available, which is subject to change during the financial year. Any changes to this projection are updated at each board cycle. Budget holders are obliged to seek mitigating action to minimise significant budget variances. 4. Objective Analysis - Significant Variances 4.1. Early Learning & Childcare - £0.804m overspend Non-teaching employee costs are currently projected to overspend, however savings options continue to be implemented by the service and are expected to reduce the level of this overspend as the year progresses. Transfer Payments are expected to overspend due to projected payments to partner providers. 4.2. Primary Schools - £0.066m overspend Premises costs, Transport costs and Supplies & Services are currently projected to overspend. This overspend is partly offset by an underspend in Employee costs. The projected overspend in Premises costs is due to increased refuse collection charges and janitorial supplies being greater than budget. The projected overspend in Transport costs is due to the SPT school transport contract being greater than available budget. The underspend in Employee costs relates to teaching staffing, and this will be kept under review as the year progresses. 4.3. Secondary Schools - £0.300m overspend Premises costs and Transport costs are currently projected to overspend. This is partly offset by a small underspend in Employee costs. The Premises costs overspend relates to increased refuse collection charges and the Transport costs overspend is due to the SPT school transport contract being greater than available budget. The underspend in Employee costs relates to teaching vacancies, and this will be kept under review as the year progresses. 4.4. ASN Schools - £0.073m overspend Employee costs are currently projected to overspend. This is due to teaching staffing, and will be kept under review as the year progresses. 4.5. Additional Support for Learning - £0.605m overspend Employee costs and Transport costs are currently projected to overspend. The overspend in Employee costs mainly arises from an increase in demand for Additional Support Needs Assistants (ASNAs) within mainstream schools. The overspend in Transport costs is partly due to demand and partly due to increased cost of provision. This is partly offset by a projected underspend in Supplies & Services due to turnover in external placements. This is a Page 6 of 142
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PUBLIC demand-led service and will be continually reviewed for any movements in the demand for support as the year progresses. 4.6. Facilities Management - £0.155m underspend Employee costs are currently projected to underspend, mainly due to vacancies within the division. 4.7. Children & Families - £0.203m underspend Employee costs and Transfer Payments are currently projected to underspend, and these are partly offset by projected overspends in Premises costs, Transport costs and Supplies & Services. The underspend in Employee costs is mainly due to turnover. The overspend in Premises costs relates to rents payable and increased refuse collection charges. The overspend in Transport costs is mainly related to costs associated with family time arrangements and transport to health, nursery and school for children who are looked after away from home. The Supplies & Services projected overspend occurs across several service areas and will be continually monitored as the year progresses. 5. Subjective Analysis - Significant Variances 5.1. Employees - £0.044m overspend Underspends are currently projected in teaching staffing in Primary and Secondary Schools, offset by a projected overspend in ASN Schools. Overspends are projected in non-teaching staffing in Additional Support for Learning, due to the demand for Additional Support Needs Assistants, and in Early Learning & Childcare. This is offset by underspends in Children & Families and in Facilities Management, due to turnover. Teaching and non-teaching staffing will be kept under constant review and changes reported as the year progresses. 5.2. Premises Related - £0.264m overspend The overspend in Premises costs is mainly due to increased janitorial costs and refuse collection charges across the school estate. 5.3. Transport Related - £0.755m overspend The overspend in Transport costs is due to SPT contracts for both mainstream school transport and ASN transport being higher than available budget, predominantly caused by price inflation and, to a lesser extent, by an increasing number of children requiring transport. 5.4. Supplies & Services - £0.317m overspend Projected overspends across various budgets in Children & Families are partly offset by underspends in Early Learning & Childcare and Additional Support for Learning. Page 7 of 142
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PUBLIC 5.5. Third Party Payments - £0.068m underspend This budget covers essential care placements, such as fostering and kinship allowances, external residential care and short breaks. The forecast is highly sensitive to changes in demand, and therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty; it will be kept under review by management throughout the year. Projected underspends within short breaks and within fostering, adoption & kinship are offset by projected overspends on external residential placements and throughcare. 5.6. Transfer Payments - £0.167m overspend The projected overspend in Transfer payments relates to Early Learning & Childcare in relation to payments to partner providers and is offset by projected underspends in Children & Families mainly in relation to Direct Payments which are demand-driven. These will be kept under review throughout the year. 6. Revenue Budget Adjustments 6.1. Under the Council’s financial regulations, Directors and their nominated officers, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, have certain delegated authority to transfer sums between subjective budget headings within a service division to enable budget management throughout the financial year. This is known as ‘budget virement’. 6.2. Transfers between divisions of the same service / department in excess of £100,000 and transfers between services / departments must be authorised by the respective service Director and the Director of Finance and Resources for submission to the relevant policy board for approval. 6.3. The Director now seeks approval from the Board for the following virements: Revenue Budget Adjustments Objective Heading Subjective Heading Amount (£m) Reason Children’s Services Premises Related (0.017) Transfers to Environment, Housing and Infrastructure relating to small repair projects 6.4. The remaining budget adjustments are either within delegation, or in line with the earmarking of funds set aside in the 2026/27 budget motion and the allocation of centrally held budgets already approved. 7. Capital Budget Projection - break-even position by 31 March 2027 7.1. The Capital Investment Programme 2026/27 to 2030/31 was approved by the Council on 26 February 2026. Education and Children’s Services’ revised Capital spend for 2026/27 is £46.867m. Page 8 of 142
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PUBLIC 7.2. The in-year Capital budget is forecast to break even by 31 March 2027. However, this will be monitored as the projects progress. Further details of the programme can be found in the Capital Monitoring report at Appendix 3. 7.3. Several budget adjustments between years have taken place, to reflect revised programming of some capital projects. Details of these adjustments, which amount to £(4.240)m, are as follows: Project Amount (£m) Budget carried forward from 2025/26 into 2026/27 Early Years Expansion Programme 0.060 Primary Schools Estate Programme (SEMP) 0.080 Paisley Grammar New Campus 0.678 Dargavel Extension (modular units) 0.012 Dargavel Primary School ‘C1’ Drop-off 0.025 Schools Estate (including Early Years) Programme 0.365 Park Mains High School Extension (new build) 0.401 Technology Replacement Strategy (ICT) 0.013 Budget brought forward into 2025/26 from 2026/27 Thistle Primary School (new build) (4.474) Budget reallocation in 2026/27 Paisley Grammar New Campus: committed to Lifecycle Maintenance for pitch upgrades * (1.400) Total (4.240) * Per the budget Motion approved at Council on 26 February 2026, £1.400m has been committed to upgrade existing pitches at Linwood and St Benedict’s High Schools, funded from the potential Paisley Grammar New Campus underspend. Page 9 of 142
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial The projected budget outturn position for Children’s Services’ Revenue budget is an overspend of £1.496m. Income and expenditure will continue to be monitored closely for the rest of the financial year and steps will be taken to mitigate any overspend, including virement, applying flexibility within specific grant funding as permitted by the Scottish Government, and potential use of earmarked reserves. The projected outturn position for Children’s Services’ Capital budget is a break-even position. The Capital programme will continue to be monitored closely for the rest of the financial year. 2. HR and Organisational Development While staffing budgets form a significant proportion of the Council’s revenue budgets, there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 3. Community/Council Planning Community Plan Our Renfrewshire is thriving The Council’s revenue and capital spend ensures that its facilities are fit for purpose and safe for the community, to maximise accessibility. Our Renfrewshire is well Our Renfrewshire is fair Our Renfrewshire is safe Council Plan Reshaping our place, our economy, and our future The Council’s revenue and capital spend ensures that its facilities are fit for purpose and safe for the community, to maximise accessibility. Building strong, safe, and resilient communities Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy Ongoing revenue and capital budget monitoring is a tool to enable good financial management so that the Council has resources now and in the future for continued service delivery. Working together to improve outcomes 4. Legal There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. Page 10 of 142
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PUBLIC 5. Property/Assets The capital expenditure noted in this report will result in lifecycle maintenance improvements to existing properties and replacement of ICT assets and infrastructure. 6. Information Technology While ICT assets and revenue costs are included within these reported budgets, there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 7. Equality and Human Rights While new areas of spend may impact on particular groups, any such impact would be assessed prior to the spend being incurred, therefore there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 8. Health and Safety The capital expenditure noted in this report will result in lifecycle maintenance improvements to existing properties and replacement of ICT assets, which may in some cases improve health and safety arrangements. 9. Procurement While Procurement is an important consideration prior to the Council incurring any revenue or capital spend, there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 10. Risk The potential risk that the Council will overspend its approved budgets for the year will be managed at a Council-wide level by the Chief Executive and Directors. 11. Privacy Impact There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 12. Children’s Rights There are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 13. Climate Risk The Council aims to reduce its carbon and other emissions to net zero by 2030, however there are no direct implications arising from the recommendations in this report. 14. CoSLA Policy Position n/a Page 11 of 142
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PUBLIC _________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: • Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2026/27, Council 26 February 2026 • Capital Investment Programme 2026/27 to 2030/31, Council 26 February 2026 Authors: Richard Conway, Finance Business Partner Linsey McGregor, Capital Accountant Page 12 of 142
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Appendix 1 PUBLIC RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING STATEMENT 2026/27 1 April 2026 to 19 June 2026 POLICY BOARD: EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES Objective Summary Approved Annual Budget Budget Adjustments Revised Annual Budget at Period 3 Projected Outturn Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 % Directorate 1,484 1 1,485 1,491 (6) (0.4%) Early learning and childcare 40,142 178 40,320 41,124 (804) (2.0%) Primary schools 74,147 (456) 73,691 73,757 (66) (0.1%) Secondary schools 100,827 (213) 100,614 100,914 (300) (0.3%) ASN schools 8,953 11 8,964 9,037 (73) (0.8%) Additional support for learning (ASL) 20,936 896 21,832 22,437 (605) (2.8%) Psychological services 1,128 22 1,150 1,150 0 0.0% Education development 2,247 1 2,248 2,248 0 0.0% Attainment Challenge 0 0 0 0 0 0.0% Facilities management 612 (19) 593 438 155 26.1% Children and families 43,877 410 44,287 44,084 203 0.5% NET EXPENDITURE 294,353 831 295,184 296,680 (1,496) (0.5%) Page 13 of 142
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Appendix 2 PUBLIC RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING STATEMENT 2026/27 1 April 2026 to 19 June 2026 POLICY BOARD: EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES Subjective Summary Approved Annual Budget Budget Adjustments Revised Annual Budget at Period 3 Projected Outturn Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 % Employees 204,803 1,081 205,884 205,928 (44) 0.0% Premises Related 12,408 (1) 12,407 12,671 (264) (2.1%) Transport Related 8,096 10 8,106 8,861 (755) (9.3%) Supplies and Services 33,228 665 33,893 34,210 (317) (0.9%) Third Party Payments 19,260 664 19,924 19,856 68 0.3% Transfer Payments 17,916 203 18,119 18,286 (167) (0.9%) Support Services 427 84 511 526 (15) (2.9%) GROSS EXPENDITURE 296,138 2,706 298,844 300,338 (1,494) (0.5%) Income (1,785) (1,875) (3,660) (3,658) (2) (0.1%) NET EXPENDITURE 294,353 831 295,184 296,680 (1,496) (0.5%) Page 15 of 142
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Appendix 3 PUBLIC Prior Years Approved Budget Revised Projected Total Approved Projected Expenditure Budget Adjustments Budget Outturn Budget Outurn Project Title to 31/03/2026 2026-27 since previous 2026-27 2026-27 to 31-Mar-31 to 31-Mar-31 Board report £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 EDUCATION & CHILDREN SERVICES Total Early Years 1140 Expansion Programme 0 0 60 60 60 0 0% 88 88 0 0% Total Primary Schools Estate Programme(SEMP) 10,544 0 80 80 80 0 0% 10,623 10,623 0 0% Paisley Grammar New Campus 75,903 9,019 (721) 8,298 8,298 0 0% 84,200 84,200 0 0% Learning Estate 332 0 0 0 0 0 0% 98,438 98,438 0 0% Dargavel Extension (Modular Units) 2,237 0 12 12 12 0 0% 2,250 2,250 0 0% Thistle New Build 12,595 25,375 (4,474) 20,901 20,901 0 0% 44,371 44,371 0 0% C1, Dargavel Primary School Drop off 604 0 25 25 25 0 0% 629 629 0 0% Total Schools Estate(inc Early Years) Programme 0 0 365 365 365 0 0% 365 365 0 0% PMHS Extension(New Build) 2,021 15,512 401 15,913 15,913 0 0% 36,894 36,894 0 0% Technology Replacement Strategy ICT 16,349 1,200 13 1,213 1,213 0 0% 21,662 21,662 0 0% PPP Lifecycle 20,829 0 0 0 0 0 0% 20,829 20,829 0 0% TOTAL EDUCATION & CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD 141,414 51,106 (4,240) 46,867 46,867 0 0% 320,349 320,349 0 0% CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY - NON-HOUSING SERVICES Current Year 2026-27 Full Programme - All years Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 1st April to 19th June 2026 POLICY BOARD: EDUCATION & CHILDEN'S SERVICES Budget Variance (Adverse) or Favourable Page 17 of 142
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Learning Estate Programme Update __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The current phase of the Learning Estate Delivery Programme is ongoing with the following live projects: • Paisley Grammar School Community Campus • Park Mains High School Extension & Internal Interventions • Thistle Primary School 1.2. This report provides a short update on the latest development of project construction and design progress. 1.3. Concurrently, the Learning Estate Strategy continues to progress with the development of the Full Business Case (FBC) process for the following three projects: • Trinity High School • Johnstone Primary School Estate • Johnstone High School __________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to: 2.1. Note the progress of project delivery in the Learning Estate Programme. 2.2. Note the school badge chosen by the children for the new Thistle Primary School. Item 2 Page 19 of 142
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PUBLIC 2.3. Note the intention to make best use of space flexibility within Thistle Primary School, by introducing an early years provision 3. Paisley Grammar School Community Campus 3.1. The project to deliver a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus has delivered on time, and on budget through to formal project closure. The new school will open to pupils and staff in August 2026 with pupils arriving through the doors on the 20th of August. 3.2. The construction of the new school building is now complete with supporting infrastructure as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) South project ongoing in the vicinity of the new school campus to create further road and active travel opportunities. 3.3. The school is ready to deliver a high quality learning and teaching environment with a significant amount of work undertaken to fit the building out with all equipment and provisions, as well as undertaking a comprehensive move management process from the former Paisley Grammar school building, to the new school and community campus on Renfrew Road. 3.4. Members should note that officers have been working to explore all avenues for retaining and relocating the War Memorial situated within the existing Paisley Grammar School. Following engagement with various organisations, community groups, and Historic Environment Scotland, officers intend to progress with plans to relocate the War Memorial to Paisley Abbey. The Abbey have worked with officers to outline a plan to situate the Memorial on display that will be available for public viewing. 3.5. Having considered multiple options, this is the most appropriate for the long term viability of the Memorial and aligns with the historical connection of the Abbey with the school. This option will support public viewing of the Memorial for the first time, something which has not been possible to date, with the Memorial having been located in an operational school setting. 3.6. Members should note that a recommendation will be made to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board in August 2026 to receive consent to remove and relocate the Memorial away from the existing Paisley Grammar School prior to the ownership of the building passing over to a private third party. 3.7. During the appraisal of options, it was considered whether the Memorial could move to the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. As the Memorial has not been designed into the newly constructed building, there is no place that can support a structure of its size that would not impede on space planned layouts for the school, or on operational fire escape routes. The only solution to being able to house the Memorial at the new school would be to lose educational teaching space and locate the Memorial into a classroom. This option is therefore considered not viable when balancing it against the option to relocate to the Abbey. Page 20 of 142
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PUBLIC 4. Park Mains High School Extension & Internal Interventions 4.1. Construction work is progressing on track for an August 2027 completion. Phase 1 of the project has now completed which delivered all ground works and site setup. 4.2. The Main Works of construction have been ongoing since June 2026, which is seeing the creation of the two new teaching blocks in the grounds of the school. An additional car park has been created as well as significant alterations and increase to the bus drop off/pick up point. 4.3. The first phase of internal reconfiguration and move management has also been ongoing over the summer holiday period, with future phases planned in collaboration with the school operational requirements. __________________________________________________________________ 5. Thistle Primary School 5.1. The Main Works construction for Thistle Primary continues to progress on track for summer 2027 completion. 5.2. The building is progressing towards being fully wind and watertight with windows, brickwork, and cladding progressing. Work is also commencing on the full-size artificial pitch construction. 5.3. Members are asked to note that following an engagement process with local young people, a school badge has now been developed and chosen. This forms an important step in the development of the school identity, being led by the Head Teacher. An image of the school badge is shown below: 5.4. The Head Teacher is in the process of establishing a parent/carer steering group where the intention is to further develop the school identity through discussions around uniform, vision and values, as well as operational aspects, for example out of school care. 5.5. Officers are continuing to plan for the wider benefit that the new primary school can deliver for the community. Recently, revised statutory guidance has been issued by the Scottish Government, increasing the eligibility for 2 year olds to access free early years provision. The Council has a requirement to meet this, and subsequently a benefit could be gained by increasing access to early years provision in the area. Officers have considered the flexible design of Thistle Primary School building and Page 21 of 142
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PUBLIC have the opportunity to establish an early years provision in a section of the school with minimal alterations. 5.6. Developing an early years provision in Thistle Primary School through a flexible and agile use of the space, will allow this position to remain under review, and be considered alongside any long term strategic estate plans for the years ahead. Operationally, officers will work with the existing Dargavel ELCC to determine the most appropriate operating model between Dargavel ELCC and Thistle Primary School early years provision. __________________________________________________________________ 6. Business Case Updates 6.1. A significant and comprehensive engagement process has been underway since May for the Johnstone learning estate, which has seen officers facilitate events for all school staff, parents/carers, pupils, and the local community. This has been supplemented with a survey offering the ability for anyone to provide their views. Officers have also been engaging internally with all Council services to understand operational views on any of the shortlisted options for Johnstone projects, which will be vital to understand any implications of shortlisted sites at this early stage. 6.2. Work is underway to analyse and understand all views that have been presented through the initial engagement process, to help shape the next phase of engagement to follow. 6.3. Note that following the decision at the May 2026 Education & Children’s Services Policy Board, the engagement process for Trinity High School will commence following the August Policy Board, where a decision will be made on the final shortlist of sites. 6.4. Officers have been working to appoint a number of specialist technical consultants as presented in the Outline Business Case. These consultants will analyse essential information that will be compiled into the final decision making process for each process at the conclusion of the FBC process. ______________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial All budgets associated with the capital projects discussed in this report have been agreed by Council and undergo rigorous management and quality assurance on a regular basis. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - New, and improved, learning estate assets will allow our children and young people to thrive with the best possible infrastructure to support their school experience. Staff, and Page 22 of 142
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PUBLIC community users will benefit from modern and inclusive environments. Reshaping our place, our economy and our future - The learning estate shall be appropriately scaled and equipped to meet curriculum expectations and deliver an appropriate learning and teaching experience for all. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets These projects will deliver significant improvements to the learning estate, extending the life of assets, and improving the experience of young people, staff, and the wider community. 6. Information Technology Digital improvements will be delivered through the learning estate strategy, where access to technology for all, will be a key priority for projects. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement Any procurement work required is conducted in collaboration with the Council’s Procurement team and adheres to appropriate regulations. 10. Risk All projects are bound by rigorous governance and supported by detailed risk registers. Risk is reported and managed at various levels with scrutiny applied to ensure mitigations and contingency plans are in place. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk New, and improved, learning estate assets will directly contribute to the Council’s journey towards net zero. Sustainability is a key concept of all projects. 13. Children’s Rights When considering any future school provision, the impact this will have on children is a key consideration, and any work will be based around the direct needs of children to allow their education experience to thrive. Whilst Page 23 of 142
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PUBLIC children have a right to choose where they wish to attend school in collaboration with their parents, the council’s admissions policy applies to ensure that schools that are oversubscribed can be managed. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. Children’s Services JL/GM Aug 2026 Author: Jack Lochans – Strategic Learning Estate Manager jack.lochans@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 24 of 142
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 ____________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ____________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Trinity High School OBC AMIDS Netherton Avenue Option ____________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. On 12 March 2026, the Outline Business Case (OBC) for a new build Trinity High School was presented to the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board for approval. 1.2. Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board agreed “the officers’ assessment of the Netherton Avenue site be noted and that it be agreed that a further detailed report examining the legal, financial and deliverability considerations associated with this site be presented to the Board for further consideration. The report should include a comparison with the constraints and costs associated with the other site options to allow Members to be able to take a fully informed decision on the site ahead of the next stages of delivering the Council’s Learning Estate Strategy.” 1.3. This report provides further information in relation to this site option assessment in conjunction with the high-level summary that was provided in the OBC. This provides Members with a greater level of supporting information to accompany the information supporting the recommendation for the site not to progress to the FBC stage. This additional analysis includes direct comparison of the range of issues and constraints identified at the Netherton (AMIDS) site as assessed against constraints or issues associated with the three sites recommended for progressing to the FBC assessment stage. 1.4. As part of the Learning Estate Strategy, a four-stage business case process was developed and approved. This approach is based on the application of the HM Treasury Green Book best practice model for business case development. 1.5 The staged approach is designed to ensure transparency and enable appropriate scrutiny at each phase, supporting accountability in relation to significant public sector investment. A fundamental objective of the business case process is to ensure that only options which demonstrate clear viability and deliverability progress to the final stages of assessment. These later stages require a high degree of public engagement, and it is accepted practice not to promote options to this stage and subsequently undertake detailed public engagement where significant known constraints or obstacles exist that materially undermine or limit the potential deliverability and or viability of the option to move forward for detailed consideration. Issues can include but are not restricted to material deficiencies in the quality of the Item 3 Page 25 of 142
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PUBLIC educational provision that could be delivered from the site, deliverability constraints or materially negative financial, economic or social considerations arising from the use of the site. 1.6 The approach taken is consistent with the Council’s recently approved Consultation and Engagement Policy, which states that engagement with stakeholders and communities should not take place where there is no genuine opportunity for feedback to influence outcomes. 1.7 The site assessment process identified a broad range of significant constraints and risks which collectively indicate that the Netherton (AMIDS) site is not a suitable option for progression to the Full Business Case (FBC) stage. It is therefore recommended that the site does not proceed further to the FBC process for the following key reasons: I. The site is considered, from an educational perspective, to be fundamentally unsuitable as the location for a major secondary school campus. The site's environmental characteristics, accessibility challenges, limited community integration and broader operational constraints would not support the delivery of the high-quality learning environment envisaged by the Council's Learning Estate Strategy. II. The site is subject to a significant number of planning, legal, contractual, environmental and operational constraints and obstacles which create substantial uncertainty regarding the deliverability of a school on the site. Collectively, these factors give rise to a high level of project risk that is not evident with alternative site options. III. The introduction of a major educational facility within AMIDS is assessed as presenting a significant risk to the delivery of the district's strategic economic objectives. In particular, there is potential for adverse impacts on investor confidence, market positioning, future development opportunities and the wider economic benefits expected to be generated through the AMIDS programme. IV. The development of a school on the site is expected to incur substantial abnormal costs arising from ground conditions, acoustic mitigation requirements, transport and access infrastructure, planning mitigation measures and wider indirect financial liabilities. The scale and number of these cost pressures are considered highly atypical for a school development project. V. When the direct construction costs, potential indirect financial liabilities and wider economic opportunity costs are considered collectively, the site is assessed as performing very poorly from an affordability and value-for-money perspective when compared with alternative options. 1.8 By comparison, the three shortlisted sites currently being progressed to Full Business Case stage do not exhibit the same scale, complexity or breadth of constraints identified at Netherton. The assessment undertaken to date indicates that the Netherton (AMIDS) site would perform significantly less favourably across key appraisal criteria. Given the extent of the identified educational, planning, economic, deliverability and financial challenges, officers consider that there is no realistic prospect of the site being capable of competing favourably against the alternative shortlisted FBC options and fundamentally is not supported educationally as a suitable location for a major school. 1.9 A short overview of the key issues are outlined below and are covered in significantly greater detail in sections 4 – 9 of the main body of the report. Page 26 of 142
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PUBLIC 1.10 Site Location (section 4 of main report) The proposed co-location of a major high school approximately 200m - 300m from an active international airport runway represents an exceptional and unorthodox form of development, for which there are no readily identifiable precedents within the UK and with only limited international examples identified, but which present poorly as direct comparator establishments. Notably, this lack of precedent also extends to long-established schools that are situated near new airports or airports subject to significant expansion, further underlining the rarity of such geographical proximity. Available research and case studies from academia, health and the aviation industry concerning schools located near major airports typically relate to separation distances in the range of 1.5km to 3km between the school and airport with exceptions being closer to 1km. Against this baseline, the proposed proximity of 200m -300m is markedly outside established norms and would be regarded as extreme, if not unique, in land use planning and environmental terms. This lack of any identifiable comparable precedent is important as it provides practicable reinforcement of the validity of many of the constraints and concerns identified in this paper. It should be noted that none of the three shortlisted options for the FBC are in a similar proximity to the airport with KGV in Renfrew being the closest at approximately 2.5km of separation. 1.11 Education Assessment (section 6 of report) Critically the Netherton Avenue (AMIDS) site, is not supported from an educational perspective as a suitable location to accommodate a new major learning estate facility for several key reasons. 1.12 Notably, the site would be subject to substantial noise exposure arising from aircraft operations and associated airport activities. At such proximity, it is unlikely that mitigation measures, including acoustically enhanced building design and use of acoustic dampening site layout design, could fully attenuate these impacts to an acceptable level – particularly peak level activity as major commercial airlines were taking off or landing in the immediate vicinity of the school. This would be contrary to accepted acoustic standards for educational uses, would fail to provide an environment conducive to learning and would be inconsistent with best practice for siting sensitive educational facility. Overall, the option would ultimately give rise to a fundamentally sub-optimal and highly compromised learning environment, with the potential for materially adverse effects on both teaching, learning conditions, and on the overall pupil and staff experience. There is a wide and extended body of research covering several decades, that adds significant evidence to support such concerns in terms of a negative impact on academic performance, learning environment and overall physical and mental well-being of pupils and staff when schools are located close to major airports (it should also be noted schools considered in such research studies were not in such close proximity as 300m from the runway). Appendix 1 provides a short overview of some of the key pieces of major research for members reference. 1.13 The school site would in time become fully enveloped by industrial and airport-related development, resulting in a clear land use incompatibility and placing what is regarded in planning terms as a highly sensitive facility within a dense industrial based neighbourhood environment. From an education perspective, this would create a constrained and operationally unacceptable geographical context for a modern learning estate facility, that would be incompatible with the creation of the best possible holistic experience of young people attending the school. 1.14 The site would result in the spatial isolation of the school from any established residential community, representing a significant deficiency in locational terms. Schools are rightly expected to function as integral components of their local communities, contributing to social Page 27 of 142
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PUBLIC cohesion, identity and place-making – this is a critical aspect of not just the educational development of young people but also their social experience and growth within society. The absence of meaningful community integration would undermine the ability to establish and sustain a strong school ethos and community presence which would be a material deficiency from an educational perspective. 1.15 Site Deliverability (Section 7 of the report) The site option has significant deliverability constraints in relation to legally bound land use restrictions, planning restrictions linked to the whole AMIDS site and significant planning concerns that would be associated with locating a school in such a site. In this context there is a high risk that such a wide range of constraints would present significant impediments. This would place the deliverability of the site to accommodate a school at significant risk, materially undermining the viability of the site for serious FBC related consideration. 1.16 Economic Impact – Opportunity Cost (section 8 of the report) The location of a school within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) would introduce a significant sensitive land use, representing approximately 20% of the overall development area. Such a use would be fundamentally incompatible with the strategic vision for AMIDS and could materially constrain both the operational flexibility and future development capacity of surrounding aviation, advanced manufacturing and innovation-related activities. 1.17 AMIDS is the product of more than 20 years of strategic collaboration involving local and national government, academia and private sector partners, supported by recent investment of more than £250 million. The district has been developed as a dedicated commercial and innovation environment, specifically designed to attract and support an advanced manufacturing ecosystem where research, innovation and scalable production activities can co-exist within a highly specialised and internationally competitive business location. 1.18 In addition, areas within the AMIDS masterplan have been safeguarded to support the long- term strategic growth plans of Glasgow Airport, recognising its importance as a key economic asset for Renfrewshire and the wider Glasgow City Region. Maintaining the integrity of this long-term vision is regarded as a critical success factor and has been protected through a range of legal and commercial agreements that restrict land uses incompatible with the objectives of the district. These protections are intended to ensure that uses which could dilute the strategic focus, market positioning and attractiveness of AMIDS to high-value advanced manufacturing and innovation occupiers do not locate within the development area. 1.19 While the development of a school was never envisaged when these land use restrictions were established, the same strategic considerations apply. The introduction of a major educational facility would create a material risk to the delivery and long-term sustainability of the AMIDS masterplan objectives and could significantly undermine the marketability and competitiveness of the district as a nationally important location for economic growth. Any resulting constraints on future development, type of operational activity or future expansion opportunities would have consequential implications for the economic and social value generated by the district, with impacts extending beyond Renfrewshire to the wider regional and national economy. 1.20 Accordingly, the proposal is considered likely to give rise to a significant economic opportunity cost when the impact on the strategic importance of AMIDS as a nationally significant economic asset and key driver of future growth is taken into account. Page 28 of 142
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PUBLIC 1.21 Financial Viability (Section 9 of report) Progressing a proposed school development at Netherton (AMIDS) would involve a school construction project which has a wide range of non-standard cost factors (both directly linked to the project itself and through indirect consequential costs). Collectively these non-standard costs would be extreme in scale, breadth and result in an overall project cost that is well outwith the boundaries of what would be considered a broadly normal cost profile for a school. This cost profile would materially undermine the scheme’s financial viability. Key factors influencing this significantly non-standard cost profile includes: I. Substantially enhanced specification requirements to address environmental constraints, particularly in relation to acoustic mitigation both in terms of the school building and in relation to external sport and social space. II. Additional costs to address site-specific issues relating to poor ground conditions, requiring additional remediation and/or engineering solutions. As outlined in the paper, the AMIDS site is already known to have poor ground conditions, which to date has required 40m deep piling to overcome. Although other sites may yet be assessed as having their own ground condition issues following site investigation surveys, this is a known quantity associated with AMIDS and is abnormal ground conditions of significant relative scale. III. Additional active travel infrastructure (including the addition of a new opening river crossing over the White Cart River) to mitigate the geographical isolation from the Renfrew community and overcome the unsuitability of the Bascule Bridge crossing to safely accommodate high volume pedestrian crossing; IV. The proposed use of the site is likely to attract a range of planning objections, including objections from statutory bodies. SEPA are likely to object to unsuitability of a school site in such proximity to a flood risk zone (even if no part of the school was proposed to be located within the flood zone itself). Further, given its location it is likely to require a high level of bus provision, and it is likely to generate a high inclination for car travel, which will both raise concerns regarding the impact on road network capacity, particularly given the interaction with peak time traffic. Such concerns are likely to be linked to high levels of school related traffic exacerbating traffic volumes in and around AMIDS but also at key network pinch points at the Bascule Bridge, Black Cart River Bridge area and on the M8 junction where capacity constraints is already a noted concern of Transport Scotland and they would be expected to object on this basis. Consequently, assuming a positive planning decision could even be achieved, in the context of this backdrop, overcoming significant objections would likely require expensive planning conditions to be met. Such conditions would be seeking to guarantee the development delivered flood protection measures as well as improvements to the road network to adequately overcome capacity issues. Such mitigation measures are likely to be costly to deliver and would represent a material premium to the overall costs of project delivery. V. Restructuring or withdrawal from existing legal agreements, partnership arrangements and committed grant funding streams entered over the past 12 years by the Council and which underpin the AMIDS programme and investment profile to date. Whether such an outcome was achieved through negotiation or defaulting on agreements, it is likely either way to result in significant associated costs that would need to be paid for as an indirect cost of the project. Page 29 of 142
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PUBLIC VI. The approved City Deal Business Case for GAIA/AMIDS identified substantial long-term economic benefits arising from the successful delivery of a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district. The operational economic assessment identified a Net Present Value (NPV) of approximately £465 million attributable to this long-term economic activity. Whilst it is not possible to quantify with precision the impact that a school development may have on future AMIDS economic performance, it is reasonable to conclude that a reduction in available development land, coupled with a weakening of the market proposition, would have a significant negative impact on future economic performance and it would not be an unreasonable scenario to project that this opportunity cost could reach £100 million. 1.22 Overall Conclusion All the issues outlined above would present considerable challenges for any project when considered on an individual basis. However, taken collectively, they present a significantly negative assessment profile for the Netherton option. This formed the basis for the clear recommendation from officers in the March report that the site was not suitable or a viable option to be considered as part of the FBC stage assessment. 1.23 Comparison to FBC Shortlisted Sites As outlined in sections 6 – 9 of the main body of the report, the range of significant concerns relating to educational, deliverability, economic and financial viability issues identified with the Netherton option are not prevalent factors associated with any of the three site options currently approved for inclusion in the FBC stage assessment. Consequently, the Netherton option in comparison presents a significantly sub-optimal option and it would perform poorly in an FBC assessment. 1.24 The only caveat to note in relation to the FBC shortlisted sites is the following issues, neither of which at this stage are considered material issues that would prevent any of these options progressing to the FBC stage: - I. Any abnormal site condition issues with the other three sites will not be known until the conclusion of appropriate site investigations and therefore there remains the potential for site specific abnormal costs to emerge for any or all the three sites. It is however highly unlikely that such issues will have similar complexity to the Netherton site (for example there will be no requirement for high specification noise attenuation), in isolation any issues that may be subsequently identified would be unlikely to present a fundamental deficiency in any option, and the impact of site abnormal costs will be taken into account in the overall process, in particular the financial affordability and value for money assessment. II. Secondly, the KGV site in Renfrew is already known to be Common Good land, which is not necessarily a constraining factor on site deliverability. It would however require to be subject to appropriate consultation arrangements in due course in line with statutory requirements. This process would present an additional legal stage that would require to be satisfied should the site be identified for potential progression and that will be recognised as part of the assessment as the FBC process proceeds. 1.25 Additional Governance Considerations As outlined in section 10 of the report, Members should note that should the Board decide to propose the Netherton (AMIDS) is shortlisted as an FBC site, such a decision would give rise to a requirement for a subsequent report to and decision by full Council to consider the Board’s proposal. Page 30 of 142
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PUBLIC The AMIDS site has been subject to a range of existing Council decisions over many years, partnership arrangements, funding agreements and legal obligations approved by Full Council, other boards and decision-making bodies in support of the approved AMIDS vision. A decision to shortlist the Netherton site would be incompatible with such decisions, therefore a proposal by the Board to progress the site as a potential school location would require further consideration by full Council before the site was able to be formally shortlisted and the FBC process was able to be commenced. This full Council report would require to set out in detail the consequential impact of such a course of action would have on previous decisions taken by the Council and the associated legal, financial and contractual implications for the Council. This would necessitate engagement with relevant partner organisations and funding bodies to establish their position or likely position were the Council to proceed with such a course of action to enable a fully informed assessment of the risks and consequences arising from any departure from the previously approved development objectives for the AMIDS site. Recognising the time partner organisations may take to fully consider and respond to such engagement (which is likely to involve their own internal governance processes), the subsequent report to full Council would inevitably take some time to progress and there remains the possibility that in considering all that is set out in such a report full Council may ultimately decide not to progress with the proposal to shortlist the site. ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to: 2.1. Note the significant additional detail outlined in the report in relation to the constraints and deficiencies identified with the Netherton Avenue site as part of the Outline Business Case long list assessment process and how this contrasts with the three sites already shortlisted for the FBC stage. 2.2. Agree to the recommendation arising from the assessment process that this site does not proceed further to the shortlist of viable options being assessed at FBC stage. 2.3. Agree that officers be authorised to commence the FBC stage and consultation arrangements focusing on the existing approved shortlist. 3. Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) 3.1 In order to assess the suitability of the Netherton (AMIDS) site as a potential location for a new school campus, it is necessary to understand the strategic role and purpose of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). Whilst this report focuses on the site assessment itself, the location forms part of a much wider economic development initiative of regional and national significance. A high-level overview is set out in this section of the report, however for Member’s reference, a comprehensive overview of the development of AMIDS, including its strategic evolution, planning status, partnership arrangements, legal protections and economic objectives, is provided for Elected Members in Appendix 2. Page 31 of 142
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PUBLIC 3.2 AMIDS occupies a strategically significant area adjacent to Glasgow Airport (see red lined AMIDS area on arial picture below) and has been developed as Scotland's flagship advanced manufacturing and innovation district. The district is intended to bring together industry, academia and the public sector within a dedicated business environment focused on advanced manufacturing, innovation, research and high-value economic activity. 3.3 The development of AMIDS has been driven through long-term collaboration between Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish and UK Governments, Scottish Enterprise, academic institutions and private sector partners. Over the past 6 years, more than £250 million of public and private investment has been committed to land assembly, enabling infrastructure, securing anchor research facilities and commercial development. The district is now home to nationally significant assets and anchor institutions in the form of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC), both of which have been established to support innovation, productivity growth and international competitiveness within Scotland's manufacturing sector. 3.4 AMIDS forms a key component of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Investment programme (£1.1bn investment programme funded by the UK and Scottish Governments) and plays an important role in supporting wider economic growth objectives across Renfrewshire, the City Region and Scotland. The approved vision for the district is to create a globally competitive location capable of attracting inward investment, supporting business growth, creating high- value employment opportunities and generating significant long-term economic benefits. 3.5 In addition to its direct economic role, AMIDS also performs an important strategic function in supporting the long-term growth aspirations of Glasgow Airport. The infrastructure investment and development land within the district provides strategic land opportunities that may assist future airport expansion proposals and support the continued growth and competitiveness of Glasgow Airport as a significant economic asset for the West of Scotland. Page 32 of 142
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PUBLIC 3.6 The strategic importance of AMIDS has continued to strengthen over the past 12 months. The district has been awarded both Glasgow City Region Investment Zone and Tax Site status and, in late 2025, was identified by the UK Government as one of only four UK-wide Priority Investment Projects. These designations reflect the significance attributed to AMIDS as a nationally important location for advanced manufacturing, innovation, research and inward investment. 3.7 A fundamental principle that underpins the AMIDS proposition is the creation of a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district. To support delivery of this vision, a range of planning, legal, commercial and funding arrangements have been established over time which seek to protect and promote the specialist economic function of the site. Whilst these arrangements vary in nature and effect, they collectively reflect the long-standing strategic commitment of stakeholders to maintaining and protecting AMIDS as a location dedicated only to advanced manufacturing, innovation and related economic activity. 3.8 The strategic significance of AMIDS, together with the various planning, legal, commercial and economic considerations that apply to the site, are material factors when assessing its suitability as a potential location for a school campus. Consequently, the evaluation of the Netherton option requires consideration not only of the physical characteristics of the site and its suitability to host a major school, but also of the implications for the wider AMIDS vision and the long-term economic objectives associated with the development were a school to be located on the site. 4. Site Location of a School 4.1 The potential location of a new school on AMIDS would need to be restricted to land directly adjacent to the airport runway as shown in the diagram below. This development parcel sits within the land earmarked for facilitating Airport expansion, reflecting its immediate adjacency to the airport and specifically the airport taxiway/runway which provides easy airside access, along with connection at the south end to land own by Glasgow Airport. There are three key issues that lead to this parcel of land being the principal area which could accommodate a school development of the scale of Trinity High School: - • Firstly, there is a requirement for a 20-acre site which is a sizeable plot in the context of the undeveloped areas within AMIDs. • Secondly, a significant proportion of the AMIDs site is identified as a floodplain. On the illustrative map the floodplain is identified in blue. Planning regulations will only support a restricted range of development on land affected by the floodplain (mainly industrial / parking etc) and a school would not fall within permitted development. • This land sits outwith those areas of AMIDS subject to direct legal restrictions through the S.32 agreement and JV agreement for which a school would fail to qualify as a permitted development. Page 33 of 142
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PUBLIC 4.2 Assuming the issue of the S.32 and JV restrictions were able to be set aside through negotiation, an alternative option to mitigate the land take from the airport expansion site (leaving a level of expansion area for Glasgow Airport) whilst seeking to minimise the impact on the core AMIDS JV site, is potentially possible by utilising the extremities of the AMIDS JV site which is on the floodplain and protecting the central core in and around NMIS and MMIC. As demonstrated in the revised plans below, the school site would be non-continuous and accommodated across two or three distinct land parcels dissected by the road network. The main building campus would continue to be located on the airport expansion land with parking, bus drop off zone and sports pitches located on the floodplain areas on the opposite side of the road network. A campus site that is dissected by a main road network is not however desirable from an educational perspective, it would also be likely attract the strongest objection in planning terms from SEPA due to its active use of the floodplain land, and the school building would continue to be located immediately adjacent to the runway. In these circumstances any planning application would require to be heard by Scottish Ministers and not the Council. These options therefore have limited added benefit and are likely to encounter increased deliverability challenges. Airport Runway Proposed future airport aircraft maintenance and other related uses (4 black outline buildings) National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) - building already developed Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) – building already developed Tech Terrace Phase 1& 2 – Construction commencing on phase 1 2026 Areas subject to a range of active development negotiations Proposed school site Page 34 of 142
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PUBLIC 4.3 On this basis and for the purposes of the assessment process the indicative single site identified in pink has been utilised. It is considered that there would be no discernible variation in the overall assessment outlined in this paper by considering this option as opposed to any other variant within the available AMIDs development site. Airport Runway Proposed future airport aircraft maintenance and other related uses (4 black outline buildings) National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – building already developed Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) – building already developed Tech Terrace Phase 1& 2 – Construction commencing on phase 1 2026 Areas subject to a range of active development negotiations School parking and pitches Proposed school site Airport Runway Proposed future airport aircraft maintenance and other related uses (4 black outline buildings) National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – building already developed Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) – building already developed Tech Terrace Phase 1& 2 – Construction commencing on phase 1 2026 Areas subject to a range of active development negotiations School pitches Proposed school site School parking Page 35 of 142
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PUBLIC Noise Implications of the AMIDS Location 4.4 Aircraft noise is a significant consideration in the assessment of the Netherton (AMIDs) site due to its proximity to Glasgow Airport. The proposed site lies within approximately 200 - 300 metres of the taxiway and runway environment and is located within the airport's 65dB contour as outlined in the contour map below (indeed the whole of the AMIDS non-floodplain sector of the site falls within this noise contour). The decibel scale is the standard system for measuring sound intensity. The system is logarithmic rather than linear meaning that an increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. So 60db has ten times the sound intensity of 50db. However, human perception of the same increase is that they perceive the noise as being twice as loud. So, 60 dB will be perceived as twice as loud as 50 dB, 70dB four times as loud, and 100dB as thirty-two times as loud. Aircraft noise contours are a recognised aviation planning tool used to map areas exposed to different levels of aircraft noise over a defined period. They are typically expressed as an equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq), which represents the average acoustic energy experienced over a specified time period (16-hour operational period), taking account of both the number and intensity of aircraft movements. A 65dB contour therefore indicates a very high level of aircraft noise exposure when assessed over an average operating day. 4.5 Whilst noise contours provide a measure of average exposure, they do not fully convey the magnitude of individual aircraft overflight, take-off and landing events. Peak noise levels associated with aircraft take-off and landing are substantially higher than the average contour values and, depending on aircraft type, atmospheric conditions and operational mode, can Potential school location in area of consistent 65 decibel range during the day Page 36 of 142
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PUBLIC regularly exceed 100dB and may, in some circumstances, approach 110dB or higher in locations in close proximity to runway operations. However, Glasgow Airport manage noise levels from aircraft in attempts to mitigate adverse effects on residents under/near the flightpath and they limit noise levels form departing aircraft such they should not exceed 94 dB LAMax during daytime hours. Notwithstanding such reduced noise levels that are targeted by Glasgow Airport, at this level occupants of a school building would still experience frequent high-intensity noise events throughout the school day, reflecting hundreds of aircraft movements over a typical day. The educational impact of such intermittent but significant noise events must therefore be distinguished from the average noise environment represented by contour mapping. 4.6 In response to designing and delivering a school on such a site, the school building would require to constructed to an exceptionally high standard of acoustic mitigation. This would be likely to include enhanced building envelope construction, substantial wall and roof insulation, specialist acoustic glazing, highly airtight construction techniques, acoustically treated building junctions and mechanical ventilation systems capable of maintaining acceptable internal environmental conditions without reliance on opening windows. The need to minimise noise ingress would also be expected to influence the overall building form, orientation and layout, with acoustic performance becoming a, if the not the primary design consideration that could inevitably constrain wider educational and placemaking influence on the design. External mitigation measures, such as acoustic earth bunds, noise barriers and strategic landscaping, would also be a necessity where practicable, although as outlined below would be of limited practical effect to an outdoor environment, particularly in relation to aircraft in the air and above such mitigation measures during take-off and landing. 4.7 Notwithstanding the implementation of extensive mitigation measures, achieving internal noise levels consistent with recognised educational standards would remain challenging. The World Health Organisation recommends that classroom noise levels should not exceed 35dB(A) in order to provide an appropriate environment for teaching and learning. Similarly, UK school acoustic guidance seeks to achieve indoor ambient noise levels of approximately 35dB LAeq within teaching spaces with lower 30dB LAeq required for areas for areas used by children with additional support and increased sensory sensitivity. 4.8 Modern acoustic design can, in favourable circumstances, achieve reductions in external noise transmission of around 40 dB or more through the building envelope, relying on closed windows and use of highly efficient mechanical ventilation. However, where external aircraft noise levels are exceptionally high, particularly during peak take-off, landing or nearby over- flight events, the reduction required to consistently achieve a 30dB - 35dB internal environment becomes increasingly challenging to achieve. Whilst average internal noise levels may be capable of being controlled through extensive mitigation, peak aircraft noise events are likely to remain very perceptible and significant noise events within the building and may periodically interrupt teaching and learning activity. An internation airport of the scale of Glasgow experiences hundreds of take-offs and landing across the day. The frequency and unpredictability of such events is a particular consideration in an educational setting where speech intelligibility, concentration and communication are fundamental requirements. 4.9 The challenges associated with the external environment are more significant. Unlike internal teaching spaces, external play areas, recreation spaces and outdoor learning environments offer limited opportunities for effective noise attenuation. Whilst acoustic bunding, barriers and landscape interventions can provide some reduction in noise exposure, they cannot eliminate aircraft noise generated from overhead flight paths or maximum thrust events at point of take-off. Consequently, pupils and staff using outdoor facilities would continue to experience aircraft noise events at levels substantially above those generally regarded as acceptable for educational environments. Page 37 of 142
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PUBLIC 4.10 For these reasons, aircraft noise has been identified as a key consideration in the overall site evaluation, and this would also apply broadly to any non-floodplain area within the AMIDs site. The issue extends beyond building design and construction costs, encompassing educational quality, pupil and staff experience, operational considerations and the long-term suitability of the site as a learning environment. The detailed assessment of these matters, including the implications of the site's location within the airport noise contour area and the extent of mitigation that would be required, is set out within the evaluation section of this report. 4.11 It is noteworthy that the proposed location of a major secondary school approximately 300 metres from an active international airport runway would represent a highly unusual form of development for which there are no readily identifiable UK precedents and only a very limited number of international examples. Furthermore, those examples that have been identified differ significantly in their circumstances and do not provide direct comparators to the proposal under consideration. The absence of comparable examples also extends to situations where long-established schools have remained in close proximity to airports that have subsequently expanded, further illustrating the rarity of such a relationship between a major educational establishment and a commercial airport operating environment. 4.12 Available research and case studies from academic, public health and aviation sources that have examined the effects of airport operations on educational establishments (for which there is significant international concern) generally focus on schools located at distances of between approximately 1.5 and 3 kilometres from operational runways, with examples at around 1 kilometre typically regarded as being at the closest proximity of the evidence base. When considered against this context, the proposed proximity of approximately 200 - 300 metres would fall significantly outside the range typically considered within published research, planning assessments and comparable developments. As such, the relationship between the proposed site and the operational runway environment would be regarded as extreme and highly atypical, potentially without direct precedent in a UK educational planning context. 4.13 Whilst the absence of directly comparable examples does not, in itself, demonstrate that development would be impossible, it is nevertheless a significant and relevant consideration. The lack of comparable developments suggests that, in practice, education authorities, planning authorities, airport operators and other stakeholders have generally avoided situations in which a major school campus is in such close proximity to airport operations, or where airport expansion would result in such a relationship. This may reasonably be viewed as reflecting the cumulative challenges associated with educational suitability, environmental impacts, accessibility, operational considerations and land-use compatibility. 4.14 Consequently, there is limited real-world evidence available to demonstrate the successful long-term operation of a secondary school within an environment comparable to that proposed at Netherton. The absence of an established benchmark reinforces the importance of carefully considering the range of educational, environmental, planning, economic and operational issues identified throughout this report. Taken collectively, these factors indicate that the proposal represents a highly exceptional and potentially unique development scenario and one that sits significantly outside established practice for both school estate planning and airport-related land-use planning. Page 38 of 142
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PUBLIC 5 Site Assessment Process 5.1 In March the OBC presented to the Board included a high-level assessment of the Netherton (AMIDs) site as part of the long list assessment process. To provide a more in depth exploration of the key issues linked to the consideration of site, full details are outlined in sections 6 – 9 of the report structured around the following key areas: - • Section 6: Educational Considerations – first and foremost the suitability of the site to accommodate a school that could deliver a high-quality educational experience is considered in detail. • Section 7: Site Deliverability Constraints – there are a range of key issues that present significant considerations in respect to the deliverability of the site and more significantly the deliverability of a school on the site. • Section 8: Economic Opportunity Cost – given the economic significance of AMIDs, locating a school on the site would have wider implications beyond delivery of the school itself and this wider consideration requires to be set out in detail. • Section 9: Financial Viability – there are a wide range of key issues which will impact on the direct cost of delivering a school at the AMIDs along with indirect costs all of which require to considered as part of the assessing the financial viability of the option. 6 Education Considerations 6.1 From an educational perspective, the Netherton (AMIDS) site presents several very significant constraints that raise fundamental concerns regarding its suitability as the location for a new school campus. These constraints extend beyond the physical characteristics of the site and have implications for learning and teaching, inclusion, health and wellbeing, community connectivity, accessibility and the wider pupil experience. Collectively, these factors strongly indicate that the site is poorly aligned with the aspirations of Renfrewshire Council's Learning Estate Strategy, Scotland's Learning Estate Strategy, or the Council's established approach to developing schools as community-focused assets that support educational, social and community outcomes. Aircraft Noise and the Learning Environment 6.2 A key consideration is the site's proximity to Glasgow Airport and its location immediately adjacent to the operational runway environment. The site lies within the airport's higher aircraft noise contour areas and would be subject to frequent and often unpredictable aircraft movements throughout the school day. Whilst acoustic mitigation measures could reduce the impact of this noise within the building, the site would remain exposed to a very high noise environment that would be significantly poorer in contrast to that experienced at a typical educational establishment. There is a relatively well-established body of evidence across a wide range of academic and aviation industry research studies that have considered the negative impacts of aviation related noise on children attending schools located much further away than the AMIDs site and which would be supportive of the broader education related concerns outlined below. 6.3 The implications for teaching and learning are considered substantial. Effective learning environments rely upon clear communication, concentration and minimal distraction. Regular aircraft movements have the significant potential to interrupt classroom activities, disrupt verbal communication and reduce speech intelligibility. Teachers may be required to pause delivery, repeat instructions or adjust learning activities during peak noise events, while pupils may experience reduced concentration and increased distraction. Whilst individual Page 39 of 142
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PUBLIC disruptions may be relatively short in duration, the cumulative impact over each day and ultimately an academic year would be significant given Glasgow Airport experiences circa 150 – 240 aircraft movements per day during school term period and peak period of movement occurring during school hours (approximately 60% of aircraft movements in the 8am – 4pm period). This broadly equates to an aircraft movement being experienced every 3 – 5 minutes depending upon the time of year. 6.4 The potential impact is particularly relevant in situations where concentration and communication are critical, including examinations, assessments, presentations and formal learning activities. Pupils may struggle to hear instructions from invigilators, maintain focus or perform to their full potential. This presents a significant risk to attainment and achievement. Furthermore, as Trinity High School is a denominational school, regular acts of worship, Mass and faith-based celebrations form an important part of school life. Noise disruption during such occasions would adversely impact the dignity and atmosphere of these events and has the potential to diminish the quality and atmosphere of such occasions. Inclusion and Additional Support Needs 6.5 The site characteristics also present particular challenges in relation to inclusion and accessibility. Many learners require calm, predictable and low-distraction environments to engage fully in learning. Pupils with hearing impairments, auditory processing difficulties, English as an Additional Language, neurodivergent conditions, sensory processing difficulties and other Additional Support Needs are likely to be disproportionately affected by a high- noise environment. 6.6 The unpredictable nature of aircraft noise creates a heightened risk of sensory overload and dysregulation for some learners and may adversely affect concentration, participation and engagement. The environmental conditions risk becoming an increasing barrier to regular attendance presenting a clear risk for overall school pupil experience, attainment and engagement. Over time, this could contribute to reduced participation and widening attainment gaps and consequently, rather than assisting, the new school itself has the potential to become a barrier to inclusion for certain groups of pupils, creating challenges in delivering equitable educational experiences and outcomes, contrary to the Council's commitment to equity, inclusion and improved outcomes. Health and Wellbeing 6.7 The wider environmental characteristics of the site must also be considered. Educational research consistently highlights the importance of creating calm, safe and nurturing environments that support emotional regulation, wellbeing and positive behaviour. The combination of aircraft noise, major transport infrastructure and an industrial setting presents challenges in achieving these outcomes and may adversely affect both pupil and staff wellbeing over time. Again, established research has demonstrated that children are less able to regulate the impact of significant and continued noise in comparison to adults and therefore are more susceptible to long term negative wellbeing impacts from continued exposure to such high noise levels. Building Design and Acoustic Mitigation 6.8 Whilst it is recognised that modern school buildings can incorporate significant acoustic mitigation measures, the level of intervention required at this location would be substantial. This is likely to include enhanced building envelope construction, specialist acoustic glazing, heavily insulated walls and roofs, acoustically sealed openings and high-specification mechanical ventilation systems to enable acceptable internal conditions to be maintained without reliance upon opening windows. Page 40 of 142
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PUBLIC 6.9 Such measures would have implications for both capital and lifecycle costs (covered in more detail below) but more critically would inevitably influence the overall design approach. Acoustic mitigation would become a primary design driver, potentially constraining wider educational, architectural and placemaking considerations. Furthermore, whilst significant reductions in internal noise levels can be achieved through modern construction methods, practical limitations remain, particularly during peak aircraft movements and within external areas where opportunities for mitigation are inherently more limited – therefore even within a high specification buildings peak noise events would remain a discernible issue within the school building. These concerns would apply equally to external amenity and teaching areas which will be limited by aircraft noise, with mitigation being extremely limited in this regard. Site Accessibility 6.10 The location of the site also presents several accessibility and operational challenges. As outlined elsewhere in this report, the site is geographically constrained by the White Cart Water and Black Cart Water, the operational airport environment and the surrounding industrial and commercial area. Collectively, these features limit the permeability of the site and create an environment that is likely to experience substantial traffic activity, particularly during peak periods. The introduction of a secondary school campus would generate significant additional travel demand at the beginning and end of the school day, coinciding with existing peak traffic periods and potentially increasing pressure on the surrounding transport network. 6.11 Access to the AMIDS area is currently limited, with the development primarily served from the north and south extremities of the site. In particular, the Bascule Bridge represents a constrained access point for all modes of travel and a significant pinch point for pedestrians and cyclists. It is anticipated that any proposal to locate a school within the site would require consideration of additional active travel infrastructure, potentially including a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the White Cart River, similar to that previously delivered across the Black Cart. Whilst such infrastructure could improve walking and cycling connectivity, it would not fundamentally alter the restricted nature of access into the wider site or materially increase the number of vehicular access points available. 6.12 Notwithstanding the potential delivery of enhanced active travel connections, initial analysis indicates that a significant proportion of pupils would be eligible for home-to-school transport because of the site's location. Whilst reliance on school transport is not, in itself, a material concern, the combination of restricted access arrangements, longer travel distances for many pupils and limited opportunities for direct active travel would be likely to increase dependence on both dedicated school transport and private vehicle use. When considered alongside existing and future industrial, commercial and airport-related traffic movements, this would create a more complex operational environment for pupil drop-off, pick-up and daily access arrangements than would typically be expected at a secondary school location. 6.13 From an educational and operational perspective, the anticipated transport characteristics of the site are not considered favourable. The combination of constrained access points, high levels of transport dependency, reduced opportunities for independent travel and the potential for congestion at key arrival and departure times would present ongoing challenges for the efficient day-to-day operation of the campus. Furthermore, the site would offer fewer opportunities to encourage active travel, independence and sustainable travel behaviours when compared with locations more closely integrated within the communities served by the school. Page 41 of 142
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PUBLIC Community Connectivity and Community Hub Function 6.14 A further significant consideration relates to the site's relationship with the communities served by Trinity High School. Modern learning estate planning increasingly seeks to locate schools at the heart of their communities, enabling them to function as places of learning while also supporting family engagement, community use and lifelong learning opportunities. 6.15 The Netherton (AMIDS) site is physically separated from the residential communities that form the school's catchment area and surrounded by major industrial zones. Consequently, the school would be isolated from a community setting, less integrated into the everyday life of those communities and would be less able to fulfil the role of a locally accessible community asset. 6.16 Renfrewshire Council has consistently invested in schools as community hubs that support education, sport, culture, wellbeing, family engagement and community activity beyond the school day. Locating a school campus within an industrial environment adjacent to airport operations would significantly reduce accessibility for community groups, parents, carers and partner organisations and may adversely affect the attractiveness and viability of community use during evenings and weekends. Wider Pupil Experience and Community Infrastructure 6.17 The proposed site also lacks the supporting infrastructure typically associated with schools located within established communities. There are no significant community facilities, libraries, leisure opportunities, parks or local amenities within convenient walking distance. Whilst these facilities are not educational requirements in themselves, they often contribute positively to wider learning experiences, personal development and community engagement. 6.18 Schools located within communities frequently benefit from relationships with local community-based businesses, voluntary organisations and community services that support employability programmes, Developing the Young Workforce initiatives, volunteering opportunities within the community and wider achievement activities. The relative isolation of the AMIDS location reduces opportunities for such interaction and limits the school's connection with everyday community life. Albeit it is recognised it would connect to a thriving business district which could open obvious opportunities to link with future locating businesses to support pupil learning. However, such links are not dependent upon being geographically adjacent to AMIDs so proximity is of less relevance from this perspective. 6.19 The absence of wider community infrastructure may also affect opportunities for developing independence and life skills. Senior pupils often benefit from responsible access to community facilities and services, supporting confidence, decision-making and preparation for adulthood. Such opportunities would be considerably more limited within an industrial setting. Outdoor Learning, Recreation and Wellbeing 6.20 The quality and usability of outdoor spaces would also be affected by the site's location. Aircraft noise, transport activity and the wider industrial environment would significantly constrain opportunities for outdoor learning, recreation and wellbeing activities. This would limit the school's ability to maximise the educational benefits associated with outdoor learning and environmental education. Page 42 of 142
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PUBLIC 6.21 The implications are particularly relevant for physical education and outdoor sports activities. Frequent aircraft noise events have the potential to disrupt instruction and communication during outdoor lessons and would materially diminish the overall learning experience for both pupils and staff. 6.22 Similarly, outdoor spaces play an important role in supporting wellbeing, social interaction and recovery during breaks and lunchtimes. The quality of these experiences would be adversely affected by the surrounding environmental conditions. Unlike many schools situated within established communities, senior pupils would also have limited access to nearby amenities, resulting in greater reliance upon on-site facilities and increased pressure on social spaces within the campus. Overall Educational Assessment 6.23 Taken collectively, these factors strongly indicate that the Netherton (AMIDs) option would represent a materially constrained educational environment when compared with alternative site options. The cumulative impact of aircraft and industrial related noise, accessibility challenges, transport dependency, limited opportunities for active travel, reduced community connectivity and constraints on outdoor learning would create a range of educational disadvantages which are difficult to fully mitigate through design or operational measures. 6.24 The site's limited integration with the communities it would serve, and its inability to effectively support the Council's established community hub model further reinforce these concerns. Whilst the site could potentially accommodate a school from a purely physical perspective, it would not provide the same quality of educational, community and wellbeing outcomes that would ordinarily be expected or indeed desired from a major learning estate investment. 6.25 Accordingly, when assessed against the Council's educational objectives, learning estate aspirations and long-term vision for children, young people and communities, the Netherton (AMIDs) site is considered to represent a materially sub-optimal location for a new school campus. The educational disadvantages associated with the site are significant, wide-ranging and, in many cases, inherent to its location and surrounding operational environment. 6.26 It is not considered that any of the three sites shortlisted for the FBC demonstrate the same concerns and constraints outlined above and consequently it is assessed the Netherton (AMIDs) option would performs very poorly in comparison from an educational perspective. 7. Site Deliverability 7.1. Whilst the site benefits from several positive characteristics, including Council ownership, scale of development space, pre-existing enabling infrastructure and the existence of Planning Permission in Principle across the wider development area, there are several substantial deliverability challenges associated with its potential use as a major school campus. These challenges arise principally from existing legal, contractual and planning constraints relating to the permitted use of the land, together with the significant planning and regulatory considerations that would be expected to accompany any proposal for a school development at this location. In addition, it is anticipated that such a proposal would attract a high level of objections from a range of stakeholders on planning, operational, environmental, economic and strategic grounds. Individually, a number of these issues represent material considerations of substantial weight. Collectively, they present a complex and challenging development environment that would need to be successfully addressed and places at significant risk the prospect of a viable planning outcome being realistically secured. Page 43 of 142
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PUBLIC 7.2. The key deliverability issues are set out in detail throughout the remainder of this section. Taken together, these factors indicate that the site is subject to an unusually broad range of significant constraints, each of which has the potential to affect the feasibility, timescales, cost and ultimate deliverability of a school development. Planning Considerations: Development Plan 7.3 The adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan (2021) identifies the AMIDS site at Netherton as a Strategic Economic Investment Location (SEIL) under Policy E1. SEIL designations are intended to safeguard strategically important employment land and are primarily reserved for business, industrial and storage and distribution uses falling within Use Classes 4, 5 and 6. The policy requires that any alternative use must demonstrate that it would not have a significant adverse impact on the role, function or strategic purpose of the SEIL while also contributing positively to employment generation and economic development objectives. 7.4 Given the site's allocation within the Local Development Plan, a school development would represent a use that falls outwith the intended employment-related land use classes. Consequently, any planning application for a school on the site would be considered to be significantly contrary to the Development Plan. Under the relevant planning legislation and governance arrangements, applications categorised as significantly contrary to the Development Plan require determination by the full Council rather than the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board. 7.5 The AMIDS allocation forms part of Renfrewshire's strategic supply of land for employment purposes over the lifetime of the current Local Development Plan. Should part of the site be released for a non-employment use, there would be an expectation that equivalent employment land capacity would be identified elsewhere within Renfrewshire to offset the loss. Given the limited availability of alternative strategic employment sites within the authority area, it is likely that any compensatory land requirement would necessitate the identification of previously undeveloped land, potentially including Green Belt locations. Identifying, assessing and securing such replacement land would present an additional challenge and could become a significant consideration in the planning process. 7.6 More widely, the Netherton (AMIDS) site also raises likely tensions with a number of key National Planning Framework 4 policies, most notably Policy 14 (Design, Quality and Place), Policy 15 (Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods) and Policy 22 (Flood Risk and Water Management). Collectively, these policies seek to promote healthy, connected and sustainable places, support community-centred development and avoid the location of highly vulnerable development within areas affected by environmental constraints. Given the site's industrial character, separation from residential communities, reliance on transport infrastructure, airport-related environmental impacts and flood risk considerations, it is anticipated that these policies would form significant considerations in the assessment of any future planning application for a school development at this location. Planning Permission in Principle 7.7 Planning Permission in Principle has already been granted for the wider AMIDS development area, encompassing approximately 200 acres of land. The permission establishes a clear framework for the future development of the site and is supported by a range of planning conditions governing its implementation. A school development would not fall within the scope of the approved land uses and would therefore require a separate planning consent. Any such proposal would need to be assessed against both the wider planning context and the Page 44 of 142
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PUBLIC existing conditions associated with the Planning Permission in Principle. This introduces additional complexity and may result in more onerous planning requirements or mitigation measures than would be expected at alternative sites. Environmental Considerations – Noise and Flood Risk 7.8 Environmental considerations are likely to be a significant factor in the assessment of any planning application for a school within the Netherton site. In particular, issues relating to aircraft noise and flood risk are expected to require detailed assessment and consultation with relevant statutory agencies. Whilst the degree of impact may vary depending on the precise location of any proposed development within the wider AMIDS area, both matters are likely to represent material planning considerations. 7.9 In relation to noise, the site's proximity to Glasgow Airport and the operational runway environment would require comprehensive technical assessment and extensive mitigation measures. As set out elsewhere in this report, aircraft noise represents one of the principal constraints associated with the site. It is anticipated that Glasgow Airport would take a significant interest in any planning proposal, and it is possible that concerns may be raised regarding the suitability of locating a major educational establishment within such proximity to airport operations. Similarly, flood risk considerations would require detailed assessment and agreement with the relevant regulatory bodies. Any unresolved objection from a statutory consultee, particularly the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), could result in the application being referred to Scottish Ministers for determination following consideration by the Council. 7.10 Transport considerations are also likely to be a significant planning issue. During the determination of the Planning Permission in Principle for the wider AMIDS site, Transport Scotland required several conditions to be attached to the consent due to the potential impact of development traffic on nearby motorway junctions and the strategic road network. Given the concentration of travel demand associated with a secondary school, particularly during peak morning and afternoon periods, there is potential for similar concerns to arise in relation to a school proposal. Additional transport assessment, infrastructure enhancement and mitigation measures may therefore be required to address impacts on both the local and strategic transport networks. 7.11 Furthermore, planning policy places considerable emphasis on ensuring developments are accessible by public transport and provide safe, attractive and convenient walking and cycling routes. Whilst improvements to active travel infrastructure may be technically achievable, the constrained nature of the site and limited access arrangements would likely necessitate a range of additional interventions, some of which could be complex and costly to deliver. This may include significant enhancements to pedestrian and cycle connectivity, including potential infrastructure improvements associated with crossings over the White Cart Water (which would require to be a structure capable of opening to accommodate river traffic) and access via the Bascule Bridge. 7.12 From a planning and placemaking perspective, modern educational facilities are generally expected to be integrated within the communities they serve and contribute positively towards the creation of sustainable and connected neighbourhoods. The industrial character and relative isolation of the AMIDS location would not align strongly with these principles and would therefore form a relevant consideration in the overall planning assessment. Potential for Planning Objections 7.13 As highlighted throughout this report, the location of a major secondary school in close proximity to an operational airport and within a strategic industrial district would represent a Page 45 of 142
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PUBLIC highly unusual if not unique planning proposition. The range of issues associated with the site, including educational, transport, environmental, economic and strategic considerations, is likely to attract a high level of interest from a broad range of stakeholders. 7.14 It is therefore anticipated that any planning application would attract objections from a variety of parties, including statutory consultees, the school and local communities, staff interests, aviation interests, existing and prospective AMIDS occupiers, economic development agencies and other organisations with an interest in the future development of the district. Whilst the specific grounds of any future objections cannot be predicted with certainty, the breadth and significance of the issues identified throughout this report suggest that any application would be subject to a substantial level of scrutiny and related planning objections. 7.15 In addition, there may be implications arising from the Health and Safety Executive's consultation arrangements relating to hazardous installations and Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) considerations in the wider area. The introduction of a sensitive land use, such as a school, has the potential to influence the future development options available on surrounding land. In particular, the presence of a school could restrict or constrain certain industrial, manufacturing or storage uses that might otherwise be acceptable within a strategic employment location. This, in turn, could become a source of concern for existing and prospective occupiers and may form part of the wider planning and economic development considerations associated with the site. 7.16 This wide range of matters represent more than simply technical planning matters. They are a significant range of major planning issues that would not be typically experienced in a single application and would consequently be considered a highly complex planning application to navigate with a higher risk of failing to attain approval. Even if securing planning permission was achievable, the scale of assessment, mitigation and compliance activity likely to be required would present a significant project risk. 7.17 Taken collectively, the planning, environmental, transport, safety and strategic policy issues associated with the site present a significant level of complexity and uncertainty. Whilst each issue would require detailed consideration on its individual merits, their cumulative effect creates a substantial deliverability risk and represents a material factor in the assessment of the site's overall suitability for a new school campus. Legal and Contractual Constraints 7.18 As outlined elsewhere in this report, the AMIDS development is subject to a range of legal, contractual and commercial agreements that have been established to safeguard its strategic purpose as a location dedicated to advanced manufacturing, innovation and related employment-generating activities. The development of a major school campus would not align with the intended use of the site as defined within these arrangements. Consequently, progression of a school proposal would require the Council to engage with the relevant parties to seek agreement to vary, amend or otherwise set aside existing provisions. Such negotiations may also have financial implications, including the potential requirement for compensatory arrangements or other forms of settlement. There can be no certainty that agreement to any variation would be secured, and, given the purpose for which the protections were originally established, there is a significant risk that the necessary consents would not be forthcoming. 7.19 Whilst some of the existing agreements may not extend directly to all land parcels within the wider AMIDS area, the strategic implications of introducing a major non-employment use would require careful consideration. The AMIDS vision has consistently been promoted as a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district, and the introduction of a school has the potential to alter the character and perception of that proposition. In such Page 46 of 142
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PUBLIC circumstances, there is a risk that stakeholders with legal, commercial or strategic interests in AMIDS may consider that the proposal conflicts with the objectives and commitments underpinning the development. This could give rise to challenge, dispute or other forms of formal intervention aimed at protecting those interests. 7.20 In addition to site-specific agreements, the Council has developed and secured support for AMIDS through a series of strategic business cases and investment approvals involving the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. These approvals have been based on the delivery of AMIDS as a major economic development project intended to generate employment, investment and economic growth through a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation proposition. Should the Council seek to utilise a significant proportion of the site for an alternative purpose, it would be necessary to engage with the relevant funding and governance partners to establish whether such a change was compatible with the objectives and assumptions that informed previous investment decisions. This process may also require consideration of any financial, contractual or governance implications arising from a material departure from the originally approved development approach. 7.21 The requirement to secure agreement across a range of organisations introduces a significant layer of complexity and uncertainty into the deliverability of the site. Given the strategic importance of AMIDS, its designation as a nationally significant economic growth project, and the substantial public investment committed to its delivery, there is a credible risk that stakeholders will be reluctant to support changes that could be perceived as diluting or undermining the established vision for the district. Whilst the position of individual organisations cannot be prejudged, the necessity to secure multiple consents and potentially address a range of legal, commercial and financial issues would present a material project risk. In practical terms, this creates a level of uncertainty that would not typically be associated with alternative site options and further impacts upon the overall assessment of the site's deliverability and suitability for progression through the Full Business Case process. 7.22 The cumulative effect of all the deliverability constraints set out above gives rise to a substantial level of risk and significant uncertainty regarding the ability to successfully progress the project through the necessary legal, planning and development processes. Consequently, the current assessment is that the deliverability of the site as a location for a new school campus is subject to significant and complex risk, materially undermining its viability as an option for progression through the Full Business Case process. Again, although the other FBC shortlisted options will have their own specific challenges, at this stage there are none that are considered to materially undermine the potential of each site, and none of the FBC options have a multidimensional range of deliverability challenges like Netherton and consequently they each present a significantly less complex deliverability profile than Netherton. 8. Economic Impact - Opportunity Cost 8.1 City Deal Economic Case The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) project formed a key component of the Glasgow City Region (GCR) City Deal programme and was approved on the basis of its anticipated contribution to a range of strategic economic outcomes. As set out within the Programme Business Case approved by the GCR Cabinet and both the Scottish and UK Governments in 2019, the project was expected to generate substantial economic benefits through increased Gross Value Added (GVA), net additional employment, private sector investment and associated tax revenues. Page 47 of 142
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PUBLIC 8.2 The project was designed to unlock the economic potential of a strategically important development site through the delivery of major infrastructure improvements, enhanced connectivity and the release of development-ready land capable of accommodating advanced manufacturing, innovation and related business use. In addition to the infrastructure investment itself, the approved business case projected the following development outcomes: Development Outputs • 59.6 hectares of vacant and derelict land brought back into productive use. • 11.4 hectares of remediated land. • Approximately 88,270 square metres of industrial floorspace. • Approximately 35,011 square metres of office floorspace. • Approximately 1,760 square metres of food and drink related floorspace. Private Sector Investment • £122.9 million of private sector investment (non-discounted). Employment Benefits • 635 net direct construction jobs, comprising: o 160 jobs directly associated with infrastructure delivery; and o o 475 jobs associated with development enabled or accelerated by the project. • 1,755 net direct operational jobs across the City Region. The project was also expected to improve connectivity, support labour market mobility and enhance the attractiveness of the area to inward investment. As outlined elsewhere in this report, the delivery of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) infrastructure programme was instrumental in enabling the establishment of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) and the wider AMIDS proposition. 8.3 Progress Achieved to Date Since completion of the GAIA infrastructure programme, significant progress has been made in establishing AMIDS as a nationally significant location for advanced manufacturing and innovation activity. The formation of the AMIDS Joint Venture partnership, delivery of the flagship NMIS and MMIC facilities, and progression of speculative commercial development have all contributed to strengthening the market position and profile of the district. The Tech Terrace development is currently progressing and is anticipated to be delivered during over the course of 2026 - 2028. More recently, the award of Investment Zone and Tax Site status by the UK and Scottish Governments has further enhanced the attractiveness of the location to prospective investors and occupiers. In addition, the project has acted as a catalyst for significant follow-on private sector investment within neighbouring commercial locations, most notably at Westway Business Park. Page 48 of 142
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PUBLIC 8.4 Strategic Importance of AMIDS The strategic importance of AMIDS was further reinforced in November 2025 when the UK Government identified the project as one of only four UK-wide Priority Investment Projects. This designation significantly elevated the national and international profile of AMIDS and recognised its potential to contribute to long-term economic growth through the attraction of advanced manufacturing, research and innovation-related investment. Taken together, the progress achieved to date, the scale of public investment committed, the establishment of nationally significant innovation assets and the emergence of related private sector development provide early evidence supporting the long-term economic rationale set out within the original business case. 8.5 Importance of Maintaining a Clear Market Proposition As outlined previously, the National Wealth Fund (NWF) has been appointed to coordinate support for the future development and acceleration of AMIDS. Engagement undertaken to date has recognised the significant strengths of the district and identified substantial opportunities for future growth. A key recommendation arising from this work has been the importance of maintaining and strengthening a clear, consistent and unambiguous market proposition. In particular, emphasis has been placed upon ensuring that all stakeholders promote a coherent and aligned vision for AMIDS, thereby maximising market confidence, enhancing international engagement and supporting investment decisions by prospective occupiers. 8.6 Strategic Risk Associated with Alternative Land Uses In this context, the introduction of a major non-industrial use within the AMIDS development area, including a school campus, would present a significant strategic consideration. The progression of such a proposal through the later stages of the business case process is at high risk of creating uncertainty regarding the long-term land use strategy and purpose of the district. Given the importance attached to maintaining a focused advanced manufacturing and innovation proposition, any proposal that alters the established narrative for AMIDS would require careful consideration of the potential implications for stakeholder confidence, market perception and future investment activity. 8.7 Potential Impact on Market Confidence The inclusion of a major educational facility within the development area would represent a substantial departure from the specialist economic role that has consistently been promoted for the district. Such a change by the Council would introduce uncertainty regarding the future direction of AMIDS and the degree to which the original vision remains aligned across stakeholders. This is particularly relevant given recent advice emphasising the value of maintaining a clear and consistent proposition for international markets. Any ambiguity regarding the long-term development intent for the site could potentially weaken the strength of the investment proposition and reduce confidence amongst existing and prospective occupiers. Page 49 of 142
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PUBLIC 8.8 Implications for Future Economic Growth AMIDS operates within a highly competitive national and international investment environment. At this stage in its development, clarity of purpose, consistency of messaging and confidence in long-term land use objectives are critically important factors in attracting inward investment and supporting commercial decision-making. Consequently, proposals that create uncertainty regarding the established vision for the district have the potential to adversely affect market perception and reduce the ability of AMIDS to maximise the economic benefits anticipated through the approved business case. While the extent of any impact cannot be quantified with certainty, the potential implications for future investment attraction and economic development represent a material consideration. 8.9 Reduction in Development Capacity A school campus would occupy a significant proportion of the available development land within AMIDS, estimated to be approximately 20% of the overall development area. This would reduce the quantum of land available to accommodate advanced manufacturing, innovation and related commercial activity and would therefore reduce the overall economic capacity of the district. Whilst replacement employment land may require to be identified elsewhere through future planning processes, it is unlikely that alternative sites would replicate the unique combination of strategic infrastructure, innovation assets, airport connectivity, Investment Zone status and established market positioning that exists within AMIDS. 8.10 Wider Economic Opportunity Cost Beyond the loss of development land itself, a more significant consideration is the potential impact that a school development could have on the long-term strategic positioning of AMIDS. The district has been established as a dedicated location for advanced manufacturing and innovation-led investment, with substantial effort and public investment committed to developing a distinct market identity. If that distinct positioning were weakened, there is a risk that future development could increasingly compete as a more conventional industrial or business location rather than as a specialist innovation district. While such a scenario could still generate investment, employment and economic activity, the nature and scale of those benefits is likely to differ, potentially significantly from those originally envisaged within the business case. In particular, there may be a greater reliance on business relocation and displacement from elsewhere within the region rather than the attraction of new inward investment and innovation-led growth along with overall a lower level of volume and economic value associated with new employment. Such an outcome would reduce the additionality of the project and could materially affect the long-term economic returns anticipated through public sector investment. Beyond the economic benefits liked to construction activity associated with the initial GAIA infrastructure investment the economic net present value of AMIDs once established as an operational district was valued in the region of £465 million. The potential fall in this future economic value is an important indirect cost for the Netherton site option, and this is discussed in more detail in section 9 below. Page 50 of 142
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PUBLIC 8.11 Overall Economic Assessment The potential economic opportunity cost arising from the use of part of the AMIDS site for a school campus represents a significant and unique consideration within the appraisal of the Netherton option. Unlike many other site-related constraints identified within this report, the potential impacts extend beyond the school development itself and relate to the wider economic function, strategic positioning and future growth potential of a nationally significant economic asset. None of the three sites already shortlisted for the FBC have any similar wider economic consequences of note for consideration. Accordingly, the potential implications for economic growth, inward investment, employment creation and delivery of the approved AMIDS vision should be regarded as a material factor and likely disbenefit, unique to this site option, in the overall assessment of the site's suitability and viability. 9. Financial Viability 9.1 The delivery of major capital projects typically requires consideration of costs beyond the core construction budget. These additional costs can arise from a range of factors, including abnormal ground conditions, environmental mitigation requirements, planning obligations, infrastructure improvements, legal constraints and contractual matters. The nature and scale of such costs vary considerably between sites and are often influenced by the complexity of the development environment. Accordingly, the overall financial viability of any option must be assessed on the basis of both the direct construction costs and the wider costs necessary to enable successful delivery. 9.2 In the case of the Netherton (AMIDS) site, there are an unusually large number of factors that have the potential to materially increase project costs and adversely affect value for money. These factors include both direct costs associated with the delivery of a school on the site and indirect costs arising from the wider legal, contractual, planning and economic implications of introducing a school into a nationally significant economic development project. Collectively, these factors create a financial risk profile that is significantly more complex and substantial than would typically be expected for a school development project. 9.3 Direct Cost Considerations Several significant direct cost factors have already been identified in relation to the Netherton site. 9.4 Abnormal Ground Conditions and Acoustic Mitigation The site is known to be characterised by challenging ground conditions. Previous major developments within AMIDS have required piling solutions extending to depths of approximately 40 metres, and there is an expectation that similar conditions will exist across other parts of the site. In addition, as outlined elsewhere in this report, the site's proximity to Glasgow Airport would necessitate an exceptionally high level of acoustic mitigation, including enhanced building fabric specifications, specialist glazing systems, mechanical ventilation infrastructure and associated design measures. Taken together, these abnormal construction requirements are currently estimated to conservatively increase baseline construction costs by approximately 11%, equating to potential additional cost of around £15 million based on projected construction costs. In addition, there is the likelihood that the additional technical measures would also increase the complexity and costs associated with long term lifecycle maintenance arrangements, albeit it is difficult at this stage to set such additional costs out with confidence. Page 51 of 142
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PUBLIC 9.5 Active Travel and Pedestrian Infrastructure The site's constrained accessibility arrangements would likely require the delivery of additional active travel infrastructure to support safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle access. In particular, previous analysis has identified the likely need for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the White Cart Water to provide an acceptable alternative connection to the existing Bascule Bridge route. Based on the costs associated with comparable infrastructure delivered elsewhere within the area, a broad estimate of approximately £3 million would be anticipated for such works for a basic bridge structure. However, as this would require to be a structure capable of opening to accommodate river traffic, this would add significant complexity and cost, not unreasonably increasing the cost range to potentially in excess of £5 million - £6 million. 9.6 Planning Conditions and Mitigation Requirements Any planning consent for a school at Netherton would be expected to be accompanied by a range of planning conditions and mitigation requirements. As outlined elsewhere in this report, the proposal would likely generate significant scrutiny in relation to noise, flooding, transport infrastructure and strategic road network impacts. Should planning approval be achievable, it is reasonable to anticipate that extensive mitigation measures would be required to address these matters. Such measures could include enhanced flood protection works, transport network improvements, active travel infrastructure, public transport enhancements and potentially wider interventions to address impacts on surrounding road infrastructure. At the current stage it is not possible to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. The scale of any mitigation would be dependent upon the findings of detailed technical assessments, the positions adopted by statutory consultees and the specific planning conditions ultimately imposed. However, it is clear that the planning-related cost exposure would sit in addition to the abnormal construction costs already identified and could represent a significant further premium on the overall project cost. 9.7 Taken together, the currently identifiable direct cost implications are already substantial. The estimated cost premium associated with abnormal ground conditions, enhanced acoustic mitigation and pedestrian infrastructure improvements is approximately £18 million before allowance is made for any additional planning-related mitigation requirements. This represents an unusually high level of abnormal cost for a school development project and is significantly greater than would typically be expected at comparable sites. 9.8 Indirect Costs Whilst the direct cost implications associated with the Netherton (AMIDS) site are significant, the more substantial financial risk arises from the range of indirect costs and liabilities which could potentially be triggered by the development of a school within the AMIDS area. These indirect costs do not relate directly to school construction activity but arise from the extensive legal agreements, funding arrangements, partnership structures and strategic economic commitments that have been established over the past decade to support the delivery of the AMIDS vision. The precise financial implications cannot be determined with certainty at this stage and would ultimately depend on negotiations with relevant stakeholders, interpretation of legal agreements and the extent to which any variation from the approved AMIDS proposition was considered acceptable. Nevertheless, given the scale of public investment and the strategic nature of the commitments already entered into, it is both reasonable and necessary to recognise the potential magnitude of these risks within any assessment of financial viability and value for money. Page 52 of 142
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PUBLIC 9.9 The Council has entered a range of grant, partnership and development agreements with organisations including the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, Glasgow City Council (indirectly with the Scottish Government and UK Government via the City Region grant arrangements), Scottish Enterprise and private sector development partners. Collectively, these arrangements have been established based on delivering AMIDS as a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district. The introduction of a major non-compatible land use has the potential to create circumstances in which existing agreements require to be varied, renegotiated or, in some instances, could trigger contractual remedies, repayment provisions or compensation claims. 9.10 Whilst it is not possible to prejudge the position that individual stakeholders may adopt, it is reasonable to assume that organisations which have made substantial financial commitments to AMIDS would seek to ensure that their interests are protected and that any variation from the approved strategic vision does not adversely impact the intended outcomes of their investment. 9.11 The principal areas of potential financial exposure are outlined below. 9.12 City Deal Grant Funding (£39 million) The GAIA infrastructure project was supported through approximately £39 million of City Deal funding linked directly to the approved Programme Business Case. Grant agreements contain provisions that allow for recovery of funding where grant conditions are not complied with or where approved outcomes are not delivered. Whilst any assessment would ultimately be a matter for the grant providers, there is a credible risk that a substantial departure from the approved land use strategy could lead to grant compliance concerns. In a reasonable worst- case scenario, this could expose the Council to requests for partial repayment of grant funding and associated interest, with the theoretical maximum exposure extending to the full grant value if a view was taken the AMIDs proposition and original business case had been fundamentally undermined. 9.13 Scottish Enterprise Funding (circa £10 million) Additional Scottish Enterprise funding provided to the Council has supported projects including the district heating network and Tech Terrace development at AMIDs (although not provided to the Council it should be noted that SE also provided funding along with the Scottish government to fund the £65 million to support the location of NMIS and are therefore heavily invested in the AMIDS distict). These investments have been advanced based on the AMIDS proposition and are linked to agreements restricting future development and land-use objectives. Whilst the extent of any financial exposure cannot be determined at this stage, there is potential for Scottish Enterprise to seek the recovery of funding, in whole or in part, if a fundamental change to the development proposition, such as introducing a major schools facility, was considered to undermine the basis upon which their significant financial support was originally provided. 9.14 Joint Venture and Commercial Partnership Arrangements The development of a school within the AMIDS area would be contrary to the strategic intent of the Joint Venture arrangements currently established to deliver the district. Depending on the location of the development and interpretation of the relevant contractual provisions, there is potential for disputes, renegotiation of partnership arrangements, compensation liabilities or the need to establish alternative delivery structures. Whilst it is not possible to accurately quantify these risks at this stage, the potential financial implications could be significant. Page 53 of 142
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PUBLIC 9.15 Non-Domestic Rates Retention Income Through Investment Zone and Tax Site status, AMIDS has the potential to generate substantial future retained non-domestic rates income associated with qualifying advanced manufacturing and innovation occupiers. Current modelling suggests that this future income stream could be worth in the region of £25 million over the relevant retention period. A school would not qualify for these arrangements, and more importantly, any weakening of the AMIDS proposition could reduce the extent to which future qualifying advanced manufacturing based development is realised. There is therefore a material risk that the future value of the anticipated retention income could be significantly reduced or indeed lost completely if no qualifying development occurs. 9.16 Economic Opportunity Cost As outlined in Section 8, the approved GAIA/AMIDS Business Case identified substantial long-term economic benefits arising from the successful delivery of a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district. The economic assessment of the operational period of AMIDS over a 25 year period identified a Net Present Value (NPV) of approximately £465 million attributable to the long-term economic activity generated by the development. Whilst it is not possible to quantify with precision the impact that a school development may have on future AMIDS economic performance, it is reasonable to conclude that a reduction in available development land, coupled with any weakening of the market proposition, would have a negative impact on future economic performance. The scale of that impact is inherently uncertain and would require detailed economic modelling to robustly assess. However, the order of magnitude involved is sufficiently significant that it is useful to consider a range of illustrative scenarios. For example: • A modest 10% reduction in anticipated economic output would equate to an economic opportunity cost of approximately £47 million. • A realistic case scenario of a 25% reduction would equate to approximately £116 million. • A reasonable worst case 40% reduction would equate to approximately £186 million. Given the strategic importance of maintaining the integrity of the AMIDS proposition to the future success of development (as recently re-enforced by the NWF), it would not be unreasonable for a weighted economic opportunity cost scenario in the order of £100 million to be viewed as a realistic outcome, recognising that the actual impact could ultimately be higher or lower. 9.17 Overall Financial Assessment Taken collectively, the Netherton (AMIDS) option presents a financial risk profile that is exceptionally negative when compared with a typical school development project. The site is already known to be associated with direct non-standard costs estimated at approximately £20 million, before consideration of potentially significant transport, flood mitigation, road network enhancement and planning condition costs that remain unquantified at this stage. When these direct costs are considered alongside the potential indirect financial exposures associated with existing grant arrangements, partnership agreements, future rates retention income and economic opportunity costs, the overall financial risk implications become substantially greater. Whilst not all risks would necessarily crystallise, and it would be inappropriate at this stage to aggregate every potential exposure into a single cost estimate, Page 54 of 142
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PUBLIC it is clear the cumulative scale of financial risk associated with the site is materially greater than that which would ordinarily be expected for a school development. Indeed, on the basis of the issues currently identified, it is reasonable to conclude that the additional direct and indirect costs associated with overcoming the site's constraints could comfortably exceed the value of the core school construction project itself. In practical terms, there is a realistic prospect that the overall financial impact of proceeding with the Netherton option could more than double the effective economic cost of delivering a new school when compared with a more conventional development site. Although the existing shortlisted FBC sites will have their own respective direct cost issues to deal, it is unlikely they will be of a similar scale to Netherton given its need for high cost noise attenuation construction specification and known challenging ground conditions. In addition, none of the FBC options will be accompanied by material indirect costs and economic opportunity costs associated with Netherton which have the potential to be exponentially significant. Accordingly, whilst further work would be required to refine and validate these projections, the evidence available at this stage indicates that the Netherton option is likely to perform exceptionally poorly in both affordability and value-for-money terms. The combination of substantial abnormal costs, significant financial uncertainty, potential contractual liabilities and major economic opportunity costs materially undermines the financial viability of the option and places it at a significant disadvantage when compared with the alternative shortlisted sites. 10. Governance Requirements 10.1 While it is a matter for the Education and Children’s Policy Board to select which sites can be shortlisted for consideration for the FBC stage, the Board cannot overturn or set aside decisions made by other boards or by Full Council. Similarly, they cannot instruct officers to act contrary to such decisions. 10.2 The various legal and partnership agreements are as detailed in sections 3 and 9 of this report. Each of those agreements were as a result of decisions by Full Council or relevant other boards. Should this Board wish to proceed with the Netherton site as a shortlisted site, this would require a decision by Full Council to set aside those previous decisions. Officers would be required to bring a report to the next appropriate meeting of Full Council. Such a report would require to set out the detailed financial and legal risks arising from such a decision. Accordingly, the recommendation from officers is likely to be that this be considered by Council as an exempt report. 10.3 Moreover, to allow preparation of such a report, officers would be required to engage with each of the affected partner organisations (e.g. the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Enterprise etc.) to establish their positions on a proposal to locate a school on the site rather than for the agreed development purposes. Such information would be required to allow a complete assessment of the risks faced by the Council in order that Members could be fully informed when considering the matter. ______________________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial Should a decision be made to proceed with the Netherton site as a shortlisted site, a number of external consultant commissions will be required to be Page 55 of 142
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PUBLIC conducted at the FBC stage which have not been costed and included in the required development budget. This will increase the required development budget sought. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - New, and improved, learning estate assets will allow our children and young people to thrive with the best possible infrastructure to support their school experience. Staff, and community users will benefit from modern and inclusive environments. Reshaping our place, our economy and our future - The learning estate shall be appropriately scaled and equipped to meet curriculum expectations and deliver an appropriate learning and teaching experience for all. 4. Legal Should a decision be made to proceed with the Netherton site as a shortlisted site, detailed renegotiation of various contractual arrangements would be required. Moreover, there is a significant risk of legal action by affected parties. 5. Property/Assets These projects will deliver significant improvements to the learning estate, extending the life of assets, and improving the experience of young people, staff, and the wider community. 6. Information Technology Digital improvements will be delivered through the learning estate strategy, where access to technology for all, will be a key priority for projects. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. However, should a decision be made to proceed with the Netherton site as a shortlisted site, a detailed assessment would be required given the potential impact on pupils, particularly pupils with ASN, identified with the report. Page 56 of 142
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PUBLIC 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement Any procurement work required is conducted in collaboration with the Council’s Procurement team and adheres to appropriate regulations. 10. Risk Should a decision be made to proceed with the Netherton site as a shortlisted site, several significant financial and legal risks may arise as set out in the report. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk New, and improved, learning estate assets will directly contribute to the Council’s journey towards net zero. Sustainability is a key concept of all projects. 13. Children’s Rights When considering any future school provision, the impact this will have on children is a key consideration, and any work will be based around the direct needs of children to allow their education experience to thrive. Whilst children have a right to choose where they wish to attend school in collaboration with their parents, the Council’s admissions policy applies to ensure that schools that are oversubscribed can be managed. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. Children’s Services JL/GMcL April 2026 Author: Jack Lochans – Strategic Learning Estate Manager jack.lochans@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 57 of 142
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PUBLIC APPENDIX 1 Historical Development of the Research Evidence Base on Aircraft Noise and Schoolchildren 1. Over the last three decades, a substantial body of international research has examined whether chronic aircraft noise affects children's health, wellbeing and educational development. 2. The evidence has been wide ranging and has evolved from pioneering natural experiments, large multinational studies and formal evidence reviews conducted for the World Health Organization (WHO). Collectively, the research has established that concerns regarding the impacts of aircraft noise on schoolchildren have validity, are evidence-based and supported by a credible scientific literature. 3. To provide exemplars from the wide range of research that has considered the issue from many perspectives, this appendix outlines several significant points of interest in the historical timeline of this field of research stretching from 1990 through to the 2020’s covering: - • landmark research providing primary evidence, • major work progressed by the World Health organisation which utilised a wide breadth of available evidence available to develop influential WHO guidance. • More recent systematic research demonstrating an ongoing interest in this area. 4. Landmark Pimary Research Landmark primary research are generally major studies that establish foundation evidence and there are two key studies recognised, for different reasons, as the principal landmark studies in this area of research. The Munich Study 5. The first recognised major landmark milestone was the Munich Airport Study in Germany during the 1990s. This study is widely regarded as one of the strongest investigations in the field because it took advantage of a unique "natural experiment" created when the old Munich Airport closed and a new airport opened at a new location some 28 kms away. As a consequence of the relocation, researchers were able to follow children before and after the relocation, comparing those who lost aircraft noise exposure with those who became newly exposed. The study found that children newly exposed to aircraft noise experienced declines in reading ability, long-term memory and speech perception, while children whose exposure ceased demonstrated improvements in these same areas. Because the changes in cognitive performance occurred alongside changes in aircraft noise exposure, the study provided unusually strong evidence of a causal relationship. The findings were published in the highly respected journal Psychological Science and remain highly influential today. The RANCH Project 6. Building on the Munich findings, subsequent research in the early 2000s formed the landmark RANCH (Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health) project, which has became the most influential international study in this area. Conducted around Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom), Schiphol Airport (Netherlands) and Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain), the project involved approximately 2,844 children aged 9–10 years from around 90 schools. Published in The Lancet and related peer-reviewed journals, RANCH found that increasing levels of aircraft noise at school were associated with poorer Page 58 of 142
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PUBLIC reading comprehension, impaired recognition memory and higher levels of annoyance. Importantly, the study identified exposure-response relationships, meaning educational outcomes tended to deteriorate progressively as aircraft noise exposure increased. RANCH provided large-scale internationally diverse confirmation of the patterns first observed in Munich and is generally considered the cornerstone evidence base informing later policy and guideline development. 7. Following RANCH, additional studies from the same research groups and others, further investigated cognitive development, memory, attention, annoyance, wellbeing and mental health outcomes in children exposed to aircraft noise. While not every outcome showed consistent effects, the evidence repeatedly demonstrated associations with reading performance, memory and annoyance. Longer-term follow-up studies also suggested that these effects could persist over time, strengthening research confidence that the findings were not simply products of short-term statistical exercises. World Health Organisation 8. In response to the growing body of evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned a series of systematic evidence reviews to underpin its Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region (2018). A systematic review looks across the existing research evidence base developed over many years to established an overall synthesised view of the evidence. The WHO review of environmental noise and cognition concluded that there was moderate-quality evidence linking aircraft noise exposure to adverse effects on children's reading comprehension and long-term memory. The review identified the Munich Airport Study and the RANCH programme among the most important studies supporting these conclusions. The WHO also recognised broader evidence linking environmental noise with annoyance, sleep disturbance and other health impacts. 9. Based on this evidence, WHO issued a strong recommendation that aircraft noise exposure should be reduced stating that exposure above specified levels is associated with adverse health effects. Eindhoven Study 10. More recently, the 2022 Eindhoven University of Technology systematic literature review synthesised findings from 36 studies examining environmental noise and non-auditory health effects in children. Although not carrying the same academic weight of significance as the Munich, RANCH or WHO references above, the more recent nature of this work highlights the ongoing interest in this area. 11. The literatue review concluded that noise exposure, including aircraft noise, is significantly associated with psychophysiological effects, cognitive development outcomes, mental- health-related outcomes, wellbeing dimensions and sleep effects. Particular evidence was identified for impacts on reading, memory, language performance, mathematics performance, cognitive functioning and annoyance. The review concluded that children represent a particularly sensitive population because of their ongoing physical and mental development and confirmed that the body of evidence accumulated since the Munich and RANCH studies remains broadly consistent. 12. Overall, the body of research over several decades and captured significanty in the Munich, through RANCH, to WHO evidence reviews demonstrates a progressively consistent and strengthening evidence base. While some uncertainty remains regarding the magnitude of effects and the mechanisms involved, there is now a substantial and internationally recognised body of research supporting the conclusion that chronic aircraft noise exposure can adversely affect children's wellbeing, reading performance, memory and cognitive development in school environments. Page 59 of 142
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PUBLIC APPENDIX 2 AMIDS Supporting Background 13. Where is AMIDS (Netherton Road) From a spatial perspective, AMIDS occupies a geographically contained site, enclosed by the Black Cart and White Cart Rivers, Glasgow Airport's operational infrastructure including the main runway, and the wider airport estate. Access to the district is primarily achieved through a limited number of strategic connections, namely a new bridge connection at Wright Street towards the southern end of the site and the Bascule Bridge and Greenock Road Black Cart Bridge at the northern end. This creates a clearly defined and self- contained development area with strong functional relationships to both Glasgow Airport and the wider strategic transport network 14. What is AMIDS and why was it created? 15. AMIDS is Scotland's nationally recognised hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation and is a strategic business district focused on fostering collaboration between industry, academia and government. 16. AMIDS is being delivered through a long-term joint venture partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Buccleuch Property. Its purpose is to create an environment capable of supporting innovation, accelerating commercialisation and attracting high-value economic activity to the Glasgow City Region and Scotland. The district has been developed as a dedicated, investment-ready business environment, providing long-term Page 60 of 142
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PUBLIC certainty, strategic commitment and a clear pathway for the growth of advanced manufacturing and technology-led industries. 17. The district brings together world-leading organisations, research institutions and specialist capabilities across advanced engineering, electronics, photonics, precision manufacturing, medicines manufacturing and low-carbon technologies. By creating a collaborative environment in which industry, academia and the public sector can work in close partnership, AMIDS has been designed to accelerate innovation, support commercialisation and enable businesses to establish, grow and scale within a globally competitive ecosystem. 18. AMIDS represents a strategically important economic asset for Renfrewshire, the Glasgow City Region and Scotland, with benefits extending nationally across the UK. The vision for AMIDS is founded on the delivery of significant long-term economic and social benefits, including: • Driving innovation and productivity within advanced manufacturing sectors; • Creating high-value employment opportunities and attracting inward investment to Renfrewshire and the wider city region; • Supporting delivery of Scotland's national manufacturing ambitions and economic development priorities; • Regenerating the area surrounding Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan; • Supporting the creation of thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of additional annual economic value within Scotland's manufacturing sector; • Establishing a globally competitive innovation district capable of attracting internationally recognised businesses and investment; • Strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and government; • Enabling sustainable development through strategic infrastructure investment and active travel connectivity; and • Promoting inclusive economic growth, workforce development and skills enhancement. 19. An illustrative masterplan is provided below to provide visual context and assist in understanding the scale, geography and development aspirations of the AMIDS area. Page 61 of 142
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PUBLIC 20. The vision for AMIDS is to create a flexible, high-quality commercial environment that enables innovative businesses to establish, grow and scale rapidly within a dedicated development zone supported by bespoke infrastructure, shared facilities and direct access to Scotland's research, talent and industrial networks. The district has been conceived as a unique collaborative ecosystem where people, ideas, investment and opportunity are brought together to drive innovation-led economic growth. 21. AMIDS builds upon a strong foundation of strategic partnerships with leading academic and research institutions, including the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the University of Strathclyde and West College Scotland. The district is already home to several internationally recognised organisations, including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, PEAK Scientific and Thermo Fisher Scientific, further reinforcing its status as a nationally significant innovation and manufacturing cluster. 22. The district hosts two of the UK's High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres. These include the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by the University of Strathclyde and incorporating the Advanced Forming Research Centre, Digital Process Manufacturing Centre and Manufacturing Skills Academy, alongside CPI's Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC). Together, these facilities provide world-class research, development and skills infrastructure that support innovation and competitiveness across multiple industrial sectors. 23. AMIDS benefits from planning permission in principle for the development of up to 75,000 square metres (807,000 square feet) of additional advanced manufacturing and innovation accommodation. The approved vision is to create a campus-style environment supporting growth across a range of high-value sectors, including electronics, photonics, medicines manufacturing, net-zero technologies and precision engineering. 24. Sustainability and the transition to net zero are central to the AMIDS development model. The district is already served by an operational fifth-generation district heating network, providing low-carbon heating and cooling solutions to occupiers and supporting the development of a future-proofed and environmentally sustainable business location. 25. The first speculative commercial development phase, known as Tech Terrace, is being advanced by the AMIDS Joint Venture Partnership and represents a significant milestone in the delivery of the wider masterplan. The development will provide high-specification accommodation ranging from approximately 200 to 1,600 square metres, offering flexible laboratories, cleanroom facilities, office space and engineering units aimed at supporting both Page 62 of 142
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PUBLIC start-up and scale-up businesses. Construction of the first phase is anticipated to commence during the second half of 2026, with subsequent phases expected to follow during 2027. Critical Role of AMIDS in Supporting Glasgow Airport Expansion 26. In addition to its core purpose of facilitating the creation of the innovation district itself, the substantial infrastructure investment delivered through AMIDS has transformed the wider transport and access network across the area. This investment has not only unlocked development opportunities within the district but has also established the infrastructure framework required to support the longer-term strategic development aspirations of Glasgow Airport, a critical economic asset for the Glasgow City Region and the West of Scotland. 27. The masterplan for Glasgow Airport identifies a strategic ambition to enhance terminal facilities, increase operational capacity and support future passenger and business growth. Land within AMIDS, particularly that located adjacent to the airport boundary, performs a critical enabling function in this regard. It provides opportunities for the relocation of existing ancillary airport operations, aircraft maintenance facilities and other operational uses that currently occupy land surrounding the terminal complex. The release of these sites is fundamental to facilitating future terminal expansion space and broader airport development objectives. 28. In April 2025, following its acquisition of AGS Airports for £1.53 billion, AviAlliance announced a £350 million investment programme representing the largest capital investment commitment in AGS since its formation in 2014. Although applying across the wider AGS portfolio, the principal focus of the investment is Glasgow Airport, where a comprehensive transformation of the main terminal building, together with significant investment in operational infrastructure and airport capacity, has been identified. The announcement demonstrates a clear long-term commitment to the growth and expansion of Glasgow Airport and further reinforces the strategic importance of the wider airport investment area, including AMIDS, in supporting the future development requirements of this nationally significant economic asset. 29. Without the delivery of AMIDS and the associated development opportunities it provides, Glasgow Airport's ability to relocate these supporting uses would be substantially constrained, limiting its options for future expansion and reducing its capacity to support wider economic growth. Consequently, AMIDS—and particularly the land immediately adjoining the airport campus—represents a strategically important component of the airport's long-term development strategy and plays a critical role in supporting the future growth and competitiveness of Glasgow Airport as a key international gateway for business, investment and tourism across Renfrewshire, the Glasgow City Region and the wider West of Scotland. Unlocking Wider Industrial Expansion and Growth Beyond AMIDS 30. In addition to supporting the future growth of Glasgow Airport, the significant public infrastructure investment delivered through AMIDS was also intended to act as a catalyst for substantial private sector investment across the wider economic area. In particular, this follow on investment was expected to occur predominantly at the immediately adjacent Westway Business Park located on the opposite banks of the White Cart River but also longer term to the closely connected Inchinnan Business Park. 31. The delivery of the Barnwell Street Bridge (formerly referred to as the Wright Street Bridge) as part of the AMIDS development has transformed connectivity between AMIDS, Glasgow Airport campus road network, Westway Business Park and the strategic motorway network. Since its completion, Westway has experienced a period of significant accelerated growth, including the delivery of approximately 300,000 sq ft of new industrial accommodation, major advanced manufacturing and logistics investments, and the announcement of further Page 63 of 142
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PUBLIC expansion phases. These developments are amongst the most significant in Scotland and demonstrate the wider economic benefits arising from the AMIDS investment programme and highlight the importance of maintaining the long-term strategic employment function of the area. 32. In 2023, Canmoor secured planning permission for approximately 300,000 sq ft of new industrial and logistics accommodation at Westway. The development comprised two major speculative units known as Westway 90 (approximately 88,000 sq ft) and Westway 200 (approximately 202,000 sq ft). The announcement specifically highlighted the enhanced connectivity provided by the recently opened Barnwell Street Bridge linking Westway directly to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and the strategic road network. 33. In July 2025, it was announced that the UK Government had agreed a long-term lease for Westway 200, the new 202,862 sq ft facility. The deal is Scotland's largest speculative industrial and logistics letting in approximately 30 years, representing a major vote of confidence in the location. 34. Additionally in 2025, sustainable packaging manufacturer Pulpex Ltd leased Westway 90 (88,017 sq ft) on a 20-year lease to establish its first commercial-scale fibre bottle manufacturing facility. This represented a significant manufacturing investment and reinforced Westway's growing role in advanced and sustainable manufacturing activity. 35. In addition to a range of smaller scale investment announcement at Westway, Canmoor has also since confirmed that further major development phases are planned at Westway, including the demolition and redevelopment of additional sites to provide new build-to-let industrial accommodation ranging from 20,000 sq ft to 300,000 sq ft. Again, these are investment sites of significant scale, reinforcing the continuing market confidence in the economic zone in and around AMIDS following the infrastructure investment. 36. Along with the significant and highly promising progress being made to develop out AMIDS as intended, this catalytic impact of follow-on private sector led investment at Westway has occurred at pace and scale over the past 3 years. This has provided credible supporting evidence that the anticipated economic growth impact that the original AMIDS business case was founded upon has a growing probability of delivering as envisaged which will be critical for the Renfrewshire and wider city region economy. The Advancement of AMIDs and Securing Delivery of the Vision 37. The strategic development of Glasgow Airport and the surrounding economic area has been a major objective for the West of Scotland for a considerable period. The long-term objectives to achieve airport expansion and the development of the wider economic area - encapsulating the AMIDS site and beyond – extends back over 20 years. This reflects the strategic significance and importance of this key economic area to the region, and this long-term journey of development is summarised in the timeline provided in Appendix 3. 38. In this context, AMIDS profile and economic importance is significant, and it represents one of Scotland’s most substantial economic development projects. The AMIDS concept was born out of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project that has been in development for more than 12 years as part of the City Deal investment programme and led and delivered by Renfrewshire Council. In addition, protecting the availability of future land use within the AMIDS site to act as a key enabler for Glasgow Airport expansion plans have long been identified as critical to strategic long-term economic growth across Renfrewshire and the wider Glasgow City Region. The major progress that has been achieved to date has been underpinned by: - Page 64 of 142
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PUBLIC • Sustained strategic collaboration between local government, national UK and Scottish governments, academia and private industry over two decades, • recent investment to date of over £250m in necessary site acquisition, delivery of major enabling infrastructure and establishment of nationally significant research institutions at AMIDS to provide the anchor foundation for the future advanced manufacturing and innovation district and eco-system. • a high degree of cross sector shared strategic alignment and agreement on the premise of being committed to the creation of a dedicated commercial district, exclusively designed to target, attract and develop an advanced manufacturing and innovation eco-system where research, innovation and manufacturing scalability co- exist within a highly specialised globally competitive business location. 39. AMIDS is intended to compete on the global stage, a bespoke and dedicated high value commercial location designed to attract world leading and renowned advanced manufacturing, engineering and innovation companies, their supporting supply chains, as well as high value academic spin-out and start-ups that will need to grow and expand quickly. 40. Protecting the integrity of AMIDS as dedicated business district exclusively for advanced manufacturing and innovation has been collectively agreed upon as a critical success factor to support the effective development of the district. 41. In recognition of this and the recognised strategic importance of AMIDS, a range of legal, commercial and planning mechanisms have been established at various stages of its development to protect its intended role as a dedicated advanced manufacturing and innovation district. These arrangements are specifically designed to prevent the establishment of non-compatible uses which could compromise the long-term vision, competitiveness and marketability of the location. Traditional business location uses such as large-scale distribution, storage and warehousing facilities are deemed incompatible developments, as they would dilute the specialist nature of the district and undermine its ability to attract and retain high-value manufacturing, research and innovation-based investment. Protecting this exclusivity is fundamental to maximising the economic potential of AMIDS and securing the scale of growth, investment and job creation anticipated through its development. A summary of the range of restrictions applying across the development site are outlined below: - I. City Deal Funding Obligations As outlined above AMIDS was born out of the GAIA City Deal Business case and this set out the over-arching pre-commitment of the AMIDS site. This business case was developed by Renfrewshire Council over 5 years with the full business case receiving final approval in 2019, which unlocked the release of £39 million of UK and Scottish Government grant to support delivery of the GAIA infrastructure investment and creation of the AMIDS district. This business case promoted by the Council was predicated on the creation of AMIDS and committed the future development of the site to advanced manufacturing and innovation to deliver a range of key outcome-based measures including square footage of industrial space brought into use, levels of job creation and GVA economic growth. These outcome measures are subject to long term monitoring and reporting as part of the City Deal benefit realisation process with Scottish and UK Governments. The Council has therefore agreed to pre-commit the AMIDS site through its promoted business case for the development and delivery of an advanced manufacturing and innovation district, facilitating airport expansion and wider follow-on private sector investment as part of the City Deal business case process. This commitment to the City Region Cabinet, the Scottish Government and the UK Page 65 of 142
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PUBLIC Government was central to unlocking approval for the Council to access City Deal Grant from the UK and Scottish Governments to deliver the infrastructure requirements and establish the responsibility for delivery of the agreed long-term benefits as set out in the FBC. II. Planning Restrictions From a planning perspective the AMIDs site has been zoned for specific purposes which places a level of restrictions around development on the site and would present a range of challenges for any proposed development that was contrary to such restrictions. The adopted LDP (2021) allocates the AMIDS site at Netherton for employment uses under Policy E1 (Strategic Economic Investment Locations; SEIL). Such sites are generally restricted to being used for employment generating uses (classes 4, 5, and 6). This policy requires that any other uses would require to demonstrate they do not have a "significant detrimental effect on the role and function" of the SEIL while also creating additional employment opportunities. Due to the site's LDP allocation any planning application for a use not listed in use classes 4, 5 and 6 (such as a school) would be defined as "significantly contrary" to the LDP. Planning legislation dictates that such a planning application (so defined) must be determined at a meeting of the Full Council. The Planning Board cannot determine such an application. The site is part of a SEIL. This SEIL contributes to an approved level of land supply for employment uses in Renfrewshire over the period of the current LDP. Should a decision be reached to use part of this land for a non-employment use then the expectation would be that compensatory land would be identified elsewhere in Renfrewshire to compensate for this loss. In the current Renfrewshire context, it is very likely that any such compensatory land for employment uses would need to be on previously undeveloped land or Green Belt. The full AMIDS site has planning permission in principle with a series of planning conditions that apply to the land's future development. Any planning application for a different land use (such as a school) will be expected to comply with the existing wider site planning conditions. In addition, from a wider perspective any planning application associated with a school at Netherton (AMIDS) site would raise challenging hurdles associated with a number of key National Planning Framework 4 policies, most notably Policy 14 (Design, Quality and Place), Policy 15 (Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods) and Policy 22 (Flood Risk and Water Management). Collectively, these policies seek to promote healthy, connected and sustainable places, support community-centred development and avoid the location of highly vulnerable development within areas affected by environmental constraints. Given the site's industrial character, separation from residential communities, reliance on transport infrastructure, airport-related environmental impacts and flood risk considerations, it is anticipated that these policies would form significant considerations in the assessment of any future planning application for a school development at this location. III. Section 32 Agreement (Renfrewshire Council/Scottish Enterprise) A Section 32 Agreement is a legal agreement which allows Scottish Enterprise (SE) to restrict the use of land that it does not own. A Section 32 Agreement has been entered into for the AMIDS site as part of the provision of funding from SE for the AMIDS site infrastructure to generate buy in from Scottish Enterprise to support the Council and wider AMIDS group of stakeholders to drive forward the ambitions for creating an advanced manufacturing innovation district on the site. Page 66 of 142
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PUBLIC This agreement was approved by the Leadership Board in 2019, and it includes a range of definition obligations which both restrict the use of the site for advanced manufacturing and innovation and places a range of other obligations designed to protect the value of the site. The s32 Agreement excludes the land within AMIDS which is earmarked for Airport expansion. However, should this earmarked land be used for a purpose which fundamentally impacts negatively on the S.32 related AMIDS land, the obligations in the S.32 agreement, and in particular in relation to Good Faith, may apply. IV. AMIDs LLP (Joint Venture Partnership with Buccleuch Property) The AMIDS LLP Agreement (approved at Full Council in 2023) is the contract between the Council and the private sector partner Buccleuch Property whereby the Council and Buccleuch have formed a 50/50 joint venture partnership to develop AMIDS Park into a world class advanced manufacturing innovation park (note that similar to the SE S.32 agreement the JV agreement does not extend to the AMIDs land earmarked to support airport expansion). The agreement is defined as the joint venture to procure the planning, design, construction, execution, financing, letting and completion of the Property forming part of AMIDS. The Purpose of the Partnership is to: • Develop and carry out the Project in accordance with the Business Plan. • Contribute to the community through economic development and employment opportunities. • Members undertake to comply with the Business Plan As part of the agreement the Council has legally committed to undertake that it shall not: • Make any disposal of or grant rights over the Property, • Undertake any activity outside of the scope of the Business Plan, • Enter into any transaction that is not in the normal course of business of the Partnership, • Enter into any transaction which is not on “arms length” terms, • Enter into any transaction which is with a party connected to the Council. This element of the agreement places clear obligations on the Council and restricts the development of the AMIDs land related to the JV to be developed in line with these obligations. An Event of Default occurs if there is a serious breach of the agreement and includes any conduct that would be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Purpose of the Partnership. Crucially where the Defaulting Party is the Council then the remedy is that the Partnership Agreement is wound up and this would expose the Council to financial compensation rights on the part of the JV Partners. Page 67 of 142
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PUBLIC V. UK Priority Investment and Tax Zone Status Although no formal statutory restriction arises from either Investment Zone or Tax Site designation, the strategic significance of AMIDS at both a regional and national level has increased considerably in recent years and has continued to strengthen throughout 2025 and 2026. In 2025, AMIDS was incorporated within the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone and designated as a Tax Site. This status provides a package of targeted tax incentives to attract investment and occupiers operating within the advanced manufacturing and innovation sectors, alongside opportunities for the retention and reinvestment of non- domestic rates generated within the zone. The decision by both the UK and Scottish Governments to grant Tax Site status reflects a significant endorsement of AMIDS as a nationally important location for economic growth and demonstrates a clear commitment to accelerating its development as a specialist advanced manufacturing and innovation district. This strategic importance was further reinforced in November 2025 when the UK Government identified AMIDS as one of only four UK-wide Priority Investment Projects. Through this designation, the UK Government committed the coordinated support of a range of national public finance and investment institutions to assist in accelerating delivery and investment. The National Wealth Fund (NWF) was subsequently assigned as the lead organisation for coordinating support to AMIDS. This designation represents a further endorsement of the strategic vision for the district and its potential to deliver substantial long-term economic, employment and social benefits. It also significantly elevates the national and international profile of AMIDS as a globally competitive location for advanced manufacturing, research, innovation and related investment activity. Engagement undertaken to date with the National Wealth Fund and its associated network of advisers has recognised the considerable progress achieved through long- standing collaboration between public sector partners, academia and industry. Whilst acknowledging the district's significant strengths and opportunities, a key recommendation emerging from this work has been the importance of maintaining and strengthening a clear, consistent and unambiguous market proposition for AMIDS. In particular, advice received has highlighted the value of ensuring that all stakeholders articulate a single, coherent vision for the district in order to maximise market confidence, strengthen international engagement and support investment decisions from prospective occupiers. In this context, the introduction of a school within the AMIDS development area, or the progression of such a proposal through the later stages of the business case process, presents a significant strategic risk to the AMIDs proposition. The inclusion of a major non-industrial use would be fundamentally different from the specialist economic role that has consistently been promoted for the district and could create uncertainty regarding the long-term purpose and direction of the development. Such uncertainty would be contrary to the objective of presenting a clear and coherent proposition to target occupiers and investors. Given the highly competitive international market within which AMIDS is seeking to attract investment, maintaining confidence in the district's strategic vision is a critical consideration. At this stage in the development of AMIDS, clarity of purpose, consistency of messaging and confidence in long-term land use objectives are important factors in supporting inward investment and occupier interest. Any proposal that has the potential to dilute, conflict with or create ambiguity around the established vision for the district Page 68 of 142
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PUBLIC could adversely affect market perception and, consequently, the ability of AMIDS to realise its full economic potential. Accordingly, when considering the Netherton Avenue site as part of this assessment, it is necessary to recognise the potential wider strategic and economic implications arising from any proposal that may undermine the established positioning of AMIDS as a nationally significant advanced manufacturing and innovation district. The potential impact on investor confidence, marketability and the long-term delivery of the district's economic objectives represents a material consideration in the appraisal of the site's overall suitability Page 69 of 142
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PUBLIC APPENDIX 3 Publication of “The Future of Air Transport” White Paper setting out requiring airport to publish masterplans setting out their proposals for development Airport publishes its first Masterplan in response to the “The Future of Air Transport" White Paper 2007 Renfrewshire LTS notes requirement for improved walking and cycling facilities 2009 NPF 2 identifies Glasgow Airport as a National Development Site 2011 Glasgow Airport publishes its Masterplan for development up to 2040 Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan identifies Glasgow Airport Investment Zone as a Strategic Economic Investment Location & Strategic Transport Hub Publication of “Strategic Investment Framework” report by Ekos on behalf of the “International Investment Quarter” Working Group. Renfrewshire LDP; • recommends new crossing over White Cart Water at Wright Street (Westway Business Park) • notes requirement to realign Abbotsinch Road • recommends enhancement of Airport to Paisley Town Centre transport corridor • identifies Westway Business Park and Glasgow Airport as Strategic Economic Investment Locations City Deal Agreement ranks GAIA project as 11th in the City Deal infrastructure project list in terms of GVA June 2015 GAIA Strategic Business Case approved by Cabinet Sept 2015 Appointment of Lead Consultants for the GAIA project June 2016 Establishment of GAIA Steering Group December 2016 OBC v 1.0 approved by GCRCD Cabinet November 2017 Planning Consent granted for principle aspects of GAIA Project Scottish Government announce location of National Manufacturing Institute Scotland at GAIA. Dec-18 Dec 2018 OBC v 2.4 approved by GCRCD Cabinet Announcement that the UK Medicines Manufacturing Innovtion Centre (MMIC) will be located at GAIA. 2019 2023 2025 2025 2026 2026-2027 Recently the UK Chancellor also announced AMIDS as one of four, UK “Priority Investment Projects” to support UK economic growth and officers are now working with the National Wealth Fund and other UK public finance organisations to accelerate development at AMIDS. Phase 1 of Tech Terrace, which is the next phase of development at AMIDS is well progressed with construction expected to start this year. Planning has now been submitted, with this facility due to be completed by the end of 2027, with Phase 2 following thereafter. This facility will provide much needed flexible space for innovative university spin out type organisations. Council procured and contractually appointed a private sector Joint Venture partner (Buccleuch) to bring forward advanced manufacturing development on the site. A follow on £59 million AMIDS South Project Business Case approved and £39m of Levelling Up Funding Secured to provide improved connectivity between AMIDS and the Airport is currently in delivery AMIDS site becomes part of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone and is a designated “Tax Site” providing attractive tax incentives to new occupiers along with the opportunity for non-domestic rates retention to be collected and reused within the investment zone – with the investment zone and the tax site status tied specifically to advanced manufacturing and innovation sector. 2014 Dec-17 Jun-18 Time Period Event Full Business Case approved by Council in Feb 2019 and approximately £60 million investment, funded by the UK & Scottish Governments, Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Enterprise was progressed by the Council to:- 2003 2006 2012 2013 2014 Page 70 of 142
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 Report by: Director of Children’s Services Heading: School Holiday Arrangements School Session 2027/28 1. Summary 1.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to determine the pattern of school holiday arrangements for the school session beginning August 2027. 1.2. Attached as Appendix 1 to this report, is this proposal that has been agreed in principle with trade union representatives and approved at the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers on 9 June 2026. 2. Recommendations 2.1. Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to authorise the Director of Children’s Services to set school holiday arrangements for academic year 2027/2028 in line with appendix 1 to this report. 3. Background 3.1. Each year the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to determine a framework for school holiday arrangements for the session beginning in August of the following year. 3.2. Consultation has taken place with staff, parent councils, teaching and other trade unions for consideration on the proposal for 2027/2028. 3.3. The recommended arrangements attached are the best match possible to those being considered by neighbouring councils given the varying fair holiday arrangements. Item 4 Page 71 of 142
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PUBLIC 3.4. The proposed patterns meet, where possible, the majority of the desirable features which are: • aligning the dates of major holidays with those of neighbouring councils; • providing a two week break at Christmas, including Christmas eve; • providing a mid-term break in February; and • providing a two week school holiday in spring. Implications of this report 1. Financial Implications None. 2. HR and Organisational Development Implications None. 3. Community Plan/Council Plan Implications None. 4. Legal Implications None. 5. Property/Assets Implications None. 6. Information Technology Implications None. 7. Equality and Human Rights Implications The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety Implications None. 9. Procurement Implications None. 10. Risk Implications None. 11. Privacy Impact None Page 72 of 142
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PUBLIC 12. 13. 14. Climate Risk None. Children’s Rights School holiday arrangements engage a range of rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In particular, Article 31 recognises children’s right to rest, leisure, play and participation in cultural activities. Holiday periods also support Article 15 (freedom of association), Article 12 (respect for the views of the child), Article 27 (an adequate standard of living and wellbeing), and Article 28 (the right to education and access to learning opportunities). In developing these proposals, due regard has been given to children’s rights, wellbeing and healthy development, alongside educational objectives and the broader aims of education set out in Article 29. COSLA Policy Position None. List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1: Proposed School Holiday Arrangements – 2026/27 The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is (Laura Baillie, Resources Support Manager, 07970876292 laura.baillie@renfrewshire.gov.uk) Children’s Services GMcL/LB 24 June 2026 Author: Laura Baillie, Resources Support Manager, 07970876292 laura.baillie@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 73 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 74 of 142
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: Thursday 20 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Children’s Services Health and Safety Strategy Update 2025/2026 and Children’s Services Health and Safety Strategy Action Plan 2026/27 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The Council’s Health, Safety and Welfare Policy requires each service to submit an annual report and an annual Health and Safety action plan to the relevant Policy Board. 1.2. The Children’s Services action plan update for 2025/2026 is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. The action plan details the progress made during 2025/2026 on the health and safety actions set. 1.3. Appendix 2 sets out the planned actions the service will undertake during 2026/2027, outlining the service’s commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. It is recommended that the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board approves the Children’s Services Health and Safety action plan update for 2025/2026 at Appendix 1. 2.2. It is recommended that the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board approves the Children’s Services Health and Safety Action Plan for 2026/2027 attached at Appendix 2. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. Renfrewshire Council’s Department of Children’s Services accepts its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, as an employer, to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all its employees, pupils Item 5 Page 75 of 142
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PUBLIC and other persons who may be affected by the operations of the department. Employees must likewise accept their responsibilities under the Act. 3.2. Children’s Services Head of Education is currently the lead officer for health, safety and wellbeing within the service and is supported by the Resources Support Manager. We have a proactive approach and commitment to health, safety and wellbeing which is supported by the service’s Health and Safety Committee. 3.3. The service has adapted its processes and procedures to ensure that standards for all employees working from home or in the office are maintained, with the health, safety and wellbeing of employees being a priority. The service’s health and safety committee meet’s quarterly via Teams. The membership of this group includes representation from all school sectors, professional bodies, Children’s House, Social Work Justice and colleagues from the council’s Environmental, Housing and Infrastructure Department are also in attendance. 3.4. The action plan 2026/2027 identifies strategic improvement areas for future and continued action which is included as Appendix 2 to this report. The action plan is monitored on a quarterly basis by the service’s health and safety committee. 3.5. The preparation of this annual report and action plan has been supported by the Finance and Resources, People and Organisational Development (People & OD) Health and Safety Team. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial None. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is well - The health and safety action plan will ensure that the well being of staff, children and young people is taken into account. Our Renfrewshire is safe - The health and safety action plan will consider the safety of staff, children and young people with the actions that have been set. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets None. Page 76 of 142
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PUBLIC 6. Information Technology None. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety The report supports and demonstrates the Council and the Children’s service’s commitment to ensuring effective health and safety management. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk The report supports the overarching management of risk within Renfrewshire Council in relation to health and safety. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights The rights and wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of our Children’s Services Health and Safety Plan. As a council we will continue to work together to promote equality and raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to make sure children and young people’s rights are promoted and reflected in all that we do. This will ensure that we are meeting the requirements of the new duties under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers (a) Children’s Services Health and Well Being Strategy Update 2024/2025 The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is Laura Baillie, Resources Support Manager - 07970876292 (laura.baillie@renfrewshire.gov.uk) Page 77 of 142
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PUBLIC ____________________________________________________ Children’s Services GMcL/LB 23 July 2026 Author: Laura Baillie, Resources Support Manager - 07970876292 (laura.baillie@renfrewshire.gov.uk) Page 78 of 142
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 Children’s Services Health and Safety Plan 2025/26 – Update on Actions Inclusive, Safe and Responsible What will we do What difference will we make Measures Leads / timescales Update Use of data Identify key data which will be routinely shared, analysed and discussed in the H&S group and wider forums Develop an accessible data dashboard with key data set Through effective use of data, the service will better understand areas of priority and emerging themes which will be used to inform decision making around resource and planning Staff will be better informed around key issues and trends and can use this knowledge within their own services and teams. Suite of key data Data dashboard development Data outputs with analysis and recommendations / next steps Reps from H&S Group Data team to support the development of service dashboard Communications Business Partner A dashboard has been development with focus on Violence and Aggression. This ensures that data is accessible and can be accessed by key senior officers who provide support and challenge to establishments. The data can be used to make evidence based decisions on prioritising resource and support. Work will take place in 26/27 with a view to develop other dashboards that facilitate H&S discussions Page 79 of 142
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PUBLIC H&S is everyone’s responsibility Work with Organisational Development to create a H&S induction model on iLearn Develop and share slides around key H&S messages for all services and teams which can be shared at in-service / training days Review landscape of service H&S representatives and ensure they are appropriately trained and supported Staff are aware of service health and safety issues and know how to respond appropriately Staff report improved knowledge and confidence of service health and safety issues There is an improved health and safety culture across Children’s Services There is a central overview of all H&S representatives H&S representatives feel able to represent staff appropriately Development of H&S module Central H&S representative list Feedback from H&S representatives Number of participants completing H&S module on iLearn Organisational Development Reps from H&S group Resources team Further work required in terms of ilearn and core modules. Engaging with neighbouring local authorities on different approaches. Key health and safety messages shared with establishments at in- service day. Relevant staff will be trained in September in Resilience for Managers which will enable officers to better support establishments during incidents. Page 80 of 142
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PUBLIC Violence and Aggression Development of guidance for all establishments including children’s homes in relation to de-escalation and safeholds Work with H&S / BW team to improve consistency of reporting on incidents Work with H&S / BW team to improve inconsistencies with data and data quality Embed new policy Continue to roll out training Update training and policies in line with Included, Engaged and Involved part 3 Roll out iLearn module Improved confidence in responding to violence and aggression Improved confidence in de-escalation and appropriate use of safe holds Safer and inclusive establishments for children, young people and staff Improved staff knowledge on how to report incidents Improved confidence on reporting incidents consistently Improved confidence in data which can be used to inform decision making and monitor trends Reduced number of incidents (this may increase temporarily if Violence and Aggression Policy De-escalation and safe holds guidance Business World Data and Reports Staff survey / feedback Training evaluations Inclusion team H&S team Resources team BW team iLearn Module to be rolled out in August in- service day Violence and Aggression Training was mandatory as part of October 2025 In-Service day. Staff were encouraged to complete modules. Meetings were hosted to explore de-escalation and safeholds in ASN establishments. JNC have agreed to revisit policy to look at reporting. Met with H&S to agree on data / stats to be shared with JNC. Page 81 of 142
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PUBLIC Continue to improve processes in place to develop interventions to support trends/specific incidents reporting increases due to improved knowledge and confidence Intimate care Ensure that there are appropriate facilities in all services / establishments where required Staff receive guidance and training on managing intimate care needs There is clarity around ASNA / PSA roles Children and young people’s needs will be sensitively supported Children and young people will feel included and be treated with dignity Staff will be more confident in managing intimate care needs Reduction in number of complaints regarding intimate care issues Increased understanding of staff roles and remits with less resistance to change Focus group with staff following training Training survey evaluations Complaint data A position statement has been developed for Intimate Care and shared with the CS H&S group. The position statement ensures that staff and children and young people are supported in relation to intimate care. The statement provides links to resources which staff can access. The statement will be shared with Heads of Establishments prior to the start of the new school session. Business continuity planning (BCP) Set up a cross service short life working group to review the current business continuity All services / establishments have plans in place to respond to incidents All services / establishments are Feedback from establishments piloting invacuation procedures Review data from services / establishments following incidents about Resource Team to coordinate Reps from H&S Group Civil Contingency Group / Alan Gibson Central Children’s Services staff were involved in a BCP session. Page 82 of 142
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PUBLIC planning process ensuring it is fit for purpose Re-launch business continuity planning process Development and piloting of invacuation procedures following Martin’s Law aware of escalation process and know when it is appropriate to escalate All services / establishments will know how to implement invacuation procedures when appropriate. As a result, children, young people and staff will be safe and supported as a result of invacuation procedure the effectiveness and efficiency of plans Examples of high quality business continuity plans All Head Teachers / Heads of Centre BCP service plans being updated across both the education and social work estate. Heads of Establishments attended a BCP session, to provide advice and assistance on their plans at a local level. CCG have been attended school cluster meetings to offer bespoke training and advice to Heads on how to update their plans. Intruder and Lockdown Action Plans drafted and to be shared with CS H&S group for comment Work is ongoing to refresh the annual Incident Management Guidance which will give staff access to quick cards to support them in the event of an incident. Page 83 of 142
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PUBLIC Maintenance and Repairs There is an agreed service approach, governance and compliance to the security and maintenance of all establishments Through the learning estate strategy, there is an appropriate plan in place for establishment maintenance Launch the new process for requests for adaptations (core and equalities) Engage with EH&I on CAMIS prioritisation processes and feedback loop for Children’s Services repairs The learning estate is inclusive and fit for modern day learning Staff are aware of governance and are compliant with policy Children and young people are safe Children and young people’s needs and rights are supported at the right time Decision making around for requests for adaptations and repairs is robust and transparent Managers / Head Teachers are more aware of the status of priority repairs Reduced flight risk and near miss instances and reports Data from the request for adaptations process e.g. types of requests, decisions, financial Reduced wait time for priority repairs Feedback from managers / heads on use of CAMIS Resource team Inclusion team Strategic learning estate manager H&S team Colleagues from EHI Heads of Service Head Teachers / Heads of Centre The introduction of the Request for Adaptations Form has been rolled out to all educational establishments. This ensures all property requests including priority flight risk works are reviewed and approved in a consistent manner. Regular liaison meetings take place with Children’s Services Colleagues and colleagues from Hard and Soft FM to discuss property works, challenges and budget availability. A plan is now in place for early years establishments in terms of maintenance and repairs. Data is being collated from across Education and EH&I to provide an overview of planned works and integration Page 84 of 142
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PUBLIC with learning estate. This will support decisions around investment and prioritisation. Page 85 of 142
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PUBLIC Appendix 2 Children’s Services Health and Safety Plan 2026/27 Inclusive, Safe and Responsible What will we do What difference will we make Measures Leads / timescales Update Use of data Finalise an accessible data dashboard with key data set Through effective use of data, the service will better understand areas of priority and emerging themes which will be used to inform decision making around resource and planning Staff will be better informed around key issues and trends and can use this knowledge within their own services and teams. Suite of key data Data dashboard development Data outputs with analysis and recommendations / next steps Reps from H&S Group Data team to support the development of service dashboard Communications Business Partner H&S is everyone’s responsibility Work with Organisational Development to create a H&S induction model on iLearn Staff are aware of service health and safety issues and know how to respond appropriately Staff report improved knowledge and confidence of service health and safety issues Development of H&S module Central H&S representative list Feedback from H&S representatives Number of participants completing H&S module on iLearn Organisational Development Reps from H&S group Resources team Page 86 of 142
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PUBLIC There is an improved health and safety culture across Children’s Services There is a central overview of all H&S representatives H&S representatives feel able to represent staff appropriately Violence and Aggression Work with H&S / BW team to improve consistency of reporting on incidents Work with H&S / BW team to improve inconsistencies with data and data quality Safer and inclusive establishments for children, young people and staff Improved staff knowledge on how to report incidents Improved confidence on reporting incidents consistently Improved confidence in data which can be used to inform decision making and monitor trends Business World Data and Reports Staff survey / feedback Training evaluations Inclusion team H&S team Resources team BW team iLearn Module to be rolled out in August in- service day Page 87 of 142
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PUBLIC Reduced number of incidents (this may increase temporarily if reporting increases due to improved knowledge and confidence Business continuity planning Refresh the annual Incident Management Guidance. Improve staff confidence in managing establishment situations giving staff access to quick cards to support them in the event of an incident Review data from services / establishments following incidents about the effectiveness and efficiency of plans Examples of high quality business continuity plans Resource Team to coordinate Reps from H&S Group Civil Contingency Group / Alan Gibson All Head Teachers / Heads of Centre Primary Flight Risk Guidance Develop guidance for primary schools similar to that in operation across Early Learning and Childcare Centres Corporate H&S Primary Head Teachers Resources Team Review of Risk Assessments – Social Work Areas of Responsibility Review and create a suite of risk assessments for use across social work localities Social Work Managers Page 88 of 142
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PUBLIC Accident and incident reporting Across Children’s House and SW Locality Offices Work with locality offices to establishment any barriers to reporting and assist with process and procedures for reporting. Suite of key data Data outputs with analysis and recommendations / next steps Social Work Leadership Team Manager competence and assurance Work via the social work leadership team to ensure all managers are upskilled in the management of health and safety incidents and their responsibilities as “responsible officers”. Develop an assurance approach with the Children’s Services Manager (Quality and Assurance) for use in the service. Key health and safety messages shared with all areas of the social work service Social Work Leadership Team Communication, engagement and governance Ensure regular newsletters contain health and safety learning and information. Head of Children and Justice Social Work/Chief Social Work Officer will review governance report to ensure continual learning approach. Ensuring that all staff are kept up to date on health and safety developments that affect their area of responsibility. Social Work Leadership Team Page 89 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 1 of 7 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Renfrewshire ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) and establishes a process by which parents can request Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) from their education authority. 1.2. GMPE is delivered via full immersion. Children experience all learning through the medium of Gaelic in P1-3. Thereafter, immersion continues but from P4, English is introduced. Gaelic remains the predominant language of the classroom. 1.3. Under the legislation and statutory guidance, parents of pre-school children have the right to request an assessment of the need for GMPE from the education authority in which they reside. Any request must be accompanied by evidence of demand for GMPE from parents of other children resident in the same education authority area who will commence primary school in the same year as the specified child. An initial assessment must be completed within 6 weeks. A full assessment allows 10 weeks for the local authority to undertake and report on the exercise. 1.4. The first GMPE provision in Renfrewshire opened in August 2022 within West Primary School and welcomed pupils in Primaries 1–3. The provision has grown year-on-year and now extends across Primaries 1–6. For session 2026/27, 12 new Primary 1 pupils are enrolled to commence learning through the medium of Gaelic at West Primary School, representing the largest intake since the provision was established and demonstrating continued growth in demand for Gaelic Medium Education in Renfrewshire. 1.5. Our GMPE provision is led by the Head Teacher at West Primary School, a Principal Teacher of GME and one class teacher. Item 6 Page 91 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 2 of 7 1.6. Each year, an application is made to the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Specific Grant Fund and Capital Grant Fund with bids written with a view to embedding, extending and enhancing our existing offer for GME within Renfrewshire. 1.7. Our provision for GMPE was inspected by Education Scotland in April 2023 as part of a wider inspection of West Primary School. Inspectors highlighted a number of strengths including the positive impact of Gaelic on the wider school: ‘Gaelic Medium Education within West Primary School is becoming well established. Children are making good progress in talking Gaelic. For children learning through English, their curriculum is widening through their learning about Gaelic language and culture.’ 1.8. An annual event to promote the availability of GMPE in Renfrewshire has been established and is delivered in partnership with representatives from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant. 1.9. The Scottish Languages Bill is currently at Stage 3 of the process to determine if it should become an Act. The Bill gives the Gaelic language official status in Scotland and makes changes to the support for the Gaelic language in Scotland. This includes changes in relation to Gaelic education: - providing Scottish Ministers with powers to set standards and produce guidance for local authorities in relation to Gaelic education; - amending the statutory definition of school education; - requiring local authorities to promote Gaelic education; - making various other changes linked to GME including a process for parents to request Gaelic Medium Early Learning & Childcare (GMELC) ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is requested to: - Note progress to date in relation to Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) - Approve Children's Services officers to continue implementing the Council's phased short, medium and long-term strategy for Gaelic Medium Education, including the development of Gaelic Medium Early Learning and Childcare (GMELC) provision, the continued growth of primary provision at West Primary School and the exploration of future secondary provision with the long-term objective of establishing a sustainable 3–18 Gaelic education pathway within Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. The Council’s Gaelic Language Plan (2024 - 2029) includes a commitment to explore opportunities for GMELC and secondary provision during the life of the Plan. 3.2. In our consultation in 2023 as part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, 23% of respondents expressed an interest in GME as Page 92 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 3 of 7 part of their child’s early learning experience. The majority of those who expressed an interest reside in the Erskine area. 3.3. Renfrewshire Council continues to provide transport to children attending GMPE provision out with Renfrewshire for children in P6 & P7 and young people attending GME secondary provisions in other local authorities. Transport is currently provided to 8 primary pupils attending provisions in Glasgow and Inverclyde. 17 secondary pupils are provided with transport to Glasgow Gaelic School. 71% of these young people live centrally within Renfrewshire, specifically within the Paisley and Renfrew areas. 3.4. The Council’s webpages are currently being updated in relation to GME with a continued focus on highlighting the availability of GMPE within Renfrewshire. 3.5. A working group of Council officers (Children’s Services) and parents of children accessing our GMPE provision has been established with a view to consulting on aspects of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan (2024 - 2029) 3.6 Renfrewshire Council's approach to Gaelic Medium Education is based on a phased strategy designed to establish a sustainable 3–18 learner pathway. The strategy recognises the need to balance growing parental demand with the long-term sustainability of provision. Activity is therefore being progressed through short-term, medium-term and long-term planning arrangements to ensure that future investment is informed by evidence of demand and delivers best value. Short-term Plan - Consider establishing a GMELC provision to support the growth of GMPE in Renfrewshire. - Consider options in relation to establishment location. - Explore staffing and recruitment options. - Engage with the Care Inspectorate to register the GMELC provision. Medium-term Plan - Consider a merged provision for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and primary on the basis that the demand for Gaelic is likely to increase and will outgrow the existing service at West Primary School. - Consult and engage with partners as appropriate including Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comann nam Pàrant, parents/carer and the Scottish Government. - Continue to explore options for secondary GME provision and liaise with parents to support effective transitions for pupils. 2 pupils from our GMPE provision are due to start S1 in August 2027 - a low number when considering establishing provision within Renfrewshire. - Placing requests will be considered by Inverclyde and Glasgow and secondary provision is also currently available in North Lanarkshire and Falkirk. Long-term Plan - Undertake public consultations in relation to GME as appropriate. - Focus on a strategic 10 year plan for GME in Renfrewshire and assess 3- 18 provision. Page 93 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 4 of 7 3.7 Significant progress has been made in delivering the short-term objectives identified by the strategic planning group. This includes the introduction of a Gaelic-speaking ELC Support Worker from August 2026, the introduction of a Gaelic experience within West Primary Nursery Class and the proposed identification of Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre as the preferred location for the establishment of dedicated GMELC provision from August 2027. 3.8 The Gaelic experience will provide children with opportunities to hear, use and enjoy Gaelic through play-based learning. Children will be introduced to simple Gaelic words, phrases, songs, stories, games and daily routines, helping to build familiarity with the language in a fun and engaging environment. The approach will focus on developing an awareness and appreciation of Gaelic language and culture. 3.9 This project will also support the longer-term planning for GMELC by allowing the service to better assess parental demand and support the transition to creating a GMELC offer for children and families with Renfrewshire Council. 3.10 In addition, an Early Learning and Childcare setting has been identified as an appropriate setting to deliver GMELC from August 2027. This proposal includes changes to the service model at Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre. The centre will continue to provide care and learning for children from birth to five years however, from August 2027, it is proposed that it will also include a dedicated GME ELC provision for up to 10 FTE children. During session 2026/27, implementation planning will be undertaken to support the introduction of the new provision, including minor works, staffing, family engagement, curriculum development and registration requirements. 3.11 There is also the potential within the setting to increase GME capacity to 16 full time children through registration of outdoor learning space, subject to regulatory approval. 3.12 Funding for the development and implementation of the GMELC will be supported through a combination of external grant funding (Scottish Government Capital Grant and Bòrd na Gàidhlig funding) and resources identified within existing ELC revenue budgets. This approach will enable the establishment of the provision in a financially sustainable manner while minimising any additional cost pressures on core service budgets. 3.13 The Scottish Government provides opportunities for local authorities to apply for Capital Grant funding each year. In December 2023 for financial year 24/25, Scottish Government awarded Renfrewshire £43,000 to undertake works and purchase resources for a new P4-7 GME classroom at West Primary School to support our provision. 3.14 Renfrewshire Council can also apply for Gaelic Specific Grant funding on an annual basis. This also comes from the Scottish Government and is specifically for projects that support the growth and use of Gaelic. Renfrewshire has applied for this for several years but over the past 3 years the council has received: 24/25 £55,000 23/24 £50,000 Page 94 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 5 of 7 22/23 £26,449 3.15 The growth of Gaelic Medium Education in Renfrewshire represents a significant success for the Council. Since establishing provision in 2022, pupil numbers have continued to increase, with 12 new pupils due to commence Primary 1 in August 2026. The Council's phased approach provides a clear pathway for future growth, ensuring that decisions regarding Early Learning and Childcare, primary and secondary provision are evidence-based, sustainable and aligned with parental demand. ______________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial The forecast total spend on transport to GME provisions in 26/27 is £174,730 £60,265 to West PS £114,465 to Glasgow Gaelic and Whinhill 2. HR and Organisational Development There will be a requirement to recruit 2 GME Early Learning practitioners for the new provision. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Children have the best start in life. Working together to improve outcomes - Consultation with the parents involved has been ongoing throughout the process and Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig have been fully engaged in supporting the Council through the development of GMPE in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal Renfrewshire Council is complying with the key legislative provision of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016, Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the Standard in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000 and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. These Acts together provide a framework for children to be educated in accordance with their parents’ wishes. 5. Property/Assets Consider options for GME Early Years Provision, 6. Information Technology N/A 7. Equality and Human Rights Page 95 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 6 of 7 The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety Council Officers will liaise with central teams to ensure policies are adhered to. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights When considering any future GME school provision, the impact this will have on children is a key consideration, and any work will be based around the direct needs of children to allow their education experience to thrive. Whilst children have a right to choose where they wish to attend school in collaboration with their parents, the council will adhere to legal requirements. Article 28 (right to education) Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Article 29 (goals of education) Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers ‘Gaelic Medium Primary Education Provision in Renfrewshire’ - Report to Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 9 June 2022. The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is: Laura McAllister, Page 96 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 7 of 7 Education Manager (Curriculum, Learning & Teaching), 07483 361 153, laura.mcallister@renfrewshire.gov.uk. ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services LM Author: Laura McAllister Education Manager - Curriculum, Learning & Teaching laura.mcallister@renfrewshire.gov.uk / 07483 361 153 Page 97 of 142
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OFFICIAL To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 Report by: Director of Children’s Services Heading: Early Learning and Childcare – Payment of Sustainable Rates to Funded Providers 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council has a statutory duty to provide early learning and childcare (“ELC”) places to all eligible children. The Council continues to observe this duty through the provision of places in local authority, private and voluntary sector nurseries and with childminders. Renfrewshire Council’s Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places, reference RC-CPU-20-113 (“Council’s Framework") enables the Council to purchase placements in private and voluntary sector nurseries and with childminders (these private and voluntary services and childminders are identified as “Approved Funded Providers” or “AFP”). 1.2 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on a further review of the sustainable rate paid to AFP for the provision of ELC and to seek approval for the payment of the new rate from 1 April 2026. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to: (i) Note the position of COSLA and the Scottish Government with regards to the sustainable rate paid to AFP. (ii) approve an increase in the sustainable hourly rate paid to Renfrewshire Council’s AFP for the provision of funded early learning and childcare from £6.74 to £7.09 effective from 1 April 2026 for any child aged 3 to 5 years accepted for funding under the Council’s Framework; and (iii) approve an increase in the sustainable hourly rate paid to Renfrewshire Council’s AFP for the provision of funded early learning and childcare from Item 7 Page 99 of 142
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OFFICIAL £8.88 to £9.13 effective from 1 April 2026 for any eligible child aged 2 to 3 years accepted for funding under the Council’s Framework. 3. Background 3.1 Section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, as amended by the Standards in Schools etc. Act 2000 and The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (“2014 Act”), directs authorities on their duty to provide pre-school education. Renfrewshire Council has continued to observe this duty through the provision of places in local authority, private and voluntary sector nurseries and with childminders. 3.2 All 3 and 4-year-old children and eligible 2-year-old children have a statutory entitlement of up to 1140 hours of funded ELC each year. 3.3 The Scottish Government published updated guidance on the Funding Follows the Child and National Standard for ELC Providers: Operating Guidance in August 2025. 3.4 The Scottish Government’s Funding Follows the Child Policy tasks Councils with the responsibility of ensuring flexibility and choice, ensuring that there is a range of options for families in their area. Renfrewshire Council continues to ensure families have flexibility in the way they wish to access their child’s entitlement to ELC. In each geographical area parents can choose from a range of Providers, including Council and AFP; and a range of options such as term time and 52 weeks per year, full day, and part-time places. 3.5 The National Standard sets out the required standards for AFP and local authority establishments; with Councils required to be guarantors of quality in ensuring the provision of high quality ELC in AFP settings. The National Standard also sets out a requirement for AFP to have a financially sustainable setting and to pay those staff delivering funded ELC the real Living Wage, with the aim of supporting recruitment and retention of staff, professional learning and investment in their services. 3.6 The Council’s Framework provides a robust scrutiny and assessment process to ensure quality ELC provision and AFP commitment to meeting the National Standards in relation to quality of provision, payment of the real Living Wage, quality staffing and staff retention. 3.7 In Renfrewshire, approximately 1620 eligible children currently access their funded ELC placement in an AFP setting. The Council is dependent on AFP to fulfil its statutory duty to deliver high quality ELC to all eligible children. Private, voluntary sector nurseries and childminders settings in this sector need to remain financially viable and meet the required standards set to ensure the provision of high-quality ELC services. 3.8 The rate paid for the provision of the statutory entitlement to ELC is known as the sustainable rate. Each local authority is responsible for setting their own rate and national guidance produced by COSLA and the Scottish Government provided to support local authorities with this exercise. Page 100 of 142
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OFFICIAL 3.9 Guidance for Setting Sustainable Rates for the Delivery of Funded ELC in 2026-27 was published by the Scottish Government and COSLA in March 2026. This updated guidance, replaced previous versions of the sustainable rates guidance, sets out the process for local authorities to set sustainable rates for 2026-27. 3.10 The Scottish Government confirmed an additional £11 million funding across Scotland in 2026-27 to enable childcare workers delivering funded ELC in private and third sector services to be paid at least the new real Living Wage rate of £13.45 per hour from April 2026. 3.11 The Council also continues to provide additional benefits to AFP as part of the Council’s Framework. This is in addition to the sustainable rate paid to AFP. The additional benefits include high quality continued professional learning; a designated link Partnership Support Officer; professional advice and support on quality improvement; access to an Early Years Graduate (in line with SIMD status) and to an Early Years Teacher; an enhanced programme of support for services during a Service Improvement Period due to inspection grades falling below the requirements set within the National Standard; financial support towards external workforce training costs to assist in the compliance with SSSC requirements; and other support services such as Educational Psychology and the Education Inclusion Team for support and advice on supporting children with additional support needs, which may also include ASNA support. These forms of in-kind support enables the Council to discharge its duty as guarantor of quality. 4. Payment of a Sustainable Rate – 2026-27 4.1 The Scottish Government and COLSA updated guidance on setting the sustainable rate for funded ELC in 2026-27. 4.2 Through national agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA, it has been determined that local authorities should apply a minimum 5.2% uplift to all 2025-26 rates to reflect the estimated increase in the average staff cost element of the sustainable rate required to meet the real Living Wage uplift from April 2026. This reflects staffing costs accounting for, on average, 77% of the sustainable rate. In line with this guidance non-staffing costs are estimated to account for, on average, 23% of the sustainable rate. 4.3 The guidance also encourages local authorities to: - Set a higher rate for eligible 2-year-olds for 2026-27, reflecting the differences in the staff ratio requirements and that the cost for delivering funded ELC to eligible 2-year-olds being higher than for 3–5-year-olds. - Set a separate payment rate for the free meal commitment for 2026-27. 4.4 Additionally, the sustainable rate guidance for 2026-27 requires that the overall rate agreed must be affordable for local authorities in terms of the budgets available. Also advised in the guidance is that sustainable rate uplifts for 2026-27 which are set after 1 April 2026 are expected to be backdated to 1 April 2026 to reflect, from this date, the increased real Living Wage. Page 101 of 142
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OFFICIAL 4.5 A proposed uplift from 1 April 2026 for Renfrewshire Council’s AFP, from £6.74 to £7.09 per hour, for an eligible child aged 3 to 5 years reflects the requirements detailed at 4.2 above and represents a 5.2% uplift to the sustainable rate. In addition, a 2.8% uplift aligned to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflationary rate is proposed from 1 April 2026 for Renfrewshire Council’s AFP, from £8.88 to £9.13 per hour, for an eligible 2-year-old. 4.6 The increase proposed in paragraph 4.5 is linked to a commitment by AFP to pay their ELC staff providing direct care to children who are receiving funded hours with a minimum of £13.45 per hour from 1 April 2026. 4.7 AFP will continue to receive £3 per meal for any eligible child in accordance with the 1140 hours of ELC entitlement and in addition to the hourly rate. The continuation of a rate of £3 per meal is in line with the funding allocated to the Council for meal provision. AFP will also continue to be paid £0.58 for each child, per session, as part of the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme. 4.8 Council officers have continued to work collaboratively with a representative group of AFP on the sustainable rate setting process. The AFP representative group were consulted during the preparation on the proposal for the sustainable rate for session 2026-27 being presented to this August 2026 Policy Board. 4.9 The other additional in-kind services the Council provides to AFP, as outlined in paragraph 3.11 above will continue to be provided; this is also in addition to the hourly rate paid to AFP. Implications of this report 1. Financial The overall cost of the proposed increase to the hourly rate payable to AFP for ELC is expected to be in the region of £629,000. This is based on a projected amount of charged hours from AFP for 2026-27 for external placements. An additional £11 million has been provided for 2026-27 nationally by the Scottish Government to fund the increase in the sustainable rate required to meet the commitment to pay at least £13.45 per hour from 1 April 2026 and, along with other finance settlement adjustments, this leads to an increase in funding for Renfrewshire Council for financial year 2026-27 of £452,000. The implementation of this uplift will therefore represent an estimated additional net cost pressure to Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services of £177,000. The overall budget shortfall for the year is estimated to be in the region of £429,000. As the number of families choosing to access their child’s entitlement in AFP settings varies on an annual basis, the service will continue to closely monitor ongoing affordability. The findings of the joint review of the sustainable rate setting process notes the continued challenges facing the sector. It also notes that any sustainable rate must also be financially sustainable from the perspective of the local authority. Council officers will continue to engage with AFP across Renfrewshire to inform future reviews of the sustainable rate. Page 102 of 142
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OFFICIAL 2. HR and Organisational Development None directly arising from this report as it relates to AFP costs. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Ensuring the best start in life for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is well - Early intervention will lead to healthier outcomes for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is safe - Local services will benefit children, young people and members of the community. Building strong, safe and resilient communities - The quality of community life is enhanced by supporting parents, children and young people. Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all - Effective governance arrangements ensure that the organisations receiving funding comply with legislative requirements. Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy Working together to improve outcomes Support to families and flexible childcare placements will support parents into and sustain employment, training or enter education. Ensuring children have a high quality ELC experience. 4. Legal Services from AFP will continue to be procured in accordance with the Council’s Framework and the Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Contracts. The Scottish Government and COSLA guidance on setting sustainable rates for the delivery of funded ELC provides guidance for Councils, this is not a statutory requirement. Additional funded is provided to support an increase, therefore placing an expectation on Councils to increase rates in accordance with their guidance. 5. Property/Assets None directly arising from this report Page 103 of 142
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OFFICIAL 6. Information Technology None directly arising from this report 7. Equality and Human Rights No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because the sustainable rate is being increased. If required, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. AFP are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 8. Health and Safety None directly arising from this report 9. Procurement Services from AFP will continue to be procured in accordance with the Council’s Framework and the Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Contracts. The process for the proposed variation to the rate will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Framework and formal letter issued by the Corporate Procurement Unit to each of the appointed AFP for their agreement. 10. Risk If the Council does not increase the hourly rate to a level that enables AFP to be sustainable and to fulfil the commitment to pay staff £13.45 per hour, there is the risk that: i. There will be a reduction in the level of choice and local provision for parents and possibly impact on the Council’s ability to fulfil its statutory duty and compliance with the Funding Follows the Child Policy and National Standard of ensuring sufficient ELC places. This could result in additional cost for the Council as it will need to expand existing Council ELC services and/or open new Council operated ELC services. ii. There may be reputational damage to the Council if ELC services close due to not being sustainable, leading to disruption to children and families’ lives, loss of local provision, choice and flexibility for families, loss of employment and community- based services. iii. Providers in the private, voluntary and independent sector may not be able to meet the National Standard, recruit and retain staff if they are not able to pay the real Living Wage to those staff delivering funded ELC. iv. Potential reduction in the quality of service provided if qualified and experienced staff cannot be recruited. 11. Privacy Impact None directly arising from this report 12. Climate Risk None directly arising from this report Page 104 of 142
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OFFICIAL 13. Children’s Rights Article 3 (best interests of the child) - the best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children. Article 28 (right to education) - every child has the right to an education. Article 29 (goals of education) - education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment. Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) - every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities. 14. COSLA Policy Position The joint review of the sustainable rate setting process was undertaken by COSLA and the Scottish Government. COSLA and the Scottish Government jointly agreed on the sustainable rate setting process as outlined in this report. List of Background Papers - Early Learning and Childcare – sustainable rates for funded providers: overview 2024 to 2025, Scottish Government, March 2026 – https://www.bing.com/search?q=march+2026+funding+follows+the+child+operating+ guidance&cvid=7aa048bbeabb48bab27f8727d2be737b&gs_lcrp=EgRlZG - Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers: operating guidance August 2025 - Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers: operating guidance - gov.scot - Early Learning and Childcare – sustainable rates for funded providers: overview 2024 to 2025, Scottish Government, March 2025 – https://www.gov.scot/publications/early-learning-childcare-sustainable-rates-funded- providers-overview-2024-2025/ - Guidance for setting sustainable rates for the delivery of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) in 2025-26, Scottish Government and COSLA, February 2025 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-setting-sustainable-rates-delivery- funded-early-learning-childcare-elc-2025-26/ - Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for ELC Providers: Operating Guidance, Scottish Government, December 2023. - Funding Follows The Child and The National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers: Operating Guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is Jennifer O’Hara, Education Manager. JO’H 22 July 2026 Page 105 of 142
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OFFICIAL Author: Jennifer O’Hara, Education Manager jennifer.ohara@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 106 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 1 of 8 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 – Annual Report 2025-2026 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. Section 3(2) of The Health and Case (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act) requires local authorities to have regard to a range of factors (detailed in paragraph 3.2 of this report) when planning or securing the provision of a care service from a third-party provider. 1.2. Section 3(6) of the Act requires local authorities to publish a report on an annual basis on the steps they have taken to comply with the requirement in section 3(2) regarding the planning and securing of care services from a third- party provider and any ongoing risks that may affect their ability to comply with this requirement. The first annual report was submitted to the Scottish Government in June 2025. 1.3. The second annual report (attached at appendix 1) from Children’s Services has been submitted to the Scottish Government. The report is presented to the Education and Children’s Policy Board for noting and to comply with the duty to make the report public. Whilst Children’s Services did not plan, secure or commission new services during the reporting period, an annual report is still required. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to: i. note the contents of the first annual report; and ii. note the first annual report has been submitted to the Scottish Government in compliance with Section 3(6) of the Health and Case (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. Item 8 Page 107 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 2 of 8 ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. The Health and Case (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act) places certain duties on local authorities in relation to the planning or securing a range of care services to be delivered on its behalf by third-party providers. 3.2. Section 3(2) of the Act requires local authorities when planning or securing care services from a third-party provider to ensure care providers have regard to the following: • The guiding principles in the Act (section 1 of the Act); • the requirement on care service providers to have regard to the guiding principles (section 3(1) of the Act); • the duty on care service providers to ensure appropriate staffing (section 7 of the Act); • the requirement on care service providers with regard to training of staff (section 8 of the Act); • the requirement on care service providers to have regard to guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers (section 10 of the Act); • the duties on care service providers under Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, for example with regard to registration of care services; and • the duties on care service providers under Chapter 3A of Part 5 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, for example with regard to the use of any prescribed staffing methods or staffing tools. 3.3. The Act notes the duties for local authorities in relation to children’s social work and early learning and childcare applies to the following services: • A support service • A school accommodation service • A nurse agency • A childcare agency • An offender accommodation service • Child minding • Day care of children • A housing support service • A care home service (for children) • A secure accommodation service • An adoption service • A fostering service • An adult placement service 3.4. Section 3(6) of the Act requires local authorities to publish a report on an annual basis on the steps they have taken to comply with the requirement in section 3(2) regarding the planning and securing of care services from a third- party provider and any ongoing risks that may affect their ability to comply with this requirement. Additionally, the report must be submitted to the Scottish Government. 3.5. The first annual report required to report on any new care services planned, secured or commissioned by the local authority in the period 1 April 2024 to Page 108 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 3 of 8 31 March 2025. The first annual report was submitted to the Scottish Government on 27 June 2025. 3.6. The Head of Children and Justice/Chief Social Work Officer has been identified as the lead for Children’s Services in relation to the duties of the Act. The second annual report (attached at appendix 1) indicates that Renfrewshire Children’s Services did not plan, secure or commission a care service from a third-party provider under a new arrangement (including a new framework arrangement) in the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial None. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning None 4. Legal This report provides assurance to the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board that Children’s Services has satisfied the legal duties of the Health and Case (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. 5. Property/Assets None. 6. Information Technology None. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. Page 109 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 4 of 8 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights None. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers (a) None ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services JT/KO Author: John Trainer, Head of Children and Justice Social Work/Chief Social Work Officer john.trainer@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 0277 Page 110 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 5 of 8 Appendix 1 Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019: Annual Report Declaration Name of local authority / integration authority: Renfrewshire Council (for regulated and commissioned care services for children and early learning and childcare) Report authorised by: Name John Trainer Designation Head of Children and Justice Social Work/Chief Social Work Officer Date 23 June 2026 Details of where the report will be published: Due to the scheduling of the Council’s Policy Boards this report will be presented to the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 20 August 2026. The report will be published on 13 August 2026 and will be accessible via the Council’s public website section on Policy Boards. Information Required 1. Please detail the steps you have taken as an organisation to comply with section 3(2) of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019: 3(2) In planning or securing the provision of a care service from another person under a contract, agreement or other arrangements, every local authority and every integration authority (within the meaning of section 59 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014) must have regard to— (a) the guiding principles for health and care staffing, and (b) the duties relating to staffing imposed on persons who provide care services— (i) by virtue of subsection (1) and sections 7 to 10, and (ii) by virtue of Chapters 3 and 3A of Part 5 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. Renfrewshire Council operates and commissions a range of children’s social work and care services and early learning and childcare services. Children’s social work services operates as part of the Children’s Services Directorate. Page 111 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 6 of 8 The Head of Children and Justice Social Work is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the council social work and care services for children. The Head of Children and Justice Social Work is also the Chief Social Work Officer and has professional reach into Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) in respect of adult social work and care. Early learning and childcare services are delivered directly by Children’s Services. Children’s Services also commissions early learning and childcare services from the independent sector. The Council also operates and delivers housing support services for adults via Environment, Housing and Infrastructure. Adult social work and care services in Renfrewshire are delegated to Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership. This report covers the care services delivered in-house by Renfrewshire Council and those commissioned by the Council. It does not cover the adult social work and care services delivered by RHSCP. A report on how RHSCP complies with the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 was considered and agreed at the Renfrewshire Integrated Joint Board Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee on 20 June 2026. This report is the second produced by Renfrewshire Council in relation to our reporting duties under the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. The report covers the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Renfrewshire Council did not commission or precure any new care service from any third-party provider in relation to the following services in the reporting period: • A support service • A school accommodation service • A nurse agency • A childcare agency • An offender accommodation service • Child minding Page 112 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 7 of 8 • Day care of children • A housing support service • A care home service (for children) • A secure accommodation service • An adoption service • A fostering service • An adult placement service The Council continues to make use of framework agreements with third-party providers via Scotland Excel for children’s care placements (fostering service, care home service and secure accommodation service) for a small number of children. The framework agreements utilised have been in place for some years and no new framework agreements have been introduced in the reporting period. 18 children were placed in a third-party placement in 2025- 26, and all were under the current framework agreements. The Council operates a Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places which allows third-party provision of 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare for eligible children. This Framework has been in place for some years and no new contracts were issued in 2025-26. No new contracts were entered into in 2025-26 for housing support services. As the frameworks are considered for renewal, they will have specific requirements in place to ensure the provider is able to demonstrate they have given regard to the guiding principles of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. 2. Please detail any ongoing risks that may affect your ability to comply with the duty set out in section 3(2). The Council continues to review the service provision across children’s social work and care, the early learning and childcare sector, and housing support. No significant risks have been identified under the children’s social work and care sector or in the housing support sector. There is a potential risk that Page 113 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 8 of 8 some providers will face challenges in maintaining the required staffing to ensure the safe delivery of care. The current review processes in place ensure that contingency plans are in place for individuals utilising these services. The Council has a high number of children who are placed with third-party providers in the early learning and childcare sector. There is a risk identified in relation to providers either withdrawing from the framework or ceasing trading. This would mean the Council would be faced with a significant challenge to ensure alternative provision is available for children. The early learning and childcare team monitors the third-party providers, including reviews in relation to staffing, provides support and challenge and ensures contingency plans are in place for providers if and when there are identified issues. Page 114 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 1 of 6 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Children’s Looked After Statistics - 2025 __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. Each year on 31 July, local authorities gather information on the number and characteristics of looked after children in their area. The annual census information is submitted to the Scottish Government who analyse the information and produce an annual report on the national data. The Scottish Government report on the annual census for 31 July 2025 was published on 28 April 2026. 1.2. This report contains information on the number of looked after children on 31 July 2025 at a national and Renfrewshire level. This year the report shows the number and rate per 1000 of looked after children in each category by each local authority (see appendix 1). 1.3. The Scottish Government annual report for 2025 and associated data tables can be accessed via this link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/childrens- social-work-statistics-looked-after-children-2024-25/documents/ 1.4. On 31 July 2025 there were 11,818 looked after children in Scotland compared to 11,844 the previous year, a reduction of 0.22%. The number of looked after children in Renfrewshire on 31 July 2025 was 552 compared to 610 on 31 July 2024, a decrease of 9.51%. 1.5. Renfrewshire had the 6th highest number of looked after children in Scotland on 31 July 2025. The Renfrewshire profile shows high numbers of children looked after at home with their parents or in kinship care arrangements. 1.6. At the Policy Board on 15 May 2025, members noted that children’s services was targeting a 50% reduction in the number of children looked after at home by 31 July 2028. There was a 12.99% reduction in the number of children looked after at home between the 2024 and the 2025 census reports. Item 9 Page 115 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 2 of 6 __________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. Members are asked to: [a] note the information in this report on the number of looked after children in Scotland and Renfrewshire on 31 July 2025, [b] note the 12.99% reduction in the number of children looked after at home from the 2024 census to the 2025 census. __________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. On 31 July each year, local authorities complete a census for the Scottish Government in relation to the number of children who are looked after. Whilst the census is conducted in July the report on the data is generally not available until the following March or April. The 2025 data report from the Scottish Government was published on 28 April 2026. 3.2. “Looked after” status is a recognised legal status of children where the child is cared for by the local authority under Section 25 of the Children (Scotland) 1995, the subject of a compulsory supervision order (including interim or protection orders) under children’s hearing legislation, or the subject of a permanence order where the local authority holds parental rights and responsibilities in respect of the child. Children who are “looked after” can be cared for at home with their parents, be cared for in kinship arrangements made the local authority, cared for in foster care or in a residential setting. Looked after children – Scotland 2025 3.3. On 31 July 2025 the number of looked after children in Scotland was 11,818. Table 1 shows where the looked after children were living on 31 July 2025 and compares with the data from 31 July 2015. Table 1 2025 2015 % change All looked after 11,818 15,404 -23.28 Looked after at home with parents 2411 3927 -38.60 Kinship arrangements 4182 4158 0.58 Fostering (local authority provided) 2409 3891 -38.09 Fostering (independent sector) 968 1587 -39.00 Children’s houses (local authority) 586 697 -15.93 Children’s houses (purchased) 797 832 -4.21 Other 456 312 46.5 Page 116 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 3 of 6 3.4. There was a 0.22% reduction in the total number of looked after children from the 2024 figure. The trend over the past 10 years has been a reducing number of looked children after children across Scotland. At the census in 2015 the number of looked after children in Scotland was 15,404. Over the ten-year period there has been a reduction of 23.28% in the number of looked after children in Scotland. 3.5. Appendix 1 contains information on the number of looked after children and their care location on the census date for each year from 2015 to 2025. (The 2018 figures are incomplete as Glasgow City was not provided to the Scottish Government). 3.6. Table 2 shows the percentage of Scotland’s looked after children by their care location on 31 July 2025 and provides comparable information for 2015. 2025 2015 Looked after at home with parents 20.40% 25.49% Kinship arrangements 35.39% 26.99% Fostering (local authority provided) 20.38% 25.26% Fostering (independent sector) 8.19% 10.30% Children’s houses (local authority) 4.96% 4.52% Children’s houses (purchased) 6.74% 5.40% Other 3.86% 2.03% 3.7. In 2025 the highest care type for looked after children was those in a kinship arrangement. This particular care arrangement accounted for 26.99% of the looked after children population on 31 July 2015 and compared to 35.39% on 31 July 2025. Looked after children – Renfrewshire 2025 3.8. On 31 July 2025 the number of looked after children in Renfrewshire was 552. Table 3 (on the next page) shows where the looked after children were living on 31 July 2025 and compares with the data from 31 July 2015. Page 117 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 4 of 6 Table 3 2025 2015 % change All looked after 552 682 -19.06 Looked after at home with parents 134 220 -39.09 Kinship arrangements 240 176 36.36 Fostering (local authority provided) 100 125 -20.00 Fostering (independent sector) 23 92 -75.00 Children’s houses (local authority) 19 35 -45.71 Children’s houses (purchased) 21 16 -31.25 Other 15 18 16.67 3.9. There was a 19.06% reduction in the total number of looked after children in Renfrewshire from the 2024 figure. The trend over the past 10 years has been a reducing number of looked children after children across Scotland and whilst not mirrored exactly in Renfrewshire the trend has overall been a reduction. The number of children who were looked after by Renfrewshire on 31 July 2025 was 19.06% lower than the 2015 census. 3.10. Appendix 2 contains information on the number of looked after children in Renfrewshire and their care location on the census date for each year from 2015 to 2025. 3.11. Table 2 shows the percentage of Renfrewshire’s looked after children by their care location on 31 July 2025 and provides comparable information for 2015. 2025 2015 Looked after at home with parents 24.28% 32.26% Kinship arrangements 43.48% 25.81% Fostering (local authority provided) 18.12% 18.33% Fostering (independent sector) 4.17% 13.49% Children’s houses (local authority) 3.44% 5.13% Children’s houses (purchased) 3.80% 2.35% Other 2.72% 2.64% 3.12. Most of Renfrewshire’s looked after children are cared for in kinship care arrangements. The increase in kinship care arrangements over the 10-year period is a 36.36% increase. Page 118 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 5 of 6 3.13. Over the 10-year period 2015 to 2025, there has been a 39.09% reduction in children looked after at home and a 75.00% reduction in children placed in foster care in the independent sector. Renfrewshire continues to address the historical high numbers of children looked after at home by improving the review process to ensure that only children who require compulsory intervention are made the subject of orders and the reason for involvement is clear for the child and their family. 3.14. The significant reduction in the use of foster care in the independent sector has been achieved by ensuring all alternative extended family options are explored and therefore linked to increase in the number of kinship arrangements. 3.15. Appendix 2 shows the breakdown of where Renfrewshire’s looked after children live by care placement type for each of the census points from 2015 to 2025. 3.16. Appendix 3 shows information by local authority in terms of numbers and rates per 1000 by the care provision. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial Implications The current number of children looked after in external residential provision continues to be higher than the service is comfortable with. The service is working to ensure that children’s needs are met by placements and where possible they can return to Renfrewshire to mitigate demand on budgets. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Building strong, safe and resilient communities Children and families receive the right support to ensure they are safe at home and in the community Working together to improve outcomes Children and families are supported to address the challenges they face 4. Legal The authority works within the legal framework to discharge its duties to looked after children and those involved in the child protection system. 5. Property/Assets None. 6. Information Technology None. Page 119 of 142
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PUBLIC Page 6 of 6 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights This report demonstrates compliance with Article 3 (best interest of child), Article 9 (keeping families together), Article 12 (respect for children’s views) and 25 (review of a child’s placement) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers None. Children’s Services JT/KO 23/07/2026 Author: John Trainer, Head of Children and Justice Social Work/Chief Social Work Officer Page 120 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Scottish Social Work Statistics Looked after children Scotland 10 Year 2015 -2025 Appendix 1 Item 9 Page 121 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Looked after children Scotland At home with parents Kinship Internal foster care Independent foster care Other community internal children's house Independent residential Total 31 July 2025 2411 4182 2409 968 465 586 797 11,818 31 July 2024 2313 4099 2557 1126 423 608 716 11,842 31 July 2023 2466 4154 2741 1186 339 650 670 12,206 31 July 2022 2637 4249 3871 1284 271 642 642 12,596 31 July 2021 2859 4399 3160 1307 244 621 665 13,255 31 July 2020 3563 4456 3315 1429 259 686 750 14,458 31 July 2019 3569 4175 3335 1463 272 708 740 14,262 31 July 2018 3323 2945 2864 1224 212 542 674 11,911* 31 July 2017 3766 4138 3509 1743 232 746 763 14,897 31 July 2016 3870 4279 3826 1566 299 717 760 15,371 31 July 2015 3927 4158 3891 1587 312 697 832 15,404 * Glasgow didn’t submit census data for 2018 Page 122 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Renfrewshire’s looked after children Annual census 2015 - 2025 Appendix 2 Page 123 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Looked after children in Renfrewshire At home with parents Kinship Internal foster care Independent foster care Other community internal children's house Independent residential Total 31 July 2025 134 240 100 23 15 19 21 552 31 July 2024 154 261 114 22 15 19 25 610 31 July 2023 169 266 115 28 9 20 33 640 31 July 2022 146 230 111 45 9 17 34 592 31 July 2021 160 218 110 48 7 17 27 587 31 July 2020 197 212 125 60 12 17 19 642 31 July 2019 190 190 127 61 13 30 18 629 31 July 2018 221 190 119 65 12 31 18 656 31 July 2017 221 178 132 78 9 28 13 659 31 July 2016 221 183 130 84 21 29 13 681 31 July 2015 220 176 125 92 18 35 16 682 Page 124 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Scottish Social Work Statistics Looked after children Annual census - 31 July 2025 Appendix 3 Page 125 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Looked after children by authority 1,722 887 697 697 665 552 481 446 440 426 416 406 398 340 328 307 269 255 234 228 221 208 208 205 189 165 131 120 86 36 30 24 Page 126 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Looked after children by authority – Rate per 1000 27.2 20.9 17.7 16.3 15.3 14.9 14.2 14.1 12.9 12.3 12.3 10.6 10.6 10.5 10.3 9.9 9.9 9.7 9.6 9.3 9.0 8.8 8.7 8.7 8.6 7.7 7.5 6.9 6.1 5.8 5.3 3.7 Page 127 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after at home by authority 267 189 157 147 134 124 111 111 111 104 91 88 85 69 60 54 49 46 46 45 44 42 40 37 31 30 27 24 21 16 9 2 Page 128 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after at home by authority – rate per 1000 5.14 4.64 4.34 4.31 4.18 3.71 3.43 3.16 3.08 2.65 2.64 2.54 2.50 2.36 2.31 2.23 2.17 2.13 2.07 2.06 2.00 1.86 1.85 1.63 1.38 1.31 1.28 1.25 0.92 0.91 0.77 0.41 Page 129 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in kinship arrangements 862 338 337 240 225 221 213 168 131 110 105 97 95 95 90 85 84 82 79 78 78 69 64 52 46 44 28 27 22 8 7 2 Page 130 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in kinship arrangements – rate per 1000 12.04 7.96 7.44 7.25 6.96 6.65 5.42 5.05 4.72 3.93 3.71 3.39 3.27 3.15 3.00 2.95 2.94 2.93 2.77 2.69 2.67 2.50 2.19 2.02 1.90 1.71 1.43 1.43 1.38 1.18 0.93 0.48 Page 131 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in foster care provided by the local authority 309 217 172 145 130 100 100 99 94 83 83 81 70 70 69 63 63 62 61 51 50 44 41 32 24 23 21 14 14 13 3 2 Page 132 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in foster care provided by the local authority – rate per 1000 5.08 4.09 3.36 2.88 2.83 2.82 2.77 2.67 2.65 2.63 2.45 2.41 2.41 2.35 2.34 2.31 2.23 2.17 2.16 1.99 1.96 1.77 1.69 1.65 1.61 1.53 1.45 1.31 0.64 0.61 0.59 0.48 Page 133 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in independent sector foster care 130 118 104 73 67 47 47 46 44 41 28 28 24 23 20 16 16 15 14 13 10 10 8 7 7 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 Page 134 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in independent sector foster care – rate per 1000 4.45 3.71 3.00 2.55 1.87 1.31 1.10 1.06 1.05 0.99 0.96 0.90 0.87 0.87 0.80 0.79 0.64 0.61 0.54 0.51 0.46 0.37 0.37 0.27 0.25 0.24 0.14 0.13 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 Page 135 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in a local authority children’s house 101 64 51 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 19 18 17 15 15 14 12 11 11 10 9 8 7 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 0 Page 136 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in a local authority children’s house – rate per 1000 1.63 1.20 1.05 1.03 0.96 0.96 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.86 0.75 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.71 0.54 0.53 0.51 0.50 0.47 0.37 0.31 0.31 0.29 0.28 0.23 0.23 0.21 0.17 0.14 0.11 0.00 Page 137 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in residential provision purchased by the local authority 76 54 50 45 44 43 41 35 33 32 32 29 28 25 24 23 21 21 19 19 16 14 13 13 11 10 7 7 5 5 2 0 Page 138 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in residential provision purchased by the local authority – rate per 1000 2.08 1.86 1.37 1.34 1.33 1.23 1.15 1.07 1.07 1.05 1.04 1.03 1.03 0.89 0.88 0.79 0.77 0.77 0.73 0.72 0.64 0.61 0.59 0.58 0.48 0.47 0.36 0.34 0.30 0.22 0.10 0.00 Page 139 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in other community setting 84 48 37 32 32 25 18 16 15 15 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 9 9 9 6 6 6 5 4 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 Page 140 of 142
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Children looked after in other community setting – rate per 1000 1.12 0.93 0.84 0.83 0.82 0.82 0.74 0.55 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.48 0.47 0.43 0.42 0.42 0.38 0.38 0.37 0.33 0.33 0.22 0.19 0.15 0.13 0.09 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 Page 141 of 142
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