5 - Civic Hospitality
Renfrewshire Council · 23 April 2026
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 23 April 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PUBLIC _________________________________________________________________ To: Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board On: 23 April 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Civic Hospitality __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The following requests for civic hospitality have been received for the financial year 2026/27. a) Correspondence had been received from Dates-n-Mates in relation to their charity Ceilidh, requesting the possibility of sponsoring a table at their event on Thursday 26th March 2026. Dates-n-Mates is a charity which supports adults with learning disabilities across Renfrewshire to connect with one another, make friends, build confidence and help to form lasting relationships. Following consultation with the Provost, it was agreed to sponsor a table for Renfrewshire members at the cost of £500 and the Head of Corporate Governance used his delegated authority to approve the request and make the necessary arrangements. b) Correspondence had been received from the Mayor of the town Council of Sant Vicenç de Torelló in Catalonia, the municipality in which the Borgonya Colony is situated requesting the possibility of a small reception for their visiting group, who were hoping to explore more of the historical links between Borgonya and Paisley on 9th April 2026. Borgonya was founded in 1894 by J&P Coats who created an industrial connection between the two towns by building a textile mill, workers from Paisley went to Borgonya to impart their knowledge and skills which cultivated a longstanding friendship between the towns, with a particular affinity embedded in the shared love of football, with CD Borgonya adopting the St Mirren FC colours.
Page 2
PUBLIC Following consultation with the Provost, it is was agreed to provide a tour of the Renfrewshire Council chamber, followed by a light buffet lunch for approximately 15 people at the cost of £200 and the Head of Corporate Governance used his delegated authority to approve the request and make the necessary arrangements. c) Correspondence has been received from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East in relation to their 200th anniversary, suggesting the possibility of civic hospitality to accompany an event that they are holding in Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 6th June 2026 for approximately 270 people. Following consultation with the Provost, it was agreed to provide a welcome drink from local supplier Two Towns Down for the event as detailed above at the cost of £840 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements. d) Correspondence has been received from Rays of Hope Cancer Support in relation to a Charity Ladies Lunch event being held on Saturday 14th November at Ingliston Country Club suggesting the possibility that we take a table of 10 at the event. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to take a table at the above mentioned event at the cost of £500 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements. e) Correspondence has been received from St Mary’s Church in relation to the 150th anniversary of their congregation and suggesting the possibility of civic hospitality in the form of a hot buffet for approximately 200 people to be held at their premises on Saturday 12th December 2026. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to the hospitality as detailed above at the cost of approximately £2500 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements. f) Each year Renfrewshire, in celebration of our Armed Forces has a flag raising ceremony to thank our local armed forces community for their continued service to our Country. It is proposed that this year we continue the tradition of the Flag raising service on Friday 19th June with light refreshments in Paisley Abbey following this event. The Royal British Legion Scotland Paisley Comrades Branch together with the 102 Field Squadron are collaborating on a family fun day for our local Armed Forces community and families on Saturday 27th June and have suggested the possibility of a contribution towards the costs of a buffet for approximately 200 people. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to provide hospitality for Renfrewshire’s Armed Forces Day events as detailed above at the total cost of approximately £2600 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements.
Page 3
PUBLIC 1.2 The budget provision for 2026/27 for Civic Hospitality (including international Links) is £46,460. Should the above be agreed, and taking account of previous decisions, the remaining balance would be approximately £30,370. 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the Board agrees to: (a) provide the hospitality as detailed above for the Provincial Grand Lodge Renfrewshire East, St Mary’s Church congregation and for the Armed Forces 2026 arrangements. (b) take a table at Rays of Hope Cancer Support Ladies Lunch and; (c) that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements 2.2 That the Board note the action taken by the Head of Corporate Governance in terms of his delegated authority in respect of sponsoring a table for Dates-n- Mates and the reception for visitors of Borgonya. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The costs of the request from civic hospitality will be met from the 2026/27 budget provision. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – Civic receptions provide recognition of the contributions made by individuals and organisations to the fabric of life in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal - None. 5. Property/Assets - None. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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 & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – None. 10. Risk – None.
Page 4
PUBLIC 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk – None. 13. Children’s Rights – Not applicable. 14. Cosla Policy Position – Not applicable. __________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1 – Email correspondence in relation to the Dates-n- Mates event (b) Background Paper 2 – Email correspondence from the Mayor of Sant Vicenç de Torelló (c) Background Paper 3 – Email correspondence from the Provincial Grand Lodge Renfrewshire East (d) Background Paper 4 – Email correspondence from Rays of Hope Cancer Support (e) Background Paper 6 – Email correspondence from St Mary’s Church The foregoing background papers will be retained within Finance & Resources 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 Donna Gallagher, Member Services Officer (Telephone – 0141 487 1115, e-mail – donna.gallagher- pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk) Author: Donna Gallagher – Member Services Officer. Tel: 0141 487 1115 E-mail donna.gallagher-pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk