Civic Hospitality
Renfrewshire Council · 20 November 2025
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 20 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL _________________________________________________________________ To: Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board On: 20 November 2025 __________________________________________________________________ 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 years 2025/26 and 2026/27. a) Correspondence had been received from Loud and Proud Music school in relation to their reopening of their refurbished music school following on from a devastating fire which closed the premises for a significant time. This newly renovated School will once again provide a space for young people, musicians and creative practitioners from across Renfrewshire. Following consultation with the Provost, it was agreed to provide a contribution of £750 towards the cost of a buffet lunch and welcome drinks at the Loud and Proud music school premises for approximately 60 people on Thursday 20th November and the Head of Corporate Governance used his delegated authority to approve the request and made the necessary arrangements. b) Correspondence has been received from the organisers of the Reclaim the Night march suggesting the possibility of civic hospitality in the form of tea/coffee and cake for 120 people to accompany this event on Thursday 27th November in Paisley Town Hall. Reclaim the Night is an annual event which calls for action to end violence against women and gender-based violence. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to provide a contribution of £500 towards the cost of hospitality as detailed above and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements.
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OFFICIAL c) Correspondence has been received from Sma’ Shot Cottages in relation to their 40th anniversary celebrations, suggesting the possibility of civic hospitality in the form of a buffet lunch on Wednesday 28th January 2026 for approximately 70 people. Following consultation with the Provost, it was agreed to provide the hospitality as detailed above at the Sma’ Shot Suites at the cost of approximately £2000 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 the Fèis Phàislig group in relation to a concert they are holding on Saturday 7th February 2026 in Paisley Town Hall. This aim of this concert is to unite cultural and community partners from across Scotland in showcasing and highlighting the importance of Scotland’s Gaelic heritage and culture whilst showcasing the talent fostered here in Renfrewshire. Fèis Phàislig have suggested the possibility of a civic reception in the form of a finger buffet and welcome drinks to accompany this concert for approximately 100 people. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed the Board agree to provide hospitality as detailed above at the cost of approximately £2000 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 the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club in relation to their centenary celebrations, suggesting the possibility of a contribution towards their anniversary event which is a dinner for approximately 180 people being held in Johnstone Town Hall on Saturday 14th November 2026. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to provide a contribution of £3000 towards the cost of the hospitality as detailed above and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements. f) Renfrewshire will hold their annual Memory Tree event for those affected by bereavement by suicide on Thursday 22nd January to allow friends and family of those lost to suicide to come together and commemorate their loved ones. It is proposed that tea/coffee and biscuits be provided after this annual event for approximately 50 people at Paisley Abbey. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to provide civic hospitality as detailed above at the cost of approximately £300 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements.
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OFFICIAL g) Jane Haining, a Scottish woman who risked her life to save children in World War II and ultimately lost her life at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp is being honoured by Unison Renfrewshire on Tuesday 27th January 2026. Jane has a proud connection to Renfrewshire working for J & P Coats for 10 years before leaving to become a missionary for the Church of Scotland in Budapest. Unison and the Provost’s office have been working together to try and produce an educational tool, which may be used in Schools during or on the run up to the annual Holocaust Memorial Day and it is anticipated that this will form part of Unison Renfrewshire’s event, to go alongside that, civic hospitality in the form of a drinks and canapes reception was suggested following this event for approximately 200 people at Coats Memorial Church. Following consultation with the Provost, it is proposed that the Board agree to provide civic hospitality as detailed above at the cost of approximately £2,600 and that it be delegated to the Director of Finance & Resources in consultation with the Provost to make the necessary arrangements. 1.2 The budget provision for 2025/26 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 £2,700. The budget provision for 2026/27 has not yet been determined. 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the Board agrees to: (a) provide the hospitality as detailed above for Reclaim the Night, Sma Shot Cottages, Fèis Phàislig, Johnstone Wheelers, the Memory Tree event and the Jane Haining Memorial event and; (b) 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 the reception for Loud and Proud Music School. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The costs of the request from civic hospitality will be met from the 2025/26 and 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.
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OFFICIAL 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. 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 Loud and Proud Music School. (b) Background Paper 2 – Email correspondence in relation to Reclaim the Night (c) Background Paper 3 – Email correspondence in relation to Sma’ Shot Cottages (d) Background Paper 4 – Email correspondence in relation to the Fèis Phàislig concert (e) Background Paper 5 – Email correspondence Johnstone Wheelers 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