OneRen Update Final

Renfrewshire Council · 17 September 2025
Back to Leadership Board — 17 September 2025 and its agenda

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___________________________________________________________________
To:  Leadership Board
On:  17 September 2025 
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Report by:  Chief Executive 
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Heading: OneRen Update
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1. Summary 
1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update in relation to several
matters which relate to the provision of services through One Ren. 
Specifically: 
• An update on the proposed disposal of hazardous materials identified with
the collection currently managed by One Ren, as previously
communicated to the board in February 2025.
• Recommendations relating to the requirement to temporarily close the
Heritage Centre, currently located at Abbey Mill Business Centre, to
support its planned move to Paisley Museum as part of the overall
programme of work; and
• The provision of an update for members on proposals to reprovision library
services in Erskine, following the end of the current lease arrangement in
May 2026, as reported to Leadership Board in June 2025. 
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2. Recommendations 
2.1  It is recommended that Elected Members: 
• approve the safe disposal of lead lingos from the Jacquard loom as
outlined in section 4.

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• approve the temporary closure of the Heritage Centre from its current
location at Abbey Mill in preparation for its relocation to Paisley Museum
in 2026.
• Note the update provided in relation to the reprovisioning of library
services in Erskine.
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3. Background 
3.1 Regular updates are provided to Leadership Board on the activities and
performance reported in relation to the services and activities which OneRen
deliver in line with service agreement with the Council. Additional reports are
submitted to board to cover any matters arising or requiring decisions outwith
planned reporting cycles. 
3.2 As outlined in section 1 of the report, several operational matters are currently
being progressed by officers within both the Council and One Ren, with the
actions identified now requiring decision from the board.  These relate to: 
• The proposed disposal of hazardous materials identified with the
collection currently managed by One Ren, as previously highlighted to
the Leadership Board in February 2025.
• The requirement to temporarily close the Heritage Centre, currently
located at Abbey Mill Business Centre, to support its planned move to
Paisley Museum as part of the overall programme of work; and
• Proposals to reprovision library services in Erskine, following the end of
the current lease arrangement in May 2026, as reported to Leadership
Board in June 2025. 
4. Disposal of Hazardous Material 
4.1 In October 2024, lead was discovered within the looms collections during
preparations for redisplay in Paisley Museum. The lead was found to be the
material forming lingos in the Jacquard loom. Lingos are weights which form
part of the loom’s mechanism and were previously understood to have been
steel. 
4.2 The lingos were found to be in a deteriorating condition, exhibiting a dusty
residue – a known health hazard due to the risk of inhalation. Their unstable
state poses significant health and safety concerns, particularly in relation to lead
exposure, which is regulated under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations
2002. These regulations require risk assessments, dust control, and the use of
personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling lead. Given the
contamination risk and inability to safely store the items long-term, their disposal
is recommended in line with the museum’s Collections Development Policy. 
4.3 The lingos are currently double-wrapped, sealed, and stored securely at a
OneRen premises, in accordance with health and safety protocols. Disposal will
be carried out by the Assistant Asset Manager following UK legislation,
specifically the Hazardous Waste Regulations, which mandate disposal

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through a licensed hazardous waste contractor and the retention of waste
transfer documentation. The lingos will be processed via Renfrewshire
Council’s lead disposal route at an approved waste management site, ensuring
compliance with environmental and public safety standards. 
4.4 The lead lingos were discussed at the Collections Asset Management Board in
December 2024, and it was agreed that the recommendation to dispose of them
as hazardous material should be put forward to the Leadership Board for
approval in February 2025. 
4.5 At that time, Elected Members requested further information on the proposed
disposal and whether retention could be achieved safely.  As outlined in section
4.4, this is not possible within current legislation and practice, and disposal
remains the most appropriate recommendation for approval by the Board. 
4.6 Elected Members may find it useful to note that Renfrewshire Museums Textile
Curator has identified steel lingos held at the Secret Collection that can replace
the lead lingos when the reinstall of the affected loom is undertaken.  
5. Temporary Closure of Heritage Centre 
5.1 As part of the overall plan for collections and museum delivery in Renfrewshire,
work is planned to move the Heritage Centre and its activities to Paisley
Museum.  The move requires a number of key activities to be progressed:  
• Collection Packing and Preparation: The archive must be carefully
packed to preserve materials during the move. This requires
uninterrupted access to collections and workspaces. 
• Preventative Pest Management: All paper materials must undergo
low-temperature pest treatment before returning to Paisley
Museum. This process cannot occur while the Centre is open. 
• Collection Rationalisation: Staff will assess and reorganise the
collection, identifying materials for transfer to the Secret Collection
or Paisley Museum 
5.2 It is proposed that from 13 October 2025 the Heritage Centre, currently located
at Abbey Mill Business Centre, commences a phased closure programme to
step down its activities and presence, in order to support its longer term planned
move to Paisley Museum. Working towards eventually cessation of activities
and the full temporary closure of the Centre, will enable essential collection
care, conservation, and planning work that cannot be completed while the
Centre remains fully operational. 
5.3 It is proposed that the phased reduction of provision and closure will work as
follows: 
• From 1 November 2025 in-person enquiry services will pause as
packing and rationalisation begin. For reference, the service

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averaged 55 in-person visits per month in the last quarter (May–
July 2025). There are currently no in person visits scheduled
beyond September 2025. The online enquiry service will be
available during this time.   
• From 19 December 2025 most online enquiry services will pause
once the collection is fully packed and staff lose access to physical
materials. For reference, the service averaged 57 online enquiries
per month in the last quarter (May–July 2025). The service will then
be closed temporarily at that time. 
5.4 The temporary closure will also allow the team to contribute more fully to the
public and schools programmes in the lead-up to reopening of the new
museum. This includes the development of the heritage centre and the
services it offers. 
6. Reprovisioning of library services in Erskine 
6.1  At its meeting o 18 June 2025, the Leadership Board considered an update
paper relating to the Reshaping Renfrewshire programme, which included
information relating to the current review of leisure and culture services
commissioned by the Council and delivered by One Ren.  The paper
highlighted that the current lease for Erskine Library expires in May 2026, and
that the landlord has indicated that they would not be willing to extend the
current lease beyond that date. 
6.2 Whilst the provision of library services is a key element of the ongoing One
Ren review process, it was recognised that a short to medium term solution
would be required to be identified to ensure that library provision in Erskine
could continue whilst the wider review progresses. 
6.3 Elected members were advised at that time that One Ren had identified an
opportunity to relocate an existing temporary modular building currently
located at Renfrew Sports Centre, to a space within the grounds of Erskine
Sports Centre.  It was proposed at that time that these units could then be
utilised to support the reprovisioning of library services in Erskine on a
temporary basis. 
6.4 An amendment was agreed to the paper at that time, which requested that a
further report be provided which “examined the current usage of the units
located at Renfrew Sports Centre and options on the provision of modular
units at Bridgewater Sports Centre”. 
6.5 Following further discussions with the supplier of the temporary modular
building at Renfrew Sports Centre, One Ren have confirmed it is not possible
to relocate the buildings due to their existing condition and age, and also
relevant building standards requirements.

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6.6 Elected members are asked to note that officers from One Ren and the
Council are now progressing arrangements to commission new temporary
modular buildings at the Erskine Sports Centre site, in order that these can
support the reprovisioning of Erskine library when the current lease comes to
an end.  The timescales for commissioning and installation of temporary
modular buildings to host the library are very challenging and a project team
has been assembled to ensure this work progresses at the required pace. 
Further updates will be provided to ward members as this project progresses. 
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Implications of the Report
1. Financial – Costs of the Erskine library reprovisioning exercise will
require to be tracked, and officers are working to identify and
implement options which can be supported within the current budget for
the library. 
2. HR & Organisational Development – None 
3. Community/Council Planning –
• Our Renfrewshire is thriving – Our service recruits and trains staff and volunteers
to care and manage the region’s cultural assets providing employment and
volunteering opportunities.
• Our Renfrewshire is well – Our cultural services and programme help to
encourage and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing. 
• Our Renfrewshire is fair - our services and associated programmes are
accessible to all our citizens.
• Our Renfrewshire is safe – Our cultural assets are cared for and manged in
compliance with sector guidelines.
• Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – Our safeguarding of the civic
collection builds a sense of place and civic pride.
• Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all – Tackling inequality by
encouraging inclusion and representation through museum collecting, co
production, and collaboration.
• Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – our practices ensure
sustainability of collections and associated programmes.
• Working together to improve outcomes – we encourage partnership working to
deliver shared outcome as a key priority of our company strategy. 
4. Legal – Where relevant the policies highlight the legal framework that
OneRen is required to recognise and abide by. 
5. Property/Assets – As outlined in the paper, there is a current
requirement to identify options for the reprovisioning of Erskine Library
on a temporary basis. 
6. Information Technology – N/A 
7. Equality & Human Rights – N/A

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8. Health & Safety – Removal of hazardous material (lead) follows the
procedures set out within Renfrewshire Museums Collections Policies 
9. Procurement – N/A 
10. Risk – N/A 
11. Privacy Impact N/A 
12.                Climate Risk – N/A.
13.                Children’s Rights – N/A.
14. Cosla Policy Position – N/A
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List of Background Papers
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Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships