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Minutes of meeting

Renfrewshire Council · 18 September 2024
Back to Leadership Board — 18 September 2024 and its agenda

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Minute of Meeting
Leadership Board 
Date Time Venue
Wednesday, 18 September
2024
13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council
Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton
Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN 
Present: Councillor Alison  Ann-Dowling, Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, Councillor
Michelle Campbell, Councillor Graeme Clark, Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor Gillian
Graham, Councillor Neill Graham, Councillor Anne Hannigan, Councillor Alec Leishman,
Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Emma
Rodden, Councillor John Shaw, Councillor Andy Steel 
Chair
Councillor Nicolson, Convener, presided. 
In Attendance
A Russell, Chief Executive; J O'Neill, Director of Children's Services; G McNeil, Director of
Environment, Housing and Infrastructure; A MacArthur, Director of Finance & Resources; L
McIntyre, Head of Policy & Partnerships, L Mahon, Head of Marketing & Communications,
A Armstrong-Walter, Strategic Partnership & Inequalities Manager and P Moss,
Strategy, Policy & Insight Manager (all Chief Executive's); J Trainer, Head of Childcare &
Criminal Justice (Children's Services); M Conaghan, Head of Corporate Governance, C
McCourt, Head of Finance & Procurement, D Low, Democratic Services Manager (all
Finance & Resources); C Laverty, Chief Officer, S Lavers, Chief Finance Officer and C
O’Byrne, Head of Health & Social Care (Paisley) (all Renfrewshire Health & Social Care
Partnership); and V Hollows, Chief Executive and F Naylor, Finance, Governance &
Business Improvement Director (both OneRen). 
Webcasting of Meeting
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the
Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site.

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Declarations of Interest
Councillor Shaw declared an interest in item 4 for the reason that his wife worked for
one of the organisations detailed in the appendix to the report. Councillor Shaw
indicated that as he had declared an interest, he would withdraw from the meeting
during any discussion and voting on the item.  
Transparency Statements
Councillor Ann-Dowling indicated that she had a connection to item 4 by reason of her
having a work relationship with one of the organisations detailed in the appendix to
the report. However, she indicated that she had applied the objective test and did not
consider she had an interest to declare. 
Councillor Campbell indicated that she had a connection to items 3, 5 and 7 by
reason of her being employed by the NHS outwith the Renfrewshire Health and Social
Care Partnership area. However, she indicated that she had applied the objective test
and did not consider she had an interest to declare. 
Councillor Clark indicated that he had a connection to item 3 by reason of a family
connection to Active Communities. However, he indicated that he had applied the
objective test and did not consider he had an interest to declare. 
1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report
There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief
Executive, Director of Finance & Resources, and Chief Finance Officer Renfrewshire
Health & Social Care Partnership. 
The report intimated that the projected revenue outturn as at 21 June 2024 for those
services reporting to this Board was an overspend of £6.069 million and the projected
capital outturn was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. 
DECIDED: 
(a) That the projected Revenue outturn overspend of £6.069 be noted; 
(b) That the projected Capital outturn breakeven position be noted; and 
(c) That budget adjustments detailed at section 6.3 of the report be noted. 
2 Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee
There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-
committee held on 5 June 2024, a copy of which forms the Appendix to this Minute. 
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

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3  Fairer Renfrewshire Update
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an update on the work
undertaken by the Council and its partners to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire
Programme. 
The report provided a summary of the key issues reported to the meeting of the Fairer
Renfrewshire Sub-committee held on 4 September 2024 including the cost of living
and programme updates and requested approval from this Board in relation to any
specific funding allocations required; detailed priorities over the next three-month
period, as set out in section 6 of the report; and set out an update for Elected
Members on work that was being undertaken to commission a support service for
people with a brain injury in Renfrewshire as set out in section 7 of the report. 
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that the content of
the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire
programme locally be noted; that it be agreed that £121,000 be allocated from Alcohol
and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative
until March 2025 and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language
programme; that the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and
associated implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1 to
the report be approved; that it be agreed that authority be delegated to the Head of
Policy & Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with
the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1 to the report;
and that the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people
with a brain injury and their family be noted. That it also be agreed that officers
explore all means of targeting older people and entitlement regarding pension credit
utilising available data and processes including direct mailings, assistance for
completing the forms to encourage the take up of pension credit and reduce the
impact this decision by the current UK Labour government on Renfrewshire’s older
population. Also agree that is delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with
the council leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support. 
Councillor Ann-Dowling, seconded by Councillor McMillan, moved as an amendment
that the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer
Renfrewshire programme locally be noted; that it be agreed that £121,000 be
allocated from Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the
extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025 and the launch and development of
a Stigma and Language programme; that the guidance for the Winter Connections
2024/25 programme and associated implementation arrangements as detailed in
section 6 and Appendix 1 to the report be approved; that it be agreed that authority be
delegated to the Head of Policy & Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant
funding, in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached
at Appendix 1 to the report; and that the update in relation to the commissioning of a
support service for people with a brain injury and their family be noted. That it also be
agreed that officers explore all means of targeting older people and entitlement
regarding pension credit utilising available data and processes including direct
mailings, assistance for completing the forms to encourage the take up of pension
credit. Also agree that is delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with the
council leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support. 
On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors

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Ann-Dowling, Clark, G Graham and McMillan. 
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors J Cameron, Campbell,
Audrey Doig, N Graham, Hannigan, Leishman, McGurk, Nicolson, Rodden, Shaw and
Steel. 
4 members having voted for the amendment and 11 members having voted for the
motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried. 
DECIDED: 
(a) That the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the
Fairer Renfrewshire programme locally be noted; 
(b) That it be agreed that £121,000 be allocated from Alcohol and Drugs Change
Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025
and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language programme; 
(c) That the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and associated
implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1 to the report be
approved; 
(d) That it be agreed that authority be delegated to the Head of Policy & Partnerships
to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with the Council Leader
and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1 to the report; 
(e) That the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people
with a brain injury and their family be noted; 
(f) That it also be agreed that officers explore all means of targeting older people and
entitlement regarding pension credit utilising available data and processes including
direct mailings, assistance for completing the forms to encourage the take up of
pension credit and reduce the impact this decision by the current UK Labour
government on Renfrewshire’s older population; and 
(g) That it be delegated to the Head of Policy and in consultation with the Council
leader on any reasonable steps in providing additional support. 
4 Community Planning - Six-monthly update
There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to an overview
of recent activity undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership in Renfrewshire. 
The Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Annual Report 2023/24 which
was appended to the report presented the performance of the Community Planning
Partnership in improving outcomes and reducing inequalities. The Annual Report
highlighted current and planned action to improve outcomes across the three areas of
focus it had agreed: supporting low income families; tackling health inequalities; and
addressing the climate emergency. 
DECIDED:

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(a) That the content of the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Annual
Report 2023/24 and the impact of community planning partners’ activities in delivering
improving outcomes and reducing inequalities be noted; and 
(b) That the progress in developing the priorities of the Local Partnership
Development Programme and Community Plan be noted. 
5 National Care Service Bill - Response to Stage 2 consultation
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council's
proposed response to a call for views launched by the Scottish Parliament’s Health
and Social Care Committee as part of Stage 2 of the National Care Service Bill
scrutiny process. The report outlined the consultation process and the proposed
response was appended to the report. 
DECIDED: That the consultation response which would be submitted to the Health
and Social Care Committee by the deadline of 20 September 2024 be approved. 
6 Paisley First Renewal Ballot
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the ballot being
undertaken for the continued operation of the Paisley Town Centre Business
Improvement District (BID). 
The report intimated that BIDs had a legislative basis under the Planning (Scotland)
Act 2006. After operating for a five-year term, another successful ballot must take
place for the BID to continue operating. Under the legislation, it was for the Local
Authority to conduct the ballot on behalf of the BID. At its meeting of 14 June 2024,
the Leadership Board agreed that the Council should support the conduct of this
ballot, and that a further report should be brought to this meeting of the Leadership
Board setting out the details of the BID Proposal and officers’ recommendations on
how the Council’s votes in the ballot could be cast. The report set out the voting
options available to the Council. 
In relation to the recommendation detailed at section 2.2 of the report, Councillor
Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that the Council should abstain
from the vote. This was agreed unanimously. 
DECIDED: 
(a) That the content of the BID Proposals be noted; 
(b) That the Chief Executive be instructed to abstain from the vote; 
(c) That, subject to a successful ballot outcome, it be delegated to the Chief Executive
to put in place the necessary arrangements for the collection of the BID levy, and for
finalising of the terms of the operating agreement; and 
(d) That it be noted that the outcome of the ballot process would be reported to a
future meeting of the Leadership Board.

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7  Adult Social Care: Six-monthly update
There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health and Social
Care Partnership, relative to an overview of adult social care activity and
performance. Renfrewshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) Annual Performance
Management Report 2023/24 was appended to the report. 
DECIDED: 
(a) That the contents of the report updating activity and performance of adult social
work services delegated to the IJB be noted; and 
(b) That it be noted that the next six-monthly update report would be presented to the
Leadership Board in February 2025. 
8 Place Marketing – review of Paisley
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the findings of an
independent evaluation of Paisley, the brand developed by Renfrewshire Council in
response to Paisley: The Untold Story and launched in March 2018. The brand had
been a critical element of Paisley’s UK City of Culture bid and fulfilled a commitment,
led by the Council, to change perceptions of Paisley and significantly increase visitor
numbers in the lead up to, during and after a UK City of Culture year. 
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor J Cameron, moved that consideration of
the report be continued. This was agreed unanimously. 
DECIDED: That consideration of the report be continued.