Minutes of meeting 030326
Renfrewshire Council · 31 March 2026
Back to Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff — 31 March 2026 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff Date Time Venue Tuesday, 03 February 2026 14:00 Corporate Meeting Room 2, Renfrewshire House, Present Representing Renfrewshire Council Management Councillor Rodden (Joint Chair); G McLaughlin, Head of Education (Strategy & Improvement) and Joint Secretary (Management Side), E Henry, Head of Education, Y Ward, Education Manager, N Fitzsimmons, Education Manager - Acting (substitute for A Hall) (all Education & Children’s Services); and K Clark, Strategic Lead Partner (People) and S Fanning, Strategic Lead Partner (Health & Safety) (both Finance and Resources). Representing Renfrewshire Council Teaching Staff M Russell, Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side), D Tollan (Joint Chair), Y Murray, and J Aitken (all EIS); R Kane (SSTA); S Jakoby (NASUWT); and A Bamford (EIS - Adviser to Teachers' Side). In Attendance J Barron, Committee Services Officer and K O’Neill, Democratic Services Officer (both Finance & Resources). Apologies Councillor Paterson; A Hall, Education Manager; K Henry, Head Teacher, St Andrews Academy, D Rigmand, Head Teacher, Wallace Primary School, T Millar, C Niven and M McGlynn (all EIS).
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Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Chairperson In accordance with the terms of the local recognition and procedure agreement, which stated that the Chair of the Committee should alternate between the two sides comprising the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff, it was agreed that Councillor Rodden would chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNC). DECIDED: That Councillor Rodden chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNC). Additional Item The Chair intimated that there was an additional item which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting in relation to ICT systems in Schools. The Chair being of the opinion that the item, which is dealt with at item 17 of this Minute, was urgent authorised its consideration. 1 Minute of Previous Meeting There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 2 September 2025. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 2 Matters Arising In relation to item 5 - Session 2025-26 Staffing Update – the Teachers’ side expressed concern that the deadline had now expired for the provision of this information due to the cancellation of the last JNC meeting, scheduled to be held in November 2025. It was agreed that Education & Children’s Services would provide updated figures. In relation to item 7 - Violence and Aggression Update – it was noted that figures relative to violent incidents in education establishments, specifically for teachers, would be distributed to members of the JNC. DECIDED: That the updates and clarification provided on the matters raised be noted. 3 Action Log There was submitted the action log, updated following each meeting of the Committee. JNC11 had been added to this. It was requested that Violence and Aggression be included as a standard item of the Action Log from August 2026. In relation to Standard
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Circulars, migration to a new platform was underway and a solution was still required. This was being progressed urgently and information would be shared as soon as possible. DECIDED: (a) That the updated action log be noted; (b) That Violence and Aggression be added to the action log as a standard item from August 2026; and (c) That the access to Standard Circulars information be uploaded to allow access as soon as possible. 4 Education Standards & Quality Report September 2025 Education Improvement Plan 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to the Education Standards & Quality Report September 2025 and the Education Improvement Plan 2025/26 which had been developed via a collaborative and consultative process with stakeholders. The report outlined six key priority areas. DECIDED: That the content of the Education Standards & Quality Report (September) 2025 and the Education Improvement Plan 2025/26 be noted. 5 JS-25-84 SNCT Agreement on Changes to the Job Sizing Toolkit There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to the JS-25-84 SNCT Agreement on Changes to the Job Sizing Toolkit which outlined changes to the national Job Sizing Toolkit incorporated into the SNCT Handbook following national training in November 2025. Local Authorities and Local Negotiating Committees were required to ensure readiness for implementation by 1 February 2026. The Head of Education advised that the timescales for this had been extended to ensure readiness for implementation by 1 April 2026. DECIDED: (a) That the content of SNCT Agreement JS-25-84 be noted; (b) That the proposal of a local actions protocol be drafted and trialled for consideration at a future meeting of the JNC; and (c) That it be agreed to instruct HR and Education officers to coordinate preparations for implementation of the changes to the national Job Sizing Toolkit incorporated into the SNCT Handbook in April 2026. 6 Compulsory Transfer Procedures (Promoted Teachers) Interim Version There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to a summary of interim Compulsory Transfer Procedures for Promoted Teachers to manage staffing implications which had arisen from a surplus of promoted staff based
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on falling school rolls in a fair, transparent and legally compliant manner. The full interim policy was appended to the report at Appendix 1. DECIDED: (a) That the rationale and necessity for the interim policy on Compulsory Transfer of Promoted Teachers be noted; (b) That the interim procedures be endorsed as a proportionate, legally compliant and equitable approach to managing surplus promoted staff arising from falling rolls; (c) That the implementation timeline, including early notification to affected staff, be supported; (d) That ongoing joint monitoring of the policy’s impact during the 2025-2026 and 2026- 2027 staffing cycles be recommended; and (e) That it be agreed that a full review of promoted post structures may be required following analysis of longer-term demographic trends. 7 Updated Professional Review and Development and Professional Update Guidance There was submitted a report by the Head of Education relative to Renfrewshire’s Professional Review and Development and Professional Update (PRD & PU) Guidance which set out expectations within the current national context. The guidance, which replaced the previous November 2021 version, outlined the key features of effective PRD and PU and roles and responsibilities. DECIDED: That the revised guidance be approved. 8 Update to PVG Guidance for Schools There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to changes made by Disclosure Scotland to its PVG Scheme which came into effect in April 2025. The report outlined the key information for establishments as reference/guidance. DECIDED: That the contents of the report be noted. 9 Renfrewshire Council / Teacher Booker Supply Booking System Practice Updates: Multiple Jobs in Same School & Use of ‘Dates to be Determined’ Option There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to an overview of the agreed practice update relating to payment arrangements for supply teachers working multiple jobs in the same school, as appended to the report at Appendix 1, and an update relating to the appropriate use of the ‘dates to be determined’ option within Teacher Booker (TB), appendix 2; both updates had been developed following consultation with Teachers’ Unions and a review of the system use across the school estate.
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DECIDED: (a) That the practice update on uplift application for supply teachers working multiple jobs in the same school be noted; (b) That the practice update regarding the use of the ‘dates to be determined’ option be noted; (c) That the implementation of both updates from 6 January 2026 be endorsed; (d) That Option 1 as the preferred method for uplift processing due to audit and management information benefits be supported (e) That continued engagement with Teacher Booker in relation to system development requests be supported; and (f) That it be agreed that further monitoring updates be submitted to future meetings of the JNC as system enhancements progress. 10 Learning Estate Update The Joint Secretary (Management Side) delivered a presentation relative to an update on the Learning Estate. DECIDED: That the presentation be noted. 11 Local Authority and Pre-Inspection Reviews There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to feedback received from Renfrewshire teachers which highlighted concerns regarding the increased workload which pre-inspection reviews created. The EIS National Executive had responded recently to the HMIE consultation document ‘School Inspections are Changing.’ The response highlighted that school and local authority inspection rehearsals remained significant drivers of excessive workload and stress. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that workload was a safeguarding and wellbeing issue and that the additional burden which arose from inspection reviews could lead to burnout and sickness absence; (b) That it be noted that reviews impacted on deadlines already agreed through the Working Time Agreement and on agreed teacher planning time with consequent implications for ongoing teaching and learning; and (c) That there be dialogue between the Management and Teachers’ Side to address the workload concerns of Renfrewshire teachers when considering evidence and data gathering prior to pre-inspection reviews. 12 Advertisements: Ensuring Opportunities for Flexible Route NQTs There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the pathways used to achieve full registration and entry to a teaching career - the Teacher
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Induction Scheme (TIS) and the Flexible Route (FR). The report further advised that the method of advertising vacant posts had an impact on the diversity of applicants. DECIDED: (a) That whenever adverts are posted for supply teachers that they are inclusive of Flexible Route probationers and adverts for supply staff should explicitly state that ‘suitably qualified’, including Flexible Route applicants - rather than ‘fully qualified’ applicants - are eligible for supply work in Renfrewshire. (b) That Renfrewshire Council reconsiders its practice of disallowing probationers whom it recommended should convert to FR, the opportunity to undertake supply work in Renfrewshire, rather than closing off the opportunity and imposing the need for them to seek employment in other Local Authorities; and (c) That a meeting with Senior Officers (Education & Children’s Services) and trade union representatives be scheduled to discuss this further. 13 Fair Distribution and Rotation of NCCT There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to teachers’ non-class contact time (NCCT) and the impact this had on teachers who had responsibility for covering this across the school or when covering this long term. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that positive discussions had taken place with the Joint Secretaries and the Teachers’ side had been informed that the matter had been highlighted with head teachers; (b) That it be noted that the Teachers’ side was keen that when setting classes head teachers consult with staff to ensure that all staff were allocated the NCCT role on an equitable, rotational basis. This would ensure that all staff developed a broad skill set which would alleviate any perceived unfairness, anxiety and dissatisfaction that had been expressed by some who were permanently allocated the NCCT role; and (c) That it be noted that ideally a primary teacher should spend no longer than two consecutive years in the NCCT role, unless they specifically request that role. 14 Absence Cover- Application of JNC 11 There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to absence cover agreements outlined in JNC11 which had been updated and revised on several occasions through the JNC. The matter of absence cover was a workload issue for teachers in schools who were regularly allocated additional duties to cover for absent colleagues. The meeting of the JNC on 21 March 2023 had previously highlighted the Teachers’ Side concerns about supply staff availability and first proposed the introduction of the Booker system to ease some of the pressures. Whilst internal cover was manageable in the short term it became less so, long term, if supply cover was not provided. DECIDED:
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(a) That current practices in schools are investigated in relation to JNC11 and feedback on this be provided to a future meeting of the JNC; and (b) That schools be reminded of the agreement and the expectation that agreed absence cover arrangements be adhered to. 15 Update to JNC 16 Special Leave Policy There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023. Renfrewshire Council had already reached agreement with Local Government Employees to update leave policies in respect of the Act. The Teachers’ Side sought similarly to have the entitlement incorporated into their special leave policy, JNC 16, to help support teachers, quality improvement officers, educational psychologists and music instructors and there would also be implications for JNC 11 which stipulated that cover was required from the first day of notifiable, foreseen long-term absences. DECIDED: (a) That JNC 16 and JNC 11 be updated to include the entitlements afforded by the Act and that external cover be provided on day one of any such absence; and (b) That all staff be advised, as part of a staff bulletin, of this positive change and of the new day-one entitlement. 16 Date of Next Meeting DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff would be held at 2.00 pm on 31 March 2026. 17 ICT in Schools The Teachers’ Side expressed concern that repeated issues with internet speeds and ICT systems in schools could have a negative impact with exams approaching. DECIDED: That all ICT issues within the school estate be logged on the ICT self-service portal.