Minutes of meeting 310326
Renfrewshire Council · 9 June 2026
Back to Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff — 9 June 2026 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff Date Time Venue Tuesday, 31 March 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, N Fitzsimmons, Education Manager - Acting (substitute for A Hall), K Henry, Head Teacher, St Andrews Academy; D Rigmand, Head Teacher, Wallace Primary School (all Children’s Services); and E Chisholm, People Adviser (Finance & Resources). Representing Renfrewshire Council Teaching Staff M Russell, Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side), D Tollan (Joint Chair), J Aitken, C Niven, Y Murray (all EIS); R Kane (SSTA); S Jakoby (NASUWT); and A Bamford (EIS - Adviser to Teachers' Side). In Attendance D Cunningham, Committee Services & Licensing Officer (Finance & Resources). Apologies Councillor Paterson; A Hall and Y Ward, both Education Managers (both Children’s Services); and T Millar and M McGlynn (both EIS). Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.
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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 D Tollan would chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNC). DECIDED: That D Tollan chair this meeting of the Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNC). 1 Minute of Previous Meeting There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 3 February 2026. In relation to item 2 of the Minute – Matters Arising, the Teachers’ Side requested that the wording “distributed to members of the JNC” be amended to “would be brought to a future meeting of the JNC”. In relation to item 14 of the Minute – Absence Cover – Application of JNC11, the Teachers’ Side requested the insertion of additional wording “the impact of short-term supply on protected targeted support being the first area to be pulled was discussed.” Both amendments were agreed. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved subject to the above amendments. 2 Matters Arising In relation to item 2 of the Minute – Matters Arising, the Teachers’ Side expressed disappointment that the Violence and Aggression Update had not been included on the agenda for the meeting nor a verbal update provided at the meeting as the Strategic Lead Partner (Health & Safety) was not present. Copies of the zero-tolerance poster to be displayed at educational establishments were requested. In relation to item 7 of the Minute – Updated Professional Review and Development and Professional Update Guidance, the Teachers’ Side requested involvement in working groups for this and similar guidance/policy matters to enable them to have content input at the formulation stage. In relation to item 14 of the Minute – Absence Cover – Application of JNC11, the Teachers’ Side expressed concern that management time was being used for cover, the Head of Education (Strategy & Improvement) advised that no instruction to take that approach had been issued from the Management Side. DECIDED: (a) That an update on figures relative to violent and aggressive incidents in education establishments would be brought to a future meeting of the JNC; (b) That the zero-tolerance of violent and aggressive incidents poster for display at educational establishments be updated and distributed where required; and
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(c) That the Teachers’ Side be considered for involvement in working groups to enable content input at the formulation stage for guidance/policy documents. 3 Action Log There was submitted the updated action log. DECIDED: That the updated action log be noted. 4 Staffing Update There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to an update on the annual staffing exercise for session 2026/27 and other current staffing related matters. The Teachers’ Side expressed concern that considerable time was spent mentoring/developing newly qualified teachers (NQTs) that were then unable to be retained. DECIDED: That the contents of the report and verbal updates be noted. 5 Inclusion Portfolio Progress There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to a report by the Director of Children’s Services which had been submitted to the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board held on 12 March 2026. The report outlined progress made throughout 2025/26 on the Inclusion Portfolio which aimed to draw together staged intervention, transitions, targeted provision, educational psychology, multi-agency partnerships and policy development and identified both the achievements and future developments to support continuous improvement. The Teachers’ Side raised various points in connection with this report and it was agreed that the Head of Education and the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) would discuss these further outwith the meeting. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the Head of Education and the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) would discuss these points raised in connection with the report further outwith the meeting; and (b) That the contents of the report and verbal updates be noted. 6 Learning Estate Update The Joint Secretary (Management Side) delivered a presentation relative to an update on the Learning Estate. DECIDED: That the presentation and verbal updates be noted. 7 Practical Subjects: NQ Assessments and class contact time (SNCT 3.7) There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to National Qualification (NQ) Assessments for practical subjects and teachers’ class contact time. Concern was expressed that the current assessment arrangements resulted in teacher workload that was not compliant with SNCT terms and conditions.
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DECIDED: (a) That clear guidance be given to all Renfrewshire head teachers and BSOs or timetable planners that it is not acceptable to direct any teacher to work beyond their maximum class contact time; (b) That where Home Economics, and any other practical subject teachers with similar arrangements, are required to undertake practical exams outwith their normal class contact allocation, that the time allocated either be paid back or recognised as class contact for the purposes of school cover; and (c) That all examination arrangements for practical subjects comply with SNCT contractual conditions and, where necessary, additional resources be made available to schools during times of NQ practical assessments. 8 Internet Issues There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to internet issues such as slow speeds and pages not loading which had resulted in fragmented learning and caused impacts on national assignment work and stress for teachers and learners. It was noted that schools were using more of their budget for printing due to not being able to access materials online. The Head of Education (Strategy & Improvement) advised that significant investment had been made in this area and changes applied but these had not had the desired outcome. The Digital Learning Manager was currently investigating this matter to seek a resolution. DECIDED: (a) That the Management Side note the content of the report; (b) That it be noted that the Teachers’ Side advised that the situation could not continue and required urgent resolution; and (c) That it be noted that the Digital Learning Manager was currently investigating this matter to seek a resolution. 9 Social Media Abuse There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to pupils who had abused social media by creating fake accounts using the names of teaching staff which had caused distress to teachers. The Head of Education (Strategy & Improvement) acknowledged the concerns of the Teachers’ Side and agreed that this was a growing area of concern which required the ongoing working together of the Management and Teachers’ Sides plus liaison with Police Scotland and parental responsibility. Counillor Rodden suggested that Scottish Government be contacted post-election to obtain advice and the Digital Learning Manager would explore the development of further Social Media guidance. DECIDED: (a) That the Management Side note the content of the report; (b) That the Management Side explore ways of protecting and supporting teachers impacted by the degrading treatment outlined in the report whilst considering serious consequences for the perpetrators of these harmful acts; and
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(c) That the local authority work with teacher unions and the Scottish Government to develop guidance. 10 Learning Rep’ and Equality Rep’: Policy on Time off to Undertake Duties There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the Employment Rights Act 2025, which became law on 18 December 2025, which introduced additions and amendments to legislation and recognised the role of Equality Reps and the need for paid time off to undertake duties. The report advised that Learning Reps also had a statutory right to time off to undertake duties but that there was currently no written agreement or Policy within Renfrewshire. DECIDED: That to comply with the Employment Rights Act 2025, a short-life JNC sub- group be convened to allow for discussion between the Management Side and Trade Unions tasked with creating a Renfrewshire policy on paid time off for both Learning Reps and Equality Reps and that the agreement be ratified by the JNC before the end of session 2025/2026. 11 Maternity Rights- Pay and Teachers’ Terms and Conditions There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to paid maternity leave and conflicting and incorrect advice given in connection with this. The People Adviser would take this matter back to HR colleagues to prepare more detailed guidance and communications would be issued. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the People Adviser would take this matter back to HR colleagues to prepare more detailed guidance and communications would be issued; (b) That a suite of proformas be created to be used which encompassed teachers’ terms and conditions, including risk assessments, communications around pay and holiday calculations and copies of pertinent letters to be sent around maternity rights to avoid further incorrect information being given; and (c) That the suite of documents, once created, be shared with advising teachers and the Teachers’ Side for information purposes. 12 Resolution of SNCT Workload Dispute There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the commitment to reduce teacher class contact time to twenty-one hours. As this had not progressed, the constituent unions of the SNCT Teachers’ Panel had declared a formal dispute and conducted statutory ballots for industrial action. The report advised that the dispute had now settled and the Teachers’ Side advised that they were looking forward to working with the Management Side to facilitate the implementation of the reduction to twenty-one hours of class contact by the agreed timelines. DECIDED: That it be noted that the Teachers’ Side and Management Sides would work together to facilitate the implementation of the reduction to twenty-one hours of class contact by the agreed timelines.
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13 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 9 June 2026.