Minutes of meeting JN090626
Renfrewshire Council · 1 September 2026
Back to Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff — 1 September 2026 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff Date Time Venue Tuesday, 09 June 2026 14:10 Corportate Meeting Room 2, Renfrewshire House, Present Representing Renfrewshire Council Management Councillor Rodden (Joint Chair); E Henry, Head of Education, A Hall and Y Ward, both Education Managers, K Henry, Head Teacher, St Andrews Academy, D Rigmand, Head Teacher, Thistle Primary School (all Children’s Services); and K Clark, Strategic Lead Partner, R Barnes, Financial & Corporate Administrative Support Manager and S McCallum, Health & Safety Partner (substitute for S Fanning) (all Finance & Resources). Representing Renfrewshire Council Teaching Staff M Russell, Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side), D Tollan (Joint Chair), J Aitken, C Niven, Y Murray, L Blackstock, M MacNeil, M McGlynn (observer) (all EIS); R Kane (SSTA); S Jakoby (NASUWT); and A Bamford (EIS - Adviser to Teachers' Side). In Attendance P McDowall, Digital Learning Manager, L Baillie, Resources Support Manager (both items 4-5 only), J Lochans, Strategic Learning Estate Manager (item 12 only) (all Children’s Services); and D Cunningham, Committee Services & Licensing Officer (Finance & Resources). Apologies Councillor Paterson; G McLaughlin and S Fanning. 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). Order of Business In terms of standing order 16, the Chairperson intimated that he proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering item 5 before item 4 of the agenda, item 8 before item 7 of the agenda and item 12 before item 11 of the agenda. 1 Minute of Previous Meeting There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 31 March 2026. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 2 Matters Arising In relation to item 9 of the Minute – Social Media Abuse, R Kane, SSTA delivered a verbal update relative to immediate response protocols which covered risk assessment, safeguarding, practical support, access to legal services, AI and preventative education. In relation to item 10 of the Minute – Learning Rep’ and Equality Rep’, the Teachers’ Side requested that a short-life working party be created which would include Learning Rep(s) and Equality Rep(s). A Hall, Education Manager advised she is taking this area of work forward with the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side). DECIDED: That the updates in respect of items 9 and 10 of the previous Minute be noted. 3 Action Log There was submitted the updated action log. A Hall, Education Manager, highlighted key points of the updated action log, and thanked N Fitzsimmons for her hard work on the job sizing project. The Teachers’ Side expressed concern that violence and aggression statistics had not been included in the agenda for this meeting as previously agreed. R Barnes, Financial & Corporate Administrative Support Manager, advised that these could be circulated to JNC members. The Head of Education advised members that a dashboard was in development which would highlight various datasets including violence and aggression and absence statistics. DECIDED: That the action log and additional verbal updates be noted.
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4 Proposed School Holidays Session 2027/28 There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to the proposed school holiday days for session 2027/28, detailed at Appendix 1, as the best match to align with neighbouring authorities. DECIDED: (a) That the content of the report and appendix be noted; and (b) That it be agreed following consultation and review of responses that a board paper be drafted for the Education & Children’s Services Policy Board to set out the agreed pattern of school holidays for session 2027/28. 5 Multi-factor Authentication The Digital Learning Manager delivered a presentation relative to Multi-factor Authentication and was heard in response to queries thereon. DECIDED: That the content of the presentation and verbal updates be noted. 6 Staffing Update There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to the annual staffing exercise which was required to ensure establishments had the required resources in place. The proposals for session 2026/27 were outlined in the report. DECIDED: That the content of the report be noted. 7 Revision of Teachers' Absence Policy - Update There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) providing proposed steps for drafting revisions to the Teachers’ Absence Policy which was outdated with many of the terms and conditions now obsolete. The Strategic Lead Partner (People) would meet with the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) to outline a proposed approach to creating and producing a draft revised Policy for consideration at a future meeting of the JNC. DECIDED: That the intended action and proposed approach to the revision of the Teachers’ Absence Policy be noted. 8 Absence Cover Policy - Update There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) providing proposed steps for drafting revisions to JNC11, the Absence Cover Policy, which had last been reviewed in 2007. A Hall, Education Manager, would work with the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) to draft proposed revisions to relevant sections which would be presented to a sub group of JNC for consideration. Engagement with Finance Business Partners would be conducted as required. DECIDED: That the intended action and proposed approach to the revision of JNC11 relating to Absence Cover in Schools be noted.
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9 Teacher Booker - Update There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) relative to an issue previously raised by the Teachers’ Side that communication shared with supply teachers regarding notice periods was at variance with SNCT terms and conditions. A Hall, Education Manager, had investigated this and alterations had been made to circulated communication. DECIDED: That the resolution to the issue raised be noted. 10 School Inspection Progress (2024-2026) There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Management Side) providing details of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) inspections undertaken at 12 Renfrewshire schools over the last two academic sessions (2024/25 and 2025/26). The Head of Education expressed her thanks to all staff for their hard work which had resulted in the positive inspection findings and gradings. DECIDED: That the content of the report be noted. 11 ASN Provision There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) which outlined challenges relating to Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision experienced by Teachers. Concerns were expressed that ASN was under-resourced, did not adequately meet the real needs of learners/families and was one of the main areas underpinning teacher stress and workload complaints. The Head of Education responded that this was an area that she continued to review within the full estate budget and highlighted that two Renfrewshire ASN establishments had been provided with additional supports this year. The Head of Education advised that a working group would be established involving members of the Teachers’ Side to further review all ASN matters. DECIDED: That it be noted that a working group would be established to further review all ASN matters. 12 Learning Estate Update The Strategic Learning Estate Manager delivered a presentation relative to an update on the Learning Estate which included Paisley Grammar School, Park Mains High School and Thistle Primary School. DECIDED: That the presentation and verbal updates be noted. 13 Violence and Aggression Policy improvements needed There was submitted a report by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) relative to the Renfrewshire Managing Violence and Aggression Policy in Educational Establishments and required updates. The Head of Education encouraged the continued reporting of all incidents and advised that a working group would be established to review the policy. DECIDED: That it be noted that a working group would be established to review the Renfrewshire Managing Violence and Aggression Policy.
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14 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 1 September 2026. Valedictory The Chair and members expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the outgoing members for their valued contribution to the work of the JNC.