Approved Minutes of Meeting
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 March 2023
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 29 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL At a Hybrid Meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held in the Civic Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 at 4.07 p.m. Present: Provost Douglas McAllister and Councillors Jim Bollan, Karen Conaghan, Ian Dickson, Diane Docherty, Craig Edward*, Gurpreet Singh Johal, Daniel Lennie, David McBride, Jonathan McColl, James McElhill, Michelle McGinty, June McKay, John Millar, Lawrence O’Neill, Lauren Oxley, Chris Pollock, Martin Rooney, Gordon Scanlan, Hazel Sorrell, Clare Steel* and Sophie Traynor. *Arrived later in the meeting. Attending: Peter Hessett, Chief Executive; Alan Douglas, Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration (Legal Officer); Laurence Slavin, Chief Officer – Resources and Section 95 Officer; Peter Barry, Chief Officer – Housing and Employability; Beth Culshaw, Chief Officer – West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership; Amanda Graham, Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities; Gail Macfarlane, Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood; Laura Mason, Chief Education Officer; Victoria Rogers, Chief Officer – People and Technology; Angela Wilson, Chief Officer – Supply, Distribution and Property; Michelle Lynn, Assets Co-ordinator; Gillian McNamara, Economic Development Manager; George Hawthorn, Manager – Democratic and Registration Services, Carol-Ann Burns, Senior Democratic Services Officer; and Scott Kelly, Committee Officer. Provost Douglas McAllister in the Chair STATEMENT BY CHAIR Provost McAllister advised that the meeting was being audio streamed and broadcast live to the internet and would be available for playback. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of business on the agenda.
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RECORDING OF VOTES The Council agreed that all votes taken during the meeting would be done by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The Minutes of Meetings of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 21 December 2022 (Ordinary Meeting) and 1 March 2023 (Budget Meeting) were submitted and approved as correct records. MINUTES OF MEETING OF AUDIT COMMITTEE The Minutes of Meeting of the Audit Committee held on 9 November 2022 were submitted and all decisions contained therein were approved. OPEN FORUM The following Open Forum questions were submitted:- (a) Question from Jay Haston – WAVE Trust To ask the leader of the Council, following the decision that was unanimously taken by the Council at the August 26th 2021 meeting in respect of the WAVE Trust, can the leader of the Council provide an update into what work has subsequently been undertaken to progress this? Councillor McGinty provided the following response:- I would like to thank Jay Haston for the question, which I will respond to as Deputy Leader of the Council and in my role as Chair of the Health & Social Care Partnership. For context, the original motion from Councillor Ian Dickson included a request for a report to come to a future Council meeting on how the ambitions of the Wave 70/30 campaign can be achieved in West Dunbartonshire. I can give reiterate that commitment that a report highlighting the Council, the HSCP and other partners contribution to the ambitions will come to Council, HSCP and if appropriate to our Community Planning Partnership. Today I will give an overview of the range of activities and achievements across the Council so far. The Council have a range of actions in place to reduce child abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by at least 70% by the year 2030.
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This Council is committed to; a trauma informed approach; values the importance of good universal services from pregnancy with early identification and provision of extra support as required; and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences A range of work has been carried out to support this campaign, some examples include: The Promise that care experienced children and young people grow up loved, safe, and respected. A dedicated lead officer post (or ‘Promise Keeper’) is now in post to support partners working in integrated Children’s services to deliver against developments around the Promise Plan 2021-24. Two hundred and fifty staff across community planning partners being trained in relation to the principles and approaches to The Promise as well as a number of local sessions from the Each & Every Child initiative which aims to change hearts and minds on care experience in Scotland to shift public attitudes and improve life chances of children, young people and their families. We recognise the importance of good universal services from pregnancy with early identification and provision of extra support as required including antenatal contact to allow the health visiting service to build trusting relationships with families at this pivotal time. Given the increasing understanding of the impact of poor parental mental health on children and young people a number of staff across WDC early years and HSCP are involved in NHSGGC Infant and Maternal Mental Health networks and have accessed NHS NES Infant mental health training to support good infant and maternal mental health. For parents that need additional support a review of the Special Needs in Pregnancy Service (SNIPS) commenced in 2021/22 to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the clients and the NHSGGC Family Nurse Partnership service for first time mothers under the age of 19 continues to offer a relationship-based service antenatally and until the child is two. WDC Education are leading on the development of the supports via the local allocation of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund with work progressing to improve and develop approaches to providing early family help and wellbeing. The Alcohol and Drug partnership already resource for the Whole Family Approach which aims to ensure that family members affected by substance use have access to relevant high-quality, holistic and consistent whole family approach are included in this.
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In Children’s social care there has been an increase in the number of children’s plans that have been revisited through the permanency process, where children have been able to reach positive destinations through permanency planning. To support continued improvement in this, a number of independent reviewers have been recruited to further support the voices and rights of children in reviews of children's plans for those involved in Children’s social work services. Development work was undertaken jointly with partners within Health, Education, Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) and Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) to review and redesign the assessment format provided by Children and Families Social Work Services to Children’s Hearings. This work was undertaken in partnership with children and young people facilitated by the Champions Board, and with parents and carers of children subject to a referral. Local uptake of Partners In Advocacy support to children and young people entering the Hearing process increased. The focus is on Trauma informed and responsive approach In March approximately 30 managers and leaders from Childrens Health Care and Justice attended the national NHS NES Scottish Trauma Informed Leaders Training (STILT) to support leaders of organisations to develop trauma informed systems, processes, environments and teams from top down as well as bottom up. This will be followed up in April with a local session working with the NHSGGC Transforming Psychological Trauma Implementation Coordinator to action plan and make best use of the national tools available. Additional training on trauma All staff working in children's houses have accessed four-day training in the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) approach. This approach encourages working with young people and their family and or other key people involved in their care. It raises awareness of trauma and its impact on young people’s development and how this might affect their behaviour and supports staff to interact and talk with young people with this informed approach. It highlights use of a PACE approach in interactions i.e. to be Playful, (to allow us to attune and match young people’s mood and emotions), Appreciative, (of the young person’s point of view and what they are telling us about how they feel), Curious (to wonder why a young person feels the way they do, or wonder what their behaviour is really telling us) and finally to be Empathetic (to really try to understand how young people are feeling). Additionally, over a hundred staff across WDC Education including Educational Psychology, and HSCP Childrens Social work have accessed a level 1 DDP learning opportunity. Prevention of Adverse Experiences A few recent events on this are as follows;
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'Healing Trauma and Connecting People through Community Arts' and had 32 participants. Evaluation showed staff knowledge improved from 5.6 to 8.6 out of 10. A focus on 'The First 1001 Days' in recognition of the clear, compelling evidence that pregnancy and the first two years of a childs life are a significant and influential phase in development and prevention of adversity. Fifty-one participants attended and the evaluation showed that staff knowledge had improved from 7.2 to 8.8 out of 10. 6. The most recent event in February had 57 people attending with the theme of 'Developing your trauma-informed practice journey' highlighted the existing good practice across schools and residential care as well as the accessible NHS NES trauma training resources. The documentary film Resilience about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) continues to be a key resource to increase ACE awareness among the workforce. Over 1200 staff in West Dunbartonshire have seen the film, which is always followed by a Panel Q&A. The viewing in November 2022, attracted 56 staff. Evaluation shows increased knowledge and commitment to action. A targeted viewing in February for adoptive parents, foster carers, kinship carers and Throughcare carers was well received which built on the trauma informed parenting sessions the carers had also accessed. An invitation from Mr Haston was offered to attend a meeting with Mr Haston, Harry Burns and the founder of the WAVE Trust. Councillor McGinty accepted the invitation. Note: Councillor Steel entered the meeting during consideration of this item. (b) Question from Susan Dick – Land at Milton I currently own land which will be bulldozed as part of the exxon development. I have one request in light of this Councils drive towards net zero and any climate change policies they may have. Within this field there is large and beautiful 200 year old tree. It is on a prominent site within the field near the private road also belonging to myself and which is a right of way, it is a healthy tree which grows straight with no known issues or health concerns. There is also a large wildlife pond near the Arnold Clark end of the site. I don’t think either of them are in the path of the intended roads.
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When the site is cleared I ask that serious attempts are made to save this tree and the pond from destruction. I ask this due to the tree’s great age and the fact that a tree of this age and size will be an asset in carbon capturing, something that should be important to us all. The pond will also be doing its bit for wildlife in the area and carbon capture as well. It is not good enough to simply destroy such a valuable tree and replace it with tiny saplings as is the norm. The hundreds of trees that will be lost on this site mean that the drive towards net zero will be damaged extensively but the saving of this tree and pond could help offset some of the damage done to the environment when this field is destroyed. Could I have any kind of assurances that when decisions are being made the saving of the tree and pond could be considered as essential. To be truthful after all that has gone on over my field it is the very least you can do. Councillor McBride provided the following response:- The Planning in Principle was granted on 13th January 2021 for the Exxon infrastructure and commercial/industrial development. The permission contained 31 conditions which included a condition relating to the submission of a Landscape Framework and Strategy before the submission of the first detailed application. A Landscape Framework and Strategy has been submitted and is presently being discussed with Nature Scot, the Council’s Biodiversity Officer and other key consultees to allow the discharge of this condition. The agreed Landscape Framework and Strategy will inform the details of the Approval of Matters Specified in Condition detailed application which is due to be submitted in late April 2023. The existence of trees, hedgerows and boundary vegetation within the site is recognised as is the existence of seasonal ponds. A key consideration in the detail of the development will be the retention of key landscape features including trees and any sensitive ecological features wherever possible, together with the provision of new landscaping and habitat features to enhance the wider site. Ms Dick asked the following supplementary question:- I hope that I would be able to make some comments when the planning application comes out. I am quite concerned about the tree in light of what has recently happened.
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On the field you may not be aware of this but it is on my Facebook page which I know that some of you follow, in the last 2 weeks, 2 large groups of trees have been cut down just outside my boundary and damaged my fence. No authorization was given to that and no permission asked for so I am a little concerned in case something is done to that tree without any planning application been looked at, so if anyone needs in the field to do surveys or any future work or anything on that field I must be given notification. I am very concerned about the future of that tree, it is on a prominent site, I hope it will be retained, it can be seen from all parts of the field, road and cycle track. It is particularly huge but as I say can I have assurance that should surveys be getting done with Nature Scotland or whoever and any future work that I be notified. Councillor McBride provided the following response:- West Dunbartonshire Council’s contractor were carrying out survey works using co-ordinates to establish the line of the new proposed SGN diversion. Tree felling was undertaken for the line of the new diversion route prior to the nesting season. A member of West Dunbartonshire Council staff met the surveyors on site, once on site it was noted the surveyors had commenced work and were on Ms Dicks land. We have responded to Ms Dick’s agents advising that we recognise damage has been caused and we will be in touch further to compensate for the damage. CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS (NUCLEAR INCIDENT) – MOTION FROM COUNCIL 21 DECEMBER 2022 A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – People and Technology providing an update on the local resilience structures should there be a nuclear incident at Faslane. Having heard Provost McAllister, it was noted that the Document Pack for the meeting contained an error in the reproduction of Appendix 1 to the report and there was submitted (tabled) a corrected version of the Appendix. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – People and Technology in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed:- (1) to note West Dunbartonshire Council’s response structures; and (2) to note Specific Nuclear Incident Planning.
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GLASGOW CITY REGION CITY DEAL – UPDATE A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration noting the progress with the implementation of the Glasgow City Region City Deal. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager and the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed to note the progress of the Glasgow City Region programme. Note: Councillor Edward entered the meeting during consideration of this item. NON-DOMESTIC RATES EMPTY PROPERTY RELIEF POLICY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval of the introduction of West Dunbartonshire Council’s locally agreed Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) Empty Property Relief (EPR). The Council agreed:- (1) to approve the new West Dunbartonshire Council Empty Property Relief Policy; and (2) that a review of the new Empty Property Relief Policy is carried out by 31 March 2024 and presented to the Corporate Services Committee following consultation with internal and external stakeholders. SCALE OF CHARGES – CLYDEBANK TOWN HALL – MOTION FROM COUNCIL 31 AUGUST 2022 A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities requesting consideration of a review of all hire costs associated with Clydebank Town Hall events and what level of charitable discount or reduction is appropriate. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s question, the Council agreed:- (1) to note the current scale of charges and discount scheme at Clydebank Town Hall and in addition note the £20,000 fund created as part of the 23/24 budget to support community groups with the hire of Council venues or facilities for one-off events; (2) to delegate authority to officers to establish a process and criteria for applications;- (3) to delegate authority to the Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture, & Facilities and/or the Chief Officer – Resources to approve or reject applications to the fund; and
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(4) to extend the 25% discount to cover all hours including nights and weekends. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy and the indicators contained within. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Council agreed:- (1) to approve the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy and the indicators contained within; (2) to approve the continued use of the asset life method (using either annuity or equal instalment) for the repayment of loan fund advances with the exception of spend to save schemes where the funding/income profile method could be used; (3) to approve the ability to continue to use countries with a sovereign rating of AA and above; and (4) to note the report will be referred to Audit Committee for further scrutiny. GENERAL SERVICES BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 JANUARY 2023 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the General Services revenue budget and the approved capital programme to 31 January 2023. Having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation the Council agreed:- (1) to note a current projected annual adverse variance on the revenue account of £1.999m (0.78% of total budget); and (2) to note that projected expenditure on the capital account was lower than the 2022/23 budget by £35.309m (53.04% of budget), made up of £30.488m (45.79% of budget) of project re-profiling, and an in-year net underspend of £4.820m (7.24% of budget).
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HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO 31 JANUARY 2023 (PERIOD 10) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the financial performance to 31 January 2023 (Period 10) of the HRA revenue and capital budgets for 2022/23. Having heard the Chief Officer – Supply, Distribution and Property in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s question, the Council agreed:- (1) to note the revenue analysis shows projected adverse variances of £2.253m however this will be offset by reducing the contribution from revenue to capital (CFCR) therefore netting to a revenue break even position; and (2) to note the net projected annual position in relation to the capital plan is highlighting an in-year adverse variance of £27.242m (41.53%) which is made up of re-profiling of £31.671m (48.28%) and overspend of £4.429m (6.75%) as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report. NOTICE OF MOTIONS (a) Motion by Councillor Jim Bollan – Naloxone Intervention Kits Councillor Bollan moved:- Council recognises the huge number of deaths due to opiate overdose in Scotland. West Dunbartonshire, at the end of 2022, had six such deaths within the space of a month. People who overdose on opiates can be saved by Naloxone being administered, which temporarily reverses the effects of opiate overdose to allow medical intervention. Last year in Scotland 1,300 lives were saved by Naloxone. Council agrees to locate a Naloxone Intervention Kit in all Council premises, Offices, Libraries, Leisure Centres, Residential Units and other locations, where it is felt they could be of emergency assistance. Free training for staff locally (45mins) is available, the Naloxone Kit and a free supply of the Naloxone is available locally from the NHS for all accredited/trained users. The motion was agreed by the Council.
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(b) Motion by Councillor Clare Steel – Scottish Water Inadequate Infrastructure and Local Flooding in Linnvale Councillor Lennie, on behalf of Councillor Steel, moved:- This Council is concerned about the annual flooding events which affect Linnvale in Clydebank. The Council notes that an Open Forum Question from John Mooney was considered at the December Council and that Councillor David McBride responded on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council. A copy of the question and response is appended to this motion. The access to Linnvale is limited and the only way in and out of the area by vehicle is through Livingston Street which is highly prone to localized flooding. As a result, when we have heavy rain, the road into Linnvale becomes unusable and means that local residents, emergency services and businesses are affected. As well as the temporary isolation this causes, there is an inherent risk of flooding to homes which is a major concern for local residents. Council is concerned that although the flooding is captured in the Clyde & Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plan, funding for the Scottish works to bring its infrastructure up to an adequate standard has not yet been identified. The Council has made commitment to support Tenants & residents with flood preventions to their property. Council has also committed to working with Scottish Water to accelerate key areas that experience flooding due to capacity issues in the Scottish water draining system. Funding has been allocated by West Dunbartonshire Council to progress those studies. Given the above, the Council asks the Chief Executive to write to the appropriate Cabinet Secretary highlighting the impact of the flooding on the residents of Linnvale and calls on the Scottish Government and Scottish Water to prioritise the replacement of the inadequate Scottish Water infrastructure. Appendix Open Forum Question John Mooney: The following Open Forum question has been submitted: - Question from John Mooney – Flooding in Linnvale, Clydebank. The Linnvale community is very concerned about the recurrent flooding of their streets. It is disappointing and demoralising to read the recriminations between the Council and Scottish Water about this in the local press.
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Can the Council provide an assurance today that it will do its utmost to work in partnership with Scottish Water and the Linnvale community to sort this out for good? Council Response by Councillor David McBride: The Clyde & Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plan sets out the actions that West Dunbartonshire Council has agreed to take forward to reduce the overall flood risk within the area. These actions have been discussed and agreed by the WDC, SEPA, Scottish Water and all other responsible authorities & Public bodies involved in reducing Flood Risk. West Dunbartonshire Council will be the Lead on the action for a Surface Water Management Plan for the Clydebank Area, this is a cycle 3 action under the Clyde & Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plan for West Dunbartonshire Council & Scottish Water due to the ongoing actions. At this time there is no confirmation of when the funding will be made available from the Scottish Government to fund this piece of work as the flooding budget is currently oversubscribed. The flood study has identified a number of locations at high risk to the impact of surface water and the need for a detailed Surface Water Management plan to be developed to address current capacity issue of the existing drainage system. Whilst the responsibility for surface water lies with the local authority, the majority of drainage systems are owned and maintained by Scottish Water and as such any plans need to be developed in conjunction with them. Although the Council will be looking at methods to best manage the Surface Water within the area, there will still be a Flood Risk from the combined sewer systems where the capacity is not sufficient. Scottish Water have confirmed that there is a capacity issue within the existing systems at Linnvale which results in flooding experienced at street level. A budget allocation of £500k was made in the 2022/23 budget to accelerate flood prevention works. The 2nd Nov 2022 IRED Committee approved that £375k would be allocated to accelerate feasibility studies for a number of priority locations that are identified within the Surface Water Management Study. Linnvale has been identified as a priority location.
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As part of this investment the Council will liaise with Scottish Water to undertake a focused study to develop plans for water alleviation and system upgrades to reduce the impact of surface water within the area. Councillor Traynor asked if Councillor Lennie would accept the following addendum to his motion:- To run communication campaign informing residents of what support is available to help mitigate themselves. Councillor Lennie confirmed his acceptance to the addendum and the motion with addendum was unanimously agreed by the Council. (c) Motion by Councillor Craig Edward – Additional Dwelling Supplement Tax Increase Councillor Edward moved:- Council notes the Scottish Budget announced on the 15th of December 2022, resulted in the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) increased from 4% to 6% with immediate effect. This tax is payable on the total price of purchasing additional residential properties in Scotland, when a property purchase price exceeds £40,000. Local Authorities are still obliged to pay the ADS rate. To put this into context, if the Housing Department purchased an ‘off the shelf’ buy back property on the open market at £100,000, then the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) would be paying an additional £2000 in ADS. Housing policy must not solely rely on building new homes, when it is possible to purchase private housing to meet the needs of our citizens on the housing waiting list. Each property purchased becomes council housing stock. This Council has ambitious plans to purchase more homes for council ownership. Based on our 2023/24 projections, the HRA would be paying £300,000 in ADS, which is £100,000 more than was the case prior to the Scottish Government increasing this tax at the Scottish Budget announcement. This will have a real impact on Council’s plans because if it did purchase a home at £100,000 for example, the unjustness of the ADS tax will result in either council tenants suffering with a £300,000 surcharge, or council purchasing three less properties each year. This is not an acceptable situation for our tenants or for our citizens on housing waiting lists. Council commends the hard work and diligence of our housing staff who have already been lobbying strongly and repeatedly for this obstructive tax increase
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to be reversed, to enable more homes to be purchased for council housing use. Council supports the work of our staff highlighting this tax injustice. Therefore, the Convenor of Housing, Employability & Communities, and the Leader of the Council, will make respective representations to the relevant Cabinet Secretaries, and via COSLA. The representation will highlight the absurdity of this situation, call for this tax increase to be reversed immediately, and highlight the negative impact the ADS increase has on the Scottish Government’s own priorities in terms of increasing supply and housing by 2040. Council will also liaise directly with the WDTRO on raising these concerns and report back to council on the outcome of the representations made, as above. As an amendment, Councillor Singh Johal moved:- Council notes that the Scottish Government Draft Budget on 15th December included an increase to the Additional Dwelling Supplement Tax from 4% to 6%. This increase would continue to impact on our affordable housing programme. If local authorities were required to pay the ADS, then the impact is for a house purchase of £100,000 would mean paying £6,000 in ADS per acquisition. It is estimated that this could cost in the region of £480,000 to purchase 80 properties per year. Council notes that alongside our COSLA and partners West Dunbartonshire Council has lobbied strongly for the removal of the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) for Councils. As a result, on 8th February, the Scottish Government acknowledged the impact on social housing and launched a second consultation, which if the supported, would mean that local authorities would be given the same exemption from paying the ADS on buyback purchases where the intention is to use as social housing. Housing Associations have benefited from since the introduction of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT). The proposed changes in the consultation will support the Scottish Government's priorities to increase social rent housing supply and deliver on the Housing to 2040 ambition. Councillor Edward then withdrew his motion. Councillor Bollan asked if Councillor Singh Johal would accept the following addendum to his amendment:-
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If the Government doesn’t agree to waive the charge for the local authorities the matter is brought back to Council. Councillor Singh Johal confirmed his acceptance to the addendum and the amendment with addendum was agreed by the Council. (d) Motion by Councillor Sophie Traynor – Growing Up Grieving Councillor Traynor moved:- Council recognises the differing levels of bereavement services for children and young people within schools across West Dunbartonshire. The current support that is in place varies significantly across schools in the area and is not holistic enough to fully support grieving children and young people throughout their school careers. The motion is based on the National Childhood Bereavement Project's “Growing Up Grieving” report which was delivered by Includem which looks at this issue on a national level. Council requests the Chief Education Officer to address the lack of universality of bereavement support provided in schools across West Dunbartonshire through a bereavement policy that takes at a whole school approach to death, dying and bereavement to support all children and young people who are experiencing grief. The motion was unanimously agreed by the Council. (e) Motion by Councillor Craig Edward – Welcoming HM Coastguard to Clydebank Councillor Edward moved a motion in relation to the above but failed to find a seconder:- Thereafter, Councillor Lennie moved:- The Council notes that the network of HM Coastguard Rescue Teams across the UK provide a range of rescue services to the public. The service comprises volunteers, who are trained and supported in their role by full time staff. Council welcomes the announcement by HM Coastguard on 16th January of the creation of the Glasgow/Clydebank Coastguard Rescue Team which will be based in Clydebank later this year. Council acknowledges that the Coastguard Rescue Team will be a great addition to our emergency response services and asks the Chief Executive to write to HM Coastguard inviting them to become involved in West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership.
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Councillor Lennie’s motion was agreed by the Council. (f) Motion by Councillor Craig Edward – Clyde Green Freeport Bid Disappointment Councillor Edward moved a motion in relation to the above but failed to find a seconder:- Thereafter, Councillor Rooney moved:- The Green Freeport initiative gives special tax status to a designated area to drive investment, innovation and growth. The Glasgow City Region Bid included: Mossend International Freight Park in North Lanarkshire; Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire; and Peel Ports with sites at Glasgow, Inverclyde (Ocean Terminal) and West Dunbartonshire. Despite being the strongest bid in terms of creating 30,000 new jobs, a bold decarbonisation plan to support net zero targets, and the wider economic benefits of a major investment in the Glasgow City Region, our Green Freeport bid was unsuccessful. Council notes that the two new Green Freeports chosen by UK and Scottish Government ministers are Inverness and Cromarty and Firth of Forth. The chair of the Glasgow City Region, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken wrote to the Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP and the UK Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove MP to express disappointment and to question why this major investment is going entirely to one side of Scotland to the Firth of Forth and the Cromarty Firth. Councillor Aitken argued that this not only bypasses the engine room of Scotland's economy but also those communities where the need for Levelling Up is deeper and more acute than practically anywhere else in the UK. The City Region Cabinet will continue to work with the UK and Scottish Government to bring additional investment into the Glasgow City Region which is the economic heart of Scotland. Councillor Rooney’s motion was agreed by the Council. The meeting closed at 6.18 p.m.