RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP BOARD MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF GREENER RENFREWSHIRE THEMATIC BOARD HELD ON 20 TH MAY, 2013 PRESENT Councillor E Devine Councillor Audrey Doig O Reid, Lead Officer and Chief Executive s Service Manager S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources R Steenson, Head of Operations J Lynch, Head of Property Services C Thorpe, Corporate Asset/Energy Manager B Spence, Housing Investment Manager S McMillan, Policy & Regeneration Manager J Anderson, University of the West of Scotland I Cunningham, Engage Renfrewshire C Gilbert, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) A Fraser, Linstone Housing Association M McLaren, Scottish Water S Ruth, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service J Purvis, Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) IN ATTENDANCE Councillor E Devine, presided. A McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer (Renfrewshire Council). APOLOGY J Still (Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership) ORDER OF BUSINESS The Convener intimated that he proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering item 5 of the agenda after item 6. 1. MINUTE OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING There was submitted a minute of the meeting held on 27 th March, 2013. DECIDED: That the minute be approved. 2. UPDATED DRAFT RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLAN & SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT RELATIVE TO GREENER RENFREWSHIRE Under reference to item 2 of the previous minute, there was submitted a report by Chief Executive detailing in Appendix 1 proposed revisions by partners to the Greener Renfrewshire section of the draft Community Plan and in Appendix 2, proposed revisions to targets and outcomes. With regard to Sustainable Use of Land, it was noted that the removal of rate relief for
vacant properties could lead to the creation of more derelict urban sites as owners demolished property to avoid paying rates. This could make both short and long term targets to reduce the amount of urban vacant and derelict land more challenging to achieve. With regard to outcomes for carbon reduction, it was noted that no baseline data was available currently for the number of travel to work journeys undertaken throughout the area and that a suitable target could be included once baseline data became available. DECIDED: That, the Lead Officer amend the Greener Renfrewshire section of the draft plan in accordance with the changes requested by partners in Appendices 1 and 2 and at the meeting and make other minor changes as required before issuing to all partners for information prior to submission to the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Board. Lead Officer 3. OVERVIEW OF INITIATIVES AND GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES There was submitted, a report by the Chief Executive providing an overview of recent developments, initiatives and funding streams available to community planning partnerships in Scotland, taking account of the emerging work streams and actions identified by the Board. The report identified communications received from the Scottish Government and other statutory bodies, good practice examples from other local authorities and well as national and local initiatives and projects. A local view was also provided where appropriate. It was noted that similar updates would be provided to future meetings of this Board to stimulate awareness of the wider environmental agenda. Board members were encouraged to use the contact details in the overview report to obtain more in-depth information about recent developments etc if required and to contact kasia.owczarek@renfrewshire.gov.uk to contribute to future updates. DECIDED: appropriate. That members note the overview information and contribute when Contributions from all partners requested 4. PARTNER UPDATE There was submitted a report by Scottish Water detailing investment of 265M in the Greater Glasgow area s waste water network over the next 5 years as part of a 25 year plan. Work had commenced to improve river water quality and the natural environment of the River Clyde. The investment would transform an ageing network into a modern, integrated and sustainable drainage system. Key projects in Paisley on the White Cart Water, River Clyde and Espedair Burn sewer were identified, together with 9 other individual projects around Paisley. DECIDED: That the report be noted. Noted 5. DEVELOPMENT OF A JOINT ACTION PLAN WORKSHOP SESSION Members participated in a workshop session to identify current and potential activities and partner resources. The outcome is detailed in the Appendix to this minute. DECIDED:- That the outcome of the exercise as detailed in the Appendix be noted. Noted
6. TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS TO DECEMBER 2014 There was submitted a proposed timetable for meetings of the Greener Renfrewshire Board until December 2014 commencing at 10.00 am, namely:- Wednesday, 2 October, 2013 Wednesday, 18 December, 2013 Wednesday, 26 February, 2014 Tuesday, 22 April, 2014 Tuesday, 17 June, 2014 Wednesday, 1 October, 2014 Wednesday, 17 December, 2014 The undernoted list of potential visits to sites/initiatives/projects that would be of interest was suggested. It was proposed that, where possible, meetings coincide with a site/project visit and that the October 2013 meeting be held at the Stirling HQ of Keep Scotland Beautiful. Keep Scotland Beautiful Stirling HQ West End Growing Group LEAP/Visitor Centre at Castle Semple/Muirshiel Country Park Erskine Green Network ROF Bishopton Linwood regenerated Town Centre (2014) It was proposed that an additional meeting be added to the above schedule to take place on Friday, 23 August, 2013 at Renfrewshire House, as this would coincide with a presentation on Food Waste Recycling by the Director of Community Resources. Further details would be intimated to members in due course and this was agreed. DECIDED: That the timetable of meetings until December 2014, with the inclusion of a meeting on Friday, 23 August, 2013 be approved and that the venue for each meetings coincide, where possible, with a site visit to a project of interest to the Board. Lead Officer/ Director/ Clerk All note
Renfrewshire Board - workshop results: Appendix THEME EXISTING PROJECTS/INITIATIVES NEW PROJECTS/INITIATIVES BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES Promoting renewable technology Showcase projects Links to schools through education tools and generating interest Open data Renfrewshire to put in public domain as much data as possible for individuals and groups/businesses to look at behavioural patterns or council activities More advice Work with utilities to investigate new renewable technologies Reducing fuel use and emissions in the vehicle fleet More vehicle emission tests ESP on buses Vehicle scheduling to improve route planning for fuel efficiency (SPT s route planning have demonstrated big savings in scheduling trips for social work, MyBus mainly) Increase one of most efficient engine for vehicles and buses Community transport and better use/more of council and statutory agencies mini buses Sustainable transport in Barrhead and Kirkintilloch integration of public transport and cycling with targeted travel planning Reduce, reuse, recycle Introduction of food waste collections for a biomass promote to increase uptake Bulk bins for flatted properties rather than multitude of wheelie bins Recycle and reward machines all over Renfrewshire Erskine pilot project to improve waste collections and recycling performance Town centre trade waste initiative Do your bit Small businesses in the Borders compact business plastic and cardboard waste making it easier for collection Cash for clothes and electrical items for community groups/organisations which encourages recycling and helps with fundraising Johnstone tenement recycling initiative improve recycling performance Provision of recycling bins and More bulk bins for recycling
uplift in public buildings Shopping for vintage clothes or second hand designer clothes could be promoted as a community third sector initiative, - makes people think about reuse or recycle of clothes, - provides a high end feel to charity shops Green Eco Flag Scheme for more public buildings (sport centres, hospitals etc) to encourage recycling just like in schools Energy efficiency and carbon reduction Solar panels on more council building Ground source/air source renewable heating initiatives Grants/relief on rates for businesses investing in renewables, buying and sourcing local and employing local people Government agencies joining forces in procurement of energy and carbon reduction services Longer term view of projects Zero carbon towns concept of how whole communities can reduce carbon use Sustainable food project promoting healthy planetfriendly cooking and eating, reducing the amount of food is wasted Solar panels, photovoltaic Upgrading district heating at George Street and Calside with biomass boilers and new distribution Schools competitions to reduce consumption Biomass usage for local reduction Development of eco projects including renewable energy in social housing Maximise use of government initiatives Eco, Green Deal, HEEPS Temporary greening initiatives
Automatic metering of energy use in all houses Fuel poverty Energy advocacy Maximising uptake of Green Deal Energy purchasing advice Fuel switching advice and advocacy One stop shop for social housing tenants to get avice Website advice use of heating systems (optimisation) Maximising grant assistance from Scottish Government and others Developing green travel Paisley cycle plan Does Renfrewshire link to the LOLO group sub-groups? Glasgow Airport have regular staff travel plan surveys Travel to work data employees travel to work pattern for each agency and target on reduction from that Travel planning need to pick a town with green credentials (Lochwinnoch?) and carry out targeted travel planning Bristol cycle town leading on expanding cycle infrastructure and journeys Cycle awareness for HGV drivers issues with the height of HGVs and buses and cyclists visibility Dedicated and safe cycle lanes/routes separate from roads More priority on pedestrians over cars Create more cycle lanes in the town centre Developing urban vacant an derelict land Town centre or housing areas to have their fruit and vegetable planting instead of flower and shrub beds Support Growing Grounds projects for community growing on urban sites Development of new community park in Castlemilk Work with forestry commission to plant trees on long terms empty sites Growing Grounds projects, allotments with community engagement Govanhill has great project of environmental improvements around housing Prioritise redevelopment of long term sites Promote, expand and establish friends group in Renfrewshire Clean up Scotland campaign helped communities identify small projects if unclaimed land to restore and maintain
Social enterprise for food growing/supply Sustainable food policy/initiative with health improvement linkage Growing Grounds projects more land identified and made available Local environmental quality litter clean ups linked with incivility and anti-social behaviour Multi-agency masterplanning