February Meeting Minutes
- Mar 4
- 9 min read
RENFREW COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING
3 February 2026
19.00-21.00 hours
Trinity High School, Renfrew
Summary
Agreed | Action |
Parish Church Clean Up | 15th February from 11.00 am |
Gala Day June 2026 | Initial planning meeting 16 Feb, action plan to be discussed at next meeting |
Easter Egg Hunt | Sunday 5 April Robertson Park. Community Council to run and organise eggs |
Best Garden Competition | Set up competition for summer |
New Inflatable Activity for Victory Baths | Get approval from Local Partnership fund to use our existing funding on this. |
1. Welcome and Apologies
Apologies from Maureen Kerrigan, Tracy Lundie
2. Attending
Community Councillors: Ian Cunningham, Jan Bunch, Gavin Reynolds, Callum Reid, Jane Williamson, Michael Shearer
Visitors: Cllr Cathy McEwan, Cllr Jamie McGuire, PC Chris Craig, PC Bryan Cochran, Jonathan Deeney, Stuart England, Jim Grant
3. Declaration of Interest
Michael Shearer and Gary McGuire declared a conflict of interest regarding motions or agreements relating to Renfrew Development Trust
4. Minutes of previous meeting
Approved Proposed by Jan Bunch
Seconded by Gary McGuire
Matters arising – follow up see Chair/Secretary reports
5. Reports
Police Scotland report presented and filed.
Follow up on discussion about speeding/red light running on Kings Inch Road with Council promising to do a survey after Scottish Water works are complete and outwith school holidays. Jane reported that there is not enough data to support fixed speed cameras. Police insisted we continue to raise incidents noted as the number of complaints will increase police assistance.
Gary reported poor driving in Moorpark Square area, people using it as a shortcut and causing problems. Police noted and will follow up
Cllr McEwan verbal report:
Walk/cycle path for Paisley to Renfrew now fully open
To encourange Elderly Forum and Broadloan allotments to apply for LP funding
Raised the need for a Christmas Tree at Fire Station, supported by Community Council
Cllr McEwan agreed to provide a written report for future meetings
Jan asked by Cherry Centre was funded £50,000 per annum from Common Good fund. Cllr McEwan responded that the centre would need this amount to remain active.
Cllr McEwan agreed to follow up the questions given to Alistair McArthur at the Council two months ago.
Cllr Paterson report:
Planning
Planning Application – Arkleston Road (David Lloyd Site)A planning application (25/0706/PP) has been submitted for land at David Lloyd, Arkleston Road, proposing a change of use of part of the site to self-storage containers, with associated access, parking, lighting and landscaping. I have requested that the application be removed from delegated authority and instead be considered by the Planning & Climate Change Board. The application is open for consultation until 4 February 2026.Comments can be submitted:
via the Renfrewshire Council planning portal
by email to dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk
in writing to Planning and Building Standards, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AR
Roads, Traffic & Infrastructure
SP Energy Networks Works – Paisley Road / Cockles Loan
Roadworks and traffic management at the junction of Paisley Road and Cockles Loan, undertaken by SP Energy Networks, caused congestion at peak times. The works were originally scheduled to conclude by 19 January, but due to unforeseen complications did not finish until 30 January, 11 days over schedule.
I contacted SPEN to express my disappointment with the management of the works and the impact on residents.
Pavement Reinstatement Following SPEN Works
I have received a number of complaints about the condition pavements have been left in following SPEN works, carried out by their contractor Glenelly.
I am collating these concerns and will raise them with Council Officers to ensure reinstatement is completed to an appropriate standard.
Newmains Primary School – Lang Avenue
The temporary stopping-up measures outside Newmains Primary School will now be replaced with permanent measures. This follows approval of the TRO at the ILE Board and completion of the statutory consultation. Although consultation responses were mixed, the decision was taken on the basis that the measures have had a positive impact on pupil road safety. Works are scheduled to take place during the February mid-term break.
Community & Environment
Scottish Air Ambulance Memorial
The memorial at the corner of Newmains Road and Sandy Road was cleaned and tidied following concerns raised by local residents.
Renfrew Local Partnership Funding – 2026/27
Applications for 2026/27 Renfrew Local Partnership Funding are now open
Key dates:
Applications opened today
Deadline: 11.59pm on Sunday 15 March
Funding decisions will be made in May
Local community groups and organisations based in Renfrew — or delivering services or events in the town — are encouraged to apply. If your project aligns with the Local Partnership’s priorities, funding can support a wide range of costs and activities.
There is over £100,000 available through this funding round.
Cllr McGuire report:
Michael asked about painting the fencing at Alexandra Park and why is it taking so long to deal with it. As this is a Common Good Fund asset they should address this need.
Jonathan Deeney raised the point that the Renfrew Bridge is not suitable for regular communing as closures are frequent and sporadic. Cllr McGuire said this was a part of the agreement with Bridge developers but Cllr McEwan said she would follow up with Council to see if it could be improved at peak times.
6. Chairs Report
You will notice a few changes to the reports and meeting papers this month.
The minutes now follow a clearer format. They begin with a plain-English summary of what was discussed, set out what was agreed and any actions taken, and then provide the detail. This is to improve transparency and make it easier for both members and residents to understand what we are doing.
The agenda has also been tightened up. It now clearly sets out the items we need to deal with each month. For this meeting, I am being flexible but going forward any issue, you want the Council to consider should be submitted when the provisional agenda is issued. This helps keep meetings focused and fair on everyone.
On community issues more generally, I want to be clear about our shared responsibility. As community councillors, we are all here to help progress issues affecting people in the town. You are encouraged to use your role to raise, explore and, where possible, move issues forward directly.
In many cases, the practical steps are the same whether an issue comes to a meeting or not. Often that means contacting the council, a service, or sharing accurate information publicly. If you are able to do that directly, it is usually quicker and more effective than waiting for a formal meeting.
If you are unsure about wording, contacts, or whether something could cause problems for the Council as a whole, please ask. Support is there, and it is always better to check than to hesitate or worry about getting it wrong.
At the end of each report they’ll be a list of decisions the CC has to make regarding the report, to save time I will ask if anyone objects to a single vote taking place, if there is an objection I will ask what one or ones and those will be taken individually and if no objection the question will be “That Renfrew Community Council agrees to the recommendations of the report.”
Renfrew’s best garden competition
I have seen and received multiple requests for our fellow Renfrewians to bring back the towns best garden competition. Given that folk are getting ready for their spring drop around about this time, it seems to me like a good time (if the CC membership agrees) to say we are bringing it back.
My proposed format would be – send a picture of your garden or balcony pots to us and you could win the award of Renfrew’s garden of the year plus a cash prize of £100. The competition would run from June 1st to June 30th with the winner being announced in the first week of July. Similar to how we did the Christmas display contest but with more promotion behind it.
Meeting with Renfrew Development Trust
I had a constructive meeting with Renfrew Development Trust. We spoke about the year ahead for both organisations, what our future plans were, how we can support each other to achieve more for the town.
We also agreed that a working partnership, in writing, based on our shared values and aims would be beneficial for the town and both organisations.
At the AGM, last night the chair of RDT announced plans to launch a new forum called Renfrew Collaborates which will see various local organisations, businesses, and people come together to collaborate on matters within the town.
I wholeheartedly believe joining such a group will be beneficial to not just the Community Council but the entire town and all its people. And I would like to see Renfrew Community Council agree to join at the earliest possible opportunity – which as the saying goes no time like the present.
Recruitment campaign
We’ve begun early-stage recruitment work ahead of the election year. This has deliberately been low-key and personal: clear explanations of what the role involves and reassurance around time, support, and expectations
The aim this month was not numbers. It was testing the message and removing fear. That work will continue steadily, not rushed, and we’ll report back as interest develops.
As stated back in January, I’d like us to appoint a recruitment co-ordinator to help us all with recruitment, for this I’d like to nominate Gary McGuire – a vote will be taken at the meeting.
Parish Church clean-up – promotion
We’ve begun promotion for the Parish Church clean-up on the 15th of February from 11am onwards including via social media promotion, emailing, news articles and a tv interview. I would like to see as many community councillors there as possible even if just for a couple of hours.
What we’ve delivered in a short space of time
It’s also important to recognise what this Council has managed to pull together in a relatively short period. None of this happened because of one person or one role. It happened because people worked as a team, shared the load, and were willing to put time in outside the room when it mattered. By focusing on practical actions and keeping momentum going between meetings, we’ve been able to stabilise the basics and deliver visible outcomes for the town while still protecting capacity.
In that time, we’ve:
· Got the Community Council bank account fully sorted and operational
· Delivered the Christmas Display competition
· Made a £250 donation to Renfrew Toy Bank
· Made a £250 donation to Renfrew Food Bank
· Agreed to explore and take forward several longer-term ideas that could benefit Renfrew for years to come
· Built a way of working together outside meetings to keep progress moving without dragging decisions into private spaces
· Launched a defibrillator map on the website so life-saving equipment is easier to find
· Carried out several town walkabouts to ground our work in what’s actually happening on the streets
· Shared positive local news stories through local media
· Launched a Renfrew business directory
· Launched a clubs and community groups directory
· Promoted the grit bin map so residents can see what’s available and where
None of this on its own is headline-grabbing. But together, it shows what’s possible when effort is shared, focus is clear, and we stick to doing things properly.
Recommendations of the report:
1. That the Community Council agrees to run a local campaign calling for improved opening times at Renfrew Baths, in line with facilities in Linwood and Paisley. Approved
2. That the Community Council agrees to join the proposed and participate in helping to set up the Renfrew Collaborates forum.
This item needs further discussion.
3. That the Community Council agrees to appoint a Recruitment Co-ordinator for the ongoing recruitment campaign. Gary McGuire agreed to do this
5. That the Renfrew Community Council agrees to bring back the Renfrew Best Garden Contest. Approved.
Recommendations proposed by Callum Reid
Seconded by Jane Williamson
Secretary Report
1. The FOI reports from Police Scotland and Scottish Fire Service showed only 1 reported item throughout the 4 week period around 5 November. Based on this we concluded that there is no case to present for Firework Exclusion Zones for the coming year. This can be re-visited in the autumn to see if action is required for 2027
2. Follow up with Roads Department at Council relating to a speed/traffic light survey on Kings Inch Road. Response shows increased traffic since Renfrew Bridge opening and speeding survey will be carried out when roadworks on Kings Inch Road have been finished. Speed/red light camera is a police matter and we can apply for consideration of this – not granted at this time
3. Presentation to High Schools now available, contact made with Trinity and Renfrew High. Trinity/ Renfrew High have responded and awaiting follow up meeting/call with Deputy Heads.
4. Development of Council department/heads council email addresses. Request CC members to forward me any contacts they have to develop a Master List.
7. Projects/Subcommittee Updates
Parish Church Clean Up – going ahead on 15 February. Need to confirm numbers and repost the event to the community
Gala Day – Meeting arranged for 16 February, Maureen Kerrigan to attend and follow up. Callum to follow up with social media posts about asking public what they would like to see from us on Gala Day. Discuss all at next meeting.
Easter Egg Hunt – Jan to organise for Sunday 5 April in Robertston Park. Donations required to enable this event. Gary raised that a provision for allergies needs to be available, agreed to use plastic eggs for the hunt and then provide an Easter Egg as an exchange allowing for any allergies etc.
Best Garden - £100 prize. Look for donations from local garden centres and allotments. Callum to follow up with social media announcement.
8. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 3 March 2026 at Trinity High School
