Meeting Minutes – January 2026
- Feb 6
- 7 min read
Tuesday 6 January 2026 | Trinity High School
Chair: Callum Reid
These minutes are written in plain English to ensure accessibility for residents. They constitute the formal minute of the meeting.
These minutes were approved at our meeting on February 3rd, 2026, by Community Councillors Jan Bunch and Gary McGuire.
Summary:
At our January meeting we raised speeding on Kings Inch Road and grit bin problems in Kirklandneuk, agreed clear follow-ups with the Council, and pushed ahead with the Firework Exclusion Zone work. We approved three early-stage community projects, planned a volunteer clean-up around Renfrew Parish Church for February, and agreed to focus more on forward planning and bringing new people into the Community Council. Next meeting is 3 February – come along if you want to get involved
What we discussed
Community safety issues raised by residents, including speeding.
Winter maintenance concerns, particularly grit bins in Kirklandneuk.
Routine Council administration and finances.
Progress on a proposed Firework Exclusion Zone.
New community project ideas.
Plans for a community clean-up around the Parish Church.
Forward planning and growing the Community Council.
What we agreed
Agreement | What it means |
Follow up speeding concerns on Kings Inch Road | Issue to be logged properly with the Roads team |
Escalate grit bin issues via named Council contacts | Avoid issues being lost in the system |
Update RCC bank mandate | Ensure transparency and proper governance |
Continue Firework Exclusion Zone application work | Strengthen the case ahead of Council decision |
Take forward 3 approved Community Projects | Early-stage development can begin |
Plan Parish Church clean-up | Volunteer-led action with Council support |
Add forward planning as a standing agenda item | Be proactive rather than reactive |
Launch drive for new members | Broaden representation and share workload |
Actions agreed
Action | Who | By when |
Contact Roads team re: Kings Inch Road speeding | Secretary | Next meeting |
Contact Renfrewshire Council officers on grit bins | Chair & Secretary | Ongoing |
Update bank mandate | Secretary | Next meeting |
Receive FOI responses (Police & Fire Service) | Secretary | End of Jan |
Gather local statements (vet + residents) | Vice-chair and Secretary | End of Jan |
Set up sub-group for Lottery & Funky Renfrew | Chair and project proposers | Next meeting |
Explore funding/partners for Sports Day | RCC | March Meeting |
Prepare Parish Church clean-up plan & sign-up | Parish Church clean-up working group | Before 15 Feb |
Share digital update on clean-up | Digital group | Before event |
Formal meeting record (for approval)
AttendancePresent:
Community Councillors: Jan Bunch, Ian Cunningham, Maureen Kerrigan, Tracy Lundie, Gary McGuire, Callum Reid, Michael Shearer, Jane Williamson.
Members of the public: Stuart England
Police Scotland: PC Bryan Cochran and Chris Craig.
Renfrewshire Councillors: N/A
Apologies:
Community Councillors: Gavin ReynoldsRenfrewshire Councillors: Cllr McGuire, Cllr Hughes, Cllr McEwan, Cllr Paterson
Declarations of interest: None declared
Approval of previous minutesThe minutes of the meeting held on 2nd December 2025 were approved as a correct record by Community Councillors Ian Cunningham and Tracy Lundie.
Community safety update
Police Officers Craig and Cochran present the police report for Renfrew for the month of December.
Police Scotland attended to share the December update for Renfrew and explained how incidents are handled from warnings and fixed penalties to court proceedings.
A specific concern about speeding on Kings Inch Road was raised. We’ve been advised this should go directly to the Council’s Roads team, and we’re following that up, so residents’ concerns are properly logged and acted on.
Chair’s report
The chair’s monthly report was sent to all members in writing alongside the agenda and minutes of the previous meeting.The written report covers recent work to strengthen governance, improve coordination and communication within the Community Council, and support effective delivery of projects. The report included updates on:
Internal organisation and clearer ways of working
Community engagement activity, including digital channels and the Christmas competition
Support provided to the community through Foodbank and Toybank donations
Partnership working, including engagement with Renfrew Development Trust and progress on the Local Place Plan
Forward planning for the year ahead, including agreeing priorities and responsibilities
Decision: The Community Council noted the report.
Renfrewshire Councillor Reports
Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes
Cllr Hughes wished Community Councillors a Happy New Year and best wishes for their work in 2026.
Local events
Cllr Hughes advised that, alongside carrying out casework across the ward, she attended a number of local festive events in December celebrating young people and community life, including:
Trinity High Christmas Show
Renfrew High Christmas Concert and Fayre
Renfrewshire Schools Music Service Concert
PACE Panto, which included local young people as cast members
Cllr Hughes welcomed the Community Council’s Christmas Decoration Competition and the positive response from residents, noting her support for its continuation and growth in future years.
Full Council
Cllr Hughes reported that at the December meeting of Renfrewshire Council, she and Cllr Shaw moved a motion following contact from residents to consult those living on Andrew Avenue on whether the street name should be changed, given the change in status of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The motion was agreed unanimously. An update will be provided as the consultation process progresses.
Cllr Hughes also advised that Provost Cameron permitted an Emergency Motion congratulating Mitchell Lawrie, Darts World Champion, on his success at the World Championships. The motion reflected the town’s pride in his achievement and requested that Civic Hospitality be provided, which is expected to take place in early 2026.
Decision: The Community Council noted the update.
Councillor Jim Paterson
Council activity
World Cup 2026 FanzoneCllr Paterson reported that his motion requesting officers to examine the feasibility of establishing a Fanzone during the 2026 World Cup was unanimously supported at Full Council. A feasibility report is expected to be brought to Councillors early in the New Year.
Renfrewshire FoodbankCllr Paterson advised that during a Full Council discussion on Renfrewshire Foodbank, he thanked Renfrew Community Council for its donation to the Foodbank appeal, noting it would make a meaningful difference. He further reported that Council agreed to make a £10,000 donation to support the Foodbank’s ongoing work with vulnerable residents.
Recognition of local achievementCllr Paterson spoke in support of a motion from Cllrs Shaw and Hughes recognising the achievements of local darts player Mitchell Lawrie, highlighting the importance of celebrating young talent.
Infrastructure and roads
Porterfield Road emergency closure (SGN)Cllr Paterson updated the Community Council on the emergency closure of Porterfield Road by SGN, which caused significant disruption. He advised that issues arose due to vehicles ignoring signed diversions, particularly affecting residents in Moorpark Square.
Cllr Paterson engaged directly with residents, the Roads Department, Westway, and SGN throughout the works, which concluded on 18 December. Despite efforts, diversion compliance remained an issue during the works.
Transport Scotland – Arkleston Road and Renfrew Road crossingCllr Paterson advised that his meeting with Transport Scotland to discuss these issues had been postponed and is now scheduled for Friday 9 January. He also intends to raise concerns regarding ongoing traffic management and bridge closure works on Arkleston Road and to seek further details on the planned programme of works.
You Decide – Arkleston car parksCllr Paterson reported that he submitted a project to You Decide on behalf of residents to have Housing Department–owned car parks in the Arkleston area lined to maximise parking spaces. This project, along with others, will be subject to a tenant vote.
Parks and community spaces
Robertson Park play areaCllr Paterson confirmed that improvements and enhancements to the play area at Robertson Park have been approved as part of the next phase of park investment.
Wider park improvementsHe further advised that this follows recent upgrades across Renfrew, including Victory Gardens and Tinto Square, where additional accessible play equipment has been installed.
Decision: The Community Council noted the update.
Grit bins and winter issues
Ongoing concerns were raised about grit bins, particularly in Kirklandneuk.
We’re now chasing named contacts at Renfrewshire Council to make sure requests don’t disappear into the system.
Council admin and finances
We agreed to update the Community Council’s bank mandate with Virgin Bank following recent changes to the Community Council membership.
It was agreed that Callum Reid (chair) and Gavin Reynolds should replace Gordon Burgess and Lindsey McKillop (both former members) and that the account name be Renfrew Community Council. The address should be the chairman’s address.
This is routine housekeeping, but it matters for transparency and making sure everything is done properly and above board.
Firework Exclusion Zone – progress
Work continues on an application for a Firework Exclusion Zone in Kirklandneuk. The final decision rests with Renfrewshire Council, but we’re strengthening the case by gathering evidence:
FOI requests sent to Police Scotland and the Fire Service
A local vet has agreed to provide a supporting statement
Residents’ real-life experiences are being collected
New projects approved
Three project ideas were presented and agreed in principle:
Renfrew Community Lottery
Funky Renfrew merchandise
Renfrew Community Sports Day
The Lottery and Funky Renfrew will move forward together through a new sub-group.
Sports Day will require additional funding and collaboration with other local organisations. Those conversations will begin soon.
It’s important to be clear: these projects are early-stage ideas. They may change or not go ahead. We won’t make promises we can’t keep but we’ll keep residents updated as things develop.
Parish Church clean-up – February
We’ve received approval to carry out a clean-up around the Parish Church, with Renfrewshire Council providing equipment.
Provisional start date: 15 February
Next steps include:
Volunteer sign-up
Confirming equipment needs
Finalising timing and a simple plan
Sharing a clear digital update
We also discussed the condition of the church railings. This will require professional input, and possible support routes are being explored.
Growing the team
We talked openly about the need to bring new people into the Community Council, with the aim of holding elections in late 2026.
This is about making sure Renfrew is properly represented by people who live here — and that the workload is shared.
Monthly thank you round
The chair gave thanks to all Community Councillors involved in activities last month relating to Foodbank, Toybank and Christmas Decoration Contest.
What’s next
Next meeting: Tuesday 3 February 2026Meetings are open to the public.
If something here matters to you, or you want to help with any of the projects above:come along, drop us a message, or tell us what you think.
Renfrew works best when we do this together.
