What was discussed at Renfrew Community Council’s April meeting
- RCC
- May 12
- 5 min read
RENFREW COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING
Tuesday 7 April 2026
19.00-21.00 hours
Renfrew North Parish Church, Renfield Street, Renfrew
Welcome and Apologies
Apologies from: Michael Shearer, Maureen Kerrigan, Gavin Reynolds, Cllr Cathy McEwan, Cllr Jamie McGuire
Attending:
Community Councillors - Gary McGuire, Ian Cunningham, Tracy Lundie, Callum Reid, Jan Bunch, Stuart England, Jonathon Deeney, Jane Williamson
Visitors: Isabella Lundie, Alyson Moyes, Lee Moyes, Pc Simon Humphrys, Cllr Edward Grady.
Declaration of Interest - none
Minutes of previous meeting
Approved
Proposed by Tracy Lundy
Seconded by Jan Bunch
Matters arising: Awaiting information requested from Scottish Fire Brigade regarding the safety procedures in place for Renfrew Parish Church.
Police/Councillor Reports
PC Humphrys updated the group on Crime Survey for March 2026.
Gary raised more graffiti in Renfrew particularly in the area around Longshot Cottages.
PC Humphrys updated the group on new Community Officers in the area and encouraged us to contact him with any issues at any time.
Cllr Grady reported on reports of more rats on Lang Avenue and Council have now added more bait traps to this area. Jonathon also reported sightings of rats at Braehead
In the Moorpark area residents are reporting difficulties entering Paisley Road due to bad parking which also blocks corners. A request for yellow lines has been put in for this area.
Gary reported ongoing problems and consultation regarding traffic in Moorpark Square
Gary also highlighted difficulties of exiting David Lloyd Club because of the road system and lights at Arkleston Road to cross the bridge. Would it be possible to introduce 3-way lights to allow for Club traffic to access this area better? Cllr Grady to look into.
Callum also reported a need for yellow lines at the shops in Wright Street as this causes difficulties turning and accessing this area.
Chairs Report
The Chair gave an address reflecting on the Council’s first six months and setting out priorities for the period ahead. He noted that recent activity, including community events, town centre clean-up work and the launch of the local business directory, had shown what could be achieved when people worked together and shared responsibility, and highlighted the success of the Easter Egg hunt and the return of the Best Garden Contest as positive examples of community participation.
Looking ahead, he said the next phase must focus on widening participation, renewing membership and modernising how the Council works, making clear that recruitment was the responsibility of all members and that outreach would include leaflet campaign, prioritising areas without representation, following the June meeting. He also plans to introduce hybrid meetings, improve communication between meetings and use structured check-ins for projects and events, with the overall aim of building a more sustainable and effective Community Council for Renfrew
Gary supported all the effort and success of the last 6 months and passed on thanks to Callum, Jan and Jane.
A Skills Survey Form was distributed to the group to help identify the skills of each Councillor and how best they can work within the Community Council. 7 forms distributed, 5 returned.
Secretary Report
Easter Egg Hunt
We are very grateful to everyone who donated eggs and supported the event, including:
Cllr Paterson, Cllr Gray, Cllr McGuire, Cllr Hughes, Cllr Shaw, Cllr McEwan, Alison Taylor MP, Natalie Don (former MSP), Renfrewshire Toybank, Broadloan Gardens, Tesco Renfrew, MJ Driving School, AMR Motorcycles Ltd and Renfrew Football Club.
Approximately 745 chocolate eggs and 70 Haribo packs (for non-chocolate eaters)
Harry Birrell Chair
In memory of Harry Birrell who was a long-standing Community Council it was agreed at last year’s Community Council that a memorial chair would be supported for his family. This proved to be too expensive and not supported by Renfrewshire Council, so Jane has arranged for the Men’s Shed to now provide this for Harry’s family. Men’s Shed have been very generous with their time and for supplying the timber and we look forward to seeing this in place for his wife’s garden very soon.
WhatsApp is a very useful tool but can get quite overused with lengthy messages which can sometimes not be relevant and can sometimes extend into unsociable hours. Be good to make some guidelines for this moving forward.
Chair agreed and has agreed that WhatsApp’s only used between 08.00 and 22.00 hrs and that all future projects should have three video call meetings to reduce the need for long threads.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer update had been sent out in advance, current bank balance is £2019
(excluding LP money)
Projects/Subcommittee Updates
Easter Egg Hunt
Congratulations given to Jan Bunch for organising a very successful Egg Hunt. Also, Gavin Reynolds who worked very hard in generating donations so many thanks to him.
Gary suggested the possibility of expanding this even with Events Team at Renfrewshire Council in collaboration with Renfrew Development Trust and producing an Easter Festival in Robertson Park.
Gala Day
Need confirmation of what is booked and planned for Gala Day on 7 June in Robertson Park from 12.00-17.00 hrs
Action – Jane to follow up with current plans and put a plan together for the day, along with list of members who can support and attend.
Action – Tracy to find out if Mitchell Lawrie could be available or could provide anything to help us on the day? Follow up to Secretary by 17 April.
Schools Update
Tracy provided an excellent overview of the current proposal to provide new schools for Renfrew. The proposal is currently a desktop exercise and is not yet ready for consultation despite recent social media and public comment.
In summary:
Desktop proposal only
Aim to have full proposal in 2027
Need to look at relationships and full consultation in Renfrew
Likely to be 2030/31/32 before any construction begins.
The Community Council also spoke of the need to find a suitable outcome that mitigates as much educational inequality as possible as this impacts attainment, wellbeing, attendance and future life chances of the town’s future generations.
Callum highlighted that it is vital for the young people in the town who are attending and will attend both schools to have their say in any planning proposals and consultation.
Fire Safety
Gary proposed contacting Renfrewshire Council to ensure that all historic buildings are protected from fire properly and to ensure all Vape shops are registered
Action – Gary to email Council
Better Buses for Glasgow Area
Jonathon presented information about this grassroot organisation which is campaigning to bring public transport under one group. They are raising awareness through Councillors, MSP’s and Community Councils and would like us to consider us supporting them. They have also offered to come and talk at our Community Council meeting to give more information.
Agreed that we would support this. Tracy mentioned that Cllr Steel (Johnstone) is a link person with SPT and takes an interest in this project
Action – Jane to communicate with Better Buses for Glasgow and extend invitation to attend one of our meetings.
Planters/Flowers for Renfrew
Jonathon suggested that using some of our existing planters and bare corners/areas for summer planting/bulbs would brighten Renfrew. Gary explained that Renfrew Development Trust were trialling “Renfrew Blooms” with first planters in Wright Avenue.
Agreed to keep this under review and discuss further after feedback from RDT trial.
Motions and Decisions – n/a
Any Other Competent Business
Jan reported that residents in Kirklandneuk have highlighted that there is no playpark provision for ages 7-12 in the area and that Council have stated there is no proposal to change this over the next 3 years. Due to shortage of time, it was agreed to add this to next month’s agenda for fuller discussion with members looking at a plan to approach this for residents in the short term.
Cllr Gray agreed to check the regulations on provision of parks for next meeting.
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 5 May at Trinity High School from 7-9pm
The meeting will be chaired by the Vice-Chair Jan Bunch.
