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Council wants more cash for schools and leisure

Ten key areas where East Renfrewshire Council wants more powers or money from government have been identified, writes Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter.

Extra funding for schools, transport and leisure facilities, more councillors and a second stage of the Glasgow City Deal have been included.

Councillors are expected to approve the list, known as an ‘influencing the future’ statement, when they met last night.

The authority believes it should have greater powers to make decisions on its school estate, especially relating to opening schools, merging schools and building annexes.

“The level of consultation required creates unnecessary delays,” a report by chief executive Lorraine McMillan states.

It would require changes to the Schools Consultation Act 2010.

The council needs funds to improve school buildings which are in a “poor condition”, the report adds. This includes Cross Arthurlie Primary Schoolin Barrhead.

The list also suggests a review of education legislation regarding placing requests “to ensure that support costs are transferred automatically between councils”.

Scrapping the role of the Reporter during appeals on planning applications should also be considered, the council believes.

“A single Reporter making a binding decision on the council does not represent local democracy,” the report states.

“The decision is final and can only be appealed on points of law in the Court of Session.”

Increased investment for infrastructure, such as schools, early learning centres, sports facilities and libraries, is also included on the statement due to “significant pressure” created by the Scottish Government’s target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

“Developer contributions are insufficient to fund the required infrastructure,” the report claims.

More funding is needed to ensure “the effective implementation” of 1140 hours of early learning and childcare from August 2020 to address a £1.6m shortfall, the council says.

The council wants a review of the decision to cut the number of councillors in East Renfrewshire by two in 2016.

“At present there are 18 elected members for East Renfrewshire split over five areas and all political parties agree that this is not sufficient,” the report states, suggesting the minimum number of councillors in any council should be increased to 22.

Elected members should also lobby government ministers to ask for a second phase of the City Deal, the statement adds.

The current £1.13bn City Deal programme focuses on major infrastructure projects and transport improvements.