Latest news with #RenfrewshireCouncil
STV News
14 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Council to consider using AI to cut costs and improve service
Renfrewshire Council will consider how artificial intelligence (AI) can cut costs and improve service delivery after the 'success' of its digital adviser, Millie. The local authority will embark upon an AI transformation assessment, including commissioning an AI partner, so it can gain a 'clearer understanding' of how the technology can make the organisation more efficient. This process aims to support the development of a business case that will outline 'the scale of opportunity' and priorities for building on Millie, which launched in November and has attracted mixed feedback. The state of play was set out in a report on the council's transformation and change programme, which also confirmed a 'working relationship' with Derby City Council to share best practice with the leadership board on Wednesday. It said: 'Based on Millie's success so far and the learning established from the AI innovation being progressed by Derby City Council (and other authorities across the UK), it is planned to progress an AI transformation assessment across the council over the coming months, which will involve, as a first step, commissioning an AI partner via an appropriate procurement route. 'Through a series of stakeholder engagement, workshops, data analysis, financial validation solution demonstrations and trials, this AI transformation assessment will give the council a clearer understanding of how AI solutions can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve service delivery. 'This critical initial assessment stage will support the development of a full business case that is intended to be brought back to a future board for detailed consideration later in the year. 'The business case will provide a clear understanding of the scale of opportunity and the key priorities for building on the success of Millie and progressing the council's sector-leading development of AI capability.' Councillor Graeme Clark, a Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: 'I'm glad that this council has committed to using AI as part of its services, as part of the transformation assessment. 'Do we have an estimate of the savings that AI may bring to the council through that commitment?' Council chief executive Alan Russell responded: 'That business case process will help us understand your question. 'I would be slightly uncomfortable committing to even an indication of that at the moment. 'It's a rapidly developing area, and I think the opportunities will continue to grow. 'The report does note that we are working closely with Derby City Council down south, who are a bit further ahead in the journey than us. 'I think that's very helpful. They've been very accommodating and open to working with us in partnership. 'They're maybe about a year or so ahead of us in that journey, they do have AI transformation as a key part of their transformation programme, which is looking to deliver several million pounds of efficiency savings, and they're well down the road on that. 'But no two organisations are the same, and we need to understand how it will work for Renfrewshire and, in terms of our circumstances, how we deliver services here. 'I've got no doubt it does provide the potential to deliver a step change in how we use that technology and how it supports the workforce to do all of our jobs better and support delivery of better outcomes.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Thousands of children still living in poverty in Renfrewshire despite fall from previous year
A total of 4,613 children were living in a relative low income household, before housing costs, in 2023/24. Thousands of children are still living in poverty in Renfrewshire, despite the latest statistics showing the number has fallen from the previous year. A total of 4,613 children were said to be living in a relative low income household, before housing costs, in 2023/24 – a rate of 15.2 per cent. But the figure is a decrease of 330 when compared to the previous year and also below the Scottish average of 16.3 per cent. The data was included in Renfrewshire Council's local child poverty action report, which was approved at a meeting of the leadership board yesterday. Councillor Graeme Clark, Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: "While I'm slightly encouraged to see the child poverty rate in Renfrewshire fall and that there are 330 fewer children in poverty than last year – 330 children who have got a greater possibility to thrive – I'm still deeply challenge by the 4,613 children who remain in poverty. "I would, therefore, encourage this board to continue to commit to Fairer Renfrewshire's sub-group in its three-fold strategy, which is supporting parents into work, maximising household incomes and using lived experience to shape council initiatives." The local authority has invested in tackling poverty through various measures such as free school breakfasts in areas with high levels of child poverty and funding for its mobile children's library. Meanwhile, council-funded advice services have helped residents secure almost £17 million in additional income and manage up to £22m in debt. The Winter Connections and Summer of Fun programmes have also been highlighted as success stories by the council as it tries to maximise the support available to families. However, a report to the board confirmed there continues to be "particularly high proportions" of children in low-income households in specific areas of Renfrewshire. It explained: "The most recently published figures on child poverty show that in Renfrewshire the rate of child poverty before housing costs is 15.2 per cent, representing 4,613 children – a decrease of 330 children compared to the previous year when the rate was 16.6 per cent. "This figure is less than the Scottish average of 16.3 per cent. Not all wards in Renfrewshire saw a reduction in the proportion of children in low-income families, with three of our wards seeing a slight increase in rate. "There continues to be particularly high proportions of children in low-income families in both the Paisley Northwest and Renfrew South and Gallowhill wards." Depute council leader Jacqueline Cameron, an SNP representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, added at the meeting: "It's a really good report and [it] highlights all the really positive work that's been undertaken ... but it's absolutely true that our work isn't done until we can eradicate child poverty. "In a country like Scotland it's a scandal really that we have any children in poverty and nationally our work isn't done either, so I was delighted to see that the Scottish Government are scrapping the two-child limit as of March 2026. "Again, that will be a game changer in terms of child poverty and I think that's something really, really positive."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Gleniffer High School passes test after Education Scotland inspection
The school was visited in March and the findings have since been made public. A Paisley high school's 'caring supportive relationships' have been praised by the education watchdog after a recent inspection. A team of inspectors from Education Scotland visited Gleniffer High School in March when they spoke with parents, carers and young people and worked closely with the head teacher and staff. On a six-point scale where one is unsatisfactory and six is excellent, the Amochrie Road facility was rated as four – or 'good' – for its learning, teaching and assessment, and also rated as 'four' for its raising attainment and achievement. During the visit, the inspectors commented on areas of strength which were outlined in their report. It noted the 'caring supportive relationships' between young people and staff. The watchdog's report read: 'Across the school, positive relationships between staff and young people support a nurturing culture and strong ethos. 'In most lessons, young people are respectful, willing to learn and participate well in class discussions and activities. Most staff use praise effectively to build confidence and support the engagement of young people.' Staff at the high school were praised for their ability to adapt and use new technology. The report highlighted: 'Staff are improving their use of digital technology to engage and support young people with their learning through increased use of one-to-one devices and assistive technology. 'A majority of teachers in the senior phase use digital platforms effectively to share resources, support revision and completion of work.' Gleniffer High School's values include acceptance, ambition, nurture, respect and trust. A key strength of the school was noted in the inspectors report which stated: 'The strong focus by staff on providing a wide range of courses that meet the needs of learners who may require additional support. 'As a result, increasing numbers of young people are attaining qualifications at Scottish Credit Qualification Framework levels three and four.' Following the inspection, areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the head teacher and a representative from Renfrewshire Council. An area for improvement suggested management should 'continue to develop the 'Gleniffer toolkit' to support teachers in embedding greater consistency in approaches to learning and teaching through professional learning and collaboration. 'This will help to improve further the quality of young people's learning experiences.' A second area for improvement was noted as staff should 'continue to improve approaches to the planning of learning. 'Teachers should make full use of all available information about young people to ensure that all learners make the best possible progress.' And a final area of improvement was the school should: 'Continue to improve attainment at National 5 and Higher. 'This should include a focus on more young people achieving high quality passes.' Education Scotland stated it was 'confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve' and will, therefore, make no more visits in connection with this inspection.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire Council decision to stop using X branded 'baffling' by Reform UK councillor
Jamie McGuire, who defected from Labour to Nigel Farage's party, has urged the local authority to "reverse" the step. Renfrewshire Council's decision to stop using social media platform X – announced at the start of the year – has been branded "baffling" by a Reform UK politician. Councillor Jamie McGuire, who defected from Labour to Nigel Farage's party earlier this month, has urged the local authority to "reverse" the step as he questioned the rationale behind it. The council confirmed in January it would be moving to Bluesky, where it would share statements and service updates, with the change taking effect immediately. But Councillor McGuire, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, has now suggested the switch was a "political gesture" and claimed it "significantly undermines" its ability to reach residents with important information. He said: " Renfrewshire Council's decision to abandon its X (formerly Twitter) account – where it commands a following of over 28,500 residents – in favour of the far lesser-known Bluesky platform, which currently has a mere 794 followers, is both baffling and deeply concerning. "This move appears to be a political gesture rather than a practical communications strategy. It significantly undermines the council's ability to reach residents in real-time with vital information – be it service updates, weather alerts, public consultations or emergency notices. "In a time when clear and timely communication between local authorities and communities is more important than ever, it is indefensible to walk away from a platform where tens of thousands of residents are already engaged. "The consequences are clear: Renfrewshire residents are being cut off from key updates, simply because the council has chosen to prioritise political signalling over public service. "Communication must serve the public interest, not political preference. The council must reverse this decision." X, formerly known as Twitter, has changed notably since it was bought by Elon Musk in 2022. Concerns have also grown over a looser approach to content moderation with users complaining about inappropriate material such as violent images and hate speech. In January, Renfrewshire Council confirmed it had decided to stop using X after an ongoing review of its communication channels. This week, a spokesperson said: "We regularly monitor and review the performance of all the channels we use to communicate with the public, our partners and the media and as such, we decided to stop using X and move to Bluesky. "X has changed significantly as a social media platform over recent years and the channels that people and organisations follow continue to diversify and change and we want to ensure that we make best use of the channels available with the resource we have. "People can follow us on our Bluesky account at and we will continue to provide information through a wide range of other channels which also includes the local media, social media, emails, local community groups and networks, our website and print and outdoor materials."
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
£600,000 to be spent on Renfrew Victory Baths after investment approved
A series of steps will extend the life of the B-listed building in the town. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are set to be spent on the iconic Renfrew Victory Baths after investment was given the green light by elected members. A total of £600,000 has been earmarked to fund steps to extend the life of the B-listed building, including works beneath the pool, concrete and masonry repairs, roof and drainage upgrades and general improvements to maintain the character of the facility. Its status as a Renfrew Common Good asset means the costs will be shared between the common good fund and Renfrewshire Council, with the common good contribution capped at £500,000. The move was approved at the local authority's finance, resources and customer services policy board on Thursday, with board convener Councillor John Shaw describing the investment as "welcome". The baths is an Edwardian 25-yard pool which was designed by Paisley architect Thomas Graham Abercrombie and dates back to 1921, a paper considered at the board said. Historical structural interventions and both in-house and consultant inspections have been ongoing since 2011. The last major refurbishment was around 1996/97 and the most recent upgrade work was a boiler renewal in 2021 in advance of the building's 100-year anniversary. Councillor Edward Grady, a Labour representative for Renfrew South and Gallowhill, said: "I warmly welcome this report and fully support the proposal to this finance board. "The Victory Baths has been a cornerstone of Renfrew town centre for generations and its value to the Renfrew community cannot be overstated." The paper explained that at more than a century old the building is "naturally showing signs of age" and in November a structural engineering consultancy was commissioned to conduct a non-intrusive survey. Their report, issued in December and revised in January, advised targeted investment could extend the life of the building, depending on the extent of remedial works carried out. Councillor Shaw, who is also an SNP representative for Renfrew North and Braehead, has described the baths as a "cherished part" of Renfrew's heritage. He added at the meeting: "This secures the baths in the short to medium-term and longer term, there's still a bit of work to do but this is a hugely important first step."
