Renfrewshire Council

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, I attended Sunday's Proclamation ceremony at the flagpoles outside Renfrewshire House to welcome the accession of the new King Charles III.

I also signed a book of condolence, and if you would like to pay your respects they are available to sign at venues across Renfrewshire and you can find details on our website of times and locations. 

People can also sign the online book of condolence on the Royal Family website. 

I was pleased the first phase of our Plan for Net Zero has now been approved which sets out how Renfrewshire will work towards the ambitious aim of net zero emissions by 2030.

We'll be working to five themes of clean energy, sustainable transport, a circular economy, connected communities and resilient place, as we strive to introduce the necessary measures and support needed to make essential changes.

While research has outlined that our council contributes only 2.5% of the area's total emissions, it's important we play a leadership role for our businesses, partners, and communities - and I would ask that you consider our climate in every decision you make as part of your role.

Please feel free to be innovative and if you have any ideas on how to reduce our emissions then get in touch, now is the time to make real change in our organisation and across Renfrewshire. If you want to find out more about the plan then you can visit our website at or get in touch with the team by emailing climate@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the work of our Housing Support team, who as part of the council's response to the crisis in Ukraine, and at very short notice, established and resourced a Welcome Hub near to Glasgow Airport.

Our Hub is staffed seven days a week from 9am - 9pm and has provided those arriving from Ukraine with a warm Scottish welcome, and ensured that they are safe and well, and provided with somewhere to stay. 

The team has welcomed nearly 1,000 people displaced from Ukraine on their initial arrival to Scotland and is working with a range of other council services and partners to support people currently staying in temporary accommodation, as well as safely resettle them, if they want to remain in Renfrewshire longer term - either with hosts or in a council or housing association tenancy. 

While the work has presented a number of new challenges, the team has been the embodiment of our values in action, we are fair, helpful and great collaborators, and this has ensured that our welcome hub has been a real success story.

I know this is one of the many examples of our values in action taking place across the council and Renfrewshire, every single day.

It's important we recognise and celebrate our teams and colleagues who bring our values to life, and we'll be regularly sharing stories from across the council on the Staff Info section of the council website.

If you want to give a shout-out to a project, team or colleague or if have a story you would like to share then please contact the internal communications mailbox. 

Thank you

Alan