As A McNiven had been delayed in another meeting it was agreed that S Graham would chair the meeting.

A McNiven and S Graham (both Engage Renfrewshire); J Wilby, Paisley West & Central Community Council; and S Cruickshank, Renfrewshire Access Panel.

I Cunningham, K Miller and J Ferrie (all Engage Renfrewshire); C Walker, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership; and J Mackie, P Sale and C MacDonald (all Renfrewshire Council).

The Chair intimated that he proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering item 6 of the agenda after item 2.

A McNiven entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

L O’Brien, Barnados; I McLean, Bridgewater Housing Association; A Fraser, Linstone Housing Association; S McLellan, RAMH; and J Cram, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering Communities held on 17 November 2015.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

RF.27.01.15(5) - Streets for All
S Graham advised that a report would be submitted to the next cycle of the Community Planning Thematic Boards.

RF.27.01.15(2) - Local Engagement Events
The key points from the Charrette in Erskine would be incorporated into a report which would form part of draft strategy plan for Erskine.

DECIDED:  That the updated Rolling Action Log be approved.

A report was submitted by A Conboy, Children's Services, Renfrewshire Council relative to the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013 which came into force 1st September, 2013. The Regulations placed a legal requirement on local authorities to provide clear leadership and direction, and to drive the action needed to ensure they maximised the contribution of Community Learning and Development partners in the reform of public services.

The report intimated that the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Regulations supported the achievement of four policy goals and had a specific focus within the strategic objectives for the reform of public services.  A specific requirement of the Regulations was the creation and implementation of a strategic plan which was attached as an appendix and detailed how CLD activities would be delivered; who would deliver them; and what specific target groups would benefit from them.

J Mackie gave a presentation outlining which groups had been consulted during the process; summarised the workshop event and the methods used to obtain the information; and highlighted the next steps.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the implementation of the Regulations for Community Learning and Development including the strategic plan be noted; and

(b)  That it be agreed that the Senior Officer responsible for the CLD Regulations and Strategic Plan would report key successes and milestones through the Forum for Empowering Communities.

A report was submitted by Engage Renfrewshire relative to a series of local community-led events developed with community groups and organisations and larger scale events for a wider audience to be held during the first six months of 2016.  The report intimated that in addition to the events already being planned, there would be further opportunities for local community-led events during the course of 2016.

DECIDED:  That the proposals to develop further community planning events in response to local demand be agreed.

A report was submitted by the Chair of Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering Communities relative to a Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 update.

The report intimated that Alasdair McKinlay, Head of the Community Planning and Empowerment Unit at the Scottish Government, made a presentation on the Community Empowerment Act at the meeting of Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Board held on 9 December 2015.  The presentation noted that the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 was expected to be implemented by late summer 2016; a sounding board had been created to look at regulations that might be required to enable partners to make decisions; Renfrewshire's Local Improvement Plan would be linked to the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework which now had a statutory basis; the Right to Buy local land and assets had been extended to urban Scotland through the Act and included privately-owned assets; and the Scottish Community Development Foundation was leading on work to refresh the National Standards of Community Engagement on behalf of the Scottish Government.



DECIDED:

(a)  That the key points of the Scottish Government presentation to the Community Planning Partnership Board meeting on 9 December 2015 on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act be noted; and 
 
(b)  That it be agreed that Engage Renfrewshire would progress the organisation an event around transfer of assets, as agreed at the meeting on 17 November 2015, but that this event would be arranged before the publication of Scottish Government guidance on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act.

A presentation was given by J Mackie relative to the Scottish Government and Renfrewshire Council planning-led “Charrette” engagement exercise which took place in Erskine the first week in February 2016 to look at the future of Erskine town centre and surrounding areas.  

The presentation gave a brief overview of the event which had been funded by the Scottish Government; outlined the timetable; highlighted the key themes; and detailed the delivery and next phase of the project.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

S Graham gave a verbal update relative to the progress of the Tackling Poverty Commission strategy.  He intimated that the work of Renfrewshire’s Tackling Poverty Commission and the partner response to the Commission’s recommendation had already shown significant progress towards the three key pledges.

DECIDED:  That the updated be noted.

Feedback reports from the members who had been present at the various Thematic Boards were submitted in respect of:

• Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board
• Jobs & the Economy Thematic Board
• Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board
• Children & Young People Thematic Board; and
• Community Care Health & Wellbeing Thematic Board.

DECIDED: To note the feedback provided in the reports.