S Graham, Partnership Manager  (Renfrewshire Council), presided.

L Ritchie, Leap; and Steven Cruickshanks, Renfrewshire Access Panel.

I Cunninghame, H Kay, K Miller, K McIntyre and S Miller (all Engage Renfrewshire), S Graham, S Tkacenko and R Devine (all Renfrewshire Council).

A McNiven, Engage Renfrewshire; and K Taylor, Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

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 Thematic Group held on 20 September 2017.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

DECIDED:

(a)   That it be agreed that actions RFG140617(3b), RFG140617, RFG 200917(4a) and RFG 200917(4b) be removed from the Action Log as these actions were now complete; and

(b)    That the Rolling Action Log be approved.

The Group was advised that Paisley had been unsuccessful in bidding for the title of UK City of Culture 2021.  A brief summary of feedback received from DCMS in terms of the Bid was provided.  It was highlighted that the community engagement undertaken  had been highlighted as a strength.  

There followed discussion in connection with various  elements of the Bid which had been embedded within the Community Plan and the desirability of ensuring that the work undertaken in respect of  the Bid, and the positivity, momentum and energy generated were utilised to drive forward future local projects.  In addition reference was made to local and rural transport systems, their potential to impact on isolation and the intention to raise the issue with SPTE.  It was agreed that a link to the Scottish Disability Equality Forum transport survey be circulated to members of the Group.

DECIDED:

(a) That the information provided be noted; and

(b) That arrangements be made to circulate a link to the Scottish Disability Equality Forum transport survey to members of the Group.

The Partnership Manager advised that the Community Plan 2017/27, which had been entitled “Our Renfrewshire” had recently been launched and that ‘glossy’ copies of the documents would be available in due course.  It was noted that the Locality Plan was currently in development.

A synopsis of the vision, themes and priorities of the Community Plan and the proposed methodology to be adopted to achieve the desired outcomes was provided.

DECIDED: That the position be noted.

The Group undertook a workshop in connection with the vision, themes and priorities of the Community Plan, the proposed methods of achieving these and the role community groups could play in delivering key messages to appropriate audiences.

It was noted that the feedback received during the workshop in terms of the Community Plan priorities, of Thriving, Well, Fair and Safe, would be incorporated into the Community Planning process.  In addition it was agreed that Police Scotland be invited to attend a future meeting of the Group, to give a presentation, similar to that made at the recent Police Licensing Seminar, relative to the Safe theme. 

DECIDED: That arrangements be made to invite Police Scotland to attend a future meeting of the Group, to give a presentation, similar to that made at the recent Police Licensing Seminar, relative to the Safe theme.

The Partnership Manager made a presentation on the review of Local Area Committees and highlighted feedback received in response to the recent consultation in terms of the function and remit of LACs; LAC boundaries; LAC membership, including voting issues; and grants. 

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive, Engage Renfrewshire, relative to the proposed establishment of an informal grouping of third sector organisations with expertise and interest in environmental issues as a sounding board for responding to greener issues.

The report referred to the restructuring of the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership which had resulted in the discontinuation of the Greener Renfrewshire Planning Thematic Board and the expansion of the remit of the Forum for Empowering Communities to include oversight of community and third sector involvement in progressing greener/environmental activity which had previously been undertaken by the Greener Communities Sub-Committee.  A summary of developments scheduled to be progressed during 2018 was provided.  Accordingly it was proposed that the Forum for Empowering Communities establish an informal grouping of third sector organisations with an environmental focus, to act as a sounding board to respond to environmental issues that required a community response and a source of issues to be raised with community planning partners.  It was highlighted that the grouping would not be constituted as a formal sub-Committee of Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering Communities, would be convened 3 or 4 times a year, as necessary, to respond to specific issues and discuss issues raised within the Partnership.  The format for meetings would be flexible and vary according to the subject being discussed and the organisations attending.  In addition to meetings or events social media would be utilised to keep members informed of developing issues that required a response or presented opportunities to be pre-active on the Greener agenda.  

It was noted that invitations would be sent to third sector organisations in Renfrewshire seeking expressions of interest in being part of the grouping.  During discussion it was also agreed that arrangements be made to circulate, to members of the Group, a copy of the Baseline survey response submitted by LEAP.

DECIDED: That it be agreed that an informal grouping be convened of third sector organisations with expertise and interest in environmental issues as a sounding board for responding to greener issues.

The Partnership Manager provided an update in respect of the development of the Asset Transfer toolkit.  Options in terms of the format of the toolkit were outlined.

Reference was made to best practice, the experience of local community groups and the  current position regarding local asset transfer requests.

DECIDED: That the position be noted.

DECIDED: It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum for Empowering Communities Group would be held at 2pm in Engage on 21 March 2018.