There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of Renfrew Local Partnership held on 5 May 2021.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

K Miller delivered a presentation relative to #YouDecide, a participatory budgeting exercise that gave communities a key role in deciding their priorities for environmental and physical infrastructure improvements to be undertaken throughout Renfrewshire over the next three years via a Community Investment Fund of £1.2m.

The presentation explained the #YouDecide concept and highlighted the marketing and promotional work already undertaken as a first phase to encourage communities, groups and individuals to submit their ideas for environmental improvements.  A video was shown, featuring local groups and individuals, which explained how to get involved and inspired the submission of ideas.  As a result of engagement initiatives, over 2700 proposals/ideals had been submitted, with over 330 ideas/proposals for improvements for the Paisley North, West & Central area.  

The second phase of #YouDecide was underway and would conclude at the end of January 2022 with a shortlist of projects that were suitable and feasible having undergone technical assessment against set criteria.  During the third and final phase of #YouDecide communities would be invited to vote on which shortlisted project they wished to see proceed.  It was anticipated that the winning projects would be announced in early March 2022.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a presentation by S Miller, Engage Renfrewshire, relative to the national Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund (the Fund). The Fund aimed to promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and to protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health in adults.  

Engage Renfrewshire announced that Renfrewshire had secured an award of £509,542 from the Fund and small “grass roots” community groups and organisations with a strong community focus could apply for funding towards projects that tackled issues such as: suicide prevention; social isolation; loneliness prevention and early intervention; and/or addressed any mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and the needs of a range of “at risk” groups locally.

More information, including application forms and project examples, was available online:
Community Mental Health & | Support | Engage (engagerenfrewshire.org).

S Miller advised that applications were now live on Engage Renfrewshire’s website and the deadline for applications was 7 January 2022.  It was noted that the funds required to be allocated by end of March 2022. Multiple applications would be accepted provided that there were submitted for different projects.

DECIDED:

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That as Engage Renfrewshire was the contact point for enquiries, applications, delivery of funds and monitoring compliance, members should contact Stuart Miller at stuart.miller@engagerenfrewshire.org to suggest suitable projects.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the status of the budget allocated to this Partnership for disbursement to local voluntary groups and organisations from the General Fund and Celebrating Renfrewshire. A table setting out the funds allocated by Renfrew Local Partnership at its meeting on 15 June was appended to the report, together with details of funds allocated through the 2021 Celebrating Renfrewshire exercise to projects focussed on young people aged 12-25.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

Under reference to item 2 of the Minute of meeting of the Renfrew Local Partnership held on 5 May 2021 there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council relative to applications for Local Partnership Funding for Renfrew 2021/22.

The report advised that two additional applications had been received following the May 2021 meeting.

The available allocation for Renfrew Local Partnership was £47,765.36.  The Youth Challenge Fund component of Renfrew Local Partnership Funding was £18,657 and the outcome of allocation of this funding was to be announced on 12 November 2021.

FR1202 – Renfrew Over 50s Swimming Club – awarded £1,500
FR1203 – REN 96 Water Polo – awarded £4,000
Late application – Renfrew Senior Citizens Cabin Club – awarded 3,300

DECIDED:  That it be agreed to award the grant applications as noted above.

Councillor Shaw advised that some of the LP funding had been used to fund specific projects in the local area including the mural project which was managed by the YMCA and the Friends of Robertson Park project.  R McFarlane gave an update on the progress of the project on behalf of the Renfrew Development Trust.

Councillor Shaw asked the Lead Officer to ensure that the balance of money left over from the grant funding was contained within the Common Good Fund rather than the General Grant Fund.

DECIDED:  

(a)  That the update be noted; and

(b)  That the balance of money left over from the grant funding was contained within the Common Good Fund rather than the General Grant Fund.

S Graham, Partnerships Planning and Development Manager, Renfrewshire Council gave a verbal update on the progress of the funded projects.  Kustom Kruizers and Renfrew YMCA also advised the group on the status of their projects.

DECIDED:  That the updates be noted.