Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site.

There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April 2023 to 5 January 2024.

The report stated that the projected outturn as at 31 March 2024 for those services reporting to this Policy Board was an underspend position of £0.039 million. The projected capital outturn for projects reporting to this Policy Board as at 31 March 2024 was a breakeven position against the revised budget for the year. Tables 1 and
2 within the report summarised the position and further analysis was provided in appendices to the report. The report also advised there had been revenue adjustments totalling £0.008 million processed since consideration of the previous report, and capital budget adjustments of £2.039 million. Details of the adjustments were provided within the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the projected revenue outturn position, detailed in Table 1 of the report, be noted;

(b) That the projected capital outturn position, detailed in Table 2 of the report, be noted; and

(c) That the budget adjustments, detailed in sections 4 and 6 of the report, be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress in terms of external funding bids, delivery of key regeneration projects and the development of programmes for 2024.

The report intimated that in recent years the funding of regeneration projects had been reliant on support from national government and other external sources, often with ‘matchfunding’ from the Council. In this context and over the past year officers had continued to progress various regeneration projects, programmes and strategies with the support of external funding from the UK and Scottish Governments as well as government agencies such as Visit Scotland and SEPA. This approach had supported efforts to regenerate and revitalise local town centres, support local communities and promote sustainable economic growth across Renfrewshire. The report advised that the Council had accessed and applied to various funding streams during the preceding 12 month period, including the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (Scottish Government), Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (Scottish Government),  Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP; Scottish Government), Shared Prosperity Fund (UK Government), Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (Visit Scotland), Water Environment Fund (SEPA) and Heritage funding (Historic Environment Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund). Details of the aims of each of the Programmes/Funds, together with a summary of applications, the relevant award process, proposed local projects, projects that had been successful in obtaining funding, timescales and future actions were outlined within the report. The projects proposed for inclusion within the 2023/24 Place Based Investment Programme allocation were detailed in paragraph 6 of the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the list of proposed projects for the 2023/24 allocation of the Place Based Investment Programme be approved; and

(b) That the progress and continued actions to deliver projects from the range of regeneration funds identified in the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS) and the next phase of development together with an update on the ongoing work on the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone.

The report stated that the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) was intended to become ‘Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation’. The site, located next to Glasgow Airport, was supported by new enabling infrastructure in the form of roads, bridges, utilities, public realm space and active travel connections all funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The concept of AMIDS was to deliver a world class innovation district with the objective of positively enhancing the economy of both Renfrewshire and Scotland as whole. The report advised that this would be achieved through collaborative working between the education, public, and private sectors. Creating a focus on advanced manufacturing at the district would enable a cluster effect to be generated, in turn, attracting global organisations to Renfrewshire. AMIDS had successfully established itself in the advanced manufacturing sector by securing two anchor tenants, The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC). The Council had entered into a joint venture with Buccleuch Property to progress the next phases of development on site. This agreement set out that a speculative build required to take place which would see the construction of two terraced units that encompassed ten individual units offering space at the optimal size for start-up or spinoff companies. The construction was  planned for completion in 2026 and work was well advanced in terms of design, which would be followed by the planning permission process and subsequently procurement of a construction contractor. The advantages of employing this approach were outlined within the report. 

The report highlighted the recent announcement that CPI, who operated MMIC, would be extending their development at AMIDS to deliver the Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence (OMICE). This multi-million pound investment would see a second unit constructed to ensure that Renfrewshire and Scotland were at the forefront of medicines innovation. The development would be the next physical construction to complete on site and showed the confidence that the industry had in AMIDS to succeed. 

A summary of the benefits of the AMIDS Support Model was provided within the report, together with the key dimensions to the development AMIDS. It was highlighted that to achieve the two key dimensions a wide network of support had been implemented including the establishment of the joint venture, supported by a Strategic Advisory Group consisting of senior/executive staff from organisations including the Council, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, NMIS, CPI (MMIC / OMICE), Skills Development Scotland, West College Scotland and University of Strathclyde. In addition, it was noted that during 2022, a report by the University of Strathclyde and CPI had established that AMIDS had greatest potential, from a skills and innovation perspective, to target the Space, Pharma, Photonics and Net Zero sectors. Whilst AMIDS was open for all sectors, a focus on the four aforementioned sectors had allowed key partner organisations to provide subject matter experts to assist with market engagement. It was also recognised that due to the specialist technical nature of advanced manufacturing, expert advice would assist in negotiation as well as the provision of advice in relation to requirements, support models, and partnership working. The report made reference to the award of Investment Zone status to the Glasgow  City Region area, the potential opportunities and benefits, a summary of details of a proposed bid submission by the Council in respect of the Netherton Campus together with a information regarding communications and marketing initiatives being employed.

DECIDED:

(b) That the progress at AMIDS and the joint working with external agencies and partners to secure the next phases of investment be noted; and

(b) That the proposed submission, as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report be noted and that it also be noted that regular updates and required approvals would be submitted to this Policy Board as appropriate.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership.

The report advised that employability resources, previously managed nationally, had now been devolved to local authorities for distribution to best effect, augmenting statutory provision. Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) had been established in all areas across Scotland to commission local services based on the needs of the area. Following approval at the meeting of the Leadership Board held on 15 September 2021, a new partnership grants process for employability service delivery, managed by the Council and delivered through the Local Employability Partnership (LEP), was established. The grants process had been extended during 2023 to incorporate funding streams from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the Multiply Programme and, most recently, to establish a Business Challenge Fund. The report provided an overview of funding to date through the LEP grants process and specifically reported on the recent Business Challenge Fund process and Round three of the Employability Grants Programme.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress made by Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership in delivering grant programmes under both UK and Scottish Government funding schemes over the last two years be noted;

(b) That the recommendations from the Local Employability Partnership to approve six applications for 2024/25 under the new Business Challenge Fund be noted;

(c) That it be agreed that officers within the Economic Development section monitor and report on these activities/spend and claim funding, as appropriate, from the Renfrewshire allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund;

(d) That the recommendations of the Local Employability Partnership to approve 24 applications under the third round of the Employability Grant Programme be noted, and

(e) That it be agreed that officers within the Economic Development section monitor and report on these activities/spend and claim funding, as appropriate, from both the Scottish Government Employability Grants and UK Shared Prosperity Fund to cover costs.