Diane Booth (Our Place Our Families).

R Roberton declared an interest in item 4 – Applications for Local Partnership Grant Funding – in respect of application FR1086 submitted by Renfrew Development Trust as she was a member of that organisation and intimated her intention to take no part in any discussion or voting thereon.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Local Partnership held on 15 June 2022.

DECIDED:  That the Minute be approved.

Calum Watson, Celebrating Renfrewshire Steering Group gave a presentation which provided an update in respect of the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund 2022/23 which allocated grant funding via a participatory budget process.

The presentation outlined how participatory budgeting operated and gave a brief description of the role of the youth-led steering group and advised of the outcome of the planning sessions and the final priorities.

The presentation then advised that applications for funding required to be submitted between 16 September and 9 October 2022 with local young people having the opportunity to determine which local projects were granted funding. 17 applications had been received relating to the Renfrew Local Partnership area seeking funding of £45,815. The available budget had been oversubscribed.  Using the Council’s in-house voting platform, over 2000 votes were cast, with 751 votes being recorded in the Renfrew area. Full details of the awards made were provided.  A voting results announcement event, planned and organised by young people, had been held at the UWS Student Union on Friday 28 October 2022.It was noted that an evaluation of the process would now be undertaken, appropriate recommendations made for the future and planning for the next round initiated.

After discussion it was agreed that further information would be brought back to a future meeting in relation to the participatory budgeting scheme and organisations outside of the Renfrew area being selected for full funding allocated specifically for Renfrew.

DECIDED: 

(a)  That it be agreed that further information would be brought back to a future meeting in relation to the participatory budgeting scheme and organisations outside of the Renfrew area being selected for full funding allocated specifically for Renfrew; and

(b)  That the presentation and information provided be noted.

S Graham, Chief Executive’s Service, gave a presentation on the Winter Connections Programme, a network of local places where people could connect to others in their community this winter.

The presentation highlighted the purpose of the Winter Connections Fund which would provide assistance to local groups to help cover the additional costs in making venues, activities and sessions available as part of the Winter Connection Programme. The presentation outlined the timeline and next steps for the Programme. 

DECIDED:  That the content of the presentation be noted.

A McBride, Engage Renfrewshire, provided a summary report relative to the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund 2022/23.

The Local Partnership was advised that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was now in its second year and Engage Renfrewshire had been allocated just over £550,000 to distribute to the third sector for new applicants and also previously awarded projects. A brief overview of the aims, key priorities and target audience of the Fund was provided. It was noted that the deadline for applications was 31 October 2022, that successful groups would be notified in early December and that the Fund was over-subscribed. 

DECIDED:  That the information be noted.

J Kennedy, Communities and Housing Services gave a presentation in connection with the Building Communities Approach.

An overview was provided of the four main areas of responsibility and the wide range of activities undertaken by Communities Learning & Development Section. Reference was made to the delivery of universal services, targeted provision, community capacity and connected communities initiatives and future partnership working with Local Partnerships. 

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the applications for Local Partnership grant funding.

The report advised that Renfrew Local Partnership awarded at the meeting on June 2022 £86,639 from its total budget available for distribution of £111,843, leaving a total amount available for allocation of £25,204 (£339 from the General Fund and £24,865 from Renfrew Common Good Fund).
 
Two applications for funding, to the total value of £25,010 had been submitted to Renfrew Local Partnership for decision and following consideration, the Local Partnership agreed the following awards:

FR1183  Arkleston and Newmains Over 60s Group - £4,150

R Roberton having previously declared an interest in application FR1186 took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

FR1186  Renfrew Development Trust (Friends of Robertson Park) - £20,860

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

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrew Local Partnership budget for 2022/23.

The report advised that the Local Partnership provided funding to community groups to undertake projects. This funding was allocated from the General Grant Fund and, through a Participatory Budgeting exercise known as Celebrating Renfrewshire, the Youth Challenge Fund.

Appendix 1 to the report detailed the funding allocated at the meeting of the Renfrew Local Partnership held on 15 June 2022 together with the current budget position, while Appendix 2 detailed feedback received from community groups awarded funding during 2021/22.

DECIDED:  That the report be noted.

R Walkinshaw and T McConnon (Communities & Housing) gave a presentation in connection with the housing-led regeneration and renewal programme approved by the Council.  The presentation made reference to the project in the Moorpark area (specifically Mitchell Avenue, Knockhill Road and Birmingham Avenue areas). 

The presentation then outlined the consultation feedback, details of what the project would entail; gave examples of previous work; and detailed the next steps and timeline.

DECIDED: That the content of the presentation be noted.