Councillor Stephen Burns; Provost Lorraine Cameron; Councillor Marie McGurk and Tony Lawler (Foxbar & Brediland Community Council).

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

The minute of the previous meeting of Gleniffer Local Partnership held on 22 November 2022 was submitted and approved.

DECIDED:  That the minute be approved.

J Murdoch and E McMahon delivered a presentation relative to the £100 million Housing-led Regeneration Programme that included Waverley Road, Paisley which was located within the Gleniffer Local Partnership area.

Properties at 18 - 32 Waverley Road would be retained and upgraded extensively whilst properties at 34 - 56 would be demolished with 40 new-build homes planned in the area.  Details of the extensive work to be undertaken, the re-housing/re-homing of tenants until works were completed and the timescales for delivery of the programme were provided.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

P Moss and R Smith delivered a presentation relative to Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero (the Plan) emissions to help combat the effects of climate change.

The presentation explained climate change as changes to average temperatures and weather conditions in a region over many years, highlighted known causes of detrimental changes and advised local impacts in the form of Paisley Stripes - collated from information obtained by Coats Observatory.  Progress so far to reduce emissions throughout Scotland showed a 58.7% reduction, exceeding the 2020 target of 56%. Baseline information on emissions in Renfrewshire had been identified and the Plan set out actions to reduce emissions by 2030.  All residents were encouraged to get involved as small individual actions, repeated on a large scale, could have a big impact on tackling climate change.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

Under reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of the meeting held on 22 November 2022, I Cunningham, Engage Renfrewshire, provided an update relative to the Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund which had capacity to deliver £500,000 in grant aid, advising that 90 applications had been received, 59 awards had been granted, five of which were to organisations in the Gleniffer area. The first phase of funding had been over-subscribed and a second round was now open.

Local groups were encouraged to apply for funding towards projects that would help alleviate the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.  Application could be made online and Engage Renfrewshire would assist organisations on request

DECIDED:  That the update be noted.

G Hannah provided an update relative to YouDecide, an initiative to give local residents a say on projects that would enhance their local environment.  The Gleniffer Local Partnership area had received £75,000 from the £1.2 million roads and infrastructure budget and residents had decided to spend this funding on two projects: one would deliver improvements to the surface of the car park at Gleniffer Braes and signage; and the other would deliver improvements to the path network and signage within the country park. Further updates on both projects would be provided at future meetings.

DECIDED:  That the update be noted and the projects to enhance the local area be welcomed.

Under reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of the Gleniffer Local Partnership meeting held on 22 November 2022, A Armstrong-Walter delivered an update relative to Winter Connections, a programme of activities taking place throughout Renfrewshire to help alleviate the cost of living crisis and the effects of the pandemic by providing warm places for residents to connect, funded by the Scottish Government.

Positive feedback had shown that the programme operating in Renfrewshire had been more successful that similar programmes in other local authority areas as it was based on providing not just warm spaces but activities that appealed to local residents.  To increase uptake in the Gleniffer area, local groups were encouraged to bring forward ideas/projects to continue this initiative and to seek assistance from Community Planning to apply for funding.  The "Blether Bus" operating in Dundee was cited as an excellent project that could be pursued for Renfrewshire.

DECIDED:  That the update be noted.

Under reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the Gleniffer Local Partnership meeting held on 22 November 2022, L McLean provided an update relative to Community Learning & Development activities.

The Green Spaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund had allocated £300,000 to the Gleniffer area.  To date, Glenburn Skye Crescent Public Park had been awarded £50,000, Brediland Allotment - Ponds Upgrade had received £1,945 and Langcraigs Community Playground secured £8,475.

Voting to allocate funding towards youth-oriented projects from "Celebrating Renfrewshire" would commence again in June.  To identify suitable activities for young people and to help develop projects tailored to the needs of young people in the area, Youth Services had developed a Youth Outreach Survey http://https//arcg.is/1nzbS4 and were encouraging young people (15-25) to provide their views.  Members were invited to share the link with their networks.  It was noted that projects that would be of benefit to young people with autism could be brought forward for consideration.

DECIDED:  That the update be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Gleniffer Local Partnership budget including at Appendix 1, two applications for funding from Stronger Communities Glenburn and, at Appendix 2, details of funding awarded to date together with additional feedback since the last meeting on 22 November 2022.

A Armstrong-Walter advised that £8,000 had been ring-fenced by this Local Partnership pending submission of two applications from Stronger Communities Glenburn which met the criteria for an award and recommended that, as these applications met the local priorities, each application now be awarded £4,000.  This was agreed.

It was proposed that £4,463.20 remaining in the 2022/23 budget be committed pending the submission of applications for suitable local projects that met local priorities, which could include those to improve the lives of children with autism.  Applications would be brought forward as soon as possible and would be listed and accounted for separately from any applications for funding from the 2023/24 budget.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:  

(a) That two applications from Stronger Communities Glenburn be awarded £4,000 each from ring-fenced funding;

(b) That the budget monitoring report be noted;

(c) That additional feedback from projects that had received funding in 2021/22 be noted; and

(d) That the £4,463.20 remaining in the 2022/23 budget be committed towards applications to be brought forward as soon as possible and that these be listed and accounted for separately from applications for funding from the 2023/24 budget.

The next meeting will take place at 6.00 pm on 25 May 2023 at a venue to be confirmed as soon as possible.

DECIDED:  That the date of the next meeting be noted.