Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chair intimated that this meeting of the Local Partnership would be recorded and that the recording would be available to watch on the Council's YouTube channel. 

Councillor Carolanne Davidson; Councillor K MacLaren, Cathie Cassie Forbes, ROAR Connections For Life: Councillor Marie McGurk and John Trainer (Lead Officer). 

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Local Partnership held on 9 November 2022. 
  
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 

Gary Wallace (Western Desert Recce Group) made a presentation relative to the Western Desert Recce Group and its activities, making specific reference to the proposed project to re-develop the site of Whitehaugh Barracks into a living history museum for military history in the area from the 1820’s, a locus for supporting armed forces veterans, military associations and a community hub. 

A summary of the proposed repair and restoration works was provided together with the planned footprint of the re-developed barracks, details of community engagement undertaken, an outline of the vision, the anticipated timeline for specific aspects of the project and details of potential funding sources. 

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted. 

G Hannah, Environment and Infrastructure, provided a verbal update relative to the results of the You Decide initiative, making specific reference to the successful projects in the Paisley East Local Partnership area.

The initiative, a participatory budgeting exercise which distributed £1.2 million of Community Investment Funding in Renfrewshire, enabled local communities to decide their priorities in terms of proposed environmental and physical infrastructure improvements to be undertaken in their local area. It was noted that following extensive community engagement a shortlist of potential projects in each local partnership area had been drafted with a public vote then being held to ascertain the preferences of the local community. 

The Partnership was advised that the three projects in the Paisley East Local Partnership area which had been successful in securing funding were (i) the installation of lighting in Barshaw Park between the Arkleston Road entrance and the car park; (ii) replacement of play equipment in Jenny’s Well play park; and (iii) the creation of an enclosed dog exercise area in East End park.  It was highlighted that where plans existed for the Council to undertake a similar project to that which had been successful in obtaining funding, such as the replacement of the play equipment in Jenny’s Well play park it was proposed to supplement the community proposals.

A summary of the activities being undertaken to progress the successful projects was provided together with details of arrangements for publication of the programme of works and the anticipated timescale for commencement of the projects.

 

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted. 

S Graham, Chief Executive’s Service, gave a presentation on the Winter Connections Programme, providing an update relative to the Programme and the activities available at the network of local community venues participating in the programme. Reference was made to the Winter Connections Fund which provided financial assistance to local groups to help cover the additional costs in making venues, activities and sessions available as part of the Programme developed. Details of host venues within the Paisley East Local Partnership area were provided although it was highlighted that individuals from the Paisley East Local Partnership area were welcome to attend activities in neighbouring local partnership areas. Each venue host required to confirm their acceptance of the Winter Connections principles, namely that the activities should be free and open to all. It was noted that the Programme was also available in libraries.  Reference was made to the funding and promotional activity undertaken and outlined support provided to host organisations.  A flavour of the activities undertaken and advice available as part of the Winter Connection Programme was provided. It was noted that an evaluation of the Programme would be undertaken in due course.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted. 

I Sinclair, Communities and Housing, made a presentation on Parks, Play Areas and Green Spaces in the Paisley East Local Partnership area.  

The Local Partnership was advised that the Green Spaces Fund currently had £65,000 unallocated and that applications were invited from community groups, particularly in the Paisley East Local Partnership area, for projects such as Play parks, nature reserves, community gardens and growing grounds, as the area was under-represented in the successful applications for such projects. Details of local projects that had been successful previously in securing funding were provided.

An update was provided in respect of activities currently being undertaken by the Community Learning & Development Service.  Reference was made amongst other things to (i) work undertaken in conjunction with Engage Renfrewshire in connection with ALISS.org (a Local Information System for Scotland) a database which enabled community groups to find and share information online in terms of resources, services, groups and support available in local communities; and (ii) the youth outreach  survey being undertaken of young people in Renfrewshire aged 8-25 seeking their views as to what they wanted in their area.  A hyperlink to the survey was provided for members of the Local Partnership (https://arcg.is/1nzbS4) together with a request that it be shared as widely as possible.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted. 

S Graham, Chief Executive’s Service, advised that the Paisley East Local Partnership had in previous years received a greater value of applications for funding than it had available to award.  As a result, Paisley East Local Partnership members had previously discussed the desirability of agreeing a methodology to apply in principle to applications received.  

Paisley East Local Partnership had previously agreed a number of priorities for the area. The agreed priorities were outlined. These priorities were used as an initial assessment of the extent to which applications meet, partially meet or do not meet the needs of Paisley East.  

Potential options that could be taken into account by Paisley East Local Partnership as principles to apply to funding decisions in the 2023/24 funding round were outlined with the aim of assisting the Local Partnership to reach a consensus on funding awards. These included fully funding projects that were most preferred, which would leaving limited funding for other applications; cap the value of awards given; award a pro rata/percentage of the application funding sought; geographical considerations; further analysis on project fit with local priorities; and exclusion of applications not supplying feedback from previous awards.

It was highlighted that the options were not exhaustive or mutually exclusive and members of the Partnership might wish to explore other options.

There followed discussion.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the options for criteria to assess Local Partnership funding applications received for decision in May 2023 be noted; and

(b) That the following principles be agreed and applied when considering funding applications for Paisley East Local Partnership in May 2023

(c) That no cap be placed on the value of awards made; 

(d) That applications from groups located within the Paisley East Local Partnership area and meeting local priorities be prioritised.  

(e) That previous recipients of grant funding not submitting feedback, having been issued with a reminder, be excluded from consideration of future funding and 

(f) That the options papers developed in due course, detailing proposals to help determine awards, which would act as a starting point for discussion be circulated to all members of the Local Partnership as soon as possible prior to the next meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to awards made in the Johnstone and Linwood Local Partnership area to local community and voluntary groups since the last meeting of this Local Partnership held in November 2022.  Details of awards made from various sources which included: Winter Connections, Community Health and Wellbeing Fund (Engage Renfrewshire), Culture, Heritage and Events Fund and Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Change Fund was provided.

DECIDED:   That the grant awards made to community and voluntary groups in the Paisley East Local Partnership area since November 2022 from funding sources other than the Local Partnership be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the timeline and arrangements for the 2023/24 round of applications for Local Partnership funding. 

The report advised that applications to the 2023/24 round of Local Partnership awards would be open for six weeks from Friday 24 February to Monday 10 April 2023. Updated guidance
would be issued to applicants, with opportunities for applicants to attend support sessions to obtain advice and receive answer to queries about the process.  The applications would be processed and be submitted to the May 2023 cycle of Local Partnership meetings for consideration and determination.

DECIDED:  That the timeline for the 2023 round of applications for Local Partnership funding be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Paisley East Local Partnership budget for 2022/23. 
 
The report advised that the Local Partnership provided funding to community groups to undertake projects through a range of grants in terms of the General Grant Fund, Paisley Common Good Fund and, following a participatory budgeting exercise, the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund. Appendix 1 to the report detailed the funding allocated at the meeting of the Paisley East Local Partnership held on 14 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 budget monitoring and feedback report be noted. 

It was noted that the next meeting of Paisley East Local Partnership was scheduled to be held at 6pm on 10 May 2023 and that a poll of members of the Local Partnership be undertaken to ascertain their preference as to whether this meeting be held remotely or in person.

DECIDED: That it be noted the next meeting of Paisley East Local Partnership would be held at 6pm on 10 May 2023 and that a poll of members of the Local Partnership be undertaken to ascertain their preference as to whether this meeting be held remotely or in person.