Councillor John Hood, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor David McGonigle, Councillor Emma Rodden and Councillor Andy Steel.

Councillor McMillan indicated that he had a connection to item 2 - Johnstone and Linwood Local Partnership Budget Monitoring Report - by reason of being a member of Thorn Athletic Community Trust.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Local Partnership held on 9 May 2023.

DECIDED: That the minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the 2022/23 budget allocated to this Local Partnership which detailed the distribution of funds and feedback received from projects funded.

The report advised that of the £46,344 budget allocation for 2023/24 for this Local Partnership there was currently an unallocated balance of £14,432.  It was also highlighted that, £21,988 had been awarded to local youth groups from the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund and that this had exhausted that particular funding pot. Feedback received from projects funded during financial year 2022/23 was provided for members’ information.  

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

A McBride, Engage Renfrewshire, provided a summary report relative to the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund 2023/24, together with information on those groups who had received funding during 2022/23.

The Local Partnership was advised that the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund was now in its third year and that the deadline applications for 2023/24 was 30 November 2023. Engage Renfrewshire had been allocated £500,000 to distribute to the third sector for new applicants and also previously awarded projects for adults. A brief overview of the aims, key priorities and target audience of the Fund was provided.  It was noted that successful groups would be notified in early February 2024 with payments made during March 2024. Further updates on the Fund would be provided at future meetings of this Local Partnership.

Members were informed that Engage Renfrewshire published and issued a Network Newsletter monthly  to promote funding and training opportunities and advising of network events and news.  

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council, relative to applications for grant funding which had been submitted for consideration by the Johnstone & Linwood Local Partnership and had been deferred from the previous meeting.

The report set out that there was a total of £14,432 available for dispersal and that the applications recieved sought a total of £25,314.25. A representative from each applicant had been invited to attend the meeting to provide further information to the partnership around the groups and projects.

Councillor Audrey Doig, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved that application FR1038 - Johnstone Castle Learning Centre be awarded £5,000.

Councillor McMillan, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as an amendment that the application be awarded £6,000.

On a vote being taken by show of hands, 8 members voted for the amendment and 3
members voted for the motion. The amendment was accordingly declared carried.

Councillor Audrey Doig, seconded by Councillor Ann-Dowling, moved that application FR1102 - Johnstone Band be awarded £4,225.

Councillor McMillan, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as an amendment that the application be awarded £6,000.

On a vote being taken by show of hands, 3 members voted for the amendment and 9
members voted for the motion. The motion was accordingly declared carried.

Councillor Audrey Doig, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved that application FR1142 - Lamont Farm be awarded £2,500.

Councillor McMillan, seconded by Councillor Ann-Dowling, moved as an amendment that the application be awarded £3,882.75.

On a vote being taken by show of hands, 9 members voted for the amendment and 3
members voted for the motion. The amendment was accordingly declared carried.

Councillor Audrey Doig moved that application FR1148 - Shopmobility - Paisley & District be awarded £324.25. This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED:

That the following grant awards be approved:

FR1038 - Johnstone Castle Learning Centre - £6,000
FR1102 - Johnstone Band - £4,225
FR1142 - Lamont Farm - £3,882.75
FR1148 - Shopmobility - Paisley & District - £324.25

A presentation was made by J Kennedy, Senior Development Officer, Environment, Housing, & Infrastructure, which provided information on the Celebrating Renfrewshire event where young people were given the opportunity to vote for the projects they felt should receive funding. 

A total of 21 groups had applied for funding with pot of £38,835.72 available for dispersal. 229 young people voted in the event and seven groups recieved funding:- Create Paisley; Fordbank Scout Group; Johnstone Castle Learning Centre; Johnstone High School Parent Council; Solid Rock Cheer and Gym; St. Convals YFC 2008; and Thorn Athletic Community Trust.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.

J Kennedy, Senior Development Officer, Environment, Housing & Infrastructure, made a presentation in connection with the approach and activities undertaken by Community Learning and Development. Youth Services supported young people and partners to access localised projects, including Young Scot services, in Renfrewshire.

An overview was provided of the main areas of responsibility and the wide range of activities undertaken by the Community Learning & Development Team. Reference was made to the delivery of universal services, targeted provision and specific community capacity and connected communities’ initiatives undertaken.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

S Graham, Partnerships Planning and Development Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, provided members with information on how Community and Planning, led by the Partnership and Inequalities team, would engage with members of the Local Partnership and those who had received funding to gauge their experience. Through surveys and discussions, members’ views on whether Local Partnerships had met theirs aims and objectives, what had worked well and what could potentially be improved would be identified.

Further information on the results of these surveys and discussions would be submitted to future meetings of all Local Partnerships.

DECIDED:

(a)That the information provided be noted; and

(b)That a further update.be provided at future meetings of the Local Partnership.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Johnstone & Linwood Local Partnership be held at 6.00 pm on 28 November 2023 in Johnstone Town Hall.