There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the delivery of the 2024/25 Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (GRI) Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Programme. 

The report advised that the Scottish Government had introduced the CLLD Programme during 2023/24.  The GRI programme covered the rural areas of Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, supporting community groups and organisations to deliver projects that provided local benefit and tackle challenges identified in the GRI Local Action Group Community Led Vision (CLV). A Local Action Group (LAG), comprising representatives from the local community councils, community groups, third sector, businesses, residents, the three local authorities and wider stakeholders had developed the CLV actions and was responsible for taking funding decisions. 

The Scottish Government had confirmed an initial tranche of funding of up to £150,347.90 to GRI LAG to deliver CLLD programme requirements to 31 March 2025. This comprised of up to £68,550.61 (capital) and £81,797.28 (revenue). The GRI LAG had decided to utilise this funding through delivery of a revenue grants scheme with funding of between £5,000 - £10,000 available for successful applicants and a capital grants scheme, with funding of between £10,000 - £25,000 available for successful applicants. Following a rigorous application process the LAG had agreed to award funding to eight local organisations. This comprised of six awards for revenue funding totalling £33,188 and four awards for capital funding totalling £55,352. Two projects funded consisted of split capital and revenue budgets. Full details of all awards made were provided within Appendix 1 of the report. It was highlighted that an offer had recently been received from the Scottish Government of additional Tranche 2 funding, amounting to £93,247.87, in respect of delivery of the CLLD Programme 2024/25 in the GRI area.

DECIDED:

(a) That the offer from the Scottish Government to award additional Tranche 2 funding of £93,247.87 to the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area for the delivery of the 
Community Led Local Development Programme for 2024/25 be noted;

(b) That it be agreed that Renfrewshire Council, as lead partner and accountable body for the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area, accept the Tranche 2 funding offer; and

(c) That the delegation of authority to the Head of Economy & Development for the delivery of specific programme requirements be continued.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress made in terms of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone (GCR IZ) and Renfrewshire’s participation in it.

The report indicated that In June 2023, following an agreement between the UK and Scottish governments, it had been announced that both the Glasgow City Region (GCR) and the North-East of Scotland had been awarded Investment Zone (IZ) status, the first such ones in Scotland. This commitment had been backed by funding commitments, which could be used flexibly for capital and revenue investment and tax incentives for prospective investing companies. Subsequently it had been confirmed, in the Autumn Budget of 2024, that £160 million had been allocated to the GCR IZ. This funding would be distributed over 10 years and aimed to attract private sector investment, boost innovation, drive economic growth, reduce inequalities, and create high-value jobs.  Guidance from the Government’s stated that the IZ programme required to align with the UK Levelling Up Strategy and Scotland’s National Economic Transformation Strategy. A new governance board had been established and would oversee the programme and report to the Glasgow City Region Cabinet. Details of the agreed key objectives of the GCR IZ were provided together with details of the key phases of the IZ development progressed to date. 

The report stated that Renfrewshire Council had submitted an expression of interest and a detailed application to receive a proportion of the GCR IZ funding. The Council’s bid had focused on establishing AMIDS as Scotland's premier destination for advanced manufacturing innovation. The proposal aimed to leverage existing infrastructure, including world-class centres like the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the CPI Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, while scaling up operations to attract further investment and drive economic growth. The overall objective was to transform AMIDS into a hub for manufacturing excellence. The IZ application bid was divided into two components, the creation of a tax incentive zone and Capital Investment. The Council’s bid was aligned with principles such as Fair Work First and adherence to devolved regulations on employment and climate change while the proposed investment within the IZ aimed to deliver broader social and employment benefits.  It was highlighted that confirmation of acceptance of the application bid was awaited.

Following discussion in connection with the potential creation of a Non-Domestic Rates Retention site within the tax site the Convener proposed that the Renfrewshire Council position be that, as per the UK Government guidance, revenue raised in Renfrewshire be re-invested in the Investment Zone in Renfrewshire. This was unanimously agreed.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the timescales for the development of GCR Investment Zone proposal for submission to the UK and Scottish Governments be noted and that updates and required approvals would be reported to this Policy Board at regular intervals as appropriate; and 

(b) That the Renfrewshire Council position be that, as per the UK Government guidance, Non-Domestic Rates revenue raised in the tax site be re-invested in the Investment Zone in Renfrewshire.