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 website.

Councillor Campbell declared a non-pecuniary interst in item 3 of the agenda as as employee of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and indicated that it was her intention to reain in te meeting and to take part in any discussion and voting theron.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank Local Partnership held on 16 September 2020.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank Local Partnership Budget Monitoring Report.

The report advised that Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank Local Partnership provided funding to community groups to undertake projects. This funding was allocated from the General Grant Fund and, through the Participating Budgeting exercise, Celebrating Renfrewshire, the Youth Challenge Fund.

A table setting out the funds allocated by Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and
Langbank Local Partnership at its meeting on 16 September 2020 was attached
as an appendix to this report.

The outcome of the Celebrating Renfrewshire exercise for Erskine, Inchinnan,
Bishopton and Langbank Local Partnership was also attached. 

The report indicated that Celebrating Renfrewshire exercise was carried out in a virtual format in 2020, as a result of coronavirus pandemic. The project was co-produced by young people, supported by Renfrewshire Youth Voice, Renfrewshire Council, Active Schools and Young Scot. Voting had taken place between 12 October and 6 November 2020 with the award announcement taking place in an online event on Friday 13 November. A total of 67 young people had voted in the Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank area, casting three votes each for different projects, resulting in 201 votes in total. Seven projects were funded to a value of £12,733. Engagement was taking place with young people to allocate the remaining funding to appropriate projects.

DECIDED: That the budget monitoring report and allocation of Celebrating Renfrewshire funding be noted.

There was submitted a presentation by the Strategic Partnership and Equalities Manager on the impact of COVID-19 on local communities.

The presentation updated members on the Community Impact Assessment work done to date; shared data from the Public Services Panel relevant to the Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank Local Partnership; and outlined the Social Renewal Plan.

The presentation highlighted the key points arising from data and research undertaken in relation to COVID-19 cases; employment and support for business; neighbourhood hubs; the distribution of 1,250 digital devices/connectivity which had been distributed in Renfrewshire through the Connectivity Scotland programme; health and wellbeing; and the results on a Public Service Panel consultation on the effects of the pandemic, and highlighted the major concerns recorded.

The presentation also detailed responses on how households were managing financially now compared to pre-pandemic; and compared the responses from the Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank local partnership area to others within Renfrewshire.

Details were given on a programme of listening events held over winter 2020/21 facilitated by Engage Renfrewshire.

A full discussion followed in the course of which the Strategic Partnership and Equalities Manager was heard in answer to a number of issues raised by members of the Partnership on the presentation.

In response to a question relating to the school bus in Langbank and why it was still running even though there were no pupils on the bus, the Lead Officer undertook to raise this with the Head of Schools and report back to the Local Partnership.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That the Lead Officer raise with the Head of Schools why the school bus in Langbank continued to run while there we no pupils on board.