S McDonald, Active Communities; M Mathieson, Barnados; and S Cruickshank, Renfrewshire Access Panel;

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering Communities Group held on 9 September 2021.

DECIDED:    That the Minute be approved.

In relation to Item 6 – Local Partnership Update – S Graham advised that a review was currently underway to look at Local Partnerships, how they worked and what we could do to improve them.

DECIDED:  That the update be noted.

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

DECIDED: 

(a)  That the updates be noted; and

(b)  That the Rolling Action Log be approved.

There was submitted a presentation by A McNiven, Chief Executive, Engage Renfrewshire, relative to the national Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund (the Fund). The Fund aimed to promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and to protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health in adults.  

Engage Renfrewshire announced that Renfrewshire had secured an award of £509,542 from the Fund and small “grass roots” community groups and organisations with a strong community focus could apply for funding towards projects that tackled issues such as: suicide prevention; social isolation; loneliness prevention and early intervention; and/or addressed any mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and the needs of a range of “at risk” groups locally.

More information, including application forms and project examples, was available online:
https://engagerenfrewshire.org/engage-support/community-mental-health-wellbeing-fund.html

A McNiven advised that applications were now live on Engage Renfrewshire’s website and the deadline for applications was 7 January 2022.  It was noted that the funds required to be allocated by end of March 2022. Multiple applications would be accepted provided that there were submitted for different projects.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

R Smith, Climate Emergency Lead Officer for Renfrewshire Council gave a presentation relative to Climate Emergency.

The presentation outlined Renfrewshire’s plan for net zero by 2030; detailed Scotland’s progress and achievements to date; highlighted several “themes” including energy, waste and sustainable transport; and advised of future actions and opportunities.

After further discussion and questions R Smith was thanked for her presentation.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

Y Hughes, Affordable Credit Officer, Engage Renfrewshire gave a presentation on affordable credit.

She gave a brief overview of her role; outlined what affordable was; detailed high cost credit and illegal money lending; looked at affordable credit versus high cost credit; and highlighted affordable credit and it benefits.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

Under reference to Item 4 of the Minute of the meeting of the Forum for Empowering Communities Group held on 9 September 2021, there was submitted a presentation by G Fitzsimmons and G Noble, Health & Social Partnership in relation to support for people with a physical disability.

The presentation outlined the Disability Resource Centre’s response to the Covid Pandemic; detailed the progress made and the current situation; and advised how they were supporting people.

DECIDED:  That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the
timetable of meetings for the Forum for Empowering Communities Group for the
period January 2022 to December 2022.

DECIDED: That the timetable of meetings from January 2022 to December 2022
as indicated within the report be agreed.