There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Local Partnership held on 15 June 2021.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

G Hannah delivered a presentation relative to #YouDecide, a participatory budgeting exercise that gave communities a key role in deciding their priorities for environmental and physical infrastructure improvements to be undertaken throughout Renfrewshire over the next three years via a Community Investment Fund of £1.2m.

The presentation explained the #YouDecide concept and highlighted the marketing and promotional work already undertaken as a first phase to encourage communities, groups and individuals to submit their ideas for environmental improvements. A video was shown, featuring local groups and individuals, which explained how to get involved and inspired the submission of ideas. As a result of engagement initiatives, over 2700 proposals/ideals had been submitted, with over 330 ideas/proposals for improvements for the Paisley North, West & Central area.

The second phase of #YouDecide was underway and would conclude at the end of January 2022 with a shortlist of projects that were suitable and feasible having undergone technical assessment against set criteria. During the third and final phase of #YouDecide communities would be invited to vote on which shortlisted project they wished to see proceed. It was anticipated that the winning projects would be announced in early March 2022.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a presentation by I Cunningham, 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:

Community Mental Health & | Support | Engage (engagerenfrewshire.org).

I Cunningham 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:

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That as Engage Renfrewshire was the contact point for enquiries, applications, delivery of funds and monitoring compliance, members should contact Stuart Miller at stuart.miller@engagerenfrewshire.org to suggest suitable projects.