There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the Local Growth Fund, which provided an outline of the funding allocated to Renfrewshire for 2026/27 and confirmed savings and financial support would be required through Invest in Renfrewshire to mitigate the cuts in funds from the previous UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposed allocation of revenue funds (Local Growth Funds) to Renfrewshire Council for 2026/27 from the Glasgow City Region allocation be noted;

(b) That the expectation be noted that this would be the only year where revenue funds would be allocated to local authorities and in future years Local Growth Fund would be held at the Regional Level; 

(c) That it be noted that capital funds (Local Growth Fund) would be held at Glasgow City Region level with further guidance pending;

(d) That the reduction in funds from the previous UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations be noted; and 

(e) That the additional funding to be provided through Invest in Renfrewshire be agreed.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed refurbishment and potential reuse of the Steeple Buildings in Kilbarchan. The report provided an update on recently completed essential repairs and progress on a further phase of repairs to facilitate the building being brought back into use.

The Convener indicated that, as funding had been secured to progress with the procurement of the Phase 2 repairs programme, recommendation 2.1(ii) as detailed in the report required to be amended by the deletion of the words “if sufficient funding can be secured”.  This was noted and agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the report be noted; and 

(b) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to progress with the procurement of the Phase 2 repairs programme. 

There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the progress made in respect of the motion agreed at the meeting of the Council held on 28 April 2022 to review Renfrewshire’s historic graveyards and their future tourism potential. It was noted that the relevant officers would explore the potential for organising a walking tour of historic graveyards as part of the Halloween Festival and report the findings back to a future meeting of this Policy Board.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the work undertaken and progress to date be noted; 

(b) That it be agreed that officers explore the potential of creating a digital and physical resource providing information on key historic graveyards in Renfrewshire and for organising a walking tour of historic graveyards as part of the Halloween Festival; and 

(c) That it be noted that updates would be submitted to future meetings of this Policy Board as appropriate.

Under reference to item 2 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 27 August 2024 there was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the Historic Buildings in Villages Grant scheme.  The report advised that two complementary grant schemes, available across the 11 Renfrewshire villages, had been launched in November 2023 as a first round of funding, with a second round launched during May 2025.  Details of the funding sources were provided, together with a summary of the application process and a synopsis of the volume and geographical spread of applications. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress to date in respect of the number of enquiries and applications received for the scheme be noted;

(b) That, should any of the current allocation remain unspent, a third round of the scheme be approved; and

(c) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to seek sources of funding for future rounds of the scheme.