Community Funding Update
Renfrewshire Council · 19 May 2026
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 19 May 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 19th May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Funding Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 A report is submitted to the Communities and Housing Policy Board each cycle which sets out officer recommendations in relation to a number of specific community funding mechanisms including the Sustainable Communities Fund and the Villages Investment Fund. An officer panel meets on a monthly basis to assess applications received in advance of this report being submitted. 1.2 As Elected Members will be aware, the guidance for both the Sustainable Communities Fund and Villages Investment Fund was updated in winter 2024/25, and formally approved by the Leadership Board on 19 February 2025. Applications for both funds was relaunched and are considered in line with the refreshed guidance and processes. 1.3 Recommendations relating to these applications are set out in sections 4 and 5 for Elected Member consideration and summarised within Appendix 1 of this report. 1.4 Regular reports in relation to community funding applications will continue to be developed and submitted to the board for consideration. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Board: • Approve the recommendations detailed in Section 4 and summarised in Appendix 1 of this report, in relation to applications received to the Sustainable Communities Fund and Villages Investment Fund.
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PUBLIC 3. Background 3.1 To strengthen oversight of funding recommendations made in relation to a number of specific Council funding streams, the Policy and Partnerships service now submits a community funding paper to each cycle of the Communities and Housing Board. This includes recommendations from officers in relation to funding awards through the Greenspaces Fund, Villages Investment Fund and the Sustainable Communities Fund. This has been supported by the establishment and development of a cross-service officer panel which provides corporate oversight of grant applications in advance of making recommendations for elected members to consider. 4 Sustainable Communities Fund – Recommendations 4.1 The aim of the Sustainable Communities Fund is to support infrastructure and place-based projects across all areas of Renfrewshire which improve the lives of local people and build resilient communities. 4.2 In line with the revised guidance approved by the Leadership Board in February 2025, the Sustainable Communities Fund uses a tiered funding model to reflect different-sized community projects as well as the varying levels of support required at different stages of development as follows: Level of funding Overview Applications up to £9,999 Applications for both capital and revenue funding aimed at enabling small community projects to be undertaken, for example, the purchase of small pieces of equipment, community engagement initiatives, volunteer development programmes. Applications between £10,000 and £24,999 Applications for both capital and revenue funding focused primarily on costs to enhance community infrastructure, for example, feasibility studies, business/project plans for community asset transfer, and project management costs. Applications above £25,000 up to a max of £100,000 applications invited for capital costs only aimed at supporting communities that aspire to take ownership or redevelop land or buildings in their local communities. 4.3 A cross service officer panel met in March and April 2026 to assess applications against the refreshed guidance. 4.4 In summary the panel recommends that the following applications are approved: • Award £10,000 to Pachedu to carry out a structural survey for the former Falcon Day Centre, Paisley • Award £9,780 to Friends of Barshaw Park for a feasibility study to assess the restoration and reuse of the Behind the Wall courtyard and terrace buildings in Barshaw Park, Paisley.
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PUBLIC 4.5 A further two applications have been recommended to be deferred to allow for further clarification and work to be carried out by officers. These applications are detailed in Appendix 1. 4.6 An application from Renfrew YMCA for project activities relating to summer holiday provision for young people is not recommended for award, as the panel did not consider this to be eligible as per the fund guidance. 4.7 The Sustainable Communities Fund currently has £254,586 of funding available for future allocation (£103,384 capital and £151,202 revenue), not including the recommendations detailed within this report. 5. Villages Investment Fund 5.1 The Villages Investment Fund supports investment in infrastructure and place- based projects supporting and strengthening the identity, heritage, uniqueness and integrity of villages across Renfrewshire. Supported projects are required to demonstrate tangible outcomes for our communities. 5.2 In line with the guidance, projects should have a core focus on: • Making physical and environmental improvements to villages across Renfrewshire • Promoting sustainable community use of spaces across villages • Increasing levels of external funding being attracted into Renfrewshire to develop spaces and infrastructure across villages • Encouraging the development of new partnerships across villages 5.3 £151,269 remains available to support future applications made through the Villages Investment Fund, which is broadly split 60% capital 40% revenue. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Section 4 of the report sets out the recommendations for funding awards and the balance remaining within the Sustainable Communities Fund prior to any decisions taken by board. The balance remaining in the Villages Investment Fund is also detailed at section 5.3. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none. 3. Community/Council Planning – community funding supports engagement and collaboration with local communities on a range of activities which align with the new Council Plan 2022-2027; Our Renfrewshire Community Plan and/or Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero. 4. Legal - none. 5. Property/Assets – there are a number of applicants to this fund seeking to pursue community asset transfers, and where there are relevant property or asset issues these are covered as part of discussions at the officer panel.
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PUBLIC 6. Information Technology – none. 7. Equality and Human Rights – the Recommendations included within this report are considered to have a positive impact on equality and human rights. The fund continues to attract applicants seeking to make community assets more accessible for communities. 8. Health and Safety – none. 9. Procurement – none. 10. Risk – none. 11. Privacy Impact – none. 12. Climate Risk – the Sustainable Communities Fund aligns with the themes within Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero and the delivery of relevant projects will assist the local response to the climate emergency. 13. Childrens Rights – while there are no specific children’s rights implications associated with the recommendations, there are applications in the pipeline which seek to widen opportunities for children and young people to actively participate within their communities. 14. COSLA Policy Position – none. Appendix 1: Summary of applications with Officers recommendations ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: Sustainable Communities Fund Guidance Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships
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PUBLIC Appendix 1– Sustainable Communities Fund APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Pachedu Structural Survey for Falcon Day Centre Pachedu is seeking £10,000 from Renfrewshire Council’s Sustainable Communities Fund to commission a full structural survey and comprehensive building condition survey of the Falcon Day Centre in Paisley. The building is currently progressing through the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process and is intended to become a Multicultural Community Hub serving diverse communities and wider communities across Renfrewshire. The proposed surveys will provide essential professional due diligence to assess the building’s structural integrity and overall condition before Pachedu assumes responsibility for the asset. The project will involve appointing a structural engineer and a RICS-accredited building surveyor to assess the building’s fabric, roof condition, drainage systems, windows, masonry and other key structural components. The surveys will identify priority repair requirements, assess potential risks and establish indicative cost ranges for refurbishment and long-term maintenance. This information Small £10,000 £10,000
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PUBLIC will form the foundation of a planned redevelopment strategy and sustainable asset management plan. Friends of Barshaw Park Feasibility Study - Walled Garden This project will deliver a feasibility study to assess the restoration and reuse of the Behind the Wall courtyard and terrace buildings in Barshaw Park. Friends of Barshaw Park will work with architects to undertake a site review, options appraisal and concept design drawings (2D and 3D) exploring potential uses for the buildings and courtyard. The study will also include a feasibility narrative and outline costs to understand the scale of future restoration works. Alongside this, Friends of Barshaw Park will develop an outline business model and community engagement framework. Volunteers have identified challenges caused by the lack of secure storage and sheltered workspace, while the buildings behind the garden wall continue to deteriorate. Feedback from visitors and volunteers has highlighted a strong interest in restoring the area and bringing it back into community use. Community involvement will continue throughout the feasibility study through engagement with volunteers, park users and local partners to help shape the future use of the site. Small £9,780 £9,780
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PUBLIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO DEFER APPLICATIONS Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Houston & Killellan Men’s Shed This project aims to create a safe, warm and fully accessible purpose-built workshop and meeting space as the main hub of Shed, Church Groups and community organisations/activities. Funding will allow for a feasibility study to be undertaken to identify the best options available to benefit the Shed, Church and community. The space will be available year-round for members and other organisations to meet in a secure, welcoming environment. This funding will pay for a structured feasibility study that gathers robust evidence, stakeholder insight and practical analysis to inform future development for not only the Men's Shed as well as the Church and wider community. Key activities will include research, consultation with relevant partners and community groups, and assessment of potential delivery models, costs and benefits. Small £10,000 Defer Application is recommended to be deferred to allow for further work with the organisation regarding ownership and lease arrangements for the proposed piece of land. KLAS Care CIC Feasibility Study - KLAS Care Neurodivergent Centre of Excellence (Johnstone) KLAS want to offer a safe community space for ASN children, to facilitate social inclusion and community cohesion, and to combat anti-social behaviour. The feasibility study will assess the viability, demand, sustainability and strategic positioning of the proposed service. Small £5,500 Defer Application is recommended to be deferred, to allow for further work to explore alternative funding routes for this work.
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PUBLIC The overall project will bring a centre of excellence that will provide a safe environment for stay and play, respite, family support programmes and parent workshops. Alongside this the centre will provide a welcoming space for the community to meet and organically grow this space in line with the community need. APPLICATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Renfrew YMCA Project Activities The project will deliver weekly after-school and holiday workshops for children aged 8–11, focusing on confidence, teamwork, and community awareness. Young people aged 16–25 will benefit from mentoring and employability support, including CV workshops, interview preparation, and volunteering opportunities. In addition, four community events will be held to promote wellbeing, encourage intergenerational engagement, and strengthen local social connections. Small £9,342 £0 This project is not eligible for this fund, as it is focussed on recurring revenue costs. The organisation have been directed to alternative funding sources.