Community Funding CaHB 200824 FINAL
Renfrewshire Council · 20 August 2024
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 20 August 2024 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 20th August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Funding Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 As agreed previously by the board, the Policy and Partnerships service now prepares and submits a paper for consideration each cycle in relation to Council led community funding available for allocation through the Greenspaces, Villages Investment and Sustainable Communities Fund(s). This paper represents the most recent update for members in relation to these funds. 1.2 Whilst the Greenspaces and Villages Investment Fund are well established, elected members will be aware that the Sustainable Communities Fund was launched in early October 2023. The response to the fund continues to be very positive with a strong pipeline of applications under development. 1.3 An officer panel has been established to review applications for the Sustainable Communities Fund and to make recommendations on funding awards to members of the Communities and Housing Board. The panel met several times in July to consider applications received through the fourth funding round which closed on 30th June 2024. 1.4 Section 4 of the report provides an overview of the Sustainable Communities Fund and sets out recommendations for consideration by the board in relation to this funding round. 6 applications are recommended for approval, 9 applications are recommended to be deferred at this time to allow for further information gathering and engagement on applications with the community organisations concerned. 3 applications are not recommended for funding, as these were not assessed as meeting the funding criteria by the officer panel.
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1.5 Members are asked to note that where projects are not recommended for award, this does not reflect the quality and value of these projects and associated organisations at a local level, and officers will work with wider partners to signpost to other appropriate funding mechanisms. 1.6 The Sustainable Communities Fund has been very popular since its launch and has attracted a significant number of initial formal applications and more informal contacts and expressions of potential interest. Applicants are strongly advised to engage with co-ordinating officers as early as possible in the application development process. There continue to be a number of applications where further information is required to fully assess an application, which has led to a number of applications being recommended to be deferred at this time, in order to give applicants the best possible chance of success as part of the assessment process. 1.7 Full detail on all applications and related recommendations relating to the Sustainable Communities Fund is provided in Appendix 1 of this report. Elected members are asked to note that the next funding round ends on 31st August 2024. 1.8 Sections 5 and 6 of this report sets out recommendations in relation to the allocation of Greenspaces and Villages Investment funding. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Board: • Approve the funding recommendations detailed in Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this report in relation to the proposed allocation of the Sustainable Communities Fund • Approve the funding recommendations outlined in Section 6 in relation to the proposed allocation of funding from the Villages Investment Fund 3. Background 3.1 To strengthen monitoring and 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 more recently launched Sustainable Communities Fund. 4. Sustainable Communities Fund 4.1 In March 2023, Council agreed to combine the remaining monies from the Community Empowerment Fund and Climate Change Action Fund to create a single Sustainable Communities Fund. This was further boosted by £650,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Communities and Place for the support and improvement of community assets and infrastructure. £1.5m is available as funding to support projects and organisations through this Fund.
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4.2 On 20th September 2023, Leadership Board approved the key objectives and criteria of the fund and agreed that applications to the Sustainable Communities Fund be submitted to the Communities and Housing Board for final approval with a key focus on community infrastructure, place and climate. 4.3 The Sustainable Communities Fund utilises a tiered funding model to reflect different- sized community projects as well as the varying levels of support required at different stages of development. A tiered approach helps to ensure ease of access to a proportionate application process to enable a range of initiatives that align with community empowerment: • Small - awards up to £10K: capital and revenue funding to develop local projects and initiatives which are targeted at enabling community participation and promoting community collaboration and which build resilience within our communities. This level would be targeted at groups where a small amount of money can make a significant difference to enabling community participation. • Intermediate – awards of £10K to £25K: capital and revenue funding to develop projects or organisations with a focus on improving community infrastructure and/or community wellbeing and which have the potential to be replicated in other areas; and • large – awards up to £100K: larger capital grants with the aim of supporting communities that aspire to take ownership or develop land or buildings in local communities. 4.4 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which makes up part of the Sustainable Communities Fund, comprises a clear split between capital and revenue funding with set amounts allocated over financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. UKSPF will be allocated to approved projects which meet the criteria and to maximise drawdown within each financial year. 4.5 The Fund officially opened to applications on 10 October 2023, and the fourth funding round closed on 30th June 2024. 4.6 All applications were assessed in July 2024 by the cross service panel of officers which has been established to review and assess the applications against the agreed objectives and criteria outlined within the funding guidance. This included follow up discussions on applications which were deferred through previous funding rounds. In summary the panel has recommended that: • 6 applications be recommended for funding awards with total funding to be allocated of £143,004 • 9 applications be deferred to gather further information and to allow for further engagement to be undertaken • 3 applications are not recommended for funding awards as these were assessed as not meeting the criteria of this particular funding stream. 4.7 The six applications recommended for approval through the Sustainable Communities fund in this founding round are:
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• The New Tannahill Centre • Clydeside Orienteers • 5th Paisley (Oldhall) Scout Group • RIG Arts • The Star Project • Creating a Sustainable Gryffe 4.8 Nine applications were submitted where further information requires to be gathered and evaluated before officers are able to make recommendations on these applications to the Board. To allow for further work to be carried out with groups relating to their proposals, it is recommended that applications are deferred as follows: • Caledonia Bowling Club • Friends of Barshaw Park • Thorn Athletic Community Trust • Paisley Model Yacht Club • Loud n Proud • Langbank Bowling Club • Fèis Phàislig • Studio FV • Houston Old School Trust 4.9 As mentioned in Section 1 of this report, applicants are strongly advised to engage with co-ordinating officers as early as possible in the application development process. In the first two rounds there have been a number of applications where further information is required to fully assess an application, which has led to a number of applications being recommended to be deferred at this time, in order to give applicants the best possible chance of success 4.12 Finally, following assessment by the officer panel, the following applications are not recommended for a funding award, as they do not meet the criteria of the fund: • Dates-n-Mates • Two applications from Stemran Ltd 4.13 Members are asked to note that where projects are not recommended for award, this does not reflect the quality and value of these projects and associated organisations at a local level, and officers will work with wider partners to signpost to other appropriate funding mechanisms. 4.14 More detailed information in relation to each application is provided in Appendix 1. Elected members will note that for some projects this will require the development of partnership agreements to be progressed with relevant community organisations should funding recommendations be agreed by the Board. 4.15 The residual balance of available funding within the Sustainable Communities Fund is £228,968 of revenue funding, and £634,635 of capital funding. This includes the contribution from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, but does not include the recommendations detailed within this paper.
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4.16 Subject to the approval of recommendations as set out in Appendix 1, £143,004 would be allocated to successful projects through Round 2 of the fund (£120,000 Capital and £23,004 revenue). Of the total £143,004, £110,000 of the capital funding will be funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 4.17 The next funding round will close on 31st August 2024, and officers will continue to work with all new applicants and deferred applicants to progress information and proposals proactively over the coming months. 4.18 As highlighted in Section 1, following learning from the early rounds of the Sustainable Communities Fund, several areas have been identified where Fund guidance can be clarified and strengthened to improve the application process for both applicants and officers. Officers will work to reflect learning both in the formal guidance in due course, as well as the advice given to applicants, and applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their application with officers in advance. 4.19 Officers are also undertaking work to map successful applicants from the fund, in order to identify localities within Renfrewshire which may benefit from some further targeting or awareness raising with local groups. 4.20 Officers continue to work with organisations with successful awards to support the development of projects and evaluate the progress and impact of Sustainable Communities Fund awards. Information on the progress of organisations awarded funding to date are detailed at Appendix 2, and updates will continue to be reported back to the Communities and Housing Board as they become available. 5. Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas Fund 5.1 The Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas Fund has supported 58 community projects since October 2018. As previously agreed by members of the board, remaining Greenspaces funding has been divided into three streams: • General funding available to fund greenspace, parks and play areas improvements. • Funding to support school-based developments. • Funding to support Team Up to Clean Up developments. 5.2 The Fund currently has approximately £13,000 available to support community projects, a further £20,000 is available for school projects meeting the fund criteria, and £13,000 for Team Up to Clean Up volunteers and projects. Team Up to Clean Up Fund 5.3 There has been an upward trend in volunteers tackling detritus and detrimental weed growth within their neighbourhoods. The volunteers work compliments Renfrewshire Council’s own weed killing programme, where volunteers are actively removing the treated growth from the site.
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5.4 Posts reflecting this work have proven popular amongst members with a social media reach in some cases of 41k, and others noting their inspiration to follow this example. 3 committed volunteers, well known in the group, have been gifted a set of 3 battery operated power tools, hand tools and PPE to support their work in Ferguslie, Renfrew and Lochfield. 6. Villages Investment Fund 6.1 The Villages Investment Fund continues to support the villages in delivering innovative projects for local people. 81 villages projects have been funded since the launch of the fund in 2018. 6.2 Since the last update to board in May 2024, eleven Villages Investment Fund projects have been funded under the Delegated Approval process. A list of these is provided in the table below. Community Group Project Sum Awarded Bridge of Weir Gala Committee Bridge of Weir Gala Day £5,000 Bonnie Bishopton Community Benches – Repairs and Replacements £2,700 Bishopton Week Group Bishopton Gala Week £4,887 Elderslie Community Council Evergreen Elderslie £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Planters and Signs £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Improvements to Hidden Corner £1,000 Elderslie Community Council Railway Mural – repairs to steps and large-scale vegetation removal £2,250 Elderslie Community Council Queens Road Park Seating £3,300 Friends of Howwood Park Pavilion Management Support and table-top sports provision £2,048 Langbank Swingpark Regeneration Group Public Park Picnic and Seating Provision £5,000 Lochwinnoch Arts Group Lochwinnoch Arts Festival £4,600 TOTAL under delegated authority £32,785 6.3 An application has also recently been received and considered in relation to the Villages Investment Fund, with £25,000 applied for by Kilbarchan Smile in relation to a heritage garden project.
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6.4 Kilbarchan Smile have been increasing biodiversity, as well as improving the appearance and appeal of their village since 2016. The group has to date developed a Gateway Garden, where local school pupils and residents alike, visit to grow and tend to their own plants and vegetables. Kilbarchan Smile further care and maintain the local Old Library’s ‘Secret Garden’, as well as various planters and hanging baskets in and around the village. 6.5 Kilbarchan Smile are seeking to create a Heritage Garden on Ewing Street, as a focal point in the centre of the village, celebrating Kilbarchan’s rich history and local talent. The site, currently uneven and grassy, with overgrown vegetation and a tired bench, will be transformed into a fully accessible Heritage Garden. The Garden will present interpretation boards celebrating local talent, a relevant sculpture, new seating, heritage plants will be kept onsite which were traditionally used by local weavers to dye fabrics, and a new path laid to enable full accessibility. 6.6 A full public meeting was carried out in January 2024 to gauge local support. This continues to be followed up by regular Facebook updates by the group seeking ideas and contributions. Kilbarchan Smile posted a flier through resident’s doors living nearby, as well as presented the concept to local school children requesting their input. 6.7 Following engagement with the group around the project and funding required, it is recommended that £23,416 of funding is allocated from the Villages Investment Fund to support this project. 6.8 Subject to the recommendations being approved in the report, £167,799 of Villages Investment Funding would remain for future allocation. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – This paper recommends the allocation of £143,004 of funding from the Sustainable Communities Fund (£120,000 Capital and £23,004 Revenue). Section 6 also sets out recommendations to approve one application for £23,416 from the Villages Investment Fund. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none. 3. Community/Council Planning – the Fund set out in the paper 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. 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, for example in this round there are recommended awards to support disabled access and facilities in community venues, dedicated projects for older people, as well as a number of projects seeking to address poverty and socio-economic disadvantage faced within some local communities.
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8. Health and Safety – none. 9. Procurement – none. 10. Risk – none. 11. Privacy Impact – none. 12. COSLA Policy Position – none. 13. 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. 14. Childrens Rights – while there are no specific children’s rights implications associated with the recommendations for this round Sustainable Communities Fund, there are applications in the pipeline which seek to widen opportunities for children and young people to actively participate within their communities. Appendix 1: Summary of applications with Officers recommendations Appendix 2: Progress Report on Sustainable Communities Fund – Round 1 ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: Sustainable Communities Fund Guidance Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships
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TABLE A - RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments The New Tannahill Centre The purpose of this project is to secure expert support to work with existing projects operating from the Tannahill Centre - Community market, Senior’s lunch club and Ferguslie Growing area – enabling them to become self-sufficient and secure long-term sustainability. Intermediate £25,000 Approve partial award of £10,000 Note application deferred from previous round. A partial award of £10,000 is recommended. Funding to be used for specific training and capacity building activity detailed in the original application (£4,000) and a maximum of £6,000 to commission specialist support with the individual groups to produce short-term business plans and funding projections for their first year of operation as well as future development proposals (3-5 years). The panel noted the Council already fund specialist support for groups seeking to being constituted and develop charity / SCIO status – and will refer the
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organisation to Engage Renfrewshire or Invest in Renfrewshire Community Economic Development Team. Clydeside Orienteers The organisation is requesting funding for 2 new professional maps on Clyde Muirshiel and 2 new urban professional maps in Renfrewshire. Small £8,000 Approve 5th Paisley (Oldhall) Scout Group The purpose of the project is to help the group become net zero at the same time as reducing electricity costs and heating costs for the group. It will also allow the group to offer the hall during the day to other community groups and social services as running costs will reduce dramatically so assisting the local community Small £10,000 Approve RIG Arts Funding is requested for a feasibility study for the community to take over the space once funding ends in March. Small £9,623 Approve Note application deferred from previous round. The Star Project The principal aims of the project is to update the current outdated facilities as well as expanding into adjacent premises to increase space to create a more efficient, fully accessible and functional space that Large £100,000 Approve in principle It is noted that this is a significant capital project at an early stage, with a total estimated cost in the region of £1.7m. The panel noted that the application has a number of detailed supporting
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allows the centre to grow while continuing community activity and outreach. documents, including feasibility studies, drawings and plans, as well as a funding strategy in place. Due to the scale of the project, the officer panel recommends: • A Strategic Partnership Agreement should be developed with Star Project. • The Officer Panel recommends officers work alongside Star to align the schedule of works and release of funding, recognising further funding will be required to commence major capital works. Creating Sustainable Gryffe The purpose of the project is to encourage share and repair to help keep items in use longer and also to help the local community develop skills, such as mending, bike repair and small electrical repairs. Small £5,381.00 Approve TABLE B - RECOMMENDATION TO DEFER
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Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments Caledonia Bowling Club The purpose of the project is to improve the Club's internal and external facilities to provide a safe and inclusive environment for members (playing & social), wider community groups and visitors. Small £10,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note application deferred from previous round. Recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Friends of Barshaw Park The group have requested support from the Fund for a range of capital works as well as a project manager and contingency to maintain structural support of the wall and bring buildings back into use as workshops and venues for activities. Large £80,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note application deferred from previous round. Recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Thorn Athletic Community Trust Funding is sought to create a business plan, options appraisal and feasibility to RIBA 1 on how to create the most appropriate facilities and projects to meet local needs. Intermediate £24,840 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Paisley Model Yacht Club The project is requesting funds to procure a suitable stairway in wood or steel and its installation in the Clubhouse. Small £2,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Loud n Proud The purpose of the project is to provide 5 soundproof rooms that would cater for group and ensemble Large £80,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application.
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music, recording music, loud instruments such as brass, bag pipes and drums. This will increase the range and number of opportunities for local people to take part in music and it will increase revenue generation opportunities. Langbank Bowling Club The purpose of the project is to sustain Langbank Bowling Club by restoring the main brick retaining wall between the raised bowling green and Langbank Main Road. Small £3,500 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Fèis Phàislig The purpose of the project is to upgrade instrumental equipment to ensure high-quality learning experiences. Small £10,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Studio FV The purpose of the project is to deliver film production services and workshop training in the use of the mobile community cinema kit (which they are caretakers of) to 3 organisations in Renfrewshire delivering social activities to people facing isolation and health inequalities. Intermediate £23,485 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application. Houston Old School Trust Replacement of one of the Centre's gas central heating boilers. This boiler provides the heating for four Small £4,000 N/A- Deferred Application Note recommendation to defer to allow for further engagement and clarification on the application.
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of the rooms available for let and the hot water for the Kitchen. TABLE C - RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Funding Award Recommended Comments Dates N Mates Funding was requested to support a percentage of staff costs of Community Engagement and Events costs. Small £10,000 No award The application did not meet the core funding criteria as it focused on recurring revenue costs with no identified plan for sustainability. STEMRAN Limited The project seeks to provide 34 weeks SQA qualification course including prelims and cost for registering for the SQA exams; staffing access to eBooks of zeta maths textbook SQA exam registration per candidate; printed resources. Intermediate £25,000 No award The application did not meet the eligibility criteria for the fund as a private limited company. STEMRAN Limited This project would provide training and support for learning Numeracy at Home – Empowering Parents to Support Their Children’s Learning. Intermediate £13,000 No award The application did not meet the eligibility criteria for the fund as a private limited company.
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Appendix 2 - Progress Report on Round One Sustainable Communities Fund Awards August 2024 1. Summary 1.1 This report updates the Communities and Housing Policy Board on progress made by community groups and organisations in receipt of funding from the Sustainable Communities Fund. It provides updates for the Board on projects awarded in round 1 of the fund. 1.2 The key objective of the Sustainable Communities Fund is to strengthen work within communities to identify opportunities for land and assets within local areas to develop local projects which benefit those who live there – connecting people through regenerated local spaces and tackling inequality through community collaboration. 1.3 The Sustainable Communities Fund is an open funding call which comprises both capital and revenue funding and which will remain open until at least 31st March 2025 or until all funding is fully committed, with applications being evaluated on a quarterly basis, with submission deadlines for each evaluation clearly set out. 1.4 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Communities and Place portion of the Sustainable Communities Fund is made up of a clear split between capital and revenue funding; and has set amounts allocated over financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and will be allocated within these guidelines. 1.5 At its meeting on 16th January 2024 the Communities and Housing Policy Board agreed to allocate funding to 6 community organisations, totalling £213,406.00, of which £194,725 was allocated from the shared prosperity element of the funding available. This paper provides an update on some of the projects funded at that time. 2. Progress of successful projects 2.1 Friends of Howwood Park – Intermediate Award £25,000 2.1(a) Friends of Howwood Park were awarded £25,000 to complete the renovations of the pavilion in round 1 of the Sustainable Communities funding programme. The group also received £50,000 from the Community Empowerment Fund, which preceded the Sustainable Communities Fund. 2.1(b) The pavilion had been empty and unused for a period of 20 years. Through the Community Asset Transfer process, a 10-year lease was granted to the group in January 2024. Since then, the group have been working hard to secure a total of
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£118,290 from a range of funders, to see the renovations to completion, and have created a space for community use and a ‘park hub’ for local park users. 2.1 (c) The building itself has had an extensive transformation both externally and internally and hosts a moderate size multipurpose function room, a changing facility for amateur sports/football teams, which can also be used as a function room when not in use as a changing facility, a kitchen and servery window, which is anticipated to be used as a part time café a compliant disabled toilet with baby changing facilities and a separate WC. There is also a large amount of storage space within the facility. Old pavilion exterior New Exterior 2.1(d) The multi-purpose function room(s) have been designed to be used for a range of purposes, including hosting community group sessions, and are currently being utilised by local cubs and beavers’ groups and ‘moonology’ mindfulness sessions. A few birthday parties have already taken place, with the pavilion being used as a base and the park being used to host a range of outdoor activities. The pavilion will be hosting a parent and baby drop-in session on Tuesday mornings, starting in August 2024. The group have yet to advertise the facility to the community as the external ramp to allow wheelchair access is not yet complete but do anticipate a demand once they have a booking system in place. Multipurpose Rooms before After 2.1(e) Friends of Howwood Park hosted a tabletop toy sale at the Pavilion at the beginning of the summer, to showcase the newly refurbished building and engage with the wider community on what they would like to see the building used for. As a result, the group are in the process of looking into setting up a 'Lending Library'. This will be similar to the 'Share Shed', Share Shed – A Library of Things where they will buy items that people only use on occasion, such as gazebos, wallpaper strippers, power tools, tents and tables and people borrow them when needed. The items will be stored in the Pavilion, and this has been viewed as being a service that will be useful to the people of Howwood, saving them money and space in their own houses, and encouraging people not to buy things they don't need to.
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This is possible due to the great amount of storage space they now have at the Pavilion. Tabletop sale/open day 2.2 Inchinnan Development Trust – Intermediate Award £24,750 2.2(a) Inchinnan Development Trust received £24,725, in round 1 of the Sustainable Communities Fund to support development costs of proposals relating to provision of a synthetic pitch at India Tyres site. Funding was approved to support costs of site investigation works and one-off project management costs. 2.2(b) Through the Community Asset Transfer process, India tyres playing fields (ITPF) was transferred into community management (long lease option, 50 years) on 20th March 2024. 2.2(c) To date the group have completed their site investigation, topographical survey and drainage and utility survey. The sustainable communities fund was awarded to support these investigations, as without them the project would not have been able to go ahead. The group have not yet completed their developed detailed designs or technical designs for the site, but are in the process of arranging these, in partnership with MAC Consulting, who have developed an initial site layout. 2.2(d) The conceptual programme of work for ITPF regeneration has been well received by The National Lottery (TNL) community led fund and the fund have awarded the Trust £149k over 3 years (2024/25/26) for running costs to support the work of the Trust as a whole. 2.2(e) Although funds are not currently secured the Trust continues to work with SFA grassroots fund to secure funding for the various elements of the ITPF programme; - drainage solution for the whole site - synthetic sports pitch and 2 grass pitches all to SFA standard - toilet facilities - community growing grounds (no dig allotments) - network of pathways, creating access for all with seating and historical information boards - improved biodiversity for the whole site; wild flowers and native planting. 2.2(f) The funding received by the trust was pivotal in enabling them to secure the services of MAC Consulting and the trust say that:
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‘MAC Consulting continues to work with IDT staff to guide the regeneration project. Securing these professional services has been great for the project and has helped us to secure TNL funding as we are able to demonstrate the ability to ensure the project is planned, remains attainable/feasible and is properly executed. Malcolm’s support also allows the Trust to focus our capacity/own resource on consulting our community throughout the project and ensuring the project meets the needs/wants of our community while being in-line with the Trust’s environmental ambitions’. 2.3 Kustom Kruizers - Small Award £10,000 2.3(a) Kustom Kruizers received £10,000 in round 1 of the fund to run a 6-month community recycling programme. The workshops have entailed individuals bringing their own bike that requires repairs, or they have been given their own pre-owned bike and have used that to learn the process of bike maintenance. The sessions have covered the identification of problems, stripping down the bike, replacing worn components, and then customizing the bike. Community members have learned practical life skills, and they also now own a newly restored bicycle. This has allowed those without current access to a bike to participate in cycling which can form part of a healthy and active lifestyle. 2.3(b) Since April 2024 Kustom Kruizers have delivered 20 workshops to 20 families of 4. The booking list for these workshops is full until September 2024. As well as providing maintenance workshops to 20 families, Kustom Kruizers have also provided 20 young people with their own bike, free of charge. 2.3(c) The family workshops have been very well received; some parent/youth feedback is outlined below: ‘Brilliant session, Ollie and I both learned loads and had fun. Highly recommend this to anyone with kids who cycle’.
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2.4 Western Desert Recce Group (WDRG) – Large Award £125,000 2.4(a) The purpose of this project was to secure the building fabric of Whitehaugh Barracks from further deterioration caused by severe water penetration. External and internal areas of the building impacted by water ingress include areas identified as having High Heritage Significance i.e. Drill Hall and North-east corner of the Main building. This project was informed by the findings of a Condition Survey on Whitehaugh Barracks undertaken by LDN Architects, Narro Associates and Gardiner & Theobald in June 2023. 2.4(b) The group have begun clearing out the main building on the barracks site and are meeting with their architects on 22nd August to agree plans, which will ensure the fabric of the building is wind and watertight and will include the removal of internal walls in the drill hall. All the internal wood that has been removed and is still in reasonable condition is being recycled for use in other areas of the project. The group are in the process of procuring a building company to carry out the works in the main building, it is hoped that a contactor will be in place to allow the works to commence in the autumn of 2024. 2.4(c) The group are currently operating onsite and have moved all their equipment onsite, utilising the garage space until the work on the main building is completed. A range of WW1 & WW2 vehicles are currently onsite, and local people have been dropping by to chat with WDRG group members and explore the vehicles. 2.4(d) WDRG received £80,000 from the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) which has enabled them to carry out works within the garage space, which include installation of an alarm system and CCTV to both the garages and the main building. The group continue to have problems with attempted break ins to the property and hope that these measures will assist in mitigating this issue. The group have also erected perimeter fencing (chain link fencing with screens) which the neighbours to the rear of the property are very happy about, as it provides them with better privacy. A full rewiring of the garage is also being undertaken. 2.4(e) The group continue to build relations with surrounding neighbours of the barracks, and as a result have secured new local members and volunteering support from residents. Volunteers are working with the group to research the history of the Barracks and the site as well as WW1 and WW2 historical information. Volunteers are also providing practical groundwork support to clear all the overgrown foliage and weeds to bring the outdoor space back to ground level. A range of practical support is also being supplied by local volunteers, who are offering their trades to support the development of the site, such as painting and joinery work. Erskine Hospital Art Department have also offered to paint WW1 & WW2 murals on the garage shutters and the internal walls of the drill hall in the main building once the renovation works are completed.
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"I am in awe of the work that has been done so far in just three weeks since the mammoth logistical move from their old premises in Blantyre. There is nothing that phases this group and their diversity of skills is immense. I am looking forward to being part of it" Andy R, Local Resident " a fantastic group who have great ideas and the potential is huge, for not only history but the local community and looking forward to helping bring this site back in to use again” Colin, Local Resident 2.4(f) WDRG have also been in discussion with Paisley FM and Paisley Men’s Shed who are interested in utilising space in the building once the renovation works are completed. WDRG continue to work with local schools delivering talks on WW1 & WW2 to young people learning world and local history. 2.4(g) The group have erected signage to the fencing with contact information, so the local community can be in touch with them when they are off site. Further community engagement with residents is planned, to showcase what works have been completed to date and to find out more from residents what they’d like to see on the site. The engagement event will be in the form of an end of summer BBQ, planned for early September.