CaHS Community Funding Final
Renfrewshire Council · 19 August 2025
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 19 August 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 19th August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ 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 over the winter period, and formally approved by the Leadership Board on 19 February 2025. Applications for both funds have since 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. The next update to board will also include an update on some of the projects that have been funded through projects supported through these funding routes. 2. Recommendations
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2.1 It is recommended that members of the Board: Approve the recommendations detailed in Sections 4 and 5 and summarised in Appendix 1 and 2 of this report, in relation to applications received to the Sustainable Communities Fund and 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 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. 3.2 On 19 February 2025, revised guidance for both the Sustainable Communities Fund and Villages Investment Fund was approved by the Leadership Board, and the funds were then reopened for applications, following the temporary pause that was introduced whilst the guidance was being reviewed. 3.3 Initial feedback from the reviewed guidance indicates that it provides more clarity for applicants when applying, and officers when assessing applications. Feedback has been received about the flexibility of the new guidance, particularly relating to groups seeking to make multiple applications to the fund over its life. Officers will continue to assess the effectiveness of the revised guidance, reviewing this after one year of operation. 3.4 The officer panel met during June and July 2025 to consider applications in relation to both the Sustainable Communities Fund and Villages Investment Fund with key recommendations set out in Sections 4 and 5 of this report. The officer panel now meets on a monthly basis. 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
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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 June and July 2024 to assess 3 applications against the refreshed guidance. 4.4 In summary the panel recommends that: Approve an award of £33,100 to Linwood War Memorial Group to develop the community gardens of the memorial space. This award will allow the Linwood War Memorial Group to develop the community gardens of the memorial space. The funding award will allow them to clear all the fly tipping waste from the site and complete a grounds condition survey. The funding will also support the removal of dead and dying trees along with overgrown ivy, which are currently restricting the ecological potential of the area. This clearance work will enable the group to begin redeveloping the site with a focus on improving biodiversity, allowing native species to re-establish and will enhance the overall environmental value of the community garden space. This project will establish the first community garden in Linwood, providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive space for residents. A dedicated wildlife area will enhance local biodiversity and support educational use, particularly horticulture and ecology lessons, delivered in partnership with the group’s ecologist and involving all schools in the area. Extensive community engagement has been carried out with local schools and community groups. Each school will have an allocated growing space
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within the gardens, and students will contribute to the design of the Obelisk and entrance archway through a schools’ competition. Improvement works will be delivered by local contractors, supporting the local economy. Contractors and suppliers will also be encouraged to offer knowledge exchange and work placement opportunities for schools and community groups. The group have been very successful in developing a range of partnerships which are supporting the development of the project. The group have been successful with their own fundraising efforts accruing approximately £70k, with £32k of work secured in-kind. The group have also secured many sponsors for various aspects of the project, which will contribute to the overall costs of the delivery of the project. 4.5 It is further recommended that: the application from the Life Church be deferred to allow for further exploration of alternative funding streams, specifically town centre funding recently allocated through the Council’s budget earlier in 2025. the application from Friends of Barshaw Park be deferred to allow for further development of the proposal to take account of recent report from a structural engineer. 4.6 The Sustainable Communities Fund currently has £450,877 of funding available for future allocation (£300,380 capital and £150,497 revenue). This does not include the recommendations detailed within this report. A small number of applications are in the pipeline for review by the officer panel, and recommendations will be brought to board as we move forward. 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
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5.3 Seven applications have been considered by the officer panel since the last Board in May 2025. In summary the panel recommends that the following awards are approved: Approve an award of £25,000 to the Houston Old School Trust for improvements to the Carrick Centre (£25,000) The Trust is seeking to ensure the Carrick Centre’s appeal to local groups, organisations and clubs continues by offering access to warm, welcoming spaces for their many community projects. The Trust will install a range of physical improvements to the building to improve energy efficiency as identified in recommendations from a recent carbon baseline report. These will be focussed in the two rooms most heavily used by the community to improve usage and experience of the spaces. Approve an award of £4,150 to Howwood Community Council for new local trail notice boards and planters Approve an award of £5,000 to Inchinnan Community Council for the final phase of their Christmas lights project Approve an award of £3,000 to Bishopton Community Development Trust to facilitate the dredging of Holmpark culvert Approve a partial award of £1,600 to Kilbarchan Community Council to install a further two defibrillators in Kilbarchan 5.4 It is further recommended that the application from LEAP is deferred to allow for further information to be gathered on the proposal, and the application from Inchinnan Development Trust for the removal of trees is not awarded. 5.5 During this funding cycle one further application has been approved through the delegated authority process. Inchinnan Development Trust received £2,000 to pay legal fees incurred through the transfer of land to the Trust at the old Beardmore Cottages site in the village. 5.6 £240,955 remains available to support future applications made through the Villages Investment Fund, which is broadly split 60% capital 40% revenue. This does not include the recommendations detailed within this report. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – the paper sets out recommendations relating to funding awards within the body of the report and at Appendix 1.
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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. 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. 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. 15. 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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Appendix 1 – Sustainable Communities Fund APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Linwood War Memorial Group The Linwood War Memorial Group aims to create a living memorial space to the 142 people from Linwood who gave their lives in war and conflict. The group are applying for money to develop the gardens of the memorial space. The gardens will provide a safe and relaxing space to visit – there are no community gardens in Linwood. The wildlife area will provide a safe, accessible space for school use for the purposes of horticulture and ecology lessons, while improving the biodiversity of the area. The community will benefit from improving an area of neglect, derelict since 1966 and used for fly- tipping. It is overgrown and unsafe. The group are seeking to contract to local businesses to benefit the local economy and their supply chain will be asked to support local schools and community groups through sharing knowledge and providing opportunities such as work placements. Large £33,100 £33,100 APPLICATIONS DEFERRED
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Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended award Comments Life Church The Lighthouse Project aims to transform the 1929-30 Henry Wilson Art Deco building at Paisley Cross, Paisley, Scotland, into a vibrant community hub featuring a café and public worship space. The funding sought from the Sustainable Communities focus on repairs to roofing of this historic town centre building and making it wind and watertight. This will enable Phase 1 of the project, which will deliver a vibrant, accessible community café and meeting space on the ground floor. The benefact fund have written a letter of support for the project and suggest that they will match the £100k investment from the Council. The organisation also raised the funds themselves to purchase the Henry Wilson Art Deco building. Large £100,000 Defer It is noted that the group have been working with officers to provide all relevant information about this project. It is recommended this application is deferred in order to explore the potential of Town Centre Regeneration Funding to support this project. Friends of Barshaw Park The aim of the Garden Wall Project is to restore the yard behind the historic Walled Garden, ensuring the structural integrity of the wall and repurposing the space for meaningful use. The restored yard and buildings will create a vibrant, accessible space linked to the Walled Garden and Barshaw Park. Improved facilities will cater to diverse physical needs, fostering Large £49,945.80 Defer It is noted that officers have been working alongside the group on this project as it continues to develop. A structural engineer has reviewed the site, and this has now given the Group
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inclusivity and encouraging exploration. The Project is a response to clear and practical needs, rooted in volunteer and visitor feedback, as well as the structural requirements of the garden. The total project cost is estimated at around £150,000, the group have broken it down into more manageable phases. Phase one is focused purely on securing and making the buildings watertight, as well as ensuring the perimeter of the site is safe. The long-term goal is a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) for permanent community ownership. This will empower locals to shape its future, ensure sustainability, and unlock funding opportunities for continued development. a steer on what needs done with regards to structure of buildings. It is recommended that this application is deferred to allow for further consideration of the implications of this work. Appendix 2 – Villages Improvement Fund APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Houston Old School Trust (trading as The Carrick Centre) Carrick Centre Essential Maintenance The Trust seeking to replace the windows of the listed building in these rooms used by local community groups and organisations. Large £25,000 £25,000, subject to appropriate planning consents The premises is a B listed building, and although improvements are internal it is recommended that the group engage with
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The Trust will install a range of physical improvements to the building to improve energy efficiency as identified in a recent carbon baseline report. These will be focussed in the two rooms most heavily used by the community to improve usage and experience of the spaces. It is noted that the group have raised funds from other sources to contribute to this project. planning regarding any relevant consents. For this reason, the award is subject to engagement with planning. Howwood Community Council Replacement Wayfinding Board and Planter Project The community notice board outside Howwood Village Hall details local scenic walks in and around the village as well as the popular link to Semple Trail and National Cycle Route 7. The Notice Board was damaged by Storm Eowyn earlier in the year. The group are seeking to replace this as well as install 2 large planters onsite to increase the appeal of the area. Local volunteers will maintain the planters, ensuring they are attractive and welcoming for visitors to the Village Hall. Small £4,150 £4,150 Inchinnan Community Council Christmas Lights Inchinnan CC received funding in 2024 for Phase 1 of their Christmas Lights project. The village lights were very well received however it was agreed a second phase would bring into line Inchinnan’s offering with other villages. Small £5,000 £5,000 It was noted IDT have had the relevant discussions with Environment, Housing and Infrastructure who have approved the installation.
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Bishopton Community Development Trust Dredging of Holmpark Culvert The Trust seek to lower the depth of the silt to facilitate flow to the new culvert under the community centre carpark. This will improve the drainage, lowering the water table on Churchill Drive and Castle Crescent as well as present a more available Holm Park field for use by the community. The Trust arranged for the installation of the new culvert as a first step to these improvements. Small £3,000 £3,000 Kilbarchan Community Council Village Defibrillator Project The Community Council have identified 3 areas across Kilbarchan to offer a good chance of supply where demand for a defibrillator is required. The Community Council will promote the areas the equipment is installed to ensure local people are aware and know how to use them. This will offer residents a greater sense of safety. Small £3,800 £1,600 It was noted that there are already a number of defibrillators within Kilbarchan. It is proposed that a partial award is made to support installation of an additional two defibrillators. APPLICATIONS DEFERRED Name of organisation Name of organisation Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended award Comments LEAP The Old Bank – Community Hub, Charity Shop & Events Space LEAP is seeking to creating a multi-use hub in the centre of their village. The purpose is to educate and advance environmental protection and Large £25,000 Defer It is recommended this application is deferred for further information from the group.
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sustainable practices, develop a thriving community though development and address mental health. The hub will generate an ongoing income for the group through launching a charity shop for furniture/clothes, offering a space for hire for local makers and workshops where local makers can also sell produce. This will also incorporate an online shop. LEAP will also hire out their event equipment, rent the kitchen to local vendors, and hire the halls . APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED NOT TO APPROVE Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended award Comments Inchinnan Development Trust Removal of trees IDT secured a Community Asset Transfer of the Teucheen Woods in 2021. A number of trees within the woodland, notably on the boundary area between newly constructed homes, were wilfully poisoned in 2023 and require to be removed. £7,650 Medium No award The panel considered this application not a fit with the criteria of the fund.
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