CaHS Community Funding March 2026 final
Renfrewshire Council · 10 March 2026
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 10 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL ___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 10th March 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 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. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Board:
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OFFICIAL • 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. 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. 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. 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.
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OFFICIAL 4.3 A cross service officer panel met in January 2026 to assess applications against the refreshed guidance. 4.4 In summary the panel recommends that the following applications are approved: • Award £8,800 to Renfrew Development Trust to develop a Business Plan for the Community Asset Transfer of Longcroft Cottages, Renfrew. • Award £9,500 to Paisley West and Central Community Council for a feasibility study and community engagement activity to support the development of a community garden on Lady Lane, Paisley. 4.6 The application from Ferguslie Development Trust seeking capital costs for the refurbishment of the St Ninian’s Church Hall remains deferred, further to the decision of the CAT Sub-Committee to decline the Community Asset Transfer in January. 4.7 The Sustainable Communities Fund currently has £272,886 of funding available for future allocation (£103,384 capital and £169,502 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 Since the last Communities and Housing Board, there has been one small application currently being considered under delegated authority, and no further applications have been received to this fund during the period. 5.4 £151,269 remains available to support future applications made through the Villages Investment Fund, which is broadly split 60% capital 40%
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OFFICIAL revenue. This does not include the recommendations detailed within this report. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None 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. 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 ___________________________________________________________________
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OFFICIAL List of Background Papers: Sustainable Communities Fund Guidance Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships
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OFFICIAL Appendix 1– Sustainable Communities Fund APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD Name of organisation Project description Tier Grant Application Amount Recommended Award Comments Renfrew Development Trust Business Plan for Longcroft Cottages CAT RDT aims to secure a Community Asset Transfer of a currently derelict and unused building to transform it into a vibrant community hub. The revitalised space will provide accessible facilities and services for the benefit of the local community, including rooms for hire, public toilets, a base for the Men’s Shed, a tuck shop or café, tool hire, and outdoor community space. Funding has been secured to undertake a structural/condition survey and feasibility. This application to the Sustainable Communities Fund is to build on this work and to develop a full business case to support the asset transfer request. Funding will enable the group to secure the services of a professional consultant to support the business plan process. RDT are currently developing a local place plan which is due to be submitted by March 2026. Small £8,800 £8,800 The Panel noted the total project cost of £17,800 with the group having secured £5,000 from the Local Partnership and contributing £3,000 from their own unrestricted funds.
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OFFICIAL Paisley West and Central Community Council Lady Lane Community Garden PWCCC are seeking an asset transfer by means of a long lease for the vacant site on the corner of Lady Lane/Argle Street, Paisley. This application seeks funding for a feasibility study and community engagement activity to inform the asset transfer application. The ambition is to create a community garden to improve the site at Lady Lane/Argyle Street. The site has lain vacant for a number of years and is a target for fly tipping and anti-social behaviour. Initial identified in the Paisley West End Area Development Framework in 2009, the proposal has developed momentum in recent months and has been inspired by informal conversations between local residents of Argyle Street, Lady Lane and surrounding streets. The Community Council will support, oversee and monitor the project. The next stage is to engage more widely and to test the concepts for the improvement of the site so that the views of the local community can shape the outputs of the feasibility study. The items requested for funding in this application, namely the feasibility study and at least one on-site community engagement open day/event will allow the Project Group to develop a business plan and apply for capital costs to deliver the project and address long-term maintenance of the site. Small £9,500 £9,500
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OFFICIAL