Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund CHAP 07 06 22
Renfrewshire Council · 7 June 2022
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 7 June 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 7 June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Communities and Housing Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report updates the Communities and Housing Policy Board on progress made in supporting community projects through the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment fund and provides information on 4 projects approved under delegated authority since the last Board Meeting totalling £13,423.10. 1.2 The key objective in allocating funding is to work with, and support, community groups to identify and deliver improvement projects in their local communities, improve their local greenspaces (including parks and play areas) and strengthen the identity, heritage, uniqueness and integrity of village life. 1.3 The Villages Investment Fund continues to be promoted to the relevant Local Area Partnerships to encourage eligible communities to come forward to bid for their share of the remaining funds. Support for two village Gala days was approved under delegated authority in this cycle. The Villages Improvement Fund still has a reasonable level of unallocated resources having received a further allocation of £200,000 agreed at Council in March 2022. 1.4 In addition, a further 2 Green Spaces projects have also been approved under delegated authority, totalling £9,223.10. Further information on each of the projects funded under delegated authority is included in Appendix 1 to this report. 1.5 Since the last report, the installation of 2 new play parks at Sandyflats, Johnstone and Barwood in Erskine has been completed. The installation of Spateston’s park is currently underway, with installation of parks at Maxwellton and Kilbarchan both planned for June and Lochwinnoch’s installation due to take place in August.
Page 2
1.6 The funding awarded from Green Spaces to support local volunteers has so far seen twenty-five of the most active or willing Team Up to Clean Up volunteers being provided with quality tools and protective clothing to support their activities. Further work is underway with Estates, Risk Management, Environment & Infrastructure and Health and Safety, to ensure processes are in place to permit relevant ground works to be taken forward where requested. 1.7 Resource to deliver the priorities of both the Green Spaces and Team up to Clean Up projects has increased as a result of Public Protections merge with Community Learning and Development. In addition to this, the service has now advertised for 6 new team members to tackle environmental crime with litter and flytipping ongoing priorities within Renfrewshire communities – in line with the budget motion agreed by Council in March 2022. 1.8 The increase in resource will allow additional support to be provided to schools encouraging pupils to engage and deliver their own supported community and environmental projects. A recent visit from HMIE (Her Majesty’s Inspector for Education) examining the impact of the pandemic on community capacity development highlighted the positive impact of both Team Up to Clean Up and the Greenspaces funding as best practice in community capacity building with the inspectors also impressed by the strength of partnership working made possible by the new joined up service structure. 1.9 A further 5 projects are currently being developed by communities across Renfrewshire. Decisions will be required to identify successful applications in due course as the Greenspaces Fund is now almost fully committed. Priority will go to areas which have not yet received awards. The current funding position is detailed in Appendix 2. ________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: (a) note the work currently being undertaken to support communities as they develop projects to be funded using the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund; (b) note the projects detailed in appendix 1 of this report and approved by the Director of Communities and Housing under delegated authority; and (c) note that the current projects being developed by communities and listed in Section 3 will (when final applications are made) fully commit the Green Spaces, Parks and Play areas element of the fund. _________________________________________________________
Page 3
3. Expected Applications 3.1 Renfrewshire Council has supported 73 projects since October 2018 that met the criteria for this fund. Further projects continue to be developed within communities with the following potential applicants currently active and expected to apply: Howwood Parent Council – Multi-use Games Area in school Elderslie Community Council – Phase 3 Queens Road Park Improvements Howwood Road Tenants & Residents Association – tables, benches and planters The Darkwood Crew – Teen Shelter Knockhill Park – extension to pathway to support local runners 3.2 Reports will be brought back for the consideration of the Board in relation to these projects at future meetings of the Communities and Housing Policy Board. 3.3 In this round, 4 applications have been approved which meet the criteria for approval of grant funding. More information on these projects is detailed in the summary included in appendix 1 to this report. _________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Council approved the allocation of £2.020 million to establish the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Parks and Villages Investment Fund in March 2018. Due to the capital works being undertaken, Officers are ensuring that there are minimal recurring revenue costs to Services in the coming years. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – The Greenspaces, Parks & Play Parks and Village Investment Fund will be important to achieving and assisting the Community Plan by ensuring that Renfrewshire is thriving, well, fair and safe for residents, workers and visitors. 4. Legal - All legislative requirements will be taken cognisance of during this process wherever required e.g. health and safety requirements. 5. Property/Assets - There is the potential for property/assets to be included as part of this fund. 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the
Page 4
report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - Cognisance will be taken of health and safety requirements wherever required e.g. for play park equipment. 9. Procurement - There is no potential for the Council to be procuring and installing equipment of behalf of a community group as part of this grant funding process. 10. Risk - Discussions with the Council Risk Manager are on-going to ensure that the risk to the Council, as part of this grant funding process, is minimised. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. COSLA Policy Position – Not Applicable 13. Climate Risk – Not Applicable _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Oliver Reid, Head of Communities and Public Protection.
Page 5
Appendix 1 June 2022 Applications – Delegated Authority Applicant Project Description Requested Recommendation Reason Geographical Area 1. Bridge of Weir Festival Committee This local gala day has been a longstanding event in the BoW community. Funding will pay for the provision of onsite first aid staff, portable toilets, piper, children’s entertainer and a birds of prey show, as well as temporary parking measures required to facilitate vehicle access to the park. £2,500 Approved under delegated authority The Villages Investment Fund is designed to support the villages deliver such traditions, harnessing pride and village identity, Bridge of Weir 2. Lilias Day Committee A traditional annual event in the Kilbarchan villages calendar. Funds will support onsite entertainment, football markings, bunting/decorations as well as onsite toilet provision. £1,700 Approved under delegated authority The Villages Investment Fund is designed to support the villages deliver such traditions, harnessing pride and village identity Kilbarchan 3. Create Paisley Create is an active group supporting young people delivering activism work focusing on bullying, discrimination, and mental health and wellbeing. The group have commissioned an artist and alongside the artist they will design and paint a fitting mural on a boundary wall within Fountain Gardens. Funds received will pay for the artist, a gazebo, paints and refreshments. £4,250 Approved under delegated authority The young people of Create have successfully delivered a mural in the Shortroods area of Paisley. They partner with the Star Project which deal with similar issues. The mural should increase the appeal of Fountain Gardens. Paisley 4. Pachedu PACHEDU is a charity working with diverse minority ethnic groups, refuges and asylum seekers. The have an interest in growing foods that are appropriate to their own cultures. The seek to teach and feed their community as well as reconnect with nature and learn new skills. Pachedu have partnered with RAMH. £4,973.10 Approved under delegated authority Together with RAMH the group will benefit in a range of areas. Education, health and wellbeing and integrating into their local communities. Paisley
Page 6
Appendix 2 Greenspace, Parks and Play Areas Funding Project Funding proposed External Funding (or other Council funding) Bridge of Weir Gala £2,500 n/a Lilias Day Gala £1,700 n/a Fountain Gardens Mural £4,250 n/a Growing Grounds/RAMH £4,973.10 n/a Funding Allocated Budget Committed Budget Unallocated Budget Value of Potential Additional Projects Greenspace, Parks and Play Areas £1,280,000 £1,228,872 £51,128 £35,000 Village Investment Fund £520,000 £424,625 £95,375 £40,000 Staffing costs £220,000 £220,000 - - Total £2,020,000 £1,873,497 146,503 £75,000