Building Communities, Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund CaH 07 03 23
Renfrewshire Council · 7 March 2023
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 7 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 7 March 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Communities and Housing Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Building Communities, Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report updates the Communities and Housing Policy Board on progress made in supporting communities including projects funded through the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment fund. It provides updates for the Board on projects awarded under delegated authority over the last 3 months; and on other work undertaken by the Building Communities service to support active and engaged communities. 1.2 The key objective of the Green Spaces and Villages Investment 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 character of village life. 1.3 The Villages Investment Fund is promoted to members of the relevant Local Partnerships to encourage eligible communities to come forward to bid for their share of the remaining funds. Review of Allocated Funding 1.4 As both funds draw to a close, smaller, grass roots community projects are prioritised over larger applications. Additionally, areas who have, to date, benefitted less from the fund, will be favoured if bidding in competition with a community who have benefitted significantly in previous funding applications. 1.5 Three projects have been approved under delegated authority since the last Board report and details are included in Appendix 1. Taking account of these three projects, and all awarded projects to date, £30,000 is currently unallocated in the Villages Investment Fund and £55,000 unallocated in the Green Spaces Fund. Where community projects being developed submit applications, remaining funds will be committed.
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Building Communities 1.6 This report further updates the Communities and Housing Policy Board on progress of Team Up to Clean Up and the recently launched Environmental Taskforce. It provides updates for the Board on key performance indicators, celebrates growing mutually beneficial relations with businesses and housing associations, and details the impacts the Taskforce is having in Renfrewshire to support active and engaged communities. 1.7 Further umbrella projects to be launched imminently are the Sustainable Food Premises Scheme, in partnership with Sweco and supported by Environmental Health, Amenities (Waste) and Economic Development. Team Up to Clean Up’s Green Dog Walking Scheme, and the Secondary School Bin Wrap project are under construction. Each of these projects will be delivered between April and September 2023. ________________________________________________________ 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 and deliver projects funded using the Greenspaces, Parks & Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund; (b) note the impact of the funding and the benefits to the wider communities delivered by the projects set out in section 4 of this report; (c) note the work currently being undertaken by the Environmental Taskforce to support communities in the efficient removal and investigation of flytipping; (d) note the work of the Taskforce creating partnerships with Housing Associations, and the education of private landowners; and (e) note the upcoming Team Up to Clean Up projects designed to address wide reaching, common community concerns including dog fouling, excess of plastic waste and school lunchtime litter. _________________________________________________________ 3. Summary of Green Spaces Applications under Construction 3.1 Renfrewshire Council has supported 90 community projects since October 2018 which have 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 or have only recently applied:
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Langbank Swingpark Regeneration Group – Outdoor Gym Kilbarchan Lilias Day Committee – Lilias Day Funding Inchinnan Development Trust – re-siting tools container nearer Teucheen Woods 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 Environmental Taskforce The Operational Team 3.4 The Environmental Taskforce consists of Community Support Officers as well as StreetScene Operatives, who undertake pro-active joint visits to investigate the source of flytipping. The Team examine evidence in bags and approach nearby residents and businesses, seeking potential witnesses. Officers further check CCTV to detect flytipping offences. 3.5 Three of the Taskforce’s newly appointed Community Support Officers were already members of the Team Up to Clean Up community, demonstrating an already established commitment for a cleaner Renfrewshire. The journey from Team Up to Clean Up member to employee demonstrates Renfrewshire’s commitment in advancing employability opportunities for volunteers. 3.6 StreetScene Operatives assigned to the Taskforce were already well known and trusted by the Facebook community, engaging with volunteers, and showcasing the removal of heavy flytipping from communities. The Operatives have continued this communication, encouraging activity, and updating volunteers on collected bags or removed flytipping.
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Mobile CCTV 3.7 A key focus of the Environmental Taskforce is to increase CCTV provision to deter and detect flytipping. 3.8 Cameras, already onsite, offer automatic number plate recognition, zoom high resolution images up to 150 metres, 360 view and stream to laptops and mobile phones. These have proven an effective as a deterrent in large open spaces prone to heavy flytipping from commercial organisations. 3.9 Relocation to alternative hotspot areas will take place in April as trends change in lighter evenings. 3.10 One camera is due to be fitted in early February to capture footage of littering on a motorway slip road. This camera will be relocated after 8-12 weeks to another slip road to detect littering. Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued to registered keepers for littering from their vehicle. 3.11 It has been established that a suite of cheaper cameras with a lower spec is also required for rural locations where no power source is available, further alternative cameras are required for small spaces in built up areas such as housing lock ups and garages. Discussions have taken place with suppliers, and solutions are being trialled. An appropriate solution will be available within 4-6 weeks. Communications 3.12 To successfully reduce flytipping, Corporate Communications ensure the work of the Taskforce, and their message that flytipping is unacceptable, has a broad reach across Renfrewshire. The Council’s Corporate Communications Team shone a light on the work of the Taskforce in February’s Council social media channels which was well received by the wider public (Appendix 2). The team further ensure a continuous focus on their work is offered though engagement on the Team Up to Clean Up group page. 3.13 The Taskforce have also been furnished with new calling cards raising awareness of the Service and encouraging potential witnesses to get in touch and report individuals responsible for flytipping near their home. These are particularly appropriate for flats. Environmental Taskforce - Joint working
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3.14 The Taskforce commenced their enforcement work from 1 December. From then, 16 Fixed Penalty Notices for flytipping have been issued. The Taskforce has further worked with 3 local landowners to remove flytipping on their land and install measures to prevent further instances, discussions are underway with another 2 landowners seeking similar outcomes. Successful Outcomes 3.15 At McDowall Street Park and Ride, Paisley, the landowner moved flytipping and erected fencing to prevent further instances. The Taskforce met with the landowner at Barbush Farm, Johnstone who arranged to uplift flytipping and is assessing the feasibility of a staggered gate at the road access point. Sustrans contacted Renfrewshire Council as a cyclist reported flytipping at the side of the Cycle Path, the land was owned by a nearby business who removed the waste (photos below). MacDowall Street, Park & Ride Barbush Farm Road, Linwood
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Rear of 75 Canal Street, Paisley 3.16 Links are being strengthened with local housing associations. The Taskforce met with Williamsburgh Housing Association to fully understand their role, limitations and expectations, and explain Renfrewshire Council’s role. Connections are also being made with Paisley Housing Association and Linstone Housing Association to encourage quick removal of flytipping on land owned by housing associations. The post below is promoted on Williamsburgh Housing’s Facebook page. 3.17 Two criminal investigations are currently underway targeting prolific fly- tippers. These are complicated matters and investigation is challenging with offenders exploiting legal loopholes. Gathering evidence is ongoing and data sharing protocols with Police Scotland and SEPA are being relied on to build solid cases. 3.18 Scotland’s Environmental & Wildlife Procurator Fiscal has been updated on the creation of the Taskforce and our role.
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3.19 The Taskforce has been fully operational since 1 December and have delivered some impressive results. Statistics showcasing the work of the team are contained within Appendix 1. Upcoming Team Up to Clean Up Projects Sustainable Food Business Scheme 3.20 Renfrewshire’s Sustainable Food Scheme will be launched early April 2023 in partnership with Sweco and supported by Environmental Health and Economic Development. Students from University of West Scotland (UWS) will work alongside the Environmental Taskforce to visit every hot food vendor in Renfrewshire to educate and encourage sustainable business practices, as well as reenforce the requirements of the single use plastics ban. The outcome will be the launch of a ratings Scheme in April 2023 enabling customers of take-aways access to information to allow them to select a more sustainable option. “Take the Lead” – Green Dog Walker Scheme 3.21 “Take the Lead”, a Campaign aimed at reducing dog fouling, will be launched in May 2023. Dog owners will be invited to sign a pledge agreeing to pick up after their dog, as well as offer a bag to any fellow dog walkers who may not have one. The Campaign is designed to celebrate good behaviours and raise awareness that dog fouling is not acceptable in communities. 3.22 Owners who sign up to the pledge will receive free materials to enable them to be identified (items currently under review). The launch will take place at a “Pooches in the Park” event in Barshaw Park organised by the Team Up to Clean Up Team. Nudge Techniques for Secondary Schools 3.23 As the schools break for Easter public litter bins, leading to secondary school pupils favourite lunch time take-aways, will be decorated with a brightly coloured wrap on 2 sides. Some wraps will have eyes on them, others the Team Up to Clean Up logo. 3.24 This will coincide with 2023’s Big Spring Clean and associated presentations delivered in schools as well as stencils highlighting “The Sea Starts Here” around nearby gulleys. 3.25 Increased provision of wrapped bins will be rotated around all secondary schools for 4-6 weeks to encourage positive behaviour in using bins. _________________________________________________________
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Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Council approved the allocation of £2.220 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. Council further approved £450,000 to establish the Taskforce in February 2022 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 – ICT are involved in relation to the installation of cameras 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 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 – Data Protection Impact Assessments have been completed as part of this process 12. COSLA Policy Position – Not Applicable 13. Climate Risk – Not Applicable _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Mary Crearie, Director of Communities and Public Protection.
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Appendix 1 Current Greenspace, Parks and Play Areas & Villages Investment Funding Project Funding proposed External Funding (or other Council funding) Friends of West Primary School Litterpicking Kits £2,259.30 n/a Kilbarchan Primary School Community Trim Trail £5,000 n/a Funding Allocated Budget Committed Budget Available Budget Potential Additional Projects Greenspace, Parks and Play Areas £1,280,000 £1,225,922 £54,078 £55,000 Village Investment Fund £740,000 £714,086 £30,174 £33,800 Staffing costs £220,000 £220,000 £0 - Total £2,240,000 £2,160,008 £84,252 £88,800