Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 17 March 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 17 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Minute of Meeting Economy and Regeneration Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 17 March 2026 10:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, Councillor Stephen Burns, Councillor Michelle Campbell, Councillor Graeme Clark, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Neill Graham, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Sam Mullin, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor Andy Steel Chair Councillor Steel, Convener, presided. In Attendance A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development, B Walker, Programme Director (City Deal & Infrastructure), C Begg, Economic Regeneration Officer, R Cooper, Economic Development Manager, M Doig, Community Wealth Building Co-ordinator, S Inrig, Programme Manager – Community Asset Transfer & Regeneration and E Shearer, Senior Manager for Regeneration & Place (all Chief Executive’s); and V Howie, Finance Business Partner, R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and D Cunningham, Committee & Licensing Services Officer (all Finance & Resources). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to commencement of the meeting.
Page 2
1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2025/26 as at 9 January 2026 There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April 2025 to 9 January 2026. DECIDED: (a) That the projected revenue outturn underspend position of £0.067m be noted; and (b) That the projected capital outturn break-even position be noted. Sederunt Councillor N Graham joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business. 2 Local Growth Fund There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the Local Growth Fund, which provided an outline of the funding allocated to Renfrewshire for 2026/27 and confirmed savings and financial support would be required through Invest in Renfrewshire to mitigate the cuts in funds from the previous UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations. DECIDED: (a) That the proposed allocation of revenue funds (Local Growth Funds) to Renfrewshire Council for 2026/27 from the Glasgow City Region allocation be noted; (b) That the expectation be noted that this would be the only year where revenue funds would be allocated to local authorities and in future years Local Growth Fund would be held at the Regional Level; (c) That it be noted that capital funds (Local Growth Fund) would be held at Glasgow City Region level with further guidance pending; (d) That the reduction in funds from the previous UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations be noted; and (e) That the additional funding to be provided through Invest in Renfrewshire be agreed.
Page 3
3 Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill, which outlined the key provisions of the Bill, what it meant in practice, the steps that would follow and how it linked to ongoing work across Renfrewshire to support good jobs, stronger local business and more investment in local communities. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill had been passed by Parliament and would shortly proceed to Royal Assent; and (b) That the key duties that would apply to local authorities and Community Wealth Building anchor partner organisations once the legislation came into force be noted. 4 Steeple Buildings Kilbarchan – Update There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the proposed refurbishment and potential reuse of the Steeple Buildings in Kilbarchan. The report provided an update on recently completed essential repairs and progress on a further phase of repairs to facilitate the building being brought back into use. The Convener indicated that, as funding had been secured to progress with the procurement of the Phase 2 repairs programme, recommendation 2.1(ii) as detailed in the report required to be amended by the deletion of the words “if sufficient funding can be secured”. This was noted and agreed unanimously. DECIDED: (a) That the report be noted; and (b) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to progress with the procurement of the Phase 2 repairs programme. 5 Historic Graveyards - Tourism Update There was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the progress made in respect of the motion agreed at the meeting of the Council held on 28 April 2022 to review Renfrewshire’s historic graveyards and their future tourism potential. It was noted that the relevant officers would explore the potential for organising a walking tour of historic graveyards as part of the Halloween Festival and report the findings back to a future meeting of this Policy Board. DECIDED: (a) That the work undertaken and progress to date be noted; (b) That it be agreed that officers explore the potential of creating a digital and physical resource providing information on key historic graveyards in Renfrewshire
Page 4
and for organising a walking tour of historic graveyards as part of the Halloween Festival; and (c) That it be noted that updates would be submitted to future meetings of this Policy Board as appropriate. 6 Historic Buildings in Villages Grants Scheme - Update Under reference to item 2 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 27 August 2024 there was submitted an update report by the Chief Executive relative to the Historic Buildings in Villages Grant scheme. The report advised that two complementary grant schemes, available across the 11 Renfrewshire villages, had been launched in November 2023 as a first round of funding, with a second round launched during May 2025. Details of the funding sources were provided, together with a summary of the application process and a synopsis of the volume and geographical spread of applications. DECIDED: (a) That the progress to date in respect of the number of enquiries and applications received for the scheme be noted; (b) That, should any of the current allocation remain unspent, a third round of the scheme be approved; and (c) That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to seek sources of funding for future rounds of the scheme. 7 Paisley Centre Redevelopment Under reference to item 4 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 4 November 2025 the Head of Economy & Development provided a verbal update relative to the proposed redevelopment of the Paisley Centre, outlining the current situation and responsibilities, factors impacting the project and next steps, during which it was indicated that a detailed analysis and evaluation of the financial viability of the current proposals would be submitted to the next meeting of this Policy Board and that potential alternative options and/or proposals would be provided in the event the report was not able to recommend the Council’s involvement in the current proposals. DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.