RC Community Benefits (Community Wealth Building) AM reviewed 26 05 26
Renfrewshire Council · 26 May 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 26 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 26th May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits (Community Wealth Building) 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an update on the Council’s community benefits programme and summarises economic development activity undertaken during financial year 2025/26 to maximise community added value from council contracted spend. 1.2 This paper summarises community benefit delivery over the year, highlights improvements in delivery and oversight arrangements, and sets out next steps to maximise future local impact through stronger forward planning and engagement with suppliers and communities. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Board members are asked to: • Note the activity undertaken to maximise community added value for local people, communities and organisations through the Council’s community benefits programme including the year-on-year increase in local delivery achieved; • Note that further updates on the Council’s community benefits programme will be reported to a future board. ___________________________________________________________________
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PUBLIC 3. Background 3.1. Community benefits are the method by which local communities and good causes can receive additional value from public spending and provides a means of achieving sustainability in public contracts. Renfrewshire Council mandates Community Benefits on regulated procurements above the threshold of £50k and has a forum of local delivery partners, led by the Economic Development team, in place to help suppliers to meet their community benefit requirements. 3.2. Community benefits typically include activities aligned to fair and inclusive employment, skills development, supply chain opportunities, community engagement and investment, and support for local organisations. Through these activities, community benefits contribute directly to improving outcomes for local people, strengthening communities and supporting local economic resilience. 3.3. The requirement to consider and deliver community benefits within procurement activity is underpinned by the Sustainable Procurement Duty set out in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. The Council continues to support this approach and recognises public procurement a core component of the Council’s Community Wealth Building (CWB) agenda. 3.4. The introduction of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 strengthens the statutory context for community benefits activity, placing new duties on local authorities to use their functions and spending power to retain wealth locally to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Act’s core priorities—fair and inclusive employment, increased local spend, social value in procurement, support for communities and third sector organisations, and stronger local supply chains—are all directly advanced through the Council’s community benefits programme. 3.5. In this context, the Economic Development team is well placed to lead on the delivery side of community benefits, using its central role in driving local economic growth and resilience, Economic Development coordinate delivery through the Invest in Renfrewshire employability service, business support team and community-led economic development services to maximise local outcomes and impact. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Community Benefits Outcomes Delivered in FY25/26 4.1. This section outlines the key community benefit outcomes delivered during FY25/26, covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. As community benefits are delivered on a rolling programme, these figures represent a snapshot in time and may change subject to reporting period and reporting criteria. 4.2. During FY25/26, a total of 260 community benefits were delivered across 66 council contracts, with 42 suppliers delivering added social, economic and community value to Renfrewshire residents, businesses and communities.
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PUBLIC 4.3. The benefits delivered during FY25/26: 4.4. The figures above represent community benefits that have been fully delivered within FY25/26. Some community benefit commitments are attached to longer- term contracts and capital projects and may be delivered over multiple financial years; as such, these may not yet be reflected in this reporting period. 4.5. Appendix A provides a range of case studies which illustrate some of the positive outcomes that have been realised for local people, communities and businesses from each type of community benefit noted in the figures above. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Comparison of Community Benefits Delivered: FY24/25 and FY25/26 5.1. The FY25/26 figures set out below are presented alongside the FY24/25 position reported to the Board on 26 August 2025, to provide a year-on-year comparison of delivery levels and local impact. Community Benefit Type FY24/25 FY25/26 Change New entrant jobs 13 21 +8 Graduate jobs 5 9 +4 Modern apprenticeships (completions)* 19 8 –11 Work experience placements 41 63 +22 Upskilling of workforce 10 21 +11 Workplace visits and careers events 32 65 +33 Local supply chain development opportunities 16 23 +7 Community engagement funding opportunities 25 30 +5 Community engagement (time, expertise, materials, equipment) 18 20 +2 Total benefits delivered 179 260 +81 (45%)
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PUBLIC 5.2. The figures demonstrate a significant increase in delivery across almost all categories of community benefit. In particular, substantial growth has been achieved in work experience placements, workforce upskilling, workplace visits and careers activity, and employment and graduate opportunities, indicating that more local people, businesses and community organisations are benefiting from council contracted spend. 5.3. The reduction in modern apprenticeship numbers reflects the fact that apprenticeships are delivered over a minimum one-year period and reported figures relate to completions rather than new starts. Completion figures will therefore fluctuate annually depending on contract timelines and individual learner progression and should be interpreted within this context 5.4. Overall, the delivery of 260 community benefits in FY25/26, compared to 179 in FY24/25, represents an increase of 81 benefits (45%), providing strong evidence that more local people, businesses and community organisations are benefiting from the Council’s community benefits programme. 5.5. This increase demonstrates that strengthened planning, monitoring and delivery of community benefit underpinned by additional Council resources are delivering clear, measurable gains for Renfrewshire communities. The resulting growth in employment, skills, business support and community-based activity shows how Council spend is being harnessed effectively to deliver tangible Community Wealth Building outcomes locally. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Next Steps 6.1. The year-ahead programme seeks to strengthen early market engagement and outcome-driven delivery, with a Lead Officers Group within Invest in Renfrewshire being established to embed the service as the Council’s central route for suppliers to shape local delivery. This approach will simplify access to local delivery pathways, proactively engage suppliers, and maximise the local impact of Council contracts for priority people, businesses and places across Renfrewshire. 6.2. Work is underway to strengthen the local delivery model for community benefit outcomes committed for FY26/27, ensuring forward planning that aligns delivery with local needs and priorities. A key enabler of this approach is the Cenefits system, with the Economic Development Service having invested in its re-contracting for a further three years to strengthen data, monitoring and forecasting capability. 6.3. Economic Development recognises the importance of demonstrating the real difference community benefits make, not just the volume of activity delivered. Further development of the Cenefits system will support the capture of qualitative evidence alongside quantitative data, enabling members to better understand how community benefits are driving meaningful change and improving outcomes for people, businesses and communities across Renfrewshire.
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PUBLIC 6.4. Building on this, work is progressing to strengthen how impact and reach are evidenced alongside activity, improving visibility of who benefits from community benefits, where delivery takes place, and how this contributes to positive outcomes. This will support clearer assurance to members that benefits are being delivered equitably and in line with local priorities, particularly for priority places and groups. To further support this approach, a proposal is being developed to introduce a community benefits portal, enabling suppliers to transparently access local community and third-sector support needs, strengthening the Council’s role as an anchor institution and supporting more effective collaboration to deliver Community Wealth Building outcomes. 6.5. Building on existing partnership working, the Council’s Economic Development and Procurement teams will work closely together to develop and deliver a targeted engagement strategy that strengthens and simplifies local messaging. This will increase awareness and understanding of procurement and community benefit opportunities among local people, businesses, and community and third sector organisations, and ensure a consistent, coordinated approach to promoting tender opportunities and maximising local benefit from Council contract delivery. 6.6. Further reports on Community Benefits, as part of the Council’s approach to Community Wealth Building, will be brought back to Board at a future date. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – There are no implications to note 2. HR & Organisational Development – There are no implications 3. Community/Council Planning – CWB is mentioned across the current council plan, procurement strategy and community learning and development plan. 4. Legal- The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 became legislation on 26th March 2026. A ministerial statement and policy guidance are expected to follow over the coming 18 months. 5. Property/Assets- There are no new implications however, land and assets are a key theme of CWB with a particular focus on community asset transfer and the inclusion of a CWB provision within the National Planning Framework (NPF4) published in 2024. 6. Information Technology – There are no implications 7. Equality & Human Rights- There are no implications 8. Health & Safety- There are no implications
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PUBLIC 9. Procurement - There are no new implications however, procurement and the tracking of the public pound and social value achieved through local spend are a key focus of the spending pillar of CWB. 10. Risk- There are no implications 11. Privacy Impact- There are no implications 12. COSLA Policy Position- COSLA strongly supports the concept of Community Wealth Building (CWB), advocating for its implementation across Scotland through legislation and collaborative efforts with local authorities, businesses, third sector organisations, and communities to ensure wealth generated within communities is redistributed and benefits local residents; essentially seeing local government as a key "anchor institution" to drive CWB initiatives. 13. Climate Risk - There are no implications 14. Children’s Rights - There are no implications _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers • “Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits (Community Wealth Building)”; Economy and Regeneration Board, 26th August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Morag Doig, Community Wealth Building Coordinator, Renfrewshire Council Email: morag.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY OVERVIEW SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY As part of their Community Benefit commitment IOPT Limited supported some of Renfrewshire’s local community groups and social enterprises by paying for them to receive Emergency First Aid Training. IOPT worked with Renfrewshire’s Community Benefit Forum to identify 12 different groups, including organisations such as Rays of Hope, PACE Theatre Company and Pachedu who put forward members to receive this training. These organisations are essential pillars of our local community, that bring people together and provide meaningful services- supporting them to gain this qualification allows them to continue to do so. When asked about what impact the training would have for their organisations attendees said that the training would allow them to confidently handle any incidents that occur, allowing them to identify what emergency kit they needed to have, update their policies, and give them the skills needed to handle any emergency. The community groups and community benefit forum members such as ENGAGE Renfrewshire then worked together to establish the need to have a defibrillator installed in their local community. This could provide a lifesaving intervention for those suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest, with faster action increasing the survival rates. As part of their Community Benefits IOPT purchased a defibrillator with plans to install it in Rays of Hope, where it can serve the local community should the need ever arise. These Community Benefits could have potentially life changing benefits for those who received the training and for the local community group. Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits 25/26 Appendix A
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Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits 25/26 SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT As part of their Community Benefit commitment with Renfrewshire Council many suppliers -including Morrisons Construction, Allander Security, Fleming Builds- complete different school engagement projects. These projects (supported by the Community Benefit Forum) are unique to every supplier, with suppliers utilising their own skills, sectors and experiences to shape different opportunities for local primary and secondary school children with a key focus on career development. Recently suppliers have been: Bringing students out for site visits Hosting CV and interview writing workshops Delivering skills workshops to students who may want to work in their industry As shown in the pictures above, the pupils involved love getting to experience all these opportunities.
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Local resident John’s employability journey began when he engaged with the Invest in Renfrewshire team during his time at HMP Low Moss. After his release in late 2024, he continued to work with his advisor, working hard to build a professional CV and complete his essential online construction training. To ensure he was site-ready, he was supported through his journey to receive both his CSCS and COTS cards and achieved perfect attendance on the YES personal development programme. Having put in the hard work John met with the McTaggart Constructions Community Benefit Manager who offered him a two-week work experience placement with subcontractor Tough Construction, stating that Johns ‘honesty, resilience and eagerness made an immediate impression’. During his placement, John didn't just show up; he stood out. His punctuality and "get-it- done" attitude were so evident that his squad leader offered him a full-time permanent role by the end of his first week. John is now working full time in sustained employment, offering him financial stability and renewed optimism. John’s experience is the perfect example what hard work and the right support can achieve. His welcoming attitude towards the support from Invest in Renfrewshire played a key role in the success of his employability journey. Johns’ advisor said that he had ‘been brilliant to work with, willing to learn and progress and make a go of it. It has been great to see him enjoy the fact he has qualifications and securing employment in his chosen field’ McTaggart Constructions commitment and dedication to fulfilling their Community Benefit obligation as part of their housing contract with Renfrewshire Council was essential is securing this life changing opportunity. *The benefit recipients name has been changed for the purpose of this case study. Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits 25/26 SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL PEOPLE SECURING WORK FOR A LOCAL UNEMPLOYED PERSON
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SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT Renfrewshire Council Community Benefits 25/26 OVERVIEW Renfrewshire council work with many suppliers dedicated to fulfilling their Community Benefit commitments. These suppliers deliver real tangible benefits to people and organisations in Renfrewshire, working hard to give to back to our local community and make an impact. One of these suppliers has been Kensa Contracting Limited who, as part of their recent housing contract with Renfrewshire Council, have delivered a number of excellent Community Benefits. As well as delivering other community benefits Kensa engaged with Renfrewshire Councils Community Benefit Forum to identify local groups and social enterprises delivering important services to the local community and of those, donated £1000 to five different ones. LOCAL BENEFITS Kensa donated £1000 to Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC). Who are a local social enterprise specialising in the production of signs for road, rail and infrastructure projects. They provide employment to military veterans as well as to those with disabilities, with over 80% of their manufacturing team being veterans from the armed forces, or an individual with a physical or mental disability or both. They also provide nationally recognised training and qualifications with ongoing development opportunities. This money is going towards SBMCs costs of running their accreditation centre. It will allow them to support some of their new veterans to complete the qualifications they have been working towards and help them identify further development opportunities. It will help SBMC to continue offering life‑changing opportunities and maintain financial sustainability during a challenging period. A further £1000 was also donated to the Renfrewshire Community Transport (RCT). This project provides affordable, reliable minibus access to local community groups, helping vulnerable residents of all ages reach essential services, activities, and childcare. Kensa’s donation will support their pilot of a locally managed community fleet, enabling more groups to benefit from low‑cost transport and improving long‑term sustainability, including the introduction of an electric minibus to reduce emissions and expand capacity. Additionally, Kensa made a £1000 financial donation to Lochwinnoch Community Larder. This is a rural, community‑led food project supporting nearly 2,000 members with dignified access to surplus food. Their donation will help fund essential accessibility adaptations to the Pantry and Community Fridge, enabling wheelchair users to enter independently and make their own food choices. These improvements will ensure the space is fully inclusive while also creating additional room for more food and household items for all members. Quality Radio Enterprise was also donated £1000 from Kensa Contracting. Quality Radio Enterprise is a community broadcasting service supporting around 180,000 Renfrewshire residents by providing health, mental‑health, and wellbeing information through volunteer‑led radio programmes. The donation will be used to purchase a new Multiplex Digital broadcast system, replacing ageing equipment and securing the sustainability of their service for at least eight more years. This upgrade will help them continue delivering trusted advice, expand volunteer opportunities, and strengthen the positive community impact their broadcasts have on connection, confidence, and wellbeing. Finally, Kensa donated £1000 to Eadha Enterprises who are an environmental charity that engages communities in tree planting, habitat restoration, and biodiversity projects, supported by its specialist native plant nursery. They have committed to using the financial donation to transport, install, and connect a donated office-and-storage container, which will transform their operations by expanding workspace, improving volunteer facilities, and enabling staff to work on-site. This development will significantly increase their production capacity, volunteer engagement, and overall organisational impact.