GRI CLLD Update Economy and Regeneration 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 Board On: 26 May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (GRI) Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an update on the completed delivery of the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (GRI) Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme for 2025/26. 1.2 The report also advises allocation of funding from the Scottish Government and the proposed approach for delivery for 2026/27, which has been agreed with the Local Action Group (LAG) and partner local authorities, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, to meet CLLD requirements. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: a) Note the offer from Scottish Government to award £237,886 to the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area for the delivery of the Community Led Local Development programme for 2026/27. b) Agree that Renfrewshire Council continues to act as Lead Partner and Accountable Body for the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area. c) Agree to the continuation of delegated authority to Head of Economy and Regeneration for the delivery of programme requirements. 3. Background: Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Programme 3.1 Scottish Government introduced the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Programme in 2023/24. The Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
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PUBLIC (GRI) programme covers the rural areas of Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, supporting community groups and organisations to deliver projects that provide local benefit and tackle challenges identified in the GRI LAG Community Led Vision (CLV). 3.2 A Local Action Group (LAG) comprising representatives from community council/groups, third sector, businesses, residents, the three local authorities and wider stakeholders develops the CLV actions and takes any funding decisions. 3.3 Roles and responsibilities are: • Scottish Government (Scottish Rural Network) are the Managing Authority and Paying Agency for the programme. • Renfrewshire Council act as Lead Partner and Accountable Body. • Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils are represented on the Local Action Group. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. CLLD Delivery 2025/26 4.1 Scottish Government provided funding of £233,225 to GRI LAG to deliver CLLD programme requirements to 31 March 2026. This was allocated as £100,000 (revenue) and £133,225 (capital). 4.2 GRI LAG decided to utilise the allocated funding through delivery of a Revenue Grants Scheme with funding of between £5000 - £10000 available for successful applicants. A Capital Grants Scheme was also available with funding of a minimum of £15,000 available for successful applicants. 4.3 Allocation of funds were agreed through a competitive application process. Eligibility to bid was open to any community led or business project which advances LAG and Scottish Government priorities and supports communities in the designated LAG areas. GRI LAG members, as well as Council officials from all three local authority areas, marketed the opportunities and liaised with a range of eligible local groups with a view to maximising expressions of interest, submissions and spend against available funds. Information was also made available on the GRI LAG website (www.grilag.com) 4.4 18 expressions of interest were received for GRI LAG support and all were invited to submit a full application. 10 applied for the revenue grants scheme with 8 receiving funding. 6 applied for the capital grants scheme with 4 receiving funding. A list of all successful projects is noted at Appendix 1.
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PUBLIC 4.5 Unsuccessful applications were rejected for a combination of reasons, including: a lack of detail in applications; unclear targets and outcomes; insufficient beneficiary numbers; doubts on the logistics of the suggested approach and / or ability to deliver in timescales required; lack of necessary permissions; and inadequate risk assessment. 4.6 GRI LAG also decided to utilise a small element of revenue funding underspend to support the production of a range of promotional videos and the purchase of a small amount of marketing collateral. These will be utilised to enhance awareness of the programme and available funding across GRI rural communities and to encourage more volunteers for the LAG. 4.7 A total of £222,540 (95%) of the potential grant allocation of £233,225 was spent in 2025/26 - an end of year underspend of £10,685 (5%). ___________________________________________________________________ 5. CLLD Delivery 2026 / 27 5.1 Scottish Government have offered funding of up to £237,886 to GRI LAG to deliver CLLD programme to 31 March 2026. This includes an allocation of £198,910 (revenue) and £38,976 (capital). 5.2 GRI LAG has decided to utilise the allocated funding through delivery of a Revenue Grants Scheme with funding of between £5000 - £15000 available for successful applicants. A Capital Grants Scheme is also available with funding of £5000 - £15,000 available for successful applicants. 5.3 Depending on the scale and nature of the submission applicants could request both revenue and capital funding, which could extend maximum grant up to £30,000. 5.4 LAG continuously considers how it can increase the range of organisations supported and how it can extend the added value gained from the funding. It has therefore been decided to encourage applicants to consider match funding to maximise the value for money and impact of the CLLD Fund. A lack of access to match funding will not be an automatic barrier to receiving funding. A level of match funding is suggested dependent on the total project value, as noted in the table below:
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PUBLIC Total Project Value Suggested Match Funding Suggested Match Funding Amount (Dependant on TOTAL Project Value) Potential CLLD Grant Request (Dependant on TOTAL Project Value) £5001 - £7,500 Up to 10% £1 - £750 £5,000 - £6,750 £7,501 – £10,000 20% £1,500 - £2,000 £6,001 - £8,000 £10,001 and above 30% £3,000 + £7,001 - £30,000 5.5. Allocation of funds will continue through a competitive application process. Eligibility to bid will remain open to any community led or business project which advances LAG and Scottish Government priorities and supports communities in the designated LAG areas. GRI LAG members, as well as Council officials from all three local authority areas, are marketing the opportunities and liaising with a range of eligible local groups with a view to maximising expressions of interest, submissions and spend against available funds. Information is also available on the GRI LAG website (www.grilag.com) 5.6 One notable change for delivery from 2026 / 27 will be the inclusion of Inchinnan within the GRI LAG boundary. The LAG requested this area be considered and Scottish Government colleagues recently confirmed their support as Inchinnan only has a population size of around 2000 so could be designated as ‘rural’ under the urban rural classification, which would make it eligible. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Future Reporting 6.1 It is proposed that a further update report(s) be provided to Board at a date(s) to be agreed. ________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – No additional finance is sought. Funding of £237,886 has been allocated by Scottish Government for the 2026/27 period. 2. HR & Organisational Development – Elements of 2 posts within Economic Development (amounting to 0.8 FTE equivalent) are currently financially supported through CLLD Funds. These posts will continue to be partially supported through this new funding allocation. 3. Community/Council Planning – Partnership working is essential to the success of the CLLD Programme. Economic Development colleagues from East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils and from the Renfrewshire LEP will be significantly involved in the planning and delivery of programme requirements. 4. Legal – None.
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PUBLIC 5. Property/Assets – None. 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 report. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk – None 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. COSLA Policy Position – Not Applicable. ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers Economy and Regeneration Board: 23 August 2023, 27 August 2024, 20 May 2025 and 26 August 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Michael Moran, Assistant Economic Development Manager Email: michael.moran@renfrewshire.gov.uk The foregoing background papers will be retained within Chief Executive’s Service For inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is Michael Moran, Assistant Economic Development Manager – michael.moran@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 – Projects supported and grant allocations 2025/26 REVENUE SPEND Total Award Actual spend Totnosh - Cooking on a Budget Community cooking classes delivered across the LAG area which offered a practical way to tackle multiple challenges from addressing child poverty issues to social isolation and food insecurity. 5,022.00 4,549.36 The Folks Music Project - Wee Chat Sessions 20 weekly “Wee Chat Sessions” at The Bank in Neilston on Sundays. Each session centred around live traditional music performed by local people, TFMP participants, volunteers, and young people, supported by community music facilitators. This provided a space for those at risk of social isolation with access to a warm space, hot food and entertainment. 5,590.00 5,521.97 LEAP - The Old Bank Project management costs for the development of a vibrant, multi-purpose community venue that will broaden income streams for LEAP Together projects but also foster community engagement, environmental sustainability, and local economic growth. 5,000.00 5,000.00 Craig Molloy CIC - Football for All Support for children’s football classes to continue indoors during the winter months bringing benefit to families from the rural areas at no extra cost. 2,215.00 2,215.00 Moving On Inverclyde - Assertive Outreach/Near Fatal Overdose Response Support for assertive outreach and near- fatal overdose response in rural Inverclyde. The funding enabled engagement with individuals at high risk of overdose or affected by substance use but who may not be actively seeking help due to isolation or stigma. 10,000.00 5,500.00 CVS Inverclyde - Putting Rural Volunteers on the Map This project promoted volunteering in rural Inverclyde and focussed on the employability benefits for young and unemployed people. The project included a mapping exercise which catalogued all available opportunities and surveyed the state of volunteering in rural communities, including barriers to involvement. 6,000.00 6,000.00 Inverkip Hub - Community Cinema Events Delivery of eight community-based cinemas from October 2025 to March 2026. The wider focus was on improving public services, promoting positive health and wellbeing and reducing isolation and loneliness. 6,000.00 5,982.73 Victim Support - Community Connect An outreach and volunteering programme delivered across the rural areas of East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde to benefit young people who are impacted by crime, with a particular focus on people living in poverty who are at a higher risk of victimisation and face greater barriers to access support. 5,000.00 3,315.31 TOTAL REVENUE COSTS 44,827.00 38,084.37
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PUBLIC CAPITAL SPEND Total Award Actual spend Lapwing Lodge - Solar Panels, Battery Storage & EV Charging Point Support towards the installation costs of solar panels and battery storage. The main outcome being to reduce the facilities carbon footprint and ensure a reliable power supply is always available. Additionally, the installation assists to keep the overall cost of energy low so costs to users can remain affordable. 44,941.76 44,941.76 LEAP - The Old Bank The physical development of the Old Bank in Lochwinnoch into a vibrant, multi- purpose community venue that will broaden income streams for LEAP Together projects but also foster community engagement, environmental sustainability, and local economic growth. 42,541.27 42,541.27 KLAS Care - Zero Waste Programme Support to erect a self-contained unit with industrial fridge and freezer to house an expanded community pantry. The facility provides food, clothing and household items free to community members and is open 7 days a week. 20,624.97 19,425.67 Lochwinnoch CDT - Lochhead Gardens Funding to support the build of a workspace and storage area that include toilets facilities. The main outcomes include the ability to attract more groups and visitors to use the space, increase volunteer numbers and enable greater flexibility in the time people can spend on site. 25,117.00 25,117.00 TOTAL CAPITAL COSTS 133,225.00 132,025.00