Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 25 August 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 25 August 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, 25 August 2026 10:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, Councillor Stephen Burns, Councillor Graeme Clark, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor Andy Steel Chair Councillor Steel, Convener, presided. In Attendance A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development, E Shearer, Senior Manager for Regeneration & Place, R Cooper, Economic Development Manager and M Moran, Assistant Economic Development Manager (all Chief Executive’s); and V Howie, Finance Business Partner, D Low, Democratic Services & Elections Manager, J Barron, Senior Committee Services Officer and C Mulrooney, Committee 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. Apology Councillor Mullin.
Page 2
Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to commencement of the meeting. 1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2026/27 as at 19 June 2026 There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Resources as at 19 June 2026. DECIDED: (a) That the projected revenue outturn underspend position of £0.102 million be noted; (b) That the projected capital outturn break-even position be noted; and (c) That the budget adjustments detailed at section 6 of the report be noted. 2 Business Gateway Renfrewshire 2025/26 Overview There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an update on the performance and activities of Renfrewshire Council’s Business Gateway service during 2025/26 and its contribution to supporting entrepreneurship, business growth and inclusive economic development across Renfrewshire. DECIDED: That the content of the report on Business Gateway Renfrewshire's performance in 2025/26 be noted. 3 Renfrewshire Employment Trends and “Get Britain Working” Opportunities There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an overview of employment and unemployment trends, highlighting issues for Renfrewshire and new programmes of support to potentially help mitigate some of the issues. DECIDED: (a) That the data and information relating to the current employment trends in Renfrewshire be noted; (b) That it be agreed that the Council pursue all relevant and appropriate funding opportunities to support greater employment participation in the area; and (c) That the intention to bring the issue of reducing employment levels and long- term health to a future meeting of this Policy Board be noted.
Page 3
4 Employability Services End of Year Report 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the end of year report and general update on the delivery of Renfrewshire Council’s employability services, including an overview of 2025/26 delivery, client breakdown and performance; and plans for September 2026 Renfrewshire Employability Month. DECIDED: (a) That the end of year report for the performance and delivery of employability services in 2025/26 including 100% grant claims across both UK and Scottish Government funding allocations be noted; and (b) That the plans for Employability Month in Renfrewshire for September 2026 be noted. 5 NOLB Grant Extension: Parental Travel Initiative Under reference to item 7 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 26 May 2026, there was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an additional grant award for the Renfrewshire area to support parental travel for 2026/27 employability clients. DECIDED: (a) That the acceptance of additional grant for parental travel for 2026/27 be noted; and (b) That the planned use of the funds as outlined in the report be noted. 6 Renfrewshire Legacy Business Recognition There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the establishment of a Renfrewshire Legacy Business Award, a civic recognition scheme celebrating businesses that had traded continuously for 100 years or more and continued to make significant contributions to Renfrewshire. The report proposed that the Provost host a civic reception to recognise and celebrate these businesses to showcase their role in the area’s economic and social development. DECIDED: (a) That the establishment of the Renfrewshire Legacy Business Award, celebrating businesses that had traded continuously for 100 years or more and continued to contribute to Renfrewshire’s economy, communities and identity, be agreed; (b) That the proposed implementation approach, including development of a legacy business register, a civic reception for recognised businesses in the current financial year and planned launch of the 2026 Renfrewshire Economy Conference be agreed;
Page 4
(c) That the strategic contribution the Renfrewshire Legacy Business Award scheme could make in strengthening place identity, celebrating business heritage and supporting wider economic development and business engagement activity across Renfrewshire be recognised and supported; and (d) That authority be delegated to the Head of Economy & Development, in conjunction with the Provost, to finalise the eligibility criteria, operating arrangements and promotional activity required to implement the initiative. 7 Regeneration Update 2026 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an update on progress in delivering key regeneration projects across Renfrewshire during the current year; an update on external funding; and an outline of the programmes currently being developed for 2026/27. The Senior Manager for Regeneration & Place advised that the Stage 1 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund 2027/28 application detailed in the report submitted by Inchinnan Development Trust had been withdrawn. DECIDED: (a) That, once confirmed by Glasgow City Region Cabinet, the capital grant funding of £2,628,000 from the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund be accepted; (b) That, once confirmed, the proposed allocation of spend of the Local Growth Fund be approved; (c) That the Stage 1 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund 2027/28 applications, which had been submitted to the Scottish Government, be noted, except the application from Inchinnan Development Trust which had been withdrawn; and (d) That the progress and continuing actions to deliver projects from the range of regeneration funds identified in the report be noted. 8 DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire Update There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to an update on progress delivered with the DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire for 2025/26 and confirmed continued delivery of the programme into 2026/27. DECIDED: That the content of the report and the continuation of funding into 2026/27 be noted.