GRI CLLD Update Economy and Regeneration - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 21 January 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 21 January 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Board On: 21 January 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ 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 delivery of the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (GRI) Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme for 2024/25. 1.2 The report outlines an offer of additional Tranche 2 funding of £93,247.87 from Scottish Government. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: a) Note the offer from Scottish Government to award additional Tranche 2 funding of £93,247.87 to the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area for the delivery of the Community Led Local Development programme for 2024/25. b) Agree that Renfrewshire Council as lead partner and accountable body for the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area accepts the offer. c) Agree to the continuation of delegated authority to Head of Economy and Development for the delivery of specific programme requirements.
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3. Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Programme 3.1 Scottish Government introduced the CLLD Programme in 2023/24. The Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (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 Local Action Group 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 2024 / 25 4.1 Scottish Government confirmed an initial tranche of funding of up to £150,347.90 to GRI LAG to deliver CLLD programme requirements to 31 March 2025. This comprised up to £68,550.61(capital) and £81,797.28 (revenue). 4.2 GRI LAG decided to utilise the allocated funding through delivery of a revenue grants scheme with funding of between £5,000 - £10,000 available for successful applicants. A capital grants scheme is also available with funding of between £10,000 - £25,000 available for successful applicants. 4.3 Allocation of funds was 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. 4.4 Following a rigorous application process the LAG agreed to award funding to 8 local organisations. This comprised 6 awards for revenue funding totalling £33,188 and 4 awards for capital funding totalling £55,352. Two projects funded consisted of split capital and revenue budgets. 4.5 A full list of awards is noted at Appendix 1 to this report ___________________________________________________________________
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5. Trance 2 Funding Award 5.1 Scottish Government have now offered additional Tranche 2 funding of £93,247.87 to the GRI area to enhance delivery of the CLLD programme for 2024/25. This further award can only be utilised for revenue purposes. 5.2 This raises total funding for CLLD for Greater Renfrewshire for 24/25 to £243,595.76 5.3 LAG members are reviewing, with the support of officers, the options for how to best utilise this additional funding. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Future Reporting 6.1 It is proposed that a further update report(s) will be provided to Policy Board at a future date. _________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – No additional finance is sought. Additional funding of £93,247.87 has been allocated by Scottish Government for the 2024/25 period. 2. HR & Organisational Development – 2 posts within Economic Development (amount to 0.6 FTE equivalent) are financially supported until end March 2025 through an eligible allowance from tranche 1 CLLD Funds. 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. 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.
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11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk – None 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. COSLA Policy Position – Not Applicable. ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers 23 August 2023– Economy and Regeneration Policy Board; GRI CLLD Update Report 27 August 2024 - – Economy and Regeneration Policy Board; GRI CLLD Update Report ___________________________________________________________________ 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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Appendix 1 – Projects supported and grant allocations 2024/25 Revenue projects These were available for projects requiring LAG funding between £5,000 - £10,000. Project Description LAG funding The Folks Music Project - Winter Warmers 18 weekly Winter Warmer events to be held at The Bank in Neilston on Sundays between 3pm-5pm. Events will consist of: traditional music 'jam sessions' with local musicians. The aim is to isolation and loneliness. £4,075 Financial Fitness - Eradicating Child Poverty Delivering a targeted financial advice service for families in rural Inverclyde aimed at reducing child poverty. £7,564 Inverkip Hub - Community Lunches 11 community lunch events from October 2024 to February 2025 that target Inverkip and Wemyss Bay residents, to reduce isolation and loneliness. £7,000 Johnstone & Area Community Transport CIC - Kilbarchan Community Bus Recruit an additional bus driver to improve the service delivery for Kilbarchan residents and residents from surrounding rural areas. £10,000 Friends of Howwood Park – Share Shed To support the creation of a lending service for single or limited use items for residents of Howwood to hire. Items such as wallpaper strippers, hedge trimmers, electric drills etc. £2,254 Ardgowan Thistle Football Club – Project Thistle The Project will provide Ardgowan Thistle the ability to gain the equipment required to safely and effectively run a community led football club, whilst seeking to increase its member participation. £2,295 Capital projects These were available for capital projects requiring LAG funding between £10,000 and £25,000. Project Description LAG funding Lapwing Lodge – Phase 1 East & West Corridors To help reduce heating costs this project will support the installation of lower ceilings in the corridors of both wings with insulated panels and associated electrical work. £15,000 32nd Greenock Scouts – Activity Centre For All To support the conversion of a second hall within a partly renovated building, for groups to meet and take part in activity to complement our indoor climbing wall and outdoor archery area. £25,000
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Ardgowan Thistle Football Club – Project Thistle The Project will provide Ardgowan Thistle the ability to gain the equipment required to safely and effectively run a community led football club, whilst seeking to increase its member participation. £11,661 Friends of Howwood Park – Share Shed To support the creation of a lending service for single or limited use items for residents of Howwood to hire. Items such as wallpaper strippers, hedge trimmers, electric drills etc. £3,691.00