Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 20 May 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 20 May 2025 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Economy and Regeneration Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 20 May 2025 10:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Stephen Burns, Councillor Michelle Campbell, Councillor Graeme Clark, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Neill Graham, Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Janis McDonald, Councillor Jamie McGuire, 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 and Place, R Cooper, Economic Development Manager, M Moran, Assistant Economic Development Manager (Funding, Contracts & Commercial Development), C Begg, Economic Regeneration Officer and H Stephen, Information, Communication and Policy Assistant Officer (all Chief Executive’s); and V Howie, Finance Business Partner, R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and J Barron, 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 Alison Ann-Dowling.
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Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to commencement of the meeting. 1 Scottish Government Employability Grant Award 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the funding allocation from the Scottish Government under the banner of No One Left Behind to support all- age employability services in Renfrewshire for 2025/26. DECIDED: (a) That the acceptance by the Director of Finance & Resources of Scottish Government Employability Grant Award for 2025/26 of £2,566,526, under the banner of No One Left Behind, be noted; and (b) That it be noted that that data would be submitted to the next meeting of this Policy Board indicating the nature and types of employment attained by disabled people following the provision of the employability support available as a result of the employability grant award. 2 Renfrewshire Economy Conference 2025 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Economy Conference to be held on 18 June 2025 to which elected members were invited to attend. DECIDED: That the report and invitation to attend the Conference be noted. 3 Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill which was anticipated to become an Act during the spring of 2026. The report provided a brief overview of the provision of the Bill and detailed the duties for specified public bodies, including local authorities. DECIDED: (a) That the introduction of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill and the future actions required by Renfrewshire Council be noted; and (b) That it be noted that further updates on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill and Council actions would be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board.
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4 Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Grant Award 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive which provided an update on the 2025/26 offer of grant from the Scottish Government to allow delivery of the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (GRI) Community Led Local Development (CLLD). DECIDED: (a) That the grant offer from the Scottish Government to award £175,086.63 to the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area for the delivery of the Community Led Local Development programme for 2025/26 be noted; (b) That it be agreed that Renfrewshire Council continue to act as Lead Partner and Accountable Body for the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area for this programme; and (c) That the Policy Board agree to the continuation of delegated authority to the Head of Economy & Development for the delivery of programme requirements. 5 Modern Apprenticeship Programme Contract Award 2025/26 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to progress made during 2024/25 in terms of Renfrewshire Council’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme and confirmed the contract award for continued delivery of the programme into 2025/26. DECIDED: That the report and continuation of the Modern Apprenticeship Programme contract from Skills Development Scotland into 2025/26 be noted. 6 Cornerstones Project, Lochwinnoch There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to funding applications being developed for “Cornerstones: Revitalising Lochwinnoch’s Historical Axes” an area-based scheme which sought to help regenerate the centre of Lochwinnoch by investing in its built heritage and promoting the history of the village. DECIDED: That the Head of Economy & Development be authorised to submit applications to Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme and National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10 million Fund in respect of the Cornerstones project. 7 Investment criteria for Renfrewshire Town Centre Regeneration Fund There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Town Centre Regeneration Fund. The report advised that £0.5 million had been allocated at the budget meeting of the Council held on 27 February 2025, to establish the Fund to help unlock further regeneration in town centres, specifically targeting projects where the redevelopment of significant local buildings or sites had stalled.
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DECIDED: That the investment criteria for the £0.5 million grant funding aimed at town centre regeneration be approved.