Community Facilities - 1m Budget Allocation
Renfrewshire Council · 27 May 2026
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 27 May 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 27 May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Facilities - £1m Budget Allocation ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 At the Council meeting on 27 February 2025, £0.800m was allocated to improving community facilities across Renfrewshire. 1.2 The wording of the funding allocation stated: “Council has committed to the aims of the strategic property review and has long recognised that the size and condition of our current property estate demands significant maintenance obligations. Council also recognises the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act in empowering communities through the ownership or control of land and buildings. In support of both these objectives, Council commits £0.800 million to invest in council properties where this investment could be an enabler for increased community ownership of assets currently owned or controlled by the Council, such as through a community asset transfer request. Further detail on the operation of this scheme will be the subject of a report to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board.” 1.3 Further to the above, at the Council meeting on 26 February 2026, a further £0.2m was allocated to sports pavilions and was outlined as follows: “Council has previously committed £800,000 to invest in council properties where this investment could be an enabler for increased community ownership of assets currently owned or controlled by the Council. Sports pavilions have been identified as an area where some are underutilised by communities and sports teams due to issues of condition and general appearance. Council therefore allocates an additional £200,000 to invest in sports pavilions which are in active use and require attention.”
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PUBLIC 1.4 In particular, and as detailed in the budget allocations above, the preference is for the funding allocation to be used as an enabler to upgrade Renfrewshire Council owned buildings to a standard that would assist/support a community in taking them on e.g. CAT and reduce the financial burden on the Council. 1.5 The objective above is aligned to a key objective in the Strategic Property Programme and draft Property Asset Management Strategy in that the asset would remain for the community, however, the Council would not be investing in the building going forward, either through staffing costs (cleaning/caretaking) or in the maintenance of the building (compliance, repairs or lifecycle maintenance). 1.6 In relation to CAT, Officers will look for a clear plan and commitment towards the process e.g. validation of an application, however, Officers may also allocate funds where required for essential repairs to other community buildings assessed as being needed within the community as part of the Strategic Property Programme. 1.7 Whilst funding may be committed after the validation of an application, the works will not be carried out until the CAT has been approved at the Community Asset Transfer Sub-Committee. 1.8 Officers would take proposals for discussion to the closely aligned Grants Officer Panel (Officer led Group) which would allow cross services scrutiny and governance before an update was provided to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board. This would also align the process with the Connected Communities programme. 1.9 Over the last 4 years, the Council has approved 14 asset transfer requests, 9 of which have been for full transfer of ownership and 5 have been long-term leases. 7 of the 14 approved transfer requests assets have concluded i.e. ownership has transferred or leases finalised. A further 12 assets are subject to submitted expressions of interest and formal CAT requests at various stages of completion. 1.10 It should be noted that the fund will not act as a grant fund where organisations/groups bid for funding. As the properties in scope are Council buildings, Officers will recommend investment based on need e.g. condition survey as detailed in Section 4. Works will be arranged and undertaken by Renfrewshire Council and their approved contractors where required or overseen by Renfrewshire Council. 1.11 In relation to pavilions, Officers have been reviewing the condition and need for works in certain pavilions across Renfrewshire that are currently in use. This could include works to make a pavilion more attractive for CAT transfer or to bring back to a standard more than wind and watertight. Initial costs for pavilions show that substantial costs may be required and therefore, consideration will be given to additional funding via lifecycle maintenance if deemed appropriate.
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PUBLIC 1.12 To date, £0.140m of the fund has been committed to projects as detailed further in Section 3.6. 1.13 This paper outlines the principles, criteria and rationale for the allocation of both the £0.800m for community facilities and the £0.200m for pavilions. Due to some of the works that may require to be done (including resources, procurement, building warrants, design elements), and the time for a CAT to progress, funding has been carried over into the 2026/27 financial year to allow completion of both processes and may carry on into further financial years to ensure best value is obtained. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the principles, criteria and rationale for the allocation of the funding as detailed below in Sections 3; 2.2 Notes the work undertaken to date by colleagues in Regeneration, the Officers CAT panel and the Community Asset Transfer Sub Committee to move Renfrewshire Council buildings into community ownership under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 2.3 Approves the governance model in relation to Officers discussing and agreeing at the Grants Officer Group and a future report being brought to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board. _________________________________________________________ 3. Funding Principles and criteria 3.1 The following principles have been outlined for the targeting of the funding available to improve properties through this budget allocation: There is a commitment to the CAT process with those having a full validated application being given priority for the funding. Whilst Grants Officer Panel will discuss early in the process and potentially commit to works, Council will not carry out works until the CAT is approved at the Community Asset Transfer Sub-Committee. Conditions surveys should drive investment (wherever possible) and work should align with properties that have been reviewed and targeted as part of the Strategic Property Programme. As the fund will look to undertake capital works, a maximum of £0.150m will be allocated to a single building to allow improvements.
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PUBLIC To ensure that the fund is manageable and minimise small works, there will be a lower limit between £20,000 up to the £150,000 maximum for capital works. This funding could be used as match funding (wherever possible) or investment to help lever external funding. 3.2 Projects could be identified at any time; however, the most likely avenue is via active discussions with the Programme Manager – Community Asset Transfer and Regeneration and Sustainable Communities Fund. 3.3 In determining a process for targeting the fund, as detailed in 1.4, the preference is for the funding allocation to be used as an enabler to upgrade Renfrewshire Council owned buildings to a standard that would assist/support a community in taking them on e.g. CAT and reduce the financial burden on the Council. To support this, consideration will be given the stage/gateway that the project/CAT application is at in the process as detailed below in 3.5. 3.4 Each facility identified will be assessed on their own merit. To assist with the potential for CAT, this fund could assist with work being undertaking that may lead to validation and approval of the CAT. Other works such as condition surveys, building improvement works and obtaining industry expertise to progress towards CAT would be considered for allocation from this fund. 3.5 The following gateways have been identified in the CAT process and where funding could be allocated to a group/project: 1. No registered enquiry or interest – other routes should be considered e.g. disposal or demolition. 2. One or more enquiries or expression of interest received for an asset, this is unlikely to be successful at this stage due to being too early in the process and not developed enough. 3. Asset transfer application is currently being developed – investment from the fund could help increase chances of success. This would be discussed at Grants Officer Panel and may lead to investment. 4. A full application has been received and validated. This is the preferred routes for upgrades to properties as it minimises the risks of failure and increases chances of completion of CAT. 5. Asset transfer has already been approved at CAT Sub-Committee – this would not be considered for this fund, unless previously agreed by Grants Officer Panel or relatively new CAT.
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PUBLIC Compliance, Repairs and Maintenance 3.6 It is noted that not all public buildings will be suitable for CAT and community groups may not wish to take them on. However, some of this fund may be used in relation to compliance, repairs, maintenance and upgrades to maximise the use for the communities. This may also include funding for demolition to maximise the use of the land. 3.7 In relation to this fund, £0.140m has already been allocated/committed to the following buildings for minor upgrades and works: Lochwinnoch Annexe Howwood Village Hall Glenburn Resource Centre Beechwood Community Centre 3.8 Officers will continue to assess if there are other buildings in the portfolio that would benefit from improvements whilst not necessarily progressing towards CAT. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Community Asset Transfer (CAT) 4.1 Over the last 4 years, the Council has approved 14 asset transfer requests, 9 of which have been for full transfer of ownership and 5 have been long-term leases. 7 of the 14 approved transfer requests assets have concluded i.e. ownership has transferred or leases finalised. A further 12 assets are subject to submitted expressions of interest and formal CAT requests at various stages of completion. Beyond these, there are numerous enquiries and informal interest, particularly in football pitches and pavilions but also in a few key buildings where investment may act as leverage to formalise a CAT interest. 4.2 A full list of assets where there is current and/or potential CAT interest is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Next Steps 5.1 Officers from the relevant services and associated governance groups (Grants Officer Panel) will review current applications/interest and assess which buildings may benefit the most from the fund. 5.2 For these buildings, a review of the Condition Surveys or the procurement of up-to-date surveys will be undertaken to assess the upgrades that are essential to allow improvements and facilitate a CAT. 5.3 Discussions will also take place with relevant Community Groups to upgrade certain facilities for community use that are not moving towards CAT as detailed in Section 3.6.
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PUBLIC 5.4 A future report on the use of the funding and the outcomes of the funding allocation, will be brought back to this Board in due course. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – There is £1m allocated for improvements to community facilities/pavilions and this resides with Finance and Resources until allocated to projects. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – Place – Working with groups to increase the community ownership of buildings will hopefully lead to facilities meeting the on-going needs of the community. 4. Legal – As detailed within the report. 5. Property/Assets – This paper outlines the allocation of grant funding, and this will lead to improved facilities across Renfrewshire. Should facilities go through a CAT, this will reduce the Renfrewshire Council public building portfolio. 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) 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. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact - N/A 12. Climate Risk – By reducing the Renfrewshire Council Public Building portfolio will reduce the Council carbon emissions and buildings requiring to work towards Net Zero.
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PUBLIC 13. Children’s Rights - N/A 14. COSLA Policy Position - N/A __________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers - N/A __________________________________________________________________ Author: Chris Dalrymple, Head of Facilities and Property Services chris.dalrymple@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 Assets with Current/Potential CAT Status Former Longcroft Children’s Home Ralston Community Sports Centre Hunterhill Community Centre St Ninian’s Church Hall Beechwood Community Centre Barshaw Park Toilet Block Falcon Day Centre Durrockstock Pavilion & Playing Fields Lochfield Pavilion and Playing Fields Glenpatrick Pavilion Viewfield Park and Pavilion Inchinnan Pavilion & Playing Fields Bridge of Weir Pavilion West End Community Centre, Underwood Road Barwood Park & Pavilion, Erskine McMaster Sports Centre, Johnstone Brediland Community Centre Craigielea House The Annexe, Lochwinnoch Johnstone Bowling Club Potential for CAT Interest to be developed Former Police Station, Renfrew Ralston Community Centre & Library Non-CAT disposal Kirklandneuk Community Centre Robertson Park Admin Block Shanks Park Bothy Bishopton Pavilion & Playing Fields Bridgewater Sports Centre Robertson Park Bowling Club Elderslie Village Hall Foxbar Community Centre Glenburn Community Centre Gallowhill Community Centre Steeple Hall Foxbar Rivers Community Centre Former Gallowhill Housing Office Clyde Muirshiel Visitor Centre Moredun Playing Fields