Resident Research
Renfrewshire Council · 3 December 2025
Back to Leadership Board — 3 December 2025 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: Leadership Board On: 03 December 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Resident Research ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Council undertook research with Renfrewshire residents in summer 2025 to measure residents’ views on council services and help inform future decision making. 1.2 This paper summarises the purpose of this research, the methodology used, and the key findings. 1.3 An update on the Consultation and Engagement Policy approved at board in February this year is also provided. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are requested to: • note the contents of the report including the key findings and the evaluation report in the appendices. • note the research findings will be used by the Council and community planning partners alongside other community and citizen engagement feedback and insight to inform future strategies and plans, including the development of budget proposals. • note an action plan linked to learnings and future consultation and engagement activities will be reported to Leadership Board in February 2026 as part of the Corporate Improvement Plan progress report. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Aligned with the Council’s ongoing programme of self-assessment to learn and improve, it was agreed a Resident Research survey should be undertaken to highlight our ongoing commitment to improving our dialogue with residents. This also
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PUBLIC aligns with the new Consultation and Engagement Policy which was approved by members at Leadership Board in February 2025. 3.2 The purpose of the resident research exercise was to: • measure perceptions of and satisfaction with Council services • inform planning and decision-making in relation to budget decisions • benchmark against results from the Scottish Household Survey (2023) • access new information, ideas and suggestions • support the introduction of the new Consultation and Engagement Policy 3.3 It is the intention that this piece of work will be used to build on the knowledge and insight gathered from existing consultation and engagement exercises. For example, Local Partnerships, Tenants and Residents Associations, Renfrewshire Youth Voice, YouDecide, Celebrating Renfrewshire and subject-specific consultation and engagement such as the transport strategy and the Local Development Plan. 3.4 External support from a market research agency was commissioned following a procurement exercise to conduct the fieldwork and analysis on our behalf over a four- month period between May and August 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Methodology 4.1 A hybrid research methodology was used to gain extensive feedback from a representative sample of the Renfrewshire population. 4.2 A question set was developed into a survey by the Agency, based on the Scottish Household Survey but augmented with questions to help inform future planning and budget decisions. 4.3 The Agency conducted the fieldwork with a sample chosen as representative of the Renfrewshire population. In total, 1,016 individual fieldwork interviews were completed by telephone or face-to-face (interview-led) between 2 May – 11 June 2025. 4.4 The interview-led (telephone or face-to-face) survey was conducted across all areas of Renfrewshire. The sample size was recommended by the Agency to ensure the results were reliable for the whole area and included a pro-rata spread of interviews across each ward. This means we can be confident that the findings are accurate within a small margin of error (about plus or minus 3%). That level of accuracy is based on standard research methods and provides 95% confidence in the results. 4.5 Survey respondents were checked to ensure they matched the overall population of Renfrewshire - both in terms of who took part and their location. Postcodes provided by residents were used to identify which Council ward they live in and where they ranked in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). Interviews were also spread evenly across each Council ward, so every area was properly represented. 4.6 The same survey was made available online to ensure all Renfrewshire residents had an opportunity to participate in the research. Hard copies of the survey were also made available in Renfrewshire Libraries. In total, 1,029 survey responses were completed online between 2 May – 11 June 2025. It was reported by the Agency that while this provided all residents with an opportunity to take part, it is worth noting the
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PUBLIC self-completion methodology was not demographically representative of the Renfrewshire population. They also reported the results may be affected by the self- selection bias - where individuals with stronger opinions, particularly negative ones, are more likely to respond. For this reason, the results are reported separately from the interview-led survey sample, which was designed to be representative. 4.7 To complement the survey fieldwork, interviewees were invited to register an interest in participating in follow-up focus groups. Six focus groups were then conducted with residents to explore their perceptions and attitudes in more depth between 19 – 27 August 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Interview-led survey findings 5.1 The profile of the respondents for the telephone and face-to-face survey can be broken down as follows: • Almost 6 in 10 (57%) survey respondents were female, 40% were male and 3% said they would prefer not to say. 1% of respondents said they consider themselves to be trans, or have a trans history, 94% said they did not and 5% said they would prefer not to say. • 10% of survey respondents were aged 16-34, 57% were aged 35-64 and 30% were aged 65 and over. • 19% of respondents reported having a disability. • Analysis of the profile for those who provided information on tenure and postcode revealed that respondents were broadly representative across Ward, SIMD and tenure. A full breakdown of the profile of respondents can be found in Appendix 1. 5.2 The majority of respondents (93%) rate Renfrewshire as a Very or Fairly Good place to live. 95% rate their neighbourhood as a Very or Fairly Good place to live. This is in line with Scottish Household Survey (2023) results for Scotland overall and Renfrewshire, where (95%) also stated that their neighbourhood was a very or fairly good place to live. When considering a range of statements about their neighbourhood: • 86% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’. • 88% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’. • 81% agree ‘this is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’. • 90% agree ‘this is a safe neighbourhood’. 5.3 Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with various statements about how Renfrewshire Council is performing. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who strongly agree and tend to agree. • 62% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know about what services it provides. • 61% agree Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services. • 58% agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them.
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PUBLIC • 54% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing. • 54% agree Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available. • 53% agree Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood. • 44% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions. The remaining % is split into neither/nor, disagree and strongly disagree and no opinion. 5.4 Respondents were asked how often they use various Council and partner services. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who use that service at least once a month. • Parks, gardens and open spaces (62%) • Household waste recycling centres (46%) • Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (40%) • Children’s play areas (35%) • Local schools and nurseries (33%) • Libraries - including services (23%) • Community centres, halls and facilities. Including Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre (18%). • Museums and galleries (15%) • Care services (10%) 5.5 Respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with various public services provided in Renfrewshire. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who were Very or Fairly Satisfied (excluding respondents with no opinion). By removing 'no opinion' responses, we focus only on those who have experience with the service and can give meaningful feedback: • Local schools and nurseries (94%) • Children’s play areas (89%) • Parks, gardens and open spaces (88%) • Libraries (88%) • Household Waste Recycling Centres (87%) • Community centres, halls and facilities (85%) • Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (84%) • Museums and galleries (84%) • Care services (75%) • Refuse collection (73%) • Street cleaning (64%) • Roads maintenance (39%) 5.6 It was explained to respondents that the Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. They were then asked how strongly they agree or disagree that the Council should look at doing a range of things. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements:
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PUBLIC • Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties (82%) • Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need (81%) • Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways (64%) • Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (46%) • Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services (33%) 5.7 Respondents were asked to rank services according to how essential they are as Council priorities. The following agreed these services were Absolutely Essential/Very important (excluding don’t know responses): • Support older people (97%) • Maintain roads, pavements, open spaces and public places (96%) • Support vulnerable people (96%) • Support the health and wellbeing of children and families through early intervention (95%) • Provide community safety services (88%) • Invest in school buildings and our learning estate (86%) • Support people into employment, training or further education (86%) • Support libraries, community facilities, sports and leisure facilities (79%) • Support local businesses (77%) • Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events (62%) • Support tourism and the visitor economy (62%) • Invest in measure to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire (49%) 5.8 To help inform our wider Fairer Renfrewshire programme, respondents were asked how well their household is currently managing financially. 45% of respondents say they are managing very well or quite well. 43% said they were getting by alright and 5% said they either don’t manage very well, have some financial difficulties or are in deep financial trouble. 0.1% said they are in deep financial trouble. More than 7% of respondents answered that they didn’t know or preferred not to say. 5.9 The use of the Scottish Household Survey questions in the survey provides an opportunity to benchmark our performance against several key indicators nationally and locally with a larger sample size. When compared to the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) 2023, the resident survey provides a more locally representative picture and shows that residents generally feel more positive about their neighbourhoods and Council services than the national average. These findings offer a strong foundation for future planning and contributes to the programme of work to strengthen the Council’s approach to performance scrutiny. 5.10 A copy of the Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025 analysis report prepared by the Agency is included in Appendix 1.
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PUBLIC 6. Online survey findings 6.1 The profile of the respondents for the online survey can be broken down as follows: • 64% of survey respondents were female, 31% were male and 5% said they would prefer not to say. 0.4% of respondents said they consider themselves to be trans, or have a trans history, 96% said they did not and 4% said they would prefer not to say. • 14% of survey respondents were aged 16-34, 67% were aged 35-64 and 17% were aged 65 and over. 2.3% preferred not to disclose their age. • 20% of respondents reporting having a disability. • A breakdown of the profile of respondents for the online survey can be found in Appendix 2. As mentioned above, it is important to note that while good representation was achieved across Renfrewshire for both surveys, the online survey results are heavily skewed in some geographical areas and the sample is not representative. 6.2 The majority of respondents (77%) rate Renfrewshire as a Very or Fairly Good place to live. 81% rate their neighbourhood as a Very or Fairly Good place to live. When considering a range of statements about their neighbourhood: • 73% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’. • 62% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’. • 47% agree ‘this is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’. • 64% agree ‘this is a safe neighbourhood’. 6.3 Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with various statements about how Renfrewshire Council is performing. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who strongly agree and tend to agree. • 21% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know about what services it provides. • 19% agree Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services. • 18% agree Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available. • 14% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing. • 12% agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them. • 11% agree Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood. • 9% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions. 6.4 Respondents were asked how often they use various Council and partner services. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who use that service at least once a month: • Parks, gardens and open spaces (81%) • Household Waste Recycling Centres (68%)
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PUBLIC • Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (44%) • Children’s play areas (37%) • Local schools and nurseries (36%) • Libraries (including services) (30%) • Community centres, halls and facilities (20%) • Museums and galleries (9%) • Care services (7%) 6.5 Respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with various public services provided in Renfrewshire. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who were Very or Fairly Satisfied (excluding respondents with no opinion). By removing 'no opinion' responses, we focus only on those who have experience with the service and can give meaningful feedback: • Libraries (66%) • Household Waste Recycling Centres (61%) • Community centres, halls and facilities (57%) • Local schools and nurseries (52%) • Children’s play areas (52%) • Parks, gardens and open spaces (50%) • Museums and galleries (47%) • Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (46%) • Refuse collection (41%) • Care services (20%) • Street cleaning (19%) • Roads maintenance (10%) 6.6 It was explained to respondents that the Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. They were then asked how strongly they agree or disagree that the Council should look at doing a range of things. % figure shows the percentage of respondents who Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements: • Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties (75%) • Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways (55%) • Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need (55%) • Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (29%) • Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services (21%) 6.7 Respondents were asked to rank services according to how essential they are as Council priorities. The following agreed these services were Absolutely Essential/Very important: • Maintain roads, pavements, open spaces and public places (95%) • Support older people (90%) • Invest in school buildings and our learning estate (82%) • Support the health and wellbeing of children and families (77%) • Provide community safety services (74%) • Support people into employment, training or further education (73%)
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PUBLIC • Support vulnerable people (69%) • Support libraries, community, sports and leisure facilities (68%) • Support local businesses (66%) • Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events (43%) • Support tourism and the visitor economy (37%) • Invest in measure to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire (28%) 6.8 To help inform our wider Fairer Renfrewshire programme, respondents were asked how well their household is currently managing financially. 34% of respondents say they are managing very well or quite well. 44% said they were getting by alright and 17% said they either don’t manage very well, have some financial difficulties or are in deep financial trouble. More than 5% of respondents answered that they didn’t know or preferred not to say. 6.9 A copy of the online survey results prepared by the Agency is included in Appendix 2. 7. Focus groups 7.1 A small number (37) of Renfrewshire residents were recruited from the larger survey sample and invited to participate in focus groups which were designed to explore key themes from the survey in more depth. While smaller in size, these groups provided rich, qualitative insights that complement the survey’s quantitative data. The discussions provide further insight from residents which will help to add context and further understanding from people with lived-experience. 7.2 Participants were from a range of backgrounds and areas across Renfrewshire. Participants ranged in age from 30s - 70s. Council tenants and owner-occupiers participated, and a range of single people, older couples, families with children and people with a disability participated. Four groups met in-person and two groups met online. 7.3 It is the intention to organise additional focus groups with children and young people, disabled residents and the lived-experience panel to help build on further understanding. 7.4 Two groups focused on Budget Principles; two groups focused on Council Priorities; and two groups focused on Place and Neighbourhood. Two cross-cutting themes were discussed at all six focus groups – Listening to Residents and Improving Transparency and Communication. 7.5 Budget Principles groups discussed: the Council making better use of its buildings and assets; introducing charges for some services; how resources should be targeted; new ways to deliver some services; and whether the Council should stop providing some services. 7.6 Participants had mixed views but generally expressed a willingness to pay for some non-essential or discretionary services provided the charge was ‘reasonable’, the service was ‘high-quality’ and the money raised was ‘invested locally’. Examples where participants would be willing to pay included for museums and cultural activities, library services, leisure activities, venue hire and parking. It was generally expressed that some services such as general refuse collection, school/education
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PUBLIC services and care services should always be free at point-of-use, but some aspects or elements (for example, a ‘meals on wheels’ service for older adults) could be means-tested. In general, there was strong support for means-testing and targeting resources to those with greatest need. Participants also expressed a desire for transparency in how charges are set and how the money raised from charges is spent. 7.7 Participants were generally unsure of which services the council is legally required to provide. It was discussed that local communities, charities, third sector organisations, housing associations and social enterprises could help deliver some of these discretionary services that are not legally required. There was strong support for community involvement in maintaining parks and open spaces and organising local events – with support from the Council to apply for funding, develop leadership skills and help to build capacity. 7.8 There was strong support for the principle of targeting resources to those in the greatest need – this is seen as a fair and necessary approach, especially in the context of limited budgets. Participants suggested there should be an emphasis on balance and inclusivity – targeting should not mean neglecting others or prioritising one group or area at the expense of others. The elderly, people with a disability, those on low incomes (and children from low-income households), and unpaid carers were consistently identified as the top priority for support. It was felt important that support should go beyond geographical area-based deprivation, as children and adults in perceived ‘more affluent’ areas may still face hardship and the fact that their needs aren’t always ‘visible’. 7.9 Participants offered several practical and creative ideas to deliver services in new ways. There was strong support for expanding online access to services, while ensuring that no-one is digitally excluded. Community-led initiatives, volunteering and community ownership should all be encouraged and supported. More use of schools, libraries and town halls as community hubs and venues for services and information was also supported. 7.10 Council Priorities groups talked about where the Council gets its funding from and how it must make decisions each year about how that money is spent. They also discussed that the Council must make sure its budget is balanced. Each participant was given tokens which they used to identify their highest priorities. They were required to allocate one token to each priority and then allocate an additional token to any priority as they saw fit. The allocation process identified priorities in this order: Maintain roads, pavements, open spaces and public places 49 Support vulnerable people 39 Support older people 32 Support libraries, community and sports & leisure facilities 29 Support the health and wellbeing of children and families 28 Support local businesses 27 Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events 27 Support people into training, employment and education 26 Invest in our school buildings and learning estate 23 Support tourism and the visitor economy 22 Community safety services 19 Invest in measures to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire 16
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PUBLIC These priorities were also ranked highly in the quantitative research. 7.11 Participants discussed their priorities in more detail. Participants prioritise the general environment around them and how this looks and feels. They want to live somewhere they can take pride in and believe this is influenced by quality of roads, pavements, open spaces, public places and buildings. There is a strong desire to use schools, libraries and community facilities to build community connections. 7.12 It was considered essential that services for vulnerable people are joined-up and have effective communication, for example, care services link with the police and social work to ensure the safety of vulnerable people. The risk of loneliness and isolation for older people was highlighted. Providing a safe environment for children and families with early interventions and a focus on emotional and social wellbeing was considered essential. 7.13 Participants did not dismiss Net Zero and environmental priorities - but these were seen as longer-term goals that shouldn’t detract from immediate needs which were believed to be a greater priority. 7.14 Place and Neighbourhood groups discussed that, overall, they consider living in Renfrewshire as positive. The majority have actively chosen Renfrewshire as a place to live, in some cases having previously lived elsewhere, and in some cases, participants choose to commute to work in another area but enjoy living in Renfrewshire. 7.15 Positives identified by participants include: excellent transport links; nice surroundings; a rich history; a strong sense of community; the quality of organised cultural events; and the quality of local facilities. 7.16 Areas where improvements were identified by participants include: a lack of facilities or activities for younger people; neighbourhood appearance, influenced by street cleanliness and on-street parking; limited public transport options in rural areas; and the ‘decline of the High Street’, particularly in Paisley. 7.17 The cleanliness and maintenance of neighbourhoods; easy access to open areas, spaces and places; attractive town centres with option to shop local; and feeling safe in a neighbourhood or town centre, were all identified as factors which impact on resident’s quality of life. 7.18 Participants discussed how they perceive Council services in their place and neighbourhood. Care services for elderly people, people with a disability and families in need of support are perceived as very important. Local schools are perceived to perform well academically, with acknowledgement that schools face many challenges. Parks and play areas, libraries and sports & leisure facilities are valued by residents and generally good in Renfrewshire, with residents wanting to see these maintained in good quality. Road maintenance, street cleanliness and refuse collection services are all considered crucial. 7.19 Across all six groups, participants discussed how the Council could improve transparency, keeping residents informed and listening:
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PUBLIC • Contacting the Council directly should be as easy and accessible as possible, especially for those who find it difficult to do so online. Contact with individual officers and teams is valued and rated as good. • Information about ‘how the Council is performing’ should be made easily available, online and offline. • Residents want to be kept informed about decisions made, with proactive outreach from councillors and officers, and visible outcomes from residents’ feedback. • Residents want to participate in decision-making and have input into how things are done, with support from the Council to encourage participation. • The Council should use multiple communications channels to keep residents informed, online and offline. 7.20 A copy of the final focus group insights prepared by the Agency is included in Appendix 3. ___________________________________________________________________ 8. Council’s approach to Consultation and Engagement 8.1 The resident research survey was a key piece of work undertaken to improve the Council’s dialogue with local people and refresh the approach to community consultation and engagement. This action is included within the Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan. 8.2 In addition to this, the Leadership Board approved a new Consultation and Engagement policy in February 2025. This built on existing best practice and established standards and guidance for all elements of conducting public engagement. 8.3 Following this, an officer to support this workstream was appointed and is now in post. An officer governance structure has also been established to support monitoring, evaluation and sharing of best practice across the organisation as follows: • Consultation and Engagement Coordination Group (CECG) to provide high- level scrutiny and assurance, as previously outlined in the Leadership Board meeting in February 2025. The CECG also monitors the impact of consultation activity, including evaluating how consultation activities have influenced decision making, policy development and service planning. • Consultation and Engagement Advisory Group (CEAG) acts as a ‘community of practice’ providing training, sharing best practice, coordinating a consultation calendar, and embedding consistency of approach across the organisation. 8.4 Related activities are underway or planned for the coming months including: • The development and launch of a consultation and engagement toolkit to support officers across the organisation and to ensure consistency of quality. • A rapid review and triage of upcoming activities and plans that would or should involve consultation and engagement, to ensure support is offered throughout the process.
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PUBLIC • Linked to the above, development of a consultation calendar and mapping exercise (working with the CEAG) to help avoid significant overlap of consultation and engagement activities and any duplication. • Delivering comprehensive training across the organisation on the consultation and engagement policy, including best practice examples, equalities and ethical guidance, data and information security considerations etc. • Develop potential options for a citizen’s panel approach to further explore the issues and suggestions raised in the resident research survey and focus groups. 9. Next steps 9.1 A comprehensive engagement plan has been produced to ensure the results of the resident survey are shared with residents, staff and elected members in a clear, transparent and accessible way. 9.2 An action plan will be developed that sets out how we will respond to learnings and insight from the resident research findings. This will ensure residents’ feedback is used to shape future strategies and plans and supports our ongoing commitment to improving how we engage with our residents and communities. 9.3 The action plan will be reported in February 2026 as part of the planned report to Leadership Board on the progress of the Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan. An update on the Consultation and Engagement Policy will also be reported back at this time. In addition to this, ongoing progress reports on the Consultation and Engagement Policy will be incorporated into the established six-monthly Council Plan updates. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – A budget of £30,000 was allocated to deliver the Resident Research Survey 2025. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – our commitment to refreshing our approach to community consultation and engagement is included within the Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan. Research findings will be used by the Council and community planning partners to inform future strategies and plans. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights – there are no negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individual’s human rights arising from the recommendations contained in the report, as the report is for noting only. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none
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PUBLIC 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk – none 14. Children’s Rights - in order to reflect the views of Renfrewshire’s children and young people bespoke focus groups are being planned to ensure we have reflected their experiences of living in Renfrewshire. Author: Joanne Quinn, Marketing Manager
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PUBLIC Prepared by: Prepared for: Research Resource Renfrewshire Council Contact: Lorna Shaw Contact: Joanne Quinn E-mail: Lorna.shaw@researchresource.co.uk E-mail: joanne.quinn@renfrewshire.gov.uk RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL RESIDENT SURVEY 2025 July 2025
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 3 PUBLIC Renfrewshire Council Resident Survey 2025 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... 6 1. INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES ..................................... 12 1.1. Background and objectives ......................................................................... 12 1.2. Methodology ................................................................................................. 12 1.3. Data analysis and reporting ......................................................................... 14 2. PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS ............................................................................ 15 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 15 2.2. Length of time living in Renfrewshire (Q1) ................................................... 15 2.3. Age and Sex (Q16, Q21, Q22) ...................................................................... 16 2.6 Disability (Q17, Q18) ...................................................................................... 17 2.4. Ethnicity (Q19) ................................................................................................ 18 2.5. Religion (Q20) ................................................................................................ 19 2.6. Sexual orientation (Q23) ............................................................................... 19 3. NEIGHBOURHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE .................................................... 20 3.1. Renfrewshire as a place to live (Q1) ........................................................... 20 3.2. Neighbourhood as a place to live (Q2) ...................................................... 22 3.3. Agreement with statements about the neighbourhood (Q4) .................. 25 4. PERCEPTIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND PUBLIC SERVICES ............................. 32 4.1. Opinions on Renfrewshire Council (Q5) ...................................................... 32 4.2. Use of Council services (Q6) ......................................................................... 44 4.3. Satisfaction with Council services (Q7) ....................................................... 55 5. COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND BUDGET OPTIONS............................................... 70 5.1. Making savings in the Council’s budget (Q8) ............................................ 70 5.2. Perceptions of Council priorities (Q9) .......................................................... 72 6. MONEY MATTERS ............................................................................................ 73 6.1. Financial management (Q15) ..................................................................... 73 APPENDIX 1: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE .................................................................. 77 APPENDIX 2: TECHNICAL REPORT SUMMARY ....................................................... 87
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 4 PUBLIC TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1: Survey response profile by Electoral Ward ....................................................................... 13 Figure 2: Survey response profile by Tenure ..................................................................................... 13 Figure 3: Length of time living in Renfrewshire ................................................................................. 15 Figure 4: Age profile ........................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 5: Age by Ward ....................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 6: Disability ................................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 7: Disability by Ward ................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 8: Ethnicity ............................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 9: Ethnic group by Ward ......................................................................................................... 18 Figure 10: Religion ............................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 11: Sexual orientation .............................................................................................................. 19 Figure 12: Renfrewshire as a place to live........................................................................................ 20 Figure 13: Renfrewshire as a place to live analysed by demographic ........................................ 21 Figure 14: Neighbourhood as a place to live .................................................................................. 22 Figure 15: Rating of neighbourhood as a place to live, SHS 2023 ................................................ 22 Figure 16: Neighbourhood as a place to live by demographic ................................................... 23 Figure 17: Perceptions of the neighbourhood ................................................................................ 25 Figure 18: Percentage of adults agreeing with statements about their neighbourhood strengths, 2023, SHS 2023 .................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 19: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’ by demographic ........................................................................................................... 26 Figure 20: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ by demographic ................................................................................................................................. 28 Figure 21: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’ by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 22: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a safe neighbourhood’ by Ward .................. 31 Figure 23: Opinions on Renfrewshire Council .................................................................................. 32 Figure 24: Statements about the Council (SHS 2023 Scotland compared to Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025) ......................................................................................................................... 33 Figure 25: Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services by demographic ..................... 34 Figure 26: Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Figure 27: Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting quality of life in my local neighbourhood by demographic .................................................................................................... 37 Figure 28: Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions by demographic ................................................................................................................ 39 Figure 29: The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Figure 30: Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know how well it is performing by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 42 Figure 31: Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about the kinds of services it provides by demographic ................................................................................................................. 43 Figure 32: Frequency of usage of Council and partner services .................................................. 45 Figure 33: Frequency of usage of Children’s play areas by demographic ................................. 46 Figure 34: Frequency of usage of local schools and nurseries by demographic ...................... 47 Figure 35: Frequency of usage of libraries by demographic ........................................................ 48 Figure 36: Frequency of usage of community centres, halls and facilities by demographic .. 49 Figure 37: Frequency of usage of household waste recycling centres by demographic ....... 50 Figure 38: Frequency of usage of parks, gardens and open spaces by demographic ........... 51 Figure 39: Frequency of usage of swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres by demographic ..................................................................................................................................... 52 Figure 40: Frequency of usage of care services by demographic ............................................. 53 Figure 41: Frequency of usage of swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres by demographic ..................................................................................................................................... 54
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 5 PUBLIC Figure 42: Satisfaction with public services provided in Renfrewshire (all respondents) ............ 55 Figure 43: Satisfaction with public services (excluding don't know responses) ........................ 56 Figure 44: Satisfaction with Council services (SHS 2023 Scotland compared to Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025) ......................................................................................................................... 57 Figure 45: Satisfaction with children’s play areas (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ................................................................................................................................. 58 Figure 46: Satisfaction with parks, gardens and open spaces (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ............................................................................................ 59 Figure 47: Satisfaction with local schools and nurseries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ................................................................................................................ 60 Figure 48: Satisfaction with care services (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 61 Figure 49: Satisfaction with refuse collection (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 62 Figure 50: Satisfaction with street cleaning (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Figure 51: Satisfaction with roads maintenance (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ................................................................................................................................. 64 Figure 52: Satisfaction with Household waste and recycling centres (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ............................................................................................ 65 Figure 53: Satisfaction with libraries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ...................................................................................................................................... 66 Figure 54: Satisfaction with swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ........................................................................ 67 Figure 55: Satisfaction with museums and galleries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ................................................................................................................ 68 Figure 56: Satisfaction with community centres, halls and facilities (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic ............................................................................................ 69 Figure 57: Agreement with approaches for making savings in the Council’s budget .............. 70 Figure 58: Views on Council priorities ............................................................................................... 72 Figure 59: Financial management .................................................................................................... 73 Figure 60: Household financial management (SHS Scotland 2023 compared to ELC Resident Survey 2024) ......................................................................................................................................... 74 Figure 61: Financial management analysed by ward ................................................................. 76 Figure 62: Financial management analysed by demographic .................................................. 75 Report written by: Lorna Shaw Date: 24/07/2025 Report reviewed by: Elaine MacKinnon Date: 24/07/2025
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 6 PUBLIC EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION The 2025 Renfrewshire Residents Survey was undertaken using a mixed methodology comprising a large-scale interviewer led survey with a representative sample of 1,016 Renfrewshire residents. This was augmented with an online survey which was open to all Renfrewshire residents to respond to. A total of 1,029 Renfrewshire residents responded to this. This was designed to present an open opportunity to all Renfrewshire residents to participate in the research. This report focuses on the robust and representative interviewer led methodology. The self-completion methodology, whilst providing an open opportunity, was not demographically representative of the Renfrewshire population and is therefore reported separately from the interviewer led survey sample. The survey was carried out between 2nd May and 11th June 2025. Interviews were carried out using a combination of telephone and face-to-face interviews with 509 carried out by telephone and 507 carried out on a face-to-face basis. The survey was conducted across all areas of Renfrewshire, with the number of respondents designed to provide robust data at the overall level (+/-3% margin of error based upon a 50% estimate at the 95% level of confidence) and a pro rata spread of interviews across each Ward within Renfrewshire. This executive summary highlights the key findings from this programme of research. NEIGHBOURHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE The majority of residents (93%) rated Renfrewshire as a very or fairly good place to live. In terms of their neighbourhood, 95% rated their neighbourhood as a very or fairly good place to live. This is in line with the Scottish Household Survey results for Scotland overall and Renfrewshire in 2023 where 95% also stated that their neighbourhood was a very or fairly good place to live. When considering a range of statements about their neighbourhood: o 86% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’ (85% for Scotland overall in Scottish Household Survey 2023) o 88% agree ‘this is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ (82% for Scotland overall in Scottish Household Survey 2023) o 81% agree ‘this is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’ o 90% agree ‘this is a safe neighbourhood’ (81% for Scotland overall in Scottish Household survey 2023).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 7 PUBLIC A number of these questions were also asked in the Scottish Household Survey. In terms of the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’, the level of agreement from Renfrewshire residents is broadly in line with the Scottish and Renfrewshire averages from the Scottish Household Survey 2023 where 85% and 87% respectively stated that they agree with the statement. Agreement with ‘This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ is slightly higher in Renfrewshire 2025 than for Scotland as a whole where 82% said they agree with this statement. Feeling of safety is also higher than was noted in the Scottish Household Survey. Percentage of adults agreeing with statements about their neighbourhood strengths, SHS 2023 SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025 This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other 85% 87% 86% This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to 82% 87% 88% This is a safe neighbourhood (NB SHS states feel safe when walking alone after dark) 81% 86% 90% Demographic and ward differences were noted as: o Older residents (65+) were most likely to rate their neighbourhood as “very good.” o Homeowners and two-parent families reported higher satisfaction than council tenants and single adult households. o Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood had the highest neighbourhood satisfaction. o Renfrew South and Gallowhill and Paisley Northwest had the lowest. PERCEPTIONS OF THE COUNCIL Survey respondents were asked to agree or disagree with various statements about how Renfrewshire Council is performing. Agreement from highest to lowest (excluding those with no opinion) was as follows: o 62% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know about what services it provides. o 61% agree Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services. o 58% agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them. o 54% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing. o 54% agree Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available. o 53% agree Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood. o 44% agree Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 8 PUBLIC These statements were also asked in the 2023 Scottish Household Survey. The following table shows the level of agreement reported in the 2023 Scottish Household Survey for all Scottish respondents and also specifically for Renfrewshire respondents. As can be seen below, the level of agreement for the Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 is generally higher than the published figures for all statements when compared to the Scottish Household Survey Results for Renfrewshire residents. Percentage of adults agreeing with statements about their local Council, SHS 2023 % strongly agree/ tend to agree SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 The Council provides high quality services 42% 38% 61% The Council does the best it can with the money available 42% 41% 54% The Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood 33% 34% 53% The Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions 23% 23% 44% The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them 31% 35% 58% The Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing 30% 34% 54% The Council is good at letting people know about the kinds of services it provides 37% 45% 62% Analysis shows the following insight: o Respondents aged 35–54 were the most positive across all council performance indicators, particularly in believing the council provides high-quality services (73%) and listens to residents (67%). o Disabled residents were consistently less likely to agree with positive statements about the council, especially around listening to views (41%) and addressing local issues (49%). o Private and housing association tenants were more likely to agree that the council designs services around users’ needs (82% and 80%) than homeowners (61%). o Single parent families and two-parent families were more likely to feel the council communicates well and listens to residents than single adult households. o Economically active residents were more positive across all council performance measures than those not working or retired. o Paisley Northwest, Johnstone South and Elderslie, and Renfrew North and Braehead were more positive. o Erskine and Inchinnan, Paisley Southeast, and Renfrew South and Gallowhill were less positive.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 9 PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF COUNCIL SERVICES Respondents were asked about their usage of a range of facilities and services. Most likely to be used were parks, gardens and open spaces (44.5% weekly+) and household waste recycling centres (45% monthly+). Least used services were care services (84% no use), Museums and galleries (63% no use), Community centres (61% no use). All respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with various public services provided in Renfrewshire. The majority of respondents who were able to give an opinion (excluding don’t know responses) were in general either very or fairly satisfied with the services provided, and satisfaction levels were highest regarding: o Local schools (94% very or fairly satisfied) o Children’s play areas (89%) o Parks, gardens and open spaces (88%) o Libraries (88%) o Household Waste Recycling Centres (87%). On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who were dissatisfied (either very or fairly dissatisfied) was highest with regards to: o Roads maintenance (43% very or fairly dissatisfied) o Street cleaning (22%) o Refuse collection (15%) o Care services (11%). Compared to the Scottish Household Survey, where comparisons are available, satisfaction is slightly higher or broadly similar in the resident survey for most aspects with the exception of libraries, where satisfaction in the resident survey is lower than the SHS. Satisfaction with Council services, SHS 2023 % strongly agree/ tend to agree SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 Children’s play areas* 84% 85% 89% Parks, gardens and open spaces 88% Local schools and nurseries 80% 90%** 94% Care services*** 63% 58% 75% Refuse collection 79% 74% 73% Street cleaning 57% 50% 64% Roads maintenance 20% 23% 39% Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) 91% 93% 88% Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres 83% 84% 84% Museums and galleries 90% 86% 84% Community centres, halls and facilities 53% 64% 85% *Children’s play areas included in Parks, gardens and green spaces in SHS **Renfrewshire Local Schools data from 2019 ***Care Service comparison is taken from Health Care Experience Survey 2023/24 - overall positive rating for rating help, care or support services 'Overall, how would you rate your help, care or support services? Please exclude the care and help you get from friends and family’
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 10 PUBLIC Further analysis shows the following key insights: o Ward level insights showed Houston, Crosslee and Linwood and Renfrew North and Braehead had high satisfaction with play areas and parks. Paisley Southeast consistently reported lower satisfaction across multiple services. Johnstone South and Elderslie showed high satisfaction across several services. o Younger adults (16–34) and families with children were the most frequent users and most satisfied with services like play areas, schools, and leisure facilities. o Disabled residents reported lower satisfaction with most services, particularly care services and access to leisure facilities. o RSL tenants were more satisfied with services like play areas (95%) and care services (91%) than council tenants or owner-occupiers. o Single pensioners and single adult households were less satisfied with refuse collection and street cleaning compared to family households. COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND BUDGET OPTIONS It was explained to respondents that the Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. They were then asked how strongly they agree or disagree that the Council should look at doing a range of things. Respondents were most likely to agree with the following: o 47% strongly agree that Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties. Additionally, 35% tend to agree with this whereas just 4% disagreed. o 38% strongly agree that Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need. A further 43% tended to agree with this and just 5% disagreed. o 25% strongly agree and 39% tend to agree that Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways. 17% disagreed. On the other hand, respondents were less likely to agree, and more likely to disagree with the following: o 7% strongly agree and 39% tend to agree that Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required. It was noted that this would not include statutory services. 35% neither agree nor disagree with this and 18% disagreed. o 8% strongly agree and 25% tend to agree that Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services. 22% neither agree nor disagree and 46% disagreed. Of note, some areas were more positive than others with Johnstone South and Elderslie and Paisley East and Central more open to service innovation and targeting resources. Erskine and Inchinnan and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank were more resistant to change.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 11 PUBLIC Finally in terms of Council and partner services, respondents were asked which services they felt should be prioritised in order to help inform planning and decision making. They were asked to score services on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 was not at all important and 5 was absolutely essential. Most likely to be perceived as absolutely essential were: o Support older people – for example, care at home and care homes (81% absolutely essential) o Support vulnerable people – for example, providing free activities to promote social interaction (77%) o Support the health and wellbeing of children and families through early intervention support (76%) o Maintain and look after roads, pavements, open spaces and public places (74%) o Invest in school buildings and our learning estate (55%). MONEY MATTERS Over half of respondents (54%) were in employment. Four in ten respondents (40%) were in full time employment, 12% part time employment and 2% were self-employed. Of those in employment, 7% worked for Renfrewshire Council, OneRen or Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership. 31% were retired and the remaining were either unemployed, not working due to illness or disability, looking after family or a carer. Respondents were asked how well their household is currently managing financially, with 46% of respondents saying they are managing very well or quite well. 39% said they were getting by alright and 5% said they either don’t manage very well, have some financial difficulties or are in deep financial trouble. For comparison purposes to the Scottish Household Survey, the figures have been adjusted to exclude those who said they don’t know or would prefer not to answer the question in the Resident Survey. This shows that slightly fewer Renfrewshire Residents 2025 said they were managing very or quite well (48%) than the Scottish Average (52%). However, this is more in line with the Renfrewshire proportion managing very or quite well in the SHS 2023 when 47% said they were managing well. Household financial management, SHS 2023 SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025* Managing very/ quite well 52% 47% 48% Getting by alright 39% 41% 46% Not managing very well/ have some financial difficulties/ deep financial trouble 9% 12% 4% * Figures have been adjusted to exclude the % who said prefer not to say and don’t know Our analysis shows that owner-occupiers and older adults were more financially secure whereas Council tenants, private renters, single parents, and those with disabilities were more likely to report financial hardship.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 12 PUBLIC 1. INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES 1.1. Background and objectives This report represents and discusses the findings to emerge from Renfrewshire Council’s 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey which was undertaken by Research Resource. The specific research objective of the Residents Survey was to measure residents’ current perceptions and satisfaction with the Council, access new information, ideas and suggestions which will improve planning and decision making in relation to budget decisions and help shape future activities around resident needs and priorities. 1.2. Methodology The 2025 Renfrewshire Residents Survey was undertaken using a mixed methodology comprising a large-scale interviewer led survey with a representative sample of 1,016 Renfrewshire residents. This was augmented with an online survey which was open to all Renfrewshire residents to respond to. A total of 1,029 Renfrewshire residents responded to this. This was designed to present an open opportunity to all Renfrewshire residents to participate in the research. This report focuses on the robust and representative interviewer led methodology. The self- completion methodology, whilst providing an open opportunity, was not demographically representative of the Renfrewshire population and is therefore reported separately from the interviewer led survey sample. The survey was carried out between 2nd May and 11th June 2025. Interviews were carried out using a combination of telephone and face to face interviews with 509 carried out by telephone and 507 carried out on a face-to-face basis. The survey was conducted across all areas of Renfrewshire, with the number of respondents designed to provide robust data at the overall level (+/-3% margin of error based upon a 50% estimate at the 95% level of confidence) and a pro rata spread of interviews across each Ward within Renfrewshire. The response profile was reviewed and compared to the overall Renfrewshire population in terms of demography and geography. For geographical comparisons the postcode provided by residents within the survey data was used to identify multi member ward and also Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Data (SIMD) Zones. Analysis of the profile for those who provided information on tenure and postcode revealed that respondents were broadly representative across Ward, SIMD and tenure.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 13 PUBLIC The table below illustrates the final number of interviews achieved, by Ward, and the margin of error associated with the data collected: Figure 1: Survey response profile by Electoral Ward Electoral Ward Population % of population Respondents % of survey respondents Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank 13501 8.8% 100 9.8% Erskine and Inchinnan 13820 9.0% 62 6.1% Houston, Crosslee and Linwood 13527 8.8% 88 8.7% Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch 12835 8.3% 68 6.7% Johnstone South and Elderslie 14233 9.2% 102 10.0% Paisley East and Central 11825 7.7% 82 8.1% Paisley Northeast and Ralston 9814 6.4% 70 6.9% Paisley Northwest 16803 10.9% 117 11.5% Paisley Southeast 10193 6.6% 62 6.1% Paisley Southwest 13300 8.6% 87 8.6% Renfrew North and Braehead 14363 9.3% 103 10.1% Renfrew South and Gallowhill 10025 6.5% 75 7.4% Renfrewshire 154239 1016 Figure 2: Survey response profile by Tenure Tenure Renfrewshire population Respondents Owner occupied 65.73% 67.1% Rented privately 10.60% 7.9% Rented from housing associations 9.71% 10.2% Rented from local authorities 13.97% 14.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% By SIMD, 25% of our respondents live in the most deprived areas. This is in line with the overall Renfrewshire population. The survey questionnaire was developed in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, combining Scottish Household Survey questions in order to provide national comparators along with Renfrewshire specific questions in order to reflect the current information needs of the Council. A copy of the final questionnaire is available in Appendix 1.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 14 PUBLIC 1.3. Data analysis and reporting Data was collated and analysed in SNAP survey software. Once the data was collated, appropriate range and logic checks were applied. Data tables were then produced for the overall Renfrewshire level and then analysing results by multi member ward, SIMD, age, tenure, household composition, sex, disability and ethnicity in order that any significant differences between groups could be reported. This report details the findings of the survey for Renfrewshire overall and includes some statistically significant differences between demographic and geographic groups. In reading this report, a number of points should be noted: The findings are based upon a sample of residents, rather than the whole population of Renfrewshire being surveyed, therefore, all results are subject to sampling tolerances and not all differences will be statistically significant. Results have been compared to the previous Scottish Household Survey where relevant. When reporting the data in this document, in general, percentages in tables have been rounded to one decimal place. Columns may not add to 100% because of rounding or where multiple responses to a question are possible. The total number of respondents to each question is shown either as 'Base' or 'n=xxx' in the tables or charts. Where the base or 'n' is less than the total number of respondents, this is because respondents may be 'routed' past some questions if they are not applicable or respondents may not have been able to answer or chosen not to answer a particular question. Where categories have been added together and referenced in the text of the report, these percentages have been calculated using the counts achieved to each option rather than adding together rounded percentages and may vary by +/-1% compared to the adding of rounded percentages.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 15 PUBLIC 2. PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS 2.1. Introduction Details on the profile of Renfrewshire residents who responded to the survey are detailed below over the following topics: • Length of time living in Renfrewshire • Age and gender • Household composition • Ethnicity • Sexual orientation • Disability 2.2. Length of time living in Renfrewshire (Q1) The majority of respondents have lived in Renfrewshire for a significant period of time, with 54% having lived there all their life and 32% having lived there for more than 10 years. Figure 3: Length of time living in Renfrewshire The proportion of respondents who have lived in Renfrewshire all their life was significantly higher in Crosslee and Linwood (72%), Renfrew and Gallowhill (69%) and Paisley North East and Ralston (61%). Those living in the most deprived 20% areas were more likely to have lived in Renfrewshire all their life (65%) than those living in other areas (51%). Analysis also shows that those of white Scottish/ British ethnicity were significantly more likely to have lived in Renfrewshire all their life (56%) than those of other ethnic groups (9%). Those with a disability were also more likely to have lived in Renfrewshire all their life (67%) than those without (52%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 16 PUBLIC 2.3. Age and Sex (Q16, Q21, Q22) Almost 6 in 10 survey respondents were female (57%), 40% were male and 3% said they would prefer not to say. Just 1% of respondents said they consider themselves to be trans, or have a trans history, 94% said they did not and 5% said they would prefer not to say In terms of the age profile of survey respondents 10% were aged 16-34, 57% were aged 35- 64 and 30% were aged 65 and over. Figure 4: Age profile Analysis by ward shows that respondents in Paisley South East (47%), Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (41%), Erskine and Inchinnan (41%) and Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (41%) were more likely to have respondents aged 65 and over. On the other hand, respondents in Paisley Southwest (21%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (18%) were the areas most likely to have younger respondents aged 16-34. Figure 5: Age by Ward 16-34 35-54 55-64 65+ Paisley Southeast (n=60) 6.7% 15.0% 31.7% 46.7% Erskine and Inchinnan (n=59) 6.8% 30.5% 22.0% 40.7% Paisley Northeast and Ralston (n=66) 9.1% 31.8% 25.8% 33.3% Paisley Northwest (n=116) 6.0% 45.7% 22.4% 25.9% Johnstone South and Elderslie (n=99) 7.1% 39.4% 25.3% 28.3% Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (n=100) 4.0% 28.0% 27.0% 41.0% Renfrew South and Gallowhill (n=73) 16.4% 35.6% 23.3% 24.7% Paisley East and Central (n=78) 11.5% 39.7% 16.7% 32.1% Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (n=85) 17.6% 41.2% 12.9% 28.2% Renfrew North and Braehead (n=97) 10.3% 50.5% 18.6% 20.6% Paisley Southwest (n=82) 20.7% 48.8% 12.2% 18.3% Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (n=66) 7.6% 34.8% 16.7% 40.9%
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 17 PUBLIC 2.6 Disability (Q17, Q18) Almost one in five respondents (19%) said that they considered themselves to have a disability. This was most commonly a physical impairment (58%) followed by mental health issues (20%) or some other kind of disability (20%). These were most typically chronic health issues such as COPD, heart disease, stroke or other long term health conditions. Figure 6: Disability Significant differences were noted with regard to age where just 8% of those aged under 35 consider themselves to have a disability, rising to 34% of those aged 65+. Geographical analysis shows that the greatest proportion of respondents with a disability were in Renfrew South and Gallowhill (32%), Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (31%) and Erskine and Inchinnan (31%). Figure 7: Disability by Ward Yes No Prefer not to say Paisley Southeast (n=62) 19.4% 74.2% 6.5% Erskine and Inchinnan (n=62) 30.6% 64.5% 4.8% Paisley Northeast and Ralston (n=70) 25.7% 65.7% 8.6% Paisley Northwest (n=117) 16.2% 82.9% 0.9% Johnstone South and Elderslie (n=102) 16.7% 79.4% 3.9% Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (n=100) 12.0% 87.0% 1.0% Renfrew South and Gallowhill (n=75) 32.0% 58.7% 9.3% Paisley East and Central (n=82) 15.9% 79.3% 4.9% Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (n=88) 30.7% 64.8% 4.5% Renfrew North and Braehead (n=103) 8.7% 81.6% 9.7% Paisley Southwest (n=87) 12.6% 74.7% 12.6% Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (n=68) 17.6% 79.4% 2.9%
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 18 PUBLIC 2.4. Ethnicity (Q19) The vast majority of respondents (93%) were of White Scottish, British or Irish ethnicity. 1% were Pakistani, 1% were Polish and 1% were African. 4% said they would prefer not to say. Figure 8: Ethnicity Analysis by ward shows that those living in Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (100%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (100%) were most likely to be of White Scottish or British ethnicity whereas those living in Renfrew South and Gallowhill (93%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (94%) were less likely to be White Scottish or British Figure 9: Ethnic group by Ward White Scottish/ English/ other British Other ethnic origin Paisley Southeast (n=53) 94.3% 5.7% Erskine and Inchinnan (n=61) 96.7% 3.3% Paisley Northeast and Ralston (n=65) 98.5% 1.5% Paisley Northwest (n=116) 94.8% 5.2% Johnstone South and Elderslie (n=98) 98.0% 2.0% Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (n=100) 100.0% - Renfrew South and Gallowhill (n=73) 93.2% 6.8% Paisley East and Central (n=77) 96.1% 3.9% Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (n=85) 100.0% - Renfrew North and Braehead (n=98) 93.9% 6.1% Paisley Southwest (n=84) 95.2% 4.8% Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (n=65) 98.5% 1.5%
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 19 PUBLIC 2.5. Religion (Q20) When asked what religion, religious denomination or body they belong to, the most common response was none, which was stated by 44% of respondents. Church of Scotland was the most common religion noted (26%) followed by Roman Catholic (17%) and then Other Christian (6%). Figure 10: Religion 2.6. Sexual orientation (Q23) The majority of respondents (91%) said that they were of heterosexual or straight sexual orientation. Figure 11: Sexual orientation
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 20 PUBLIC 3. NEIGHBOURHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE 3.1. Overview The survey began asking questions on residents’ perceptions of Renfrewshire, their neighbourhood and quality of life. Most residents (93%) rated Renfrewshire as a good place to live, with 95% feeling positively about their neighbourhood. Older adults and homeowners were more likely to express strong satisfaction, while council and private tenants were less positive. Key strengths identified included safety, pride in the community, and kindness among neighbours. 3.2. Renfrewshire as a place to live (Q1) The majority of residents (93%) rate Renfrewshire as very or fairly good as a place to live, 6% were of the opinion it was a fairly or very poor place to live and 1% had no opinion. Figure 12: Renfrewshire as a place to live Analysis of rating of the neighbourhood as a place to live shows the following key trends: Age: Respondents aged 65+ were most likely to rate Renfrewshire as a very good place to live (52%), however those most likely to rate Renfrewshire as a very/fairly good place to live were those aged 35-54 (96.5%) and 16-34 (96%). Tenure: Respondents renting their homes from a Housing Association (50%) and owner occupiers (48%) were most likely to rate Renfrewshire as a very good place to live, whereas those renting from a private landlord (34%) and those renting from the Council (35%) were less likely to do so. Electoral ward
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 21 PUBLIC Electoral wards where respondents were most likely to rate Renfrewshire as a fairly/very good place to live were Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (98.9%), Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (97%), and Paisley Southwest (96.6%). Figure 13: Renfrewshire as a place to live analysed by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 22 PUBLIC 3.3. Neighbourhood as a place to live (Q2) The majority of residents (95%) rate their neighbourhood as very or fairly good, 4% were of the opinion it was a fairly or very poor place to live and 0.2% had no opinion. Figure 14: Neighbourhood as a place to live This is in line with the Scottish average from the Scottish Household Survey 20231 where 95% of respondents in both Scotland overall and Renfrewshire specifically rated their neighbourhood as a very or fairly good place to live. Figure 15: Rating of neighbourhood as a place to live, SHS 2023 Scotland Edinburgh Glasgow Renfrewshire Very/fairly good 95% 95% 92% 95% Very good 55% 57% 37% 51% Fairly good 40% 39% 55% 44% Fairly poor 4% 4% 6% 3% Very poor 1% 1% 2% 2% No opinion 0% 0% 0% 0% 1 https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/research-and-analysis/2024/12/neighbourhoods- communities-2023-findings-scottish-household-survey/documents/shs-2023-neighbourhoods-communities/shs-2023- neighbourhoods-communities/govscot%3Adocument/shs-2023-neighbourhoods-communities.ods
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 23 PUBLIC Analysis shows the following key differences in rating of the neighbourhood by demographic characteristics: Age Respondents most likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very good place to live were those aged 65+ (61%), while those aged 16-34 were least likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very good place to live (44%). Figure 16: Neighbourhood as a place to live by demographic Ethnic group White Scottish/English/Other British respondents were positive about the neighbourhood that they live in, with 44% rating their neighbourhood as a fairly good place to live, compared to 24% of those from other ethnic origins. Tenure Homeowners were most likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very good place to live (58%). Less likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very good place to live were those renting from the council (35%) or renting from a private landlord (32%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 24 PUBLIC Household type Households most likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very/fairly good place to live were two parent families (99%) and adult family household with two or more adults and no dependent children (97%). Single adult households with no children were least likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very/fairly good place to live (90%). Electoral ward Respondents most likely to rate their neighbourhood as very/fairly good were those from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (99%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (99%). Respondents most likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very/fairly poor place to live were those from Renfrew South and Gallowhill (9%), and Paisley Northwest (8.5%). SIMD 2020 Quintile The most deprived 20% by SIMD 2020 Quintiles were slightly more likely to rate their neighbourhood as a very/fairly poor place to live (7%), compared to other quintiles (4%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 25 PUBLIC 3.4. Agreement with statements about the neighbourhood (Q4) When asked the extent to which they agree with a number of statements about their neighbourhood, the highest level of agreement was with: This is a safe neighbourhood (90% strongly agree or agree) This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to (88%) Agreement was slightly lower with regard to: This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other (86%) This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood (81%). Figure 17: Perceptions of the neighbourhood In terms of the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’, the level of agreement from Renfrewshire residents is broadly in line with the Scottish average from the Scottish Household Survey 2023 where 85% stated that they agree with the statement. Agreement with ‘This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ is slightly higher in Renfrewshire than for Scotland as a whole where 82% said they agree with this statement. Figure 18: Percentage of adults agreeing with statements about their neighbourhood strengths, SHS 2023 SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025 This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other 85% 87% 86% This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to 82% 87% 88% This is a safe neighbourhood (NB SHS states feel safe when walking alone after dark) 81% 86% 90%
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 26 PUBLIC Analysis of agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’ showed the following: Figure 19: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other’ by demographic Age Respondents most likely to agree with the statement “this is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other” were those aged 35-54 (89%) and 65+ (87%). 80% of respondents aged 55-64 agreed with this statement.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 27 PUBLIC Disability Respondents who did not consider themselves to have a disability were more likely to agree with the statement (88%) while 80% of those with a disability agreed with this statement. Tenure Home owners were significantly more likely to agree with this statement (89%) than those who rent from the Council (77%). Household demographic Households most likely to agree were two parent families with two adults (non- pensioner) and at least one dependent child (93%) whereas least likely to agree were single adult households (non-pensioner) (77%). Electoral ward Nearly all respondents (99%) from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank agreed with the statement. Conversely, just over three quarters (76%) of respondents from Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch agreed with this statement. SIMD 2020 Quintile Significantly fewer respondents from the most deprived 20% SIMD Quintile agreed with this statement (79%) than respondents from other quintiles (88%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 28 PUBLIC Analysis of agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ shows no significant differences in agreement with regard to age, disability or ethnicity. Significant differences were noted with respect to the following: Figure 20: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to’ by demographic Tenure Homeowners were significantly more likely to agree with the statement (90%), than respondents renting from the council (83%) Household type Two parent families were most likely to agree with the statement (95%). Households least likely to agree with this statement were single adult households (non-pensioner) (78%) Employment status Significantly more economically active respondents agreed with the statement “this is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to” (90%), than respondents not working/retired (86%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 29 PUBLIC Electoral ward Almost all respondents from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (99%) agreed with the statement “this is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to,” significantly more than those from Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (76%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (83%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived 20% SIMD Quintile were less likely to agree with the statement (83%) than other respondents (90%). In terms of the statement ‘This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’, analysis shows the following: Figure 21: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood’ by demographic Age Respondents most likely to agree with the statement were those aged 35-54 (87%). Those least likely to agree with this statement were those aged 55-64 (77%) and those aged 65+ (79%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 30 PUBLIC Household type Households most likely to agree with the statement were households with two parent families (88%) and older adult family households containing at least one pensioner (84%). Single adult households with no children (76%) and single pensioner households (78%) were least likely to agree with the statement. Employment status Economically active respondents were significantly more likely to agree (86%) with the statement than those not working/retired (76%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived SIMD 2020 Quintile were significantly less likely to agree (75%) with the statement than respondents from other quintiles (83%). Electoral ward Most likely to agree with the statement “this is a clean and tidy neighbourhood” were respondents in Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (97%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (91%). Significantly fewer respondents from Paisley Southwest (67%) and Paisley Southeast (69%) agreed with the statement “this is a clean and tidy neighbourhood”. In terms of the statement ‘This is a safe neighbourhood’, analysis shows: Age Respondents aged 35-54 were more likely to agree their neighbourhood was safe (93%) than those aged 55-64 (86%). Disability Respondents with a disability were less likely to agree (82%) than those without a disability (92%). Household demographic Households most likely to agree with the statement “this is a safe neighbourhood” were households with two parent families (94%). Conversely, single adult households with no children (86%) and adult family households (88%) were less likely to agree. Employment status Economically active respondents were significantly more likely to agree (93%) than those not working/retired (86%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived 20% by SIMD 2020 Quintiles were significantly less likely to agree (86%) with the statement than those from other SIMD Quintiles (91%). Ward Significantly more respondents from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (99%) and Paisley Northeast and Ralston (97%) agreed whereas agreement was much lower in Renfrew South and Gallowhill (79%), Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (83%) and Paisely Southeast (82%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 31 PUBLIC Figure 22: Agreement with the statement ‘This is a safe neighbourhood’ by Ward
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 32 PUBLIC 4. PERCEPTIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND PUBLIC SERVICES 4.1. Overview Respondents were then asked about their perception of the Council and public services. Residents expressed moderate to strong agreement that the Council communicates well, provides quality services, and addresses local issues. However, fewer felt the Council listens to residents before making decisions. Perceptions varied by age, tenure, and disability status, with economically active and family households generally more positive. 4.2. Opinions on Renfrewshire Council (Q5) When asked their opinions on Renfrewshire Council, respondents were most likely to agree that: Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides (62% strongly agree/ agree) Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services (61%) Respondents least likely to agree with the statement: Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions. Figure 23: Opinions on Renfrewshire Council
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 33 PUBLIC These statements were also asked in the 2023 Scottish Household Survey. The following table shows the level of agreement reported in the 2023 Scottish Household Survey for all Scottish respondents and also specifically for Renfrewshire respondents. As can be seen below, the level of agreement for the Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 is generally higher than the published figures for all statements when compared to the Scottish Household Survey2 Results for Renfrewshire residents. This is most notably the case for the statement ‘The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them’, where the level of agreement in the Renfrewshire Resident survey is 27% points higher than the Scottish Household survey. It is also notable that in terms of the Scottish Household Survey, comparison of Renfrewshire results to those of Scotland overall does show higher levels of agreement with statements concerning communications such as letting people know the kind of services it provides and letting people know how well it is performing. Figure 24: Statements about the Council (SHS 2023 Scotland compared to Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025) % strongly agree/ tend to agree SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 The Council provides high quality services 42% 38% 61% The Council does the best it can with the money available 42% 41% 54% The Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood 33% 34% 53% The Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions 23% 23% 44% The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them 31% 35% 58% The Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing 30% 34% 54% The Council is good at letting people know about the kinds of services it provides 37% 45% 62% 2 https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/statistics/2024/11/scottish- household-survey-perceptions-of-local-councils-2023/documents/scottish-household-survey- perceptions-of-local-councils-2023-tables/scottish-household-survey-perceptions-of-local-councils- 2023- tables/govscot%3Adocument/Scottish%2BHousehold%2BSurvey%2B%2528SHS%2529%2B2023%2B- %2BPerceptions%2Bof%2BLocal%2BCouncils%2BTables.xlsx
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 34 PUBLIC Analysis of each of these statements by demographic and geographic characteristics shows the following key differences: The Council provides high quality services Age Almost three quarters of respondents aged 35-54 (73%) agreed with the statement “Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services,” significantly more than those aged 16-34 (61%), 55-64 (55%) and 65+ (60%). Disability Respondents without a disability were more likely to agree (66%) than those with a disability (56%). Figure 25: Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services by demographic Tenure Homeowners were less likely to agree that Renfrewshire council provides high quality services (60%) when compared to respondents renting from a Housing Association (74%) and private tenants (73%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 35 PUBLIC Household demographic Two parent family households were significantly more likely to agree that Renfrewshire council provides high quality services (72%), than single adult households (59%) and adult family households (60%). Employment status Significantly more economically active respondents agreed that Renfrewshire council provides high quality services (68%) than those not working/retired (58%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived 20% SIMD quintiles were less likely to disagree that Renfrewshire council provides high quality services (12%) compared to respondents from other SIMD quintiles (20%). Electoral ward Electoral wards where respondents were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire council provides high quality services were Paisley Northwest (77%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (74%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (73%). Least likely to agree with this statement were from electoral wards Erskine and Inchinnan (38%), Paisley Southeast (46%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (45%). The Council does the best it can with the money available Disability Respondents without a disability were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available (65%) than those with a disability (49%). Tenure Homeowners were significantly less likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available (58%) and RSL tenants (63%), compared to respondents renting from a private landlord (84%). Household type Households most likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available were households with two parent families (70%). Conversely, older adult family households (58%) and adult family households (56%) were least likely to agree with this statement. Employment status Significantly more economically active respondents agreed (65%), than those not working/retired (57%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 36 PUBLIC Figure 26: Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available by demographic Electoral ward Electoral wards most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available were Paisley East and Central (78%). Paisley Northwest (75%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (74%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (75%). Those least likely to agree were Renfrew South and Gallowhill (34%), PaisleySoutheast (40%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (43%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Significantly more respondents from the most deprived SIMD 2020 Quintile (68%) agreed that Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available than those from other SIMD Quintiles (59%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 37 PUBLIC The Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood Age Significantly more respondents aged 35-54 agreed with this statement (72%) than those across all other age groups. Least likely to agree were those aged 55-64 (50%). Disability Respondents without a disability were significantly more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in their local neighbourhood (65%) than those with a disability (49%). Tenure Homeowners were significantly less likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in their local neighbourhood (57%) than private tenants (78%) and RSL tenants (72%). Figure 27: Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting quality of life in my local neighbourhood by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 38 PUBLIC Household type Significantly more two parent family households (73%) agreed that Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in their local neighbourhood than single adult households (57%), adult family households (57%) and older adult family households (57%). Employment status Economically active respondents were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in their local neighbourhood (67%) than those not working/retired (55%). Electoral ward Electoral wards where respondents were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in their local neighbourhood were Paisley East and Central (76%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (73%), Paisley Northwest (72%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (72%). Respondents from Paisley Southeast (42%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (42%) were those least likely to agree with this statement. SIMD 2020 Quintile Significantly more respondents in the most deprived SIMD quintile (68%) agreed than respondents in other SIMD quintiles (59%). The Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions Age Respondents aged 35-54 were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions (67%) than those aged 55-64 (43%). Disability Respondents with a disability were less likely to agree (41%) than those without a disability (59%). Tenure RSL tenants (71%) and private tenants (69%) were significantly more likely to agree than homeowners (50%). Household demographic Significantly more two parent family households (70%) agreed Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions compared to adult family households (48%) and older adult family households (46%). Employment status Economically active respondents were more likely to agree that Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions (62%) than those not working/retired (47%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile were significantly less likely to agree (53%) than those from other SIMD quintiles (62%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 39 PUBLIC Figure 28: Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people’s views before it takes decisions by demographic Electoral ward Significantly more respondents agreed Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions in Johnstone South and Elderslie (68%), Paisley Northwest (67%) and Paisley East and Central (66%) than respondents from Paisley Southeast (24%), Erskine and Inchinnan (39%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (38%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 40 PUBLIC The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them Age Respondents aged 35-54 were most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them (73%) while those aged 55- 64 were least likely to agree (56%). Disability Fewer respondents with a disability agreed (54%) when compared to those without a disability (56%). Tenure Private tenants (82%) and RSL tenants (80%) were significantly more likely to agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them than homeowners (61%). Figure 29: The Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 41 PUBLIC Household type Households most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them were single parent families (76%) and two parent families (72%), while adult family households (57%) were significantly less likely to agree with this statement. Employment status Economically active respondents were significantly more likely to agree (70%) than those not working/retired (59%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Almost three quarters (73%) of respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile agreed compared to 62% of those from other areas. Electoral ward Significantly more respondents from Paisley Northwest (81%) and Paisley East and Central (78%) agreed than those from Paisley Southeast (42%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (42%). The Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing Age Respondents most likely to agree with the statement “Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing” were those aged 35-54 (72%) whereas those aged 55-64 (59%) and 65+ (59%) were less likely to agree. Disability Respondents with a disability were significantly less likely (56%) to agree compared to those without a disability (67%). Tenure Private tenants (78%) and RSL tenants (79%) were significantly more likely to agree than owners/occupiers (60%). Household demographic Households most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing were single parent family (74%) and two parent family households (75%). Conversely, older adult family with at least one pensioner (53%) and adult family households (57%)expressed lower levels of agreement. Employment status Significantly more economically active respondents agreed that Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing (69%), when compared to those not working/retired (60%) SIMD 2020 Quintile Significantly more respondents agreed that Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing from the most deprived SIMD quintile (74%) than other SIMD quintiles (61%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 42 PUBLIC Figure 30: Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know how well it is performing by demographic Electoral ward Electoral wards most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing were Johnstone South and Elderslie (76%) and Paisley Northwest (80%). While only 38% of respondents from Paisley Southeast agreed with this statement.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 43 PUBLIC The Council is good at letting people know about the kinds of services it provides Age Respondents most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides were those aged 35-54 (73%), compared to 61% of those aged 55-64, and 60% of respondents over the age of 65. Disability Significantly more respondents without a disability agreed Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides (68.8%) than those with a disability (55%). Tenure Respondents most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides were private tenants (78%) and council tenants (73%), while only 62% of owner/occupiers agreed with this statement. Figure 31: Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about the kinds of services it provides by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 44 PUBLIC Household demographic Households most likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides were single parent families (77%) and two parent families (74%). 60% of older adult families with at least one pensioner and 60% of adult family households thought Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides. Employment status Significantly more economically active respondents agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides (70%) when compared to respondents who are not working/retired (61%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile (74%) were significantly more likely to agree Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides than those from other SIMD quintiles (62%). Electoral ward Significantly more respondents from Paisley Northwest (83%) and Johnstone South and Elderslie (81%) agreed Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides than those from Paisley Southeast (49%), Paisley Southwest (51%) and Erskine and Inchinnan (52%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 45 PUBLIC 4.3. Use of Council services (Q6) All respondents were asked how frequently they used a range of Council and partner services. Services most likely to be used were: Parks, gardens and open spaces (62% use at least once a month) Household waste recycling centres (46% use at least once a month) Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (40% use at least once a month) Children’s play areas (35% use at least once a month) Local schools and nurseries (33% use at least once a month) Least used were: Libraries - including services (23% use at least once a month) Care services (10% use at least once a month) Museums and galleries (15% use at least once a month) Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre) (18% use at least once a month). Figure 32: Frequency of usage of Council and partner services
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 46 PUBLIC Analysis shows the following groups were most likely to have used these services: Children’s play areas Respondents aged 16 to 34 (68%) and aged 35 to 54 (58%). Respondents without a disability (45%) were more likely to have used than those with (24%). Half of female respondents (49%) compared to 27% of male respondents use children’s play areas. RSL tenants were most likely to use play areas (54%) compared to owner occupiers (37%) and Council tenants (37%) Families were most likely to use with 89% of single parent households and 82% of two parent family households reporting using children’s play areas. Usage of play areas was lowest in Paisley Southeast (27%) and Erskine and Inchinnan (27%). Usage was greatest in Johnstone South and Elderslie (45%) and Paisley Southwest (49%). Figure 33: Frequency of usage of Children’s play areas by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 47 PUBLIC Local schools and nurseries A significantly greater proportion of respondents aged 16 to 34 (61%) and 35 to 54 (59.59%) use local schools and nurseries, when compared to those aged 55-64 (10.1%) and over the age of 65 (7.9%). Respondents without a disability (39%) were more likely to have used than those with (16%). Half of female respondents (41%) compared to 20% of male respondents use. RSL tenants were most likely to use (50%) compared to owner occupiers (31%) and Council tenants (31%) and those renting from a private landlord (42%). Families were most likely to use with 91% of single parent households and 88% of two parent family households reporting using. Usage was lowest in Paisley Southeast (21%). Usage was greatest in Johnstone South and Elderslie (40%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (42%). Figure 34: Frequency of usage of local schools and nurseries by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 48 PUBLIC Libraries Respondents aged 35 to 54 were significantly more likely to use libraries (45%) than those aged 55 to 64 (28%) and over the age of 65 (28%). The proportion of respondents with a disability who use libraries (26%) was significantly less than those without a disability (38%). Male respondents were significantly less likely to use libraries (26%) than female respondents (41%). Significantly fewer council tenants reported using libraries (28%) compared to private tenants (49%). Over half of two parent family households (55.8%) and single parent families (53%) use libraries, which is significantly more than single pensioner households (17%). Almost half of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie use libraries (47%), which is significantly more than those from Paisley East and Central (23%) and Paisley Southwest (26%). Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile were less likely to use libraries at least once or twice a year (8%) than those from other SIMD quintiles (13%). Figure 35: Frequency of usage of libraries by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 49 PUBLIC Community centres, halls and facilities Over half of respondents aged 16 to 34 (51%) and 35-54 (51%) use community centres, halls and facilities, which is significantly more than those aged 55 to 64 (32%) and those over the age of 65 (25%). Significantly more respondents without a disability use community centres, halls and facilities (44%) than those without a disability (24%). Only a third of male respondents (31%) use community centres, halls and facilities, which is significantly less than female respondents (45%). The proportion of two parent family (60%) and single parent family households (64%) who use community centres, halls and facilities is significantly more than single adult (30%), single pensioner (20%) and older adult family households with at least one pensioner (30%). Around half of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie (55%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (50%) use community centres, halls and facilities. This is significantly more than those from Paisley Southeast (18%) and Paisley Southwest (24%). Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile use community centres, halls and facilities significantly less (32%) than those from other SIMD quintiles (41%). Figure 36: Frequency of usage of community centres, halls and facilities by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 50 PUBLIC Household Waste Recycling Centres Fewer respondents aged 16 to 34 (59%) and over the age of 65 (63%) use household waste recycling centres than those aged 35 to 54 (79%) and 55 to 64 (74%). Fewer respondents with a disability reported using household waste recycling centres (62%) than those without a disability (73%). The proportion of council tenants who use household waste recycling centres (53%) was significantly lower than owner/occupiers (75%) and RSL tenants (67%). Significantly fewer single pensioner (43%) and single parent family households (59%) use than two parent family (89%) and adult family households (75%). Around half of respondents from Paisley Northwest (57%) and Paisley East and Central (60%) use household waste recycling centres. This is significantly less than those from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (86%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (85%). Significantly fewer respondents use household waste recycling centres from the most deprived SIMD quintile (59%), than those from other SIMD quintiles (74%). Figure 37: Frequency of usage of household waste recycling centres by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 51 PUBLIC Parks, gardens and open spaces Respondents aged 55-64 (67%) and 65+ (62%) who reported using parks, gardens and open spaces was significantly less than those aged 16 to 34 (90%) and those aged 35 to 54 (82%). Over half of respondents with a disability (56%) reported using parks, gardens and open spaces, which is significantly less than those without a disability (78%). The proportion of male respondents (66%) who use parks, gardens and open spaces was significantly less than female respondents (79%). Owner/occupiers (76%) and RSL tenants (72%) were significantly more likely to use park, gardens and open spaces than council tenants (59%). Most likely to use parks, gardens and open spaces were two parent family households (94%) and single parent family households (96%). 77% of respondents from Renfrew North and Braehead and 79% in Paisley Southeast reported using parks, gardens and open spaces, compared to 70% of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie. Only 7% of respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile reported using parks, gardens and open spaces most days, compared to 12% of respondents from other SIMD quintiles. Figure 38: Frequency of usage of parks, gardens and open spaces by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 52 PUBLIC Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres Respondents most likely to use swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres were those aged 16 to 34 (72%) and 35-54 (67%). Respondents with a disability were significantly less likely to use swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (30%) than those without a disability (54%). Female respondents were significantly more likely to use swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (52%) than male respondents (42%). Single parent family (81%) and two parent family households (80%) were more likely to use swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres than single pensioner (18%) and older adult family households (32%). Respondents from Paisley Southeast (32%), Paisley Southwest (35%) and Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch (37%) were significantly less likely to use swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres than those from Johnstone South and Elderslie (57%), Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (59%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (26%). Figure 39: Frequency of usage of swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 53 PUBLIC Care services Fewer respondents aged 16-24 use care services (10%) than those over the age of 65 (15%). The proportion of respondents with a disability who use care services (34%) was significantly more than those without a disability (12%). Significantly more RSL tenants reported using care services (29%), when compared to owner/occupiers (15%), council tenants (13%) and private tenants (9%). Respondents from Houston, Crosslee and Linwood were significantly more likely to use care services (38%) than those from Johnstone South and Elderslie (8%), Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (7%) and Paisley Southwest (6%). Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile (12%) use care services less than other SIMD quintiles (18%). Figure 40: Frequency of usage of care services by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 54 PUBLIC Museums and galleries The age group most likely to use museums and galleries were age 35-54 (51%). Respondents with a disability were significantly less likely to use museums and galleries (24%) than those without a disability (41%). Females were significantly more likely to use (42%) than male respondents (31%). Over half of private tenants (55%) used museums and galleries, which is significantly more than owner/occupiers (38%) and council tenants (26%). Two parent family (61%) or single parent family households (54%) were more likely to use museums and galleries than other household types. Economically active respondents were significantly more likely to use museums and galleries (47%) than those not working/retired (25%). Around half of respondents from Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (48%) and Johnstone South and Elderslie (50%) use museums and galleries. This is significantly more than those from Paisley Southeast (27%), Erskine and Inchinnan (29%), Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (29%) and Paisley Southwest (24%). Significantly fewer respondents from the most deprived SIMD areas use museums and galleries (29%) than those from other SIMD areas (40%). Figure 41: Frequency of usage of museums and galleries by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 55 PUBLIC 4.4. Satisfaction with Council services (Q7) All respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with various public services provided in Renfrewshire. Satisfaction levels were highest regarding: Refuse collection (70% very/ fairly satisfied) Parks, gardens and open spaces (69%) Household waste recycling centres (68%). Figure 42: Satisfaction with public services provided in Renfrewshire (all respondents) On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who were dissatisfied (either very or fairly dissatisfied) was highest with regards to: Road maintenance (41% very or fairly dissatisfied) Street cleaning (21%) Refuse collection (14%)
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 56 PUBLIC The results to this question have then been analysed excluding the proportion of respondents who answered ‘don’t know’ for each service, highlighting satisfaction for those that have an opinion on the service, either through usage of the service or knowledge of others experience of the service. This shows that satisfaction is significantly higher where don’t know responses are taken out. The highest level of satisfaction was with regard to: Local schools and nurseries (94% very/ fairly satisfied) Children’s play areas (89%) Parks, gardens and open spaces (88%) Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) (88%). Figure 43: Satisfaction with public services (excluding don't know responses) On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who were dissatisfied (either very or fairly dissatisfied) was highest with regards to: Road maintenance (43% very or fairly dissatisfied) Street cleaning (22%) Refuse collection (15%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 57 PUBLIC Compared to the Scottish Household Survey, where comparisons are available, satisfaction is slightly higher or broadly similar in the resident survey for most aspects with the exception of libraries, where satisfaction in the resident survey is lower than the SHS. Figure 44: Satisfaction with Council services (SHS 2023 Scotland compared to Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025) % Very or Fairly satisfied excluding no opinion SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025 Children’s play areas* 84% 85% 89% Parks, gardens and open spaces 88% Local schools and nurseries 80% 90%** 94% Care services*** 63% 58% 75% Refuse collection 79% 74% 73% Street cleaning 57% 50% 64% Roads maintenance 20% 23% 39% Household waste recycling centre Not available Not available 87% Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) 91% 93% 88% Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres 83% 84% 84% Museums and galleries 90% 86% 84% Community centres, halls and facilities 53% 64% 85% *Children’s play areas included in Parks, gardens and green spaces in SHS **Renfrewshire Local Schools data from 2019 ***Care Service comparison is taken from Health Care Experience Survey 2023/24 - overall positive rating for rating help, care or support services 'Overall, how would you rate your help, care or support services? Please exclude the care and help you get from friends and family’ The charts shown below show analysis by demographic characteristics in order to provide an indication of where higher or lower levels of satisfaction are reported. Please note that for this analysis, the number of respondents in some characteristics for some services are very small therefore this analysis should be treated with caution. Analysis by ward has also been carried out. Please note that for both demographic and ward analysis only statistically significant differences are reported.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 58 PUBLIC Children’s play areas Figure 45: Satisfaction with children’s play areas (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Respondents aged 35 to 54 were significantly more satisfied (92%) with children’s play areas than those aged 55 to 64 (82%) and over the age of 65 (84%). Tenure RSL tenants had a significantly higher satisfaction rate (95%) regarding children’s play areas than council tenants (82%). Household demographic The satisfaction rate for children’s play areas was significantly lower for single pensioner households (73%) than two parent family (90%) and adult family households (95%). Electoral ward Respondents from Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (100%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (96%) were significantly more satisfied with children’s play areas than those from Paisley Southeast (68%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 59 PUBLIC Parks, gardens and open spaces Figure 46: Satisfaction with parks, gardens and open spaces (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Respondents aged 35 to 54 were significantly more satisfied with parks, gardens and open spaces (92%) than those aged 55 to 64 (83%). Electoral ward The satisfaction rate for parks, gardens and open spaces was significantly lower for respondents from Paisley Southeast (70%) when compared to those from Johnstone South and Elderslie (94%), Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (97%) and Paisley Southwest (94%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 60 PUBLIC Local schools and nurseries Figure 47: Satisfaction with local schools and nurseries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age All respondents aged 16 to 34 reported that they were satisfied with local schools and nurseries, compared to only 86% of those over the age of 65. Household demographic All respondents from single adult households and single parent households reported that they were satisfied with local schools and nurseries, compared to only 90% of older adult family households and 95% of two parent family households. Electoral ward All respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie, Renfrew South and Gallowhill, Houston, Crosslee and Linwood reported that they were satisfied with local schools and nurseries. Fewer respondents from Paisley Northeast and Ralston (84%) and Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (82%) were satisfied with local schools and nurseries.
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 61 PUBLIC Care services Figure 48: Satisfaction with care services (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age More respondents aged 35-54 (79%) and aged 65+ (82%) reported that they were satisfied with care services than those aged 16 to 34 (65%) and 55-64 (61%). Tenure Council tenants had a significantly higher satisfaction rate for care services (91%) than owner occupiers (71%). Household demographic Significantly fewer adult family households were satisfied with care services (62%) than single pensioner (88%) and single parent family households (94%). Electoral ward The satisfaction rate for care services was significantly lower for respondents from Paisley Northeast and Ralston (59%), Renfrew South and Gallowhill (48%) and Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (62%) compared to those from Paisley Northwest (93%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (93%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (90%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 62 PUBLIC Refuse collection Figure 49: Satisfaction with refuse collection (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age The lowest level of satisfaction was amongst respondents aged 55 to 64 (67%). Those aged 65+ were most likely to be satisfied (76%). Tenure Dissatisfaction was significantly higher among owner occupiers (17%) than council tenants (8%). Household demographic Fewer single adult households were satisfied with refuse collection (64%) than single pensioner (78%) and older adult family households (77%). Electoral ward Satisfaction was lowest among respondents from Paisley Southeast (57%), and Erskine and Inchinnan (56%). It was highest in Paisley Southwest (84%). SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile reported a lower dissatisfaction rate for refuse collection (10%) than those from other SIMD quintiles (16%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 63 PUBLIC Street cleaning Figure 50: Satisfaction with street cleaning (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Satisfaction with street cleaning was highest for those aged 16-34 (75%) and lower for those aged 55-64 (59%) and those aged 65+ (59%). Sex Fewer male respondents were satisfied with street cleaning (60%) than female respondents (67%). Tenure Owner/occupiers were less likely to be satisfied with street cleaning (61%) than council tenants (70%) and RSL tenants (74%). Electoral ward Around half of respondents from Erskine and Inchinnan (51%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (49%) were satisfied with street cleaning, which is significantly less than respondents from Paisley Northwest (69%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (80%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (72%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 64 PUBLIC Nearly half of respondents from Paisley Southeast (42%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (42%) were dissatisfied with street cleaning. SIMD 2020 Quintile Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile (16%) were less likely to be dissatisfied with street cleaning dissatisfaction than those from the other SIMD quintiles (23.5%). Roads maintenance Figure 51: Satisfaction with roads maintenance (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Respondents aged 16-34 (56%) and those aged 35-54 (44%) were more likely to be satisfied with road maintenance than those aged 55-64 (30%) and 65+ (33%). Tenure Nearly half of owner/occupiers (49%) reported that they were dissatisfied with road maintenance, which is significantly more than council tenants (24%), RSL tenants (35%) and private tenants (29%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 65 PUBLIC Electoral ward The dissatisfaction rate for road maintenance was significantly higher among respondents from Paisley Southeast (75%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (71%). Conversely, only 11% of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie, reported that they were dissatisfied with road maintenance. SIMD 2020 Quintile A third of respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile (34%) were dissatisfied with road maintenance, which is significantly less than respondents from the other SIMD quintiles (46%). Household waste and recycling centres Figure 52: Satisfaction with Household waste and recycling centres (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Satisfaction with household waste recycling centres was highest for those aged 16- 34 (92%) and aged 65+ (90%) and was lower than for those aged 35-64 (84%) and those aged 55-64 (87%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 66 PUBLIC Tenure Fewer private tenants were satisfied with household waste recycling centres (73%) than owner/occupiers (88%) and council tenants (88%). Household demographic Two parent families were significantly less satisfied with household waste recycling centres (83%) when compared to adult family households (92%). Electoral ward Satisfaction with household waste recycling centres was greatest for respondents from Erskine and Inchinnan (94%), Paisley Northeast and Ralston (95%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (95%). Satisfaction was lower in Paisley Northwest (83%), Johnstone South and Elderslie (81%) and Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (77%). Libraries Figure 53: Satisfaction with libraries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Significantly fewer respondents aged 35-54 were satisfied with libraries (82%) than those aged 16-24 (98%) and those over the age of 65 (92%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 67 PUBLIC Electoral ward Respondents from Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch had the lowest satisfaction rate for libraries (63%). This was followed by Paisley East and Central (80%) All respondents from Houston, Crosslee and Linwood were satisfied with libraries. Satisfaction was also incredibly high in Paisley Northeast and Ralston (97%), Paisley Southeast (96%) and Erskine and Inchinnan (95%). Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres Figure 54: Satisfaction with swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age The satisfaction rate for swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres was significantly lower among respondents aged 35 to 54 (80%) than those aged 16 to 34 (92%). Tenure RSL tenants were significantly more satisfied with swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres (90%) than private tenants (73%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 68 PUBLIC Electoral ward Respondents most dissatisfied with swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres were those from Paisley Southeast (16%) and Erskine and Inchinnan (20%). Satisfaction was greatest in Paisley Northeast and Ralston (95%), Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (95%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (91%). Museums and galleries Figure 55: Satisfaction with museums and galleries (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Household demographic Single pensioner households were significantly more satisfied with museums and galleries (97%) than two parent family households (79%). Electoral ward The highest satisfaction rate for museums and libraries was among respondents from Renfrew South and Gallowhill (96%), Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (98%) and Renfrew North and Braehead (93%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 69 PUBLIC Community centres, halls and facilities Figure 56: Satisfaction with community centres, halls and facilities (excluding don't know responses) analysed by demographic Age Satisfaction was highest among those aged 16-34 (96%) and over the age of 65 (92%), and lowest for those aged 35 to 54 (79%). Household demographic Older adult family households were most satisfied with community centres, halls and facilities (95%), and lowest for two parent family households (79%). Electoral ward Less than half of respondents from Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch were satisfied with community centres, halls and facilities (41%), compared to those from Renfrew South and Gallowhill (96%) and those from Houston, Crosslee and Linwood (98%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 70 PUBLIC 5. COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND BUDGET OPTIONS 5.1. Overview The survey then went on to ask about Council priorities and potential options to help the Council balance its budget in the future. Residents supported the Council making better use of buildings (82%) and targeting resources to those in greatest need (81%). There was less support for introducing service charges or stopping non-statutory services. Priorities included supporting older and vulnerable people, maintaining infrastructure, and investing in children and families. 5.2. Making savings in the Council’s budget (Q8) Respondents were told that the Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. They were then asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed that the Council should look at doing a range of things. Respondents were most likely to agree that the Council should look at: Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties (82% strongly agree/ agree) Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need (81%) Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways (64%). Figure 57: Agreement with approaches for making savings in the Council’s budget
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 71 PUBLIC On the other hand, options which had the highest proportions stating they were unacceptable were: Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (46%) Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services (33%). Analysis by ward reveals that the biggest differences can be seen regarding the following: The Council could make better use of its buildings and properties: The proportion of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie (61%) and Renfrew South and Gallowhill (60%) who strongly agreed that Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties was significantly higher than Erskine and Inchinnan (18%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (35%). Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services: The proportion of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie (24.5%) who strongly agreed Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services was significantly greater than Paisley Southeast (1%), Erskine and Inchinnan (0%), Paisley Northeast and Ralston (1%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (1%). Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways: Significantly more respondents from Paisley East and Central (43%), Renfrew North and Braehead (42%) and Johnstone North, Kilbarchan Howwood and Lochwinnoch (37%) strongly agreed that Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways, compared to Erskine and Inchinnan (3%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (6%). Of note, respondents aged 35-54 were most likely to strongly agree that Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways (37%), compared to 15% of those above the age of 65. Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (not statutory): No respondents from Erskine and Inchinnan and only 1% from Paisley East and Central strongly agreed that Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (not statutory). Significantly more respondents from Paisley Southeast (11%) and Paisley Southwest (17%) strongly agreed with this statement. Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need: The proportion of respondents from Johnstone South and Elderslie (55%) and Paisley East and Central (56%) who strongly agreed that Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need was significantly higher than Erskine and Inchinnan (8%) and Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank (21%). Respondents from the most deprived SIMD quintile were significantly more likely to strongly agree that Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need (46%) than those from other SIMD quintiles (36%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 72 PUBLIC 5.3. Perceptions of Council priorities (Q9) When asked to rate a range of Council services on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all important and 5 is absolutely essential, most likely to be considered as absolutely essential/very important were: Support older people – for example, care at home and care homes (97%) Maintain and look after roads, pavements, open spaces and public places (96%) Support vulnerable people – for example, providing free activities to promote social interaction (96%) Support the health and wellbeing of children and families through early intervention support (95%) On the other hand, less likely to be perceived as absolutely essential/very important were: Support tourism and the visitor economy (62%) Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events (62%) Invest in measures to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire (49%) Figure 58: Views on Council priorities
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 73 PUBLIC 6. MONEY MATTERS 6.1. Overview Respondents were asked about their financial management. While 45% of residents reported managing well financially, 5% were experiencing financial difficulties. Owner- occupiers were most financially secure, while council tenants and single-parent households were more likely to report hardship. Younger adults and those with disabilities were also more likely to face financial challenges. 6.2. Financial management (Q15) Respondents were asked how well their household is currently managing financially, with 45% of respondents saying they are managing very well or quite well. 43% said they were getting by alright. On the other hand, 5% of respondents said they were not managing very well, had some financial difficulties or were in deep financial trouble. Figure 59: Financial management
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 74 PUBLIC The table below shows the results for the 2025 Resident Survey compared to the 2023 Scottish Household Survey. For comparison purposes the figures have been adjusted to exclude those who said they don’t know or would prefer not to answer the question in the Resident Survey. This shows that slightly fewer Renfrewshire Residents 2025 said they were managing very or quite well (48%) than the Scottish Average (52%). However, this is more in line with the Renfrewshire proportion managing very or quite well in the SHS 2023 when 47% said they were managing well. Figure 60: Household financial management (SHS Scotland 2023 compared to Renfrewshire Resident Survey 2025) SHS 2023 Scotland SHS 2023 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Residents Survey 2025* Managing very/ quite well 52% 47% 48% Getting by alright 39% 41% 46% Not managing very well/ have some financial difficulties/ deep financial trouble 9% 12% 4% * Figures have been adjusted to exclude the % who said prefer not to say and don’t know Demographic analysis shows the following significant differences: Age Respondents aged 16-34 (23%) were the age group least likely to state that they were managing very or quite well. Respondents in all other age groups were more likely to state that they were managing very or quite well with 46% aged 35-54, 50% aged 55-64 and 51% aged 65+ stating this. Disability Respondents with a disability were significantly more likely to state that they were having financial difficulties (11%) than those without a disability (4%). Tenure Owner/ occupiers were most likely to state that they were managing very or quite well financially (55%) whereas tenants were all much less likely. Least likely to state that they were managing well were Council tenants (21%). Private tenants were most likely to state that they were having financial difficulties (17%). Household demographic Two parent families (52%), adult family household (53%), older adult family households (51%) and other household types (57%) were most likely to state that they are managing well. Single parent families were significantly less likely to state they were managing well (14%) and more likely to state that they are having financial problems (11%). Single adult households were also most likely to state they are having financial problems (11%). SIMD Those living in the most deprived 20% were more likely to state that they were having financial difficulties (8%) than those living in other areas (4%).
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 75 PUBLIC Figure 61: Financial management analysed by demographic
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 76 PUBLIC Analysis by ward indicates that: Respondents in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood were least likely to state that they were managing very or quite well (18%) whereas those living in Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank were most likely to say they were managing very or quite well (79%). The greatest proportion of respondents stating they were having some financial difficulties was in the Houston, Crosslee and Linwood area (9%) followed by Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch (6%), Paisley Northwest (6%) and Paisley Northeast and Ralston (6%). Figure 62: Financial management analysed by ward
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 77 PUBLIC Appendix 1 Survey Questionnaire
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 78 PUBLIC RENFREWSHIRE AS A PLACE TO LIVE We would like to begin by asking about your neighbourhood and Renfrewshire as a place to live. 1. How long have you lived in Renfrewshire? (RC) Less than 1 year 1 1-5 years 2 6-10 years 3 Over 10 years 4 All your life 5 Don't know 6 2. How would you rate Renfrewshire as a place to live? RC Very good 1 Fairly good 2 Fairly poor 3 Very poor 4 Don’t know / No opinion 5 3. How strongly do you feel that you belong to Renfrewshire? RC If asked prompt – i.e. how comfortable, connected, and accepted do you feel? Very strongly 1 Fairly strongly 2 Not very strongly 3 Not at all strongly 4 Don’t know/ no opinion 5 YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Now I’d like to ask about your neighbourhood and the community you live in. Prompt – if-asked - Your neighbourhood is typically defined as nearby streets, parks, schools, shops, or shared spaces within 15-minute walk from your home. 4. Thinking about the neighbourhood that you live in, how would you rate it as a place to live? SHS Very good 1 Fairly good 2 Fairly poor 3 Very poor 4 Don’t know/No opinion 5 5. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of these statements about your neighbourhood? SHS Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other 1 2 3 4 5 This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to 1 2 3 4 5 This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood 1 2 3 4 5 This is a safe neighbourhood 1 2 3 4 5
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 79 PUBLIC COUNCIL SERVICES The next few questions are about Council services. 6. This is a list of statements that could be used to describe a local council. To what extent do you agree or disagree that they apply to Renfrewshire Council? SHS Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree No opinion Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing 1 2 3 4 5 6 Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. How often do you use the following Council and partner services? SHS Most days At least once a week About once a month Once or twice a year Not at all Children’s play areas 1 2 3 4 5 Parks, gardens and open spaces 1 2 3 4 5 Local schools and nurseries 1 2 3 4 5 Household Waste Recycling Centres 1 2 3 4 5 Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) 1 2 3 4 5 Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres 1 2 3 4 5 Museums and galleries (including Heritage Centre and archives, Renfrew Museum and Paisley Museum development) 1 2 3 4 5 Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre) 1 2 3 4 5 6
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 80 PUBLIC 8. How satisfied are you with the following services? SHS Very satisfied Fairly satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Fairly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied No opinion Children’s play areas 1 2 3 4 5 6 Parks, gardens and open spaces 1 2 3 4 5 6 Local schools and nurseries 1 2 3 4 5 6 Refuse collection 1 2 3 4 5 6 Street cleaning 1 2 3 4 5 6 Roads maintenance 1 2 3 4 5 6 Household Waste Recycling Centres 1 2 3 4 5 6 Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres 1 2 3 4 5 6 Museums and galleries (including Heritage Centre and archives, Renfrew Museum and Paisley Museum development) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre) 1 2 3 4 5 6 9. The Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. I’m going to read out some options they could consider. How strongly do you agree or disagree that they should look at doing each of these? Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Renfrewshire Council could make better use of their buildings and properties If-asked prompt- For example, they could: • Move public services into modern, shared spaces—like schools, health centres, or other community hubs • Stop using buildings that are old, underused, expensive to run, or bad for the environment • Transfer buildings or land to local community groups to use and run 1 2 3 4 5
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 81 PUBLIC Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services. If-asked prompt E.g In April 2025, a non-residential social care charging policy was introduced for Day Services, Community Meals and Community Alarms. Discounts may still be provided for some people following a financial assessment. 1 2 3 4 5 Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways If-asked prompt– e.g. Encourage people to use the website to find and pay for council services online. 1 2 3 4 5 Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required 1 2 3 4 5 Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need 1 2 3 4 5 10. The Council and partners want to know which services residents want to prioritise to help inform planning and decision making. On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all important and 5 is absolutely essential, how would you score these priorities? 1 – not at all important 2 – of little importance 3 – of average importance 4 – very important 5 – Absolutely essential Supporting people and communities Support the health and wellbeing of children and families through early intervention support 1 2 3 4 5 Support older people – for example, care at home and care homes 1 2 3 4 5 Support vulnerable people – for example, providing free activities to promote social interaction 1 2 3 4 5 Employment, education and skills Support people into employment, training or further education 1 2 3 4 5
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 82 PUBLIC Invest in school buildings and our learning estate 1 2 3 4 5 Community life and wellbeing Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events 1 2 3 4 5 Support libraries, community facilities and sports and leisure facilities 1 2 3 4 5 Places and infrastructure Maintain and look after roads, pavements, open spaces and public places 1 2 3 4 5 Provide community safety services to improve local community issues 1 2 3 4 5 Economy and environment Invest in measures to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire 1 2 3 4 5 Support tourism and the visitor economy 1 2 3 4 5 Support local businesses – for example, grants to occupy empty premises 1 2 3 4 5 ABOUT YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD The final questions are about you and will help Renfrewshire Council understand the profile of its residents. Please be assured the questions are completely confidential and will only be used for analysis purposes to see if there are differences in the views between different types of household or resident. These additional questions are voluntary. If there are any questions you do not want to answer, please just move on to the next one. 11. So that we can check we are getting responses from the right people, can you provide your postcode. This will allow us to check that you live in the Renfrewshire area POSTCODE (ensure space) 12. Do you own your home, or rent it? I own my home – owner/ occupier 1 I rent from the Council – Council tenant 2 I rent from a Housing Association – RSL tenant 3 I rent from a private landlord – private tenant 4 Other (please specify) 5
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 83 PUBLIC 13. What best describes your household? Single Adult Household (non-pensioner) and no children 1 Single Pensioner Household 2 Two parent family - two adults (non pensioner) and at least one dependent child 3 Single Parent family - one adult any age and at least one dependent child 4 Adult Family Household with two or more adults and no dependent children 5 Older Adult Family Household contains at least one pensioner 6 Other (please specify) 7 14. Which of the following best describes your employment status? [ONE ONLY] Full time employment (more than 30 hrs pw) 1 Go to Q15 Part time employment (less than 30 hrs pw) 2 Self employed 3 Unemployed/Seeking Work 4 Go to Q16 Unemployed/Not seeking work 5 Not working due to long term illness or disability 6 Looking after home/ family 7 Carer 8 Retired 9 Studying at school, college or university 10 Other (please write in below) 11 15. Do you work for Renfrewshire Council, One Ren or Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership? Yes, Renfrewshire Council 1 Yes, OneRen 2 Yes, Renfrewshire HSCP 3 No 4 16. Which of the following best describes how you say your household is currently managing financially? RC PSP/ SHS Question Managing very well 1 Managing quite well 2 Getting by alright 3 Don’t manage very well 4 Have some financial difficulties 5 Are in deep financial trouble 6 Don’t know 7 Prefer not to say 8
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 84 PUBLIC 17. Which age band best describes you? 16-24 1 25-34 2 35-44 3 45-54 4 55-59 5 60-64 6 65-74 7 75+ 8 Prefer not to say 9 18. Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes 1 Go to Q19 No 2 Go to Q20 Prefer not to say 3 19. How would you describe the nature of your disability from the following list? Autoimmune: (e.g. multiple sclerosis, HIV, Crohn’s/ulcerative colitis) 1 Learning difficulties: (e.g. Down’s Syndrome) 2 Mental health issue: (e.g. depression, bi-polar) 3 Neuro-divergent condition: (e.g. autistic spectrum, Dyslexia, dyspraxia) 4 Physical impairment: (e.g. wheelchair-user, cerebral palsy) 5 Hearing impairment 6 Visual impairment 7 Other (please specify) 8 Prefer not to say 9 20. What is your ethnic group? Choose ONE section from A-F, then tick ONE box which best describes your ethnic group or background. A White Scottish 1 English 2 Welsh 3 Irish 4 Other British 5 Polish 6 Gypsy / Traveller 7 Roma 8 B Mixed or multiple ethnic groups Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups, please write in 9 C Asian Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani 10 Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian 11 Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi 12 Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese 13 Other Asian background, please write in: 14 D African African, Scottish African or British African 15 Other African background, please write in 16 E Caribbean or Black Caribbean, Caribbean Scottish or Caribbean British 17 Black, Black Scottish or Black British 18
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 85 PUBLIC Other Caribbean or Black background, please write in 19 F Other ethnic group Other, please write in 20 Prefer not to say 21 21. What religion, religious denomination or body do you belong to? Buddhist 1 Church of Scotland 2 Hindu 3 Jewish 4 Muslim 5 Other Christian 6 Pagan 7 Roman Catholic 8 Sikh 9 Other religion or body 10 None 11 Prefer not to say 12 22. What is your sex? Male 1 Female 2 Prefer not to say 3 Q1 23. Do you consider yourself to be trans, or have a trans history? Yes 1 No 2 Prefer not to say 3 24. Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation? Bisexual 1 Gay or Lesbian 2 Straight/ Heterosexual 3 Other 4 Prefer not to say 5 Future engagement and consultation Research Resource will be organising six focus group sessions to explore the answers and key themes of this survey in more detail. These will take place in August. The focus groups are an opportunity for you to discuss your answers in more detail, telling us more specifically about the impact Council services have on your life and the areas you would like to see change or improve. 25. Are you potentially interested in taking part in the focus groups? If you say yes, Research Resource will get in touch with more details about the focus groups and you can decide at that time if you are willing and able to take part? Yes (please record respondent name, email address and telephone number) 1 No 2
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 86 PUBLIC INTERVIEWER READ OUT Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions. Your answers will be reported back to Council officers and Elected Members. A survey report will be available on the council website from October 2025. Would you like to take a note of our website address were you can read our privacy notice and find out more about how we use the data you provide?
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 87 PUBLIC Appendix 2 Technical Report Summary
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 88 PUBLIC TECHNICAL REPORT SHEET – QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH Project name Renfrewshire Council Resident Survey 2025 Project number P1483 Objectives of the research The specific research objective of the 2025 Residents Survey is to provide the Council information on local residents’ experience and perceptions across a range of topics with regard to living in Renfrewshire and Council and public services. Target population Renfrewshire residents Description of sample frame/ source and validation methods if applicable A database was procured with a representative cross section of 5,000 Renfrewshire residents for the telephone research methodology. This was then augmented with face to face interviews going door to door within geographical areas. Sampling method (probability or non probability) and quotas used A quota based approach to sampling was used targeting sub groups geographically by ward and tenure. Sample units drawn A database was procured with a representative cross section of 5,000 Renfrewshire residents for the telephone research methodology. Target sample size 1000 Achieved sample size and reasons if target not achieved 1,016 Date of fieldwork 2nd May and 11th June 2025 Data collection method The 2025 Renfrewshire Residents Survey was undertaken using a mixed methodology comprising a large-scale interviewer led survey with a representative sample of 1,016 Renfrewshire residents. 509 carried out by telephone and 507 carried out on a face-to-face basis. This was augmented with an online survey which was open to all Renfrewshire resident to respond to. A total of 1,029 Renfrewshire residents responded to this. This was designed to present an open opportunity to all Renfrewshire residents to participate in the research. Response rate and definition and method of how calculated Not applicable for face to face interviews 10% for telephone interviews (509 interviews out of our procured sample of 5,000 residents) Questionnaire length c. 10-15 minutes Any incentives? No Number of interviewers 13
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Research Resource RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 89 PUBLIC Interview/ self completion validation methods Interviews were validated using a combination of remote listening for telephone interviews and respondent recontact for face to face interviews. Online interviews were validated using the full respondent postcode. Showcards or any other materials used? None. Weighting procedures (if applicable) None Estimating and imputation procedures (if applicable) Not applicable Reliability of findings and methods of statistical analysis if applicable +/-3% for Renfrewshire overall based upon a 50% estimate at the 95% confidence level NB If publishing any results please ensure that any conclusions or data reported are adequately supported by the data provided in this report.
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OFFICIAL Renfrewshire Resident Survey Primary Research Results summary
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OFFICIAL Overview • Hybrid research methodology • 1,016 interview led surveys (telephone and face to face) • Statistically robust sample c. +/-3% • Representative sample spread across Renfrewshire • Augmented by an online survey • 1,029 interviews online • Self-selecting sample • Inclusiveness of opportunity but may provide a more biased view
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OFFICIAL Good representation has been achieved across Renfrewshire for both surveys but online surveys are heavily skewed in some geographical areas. Ward Response profile NB 164 online respondents did not provide postcode Electoral Ward Population % of population Interviewer led survey respondents % of interviewer led survey respondents Online survey respondents % of online survey respondents Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank 13501 8.8% 100 9.8% 105 12.1% Erskine and Inchinnan 13820 9.0% 62 6.1% 100 11.5% Houston, Crosslee and Linwood 13527 8.8% 88 8.7% 98 11.3% Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch 12835 8.3% 68 6.7% 127 14.6% Johnstone South and Elderslie 14233 9.2% 102 10.0% 68 7.8% Paisley East and Central 11825 7.7% 82 8.1% 29 3.3% Paisley Northeast and Ralston 9814 6.4% 70 6.9% 21 2.4% Paisley Northwest 16803 10.9% 117 11.5% 45 5.2% Paisley Southeast 10193 6.6% 62 6.1% 22 2.5% Paisley Southwest 13300 8.6% 87 8.6% 37 4.3% Renfrew North and Braehead 14363 9.3% 103 10.1% 151 17.4% Renfrew South and Gallowhill 10025 6.5% 75 7.4% 64 7.4% 154239 1016 867
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OFFICIAL A significantly higher proportion of online respondents were owner occupiers compared to the interviewer led survey and the Renfrewshire population as a whole Tenure Response profile Tenure Renfrewshire Interviewer led Survey Online survey Owner occupied 65.73% 67.1% 84.6% Rented privately 10.60% 7.9% 5.3% Rented from housing associations 9.71% 10.2% 4.1% Rented from local authorities 13.97% 14.8% 5.9% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100% (Source: NRS household population projections 2018 based, projected for 2023)
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OFFICIAL Online survey as younger response profile 2.0% 11.9% 20.4% 23.7% 11.8% 10.6% 14.9% 2.5% 2.3%1.1% 8.8% 21.0% 15.6% 12.0% 8.4% 21.1% 8.7% 3.4% 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65-74 75+ Prefer not to say Q16 Which age band best describes you? Online (n=1021) Phone (n=1016)
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OFFICIAL More females responded online 31.2% 63.9% 5.0% 40.3% 56.8% 3.0% Male Female Prefer not to say Q21 What is your sex? Online (n=1008) Phone (n=1016)
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OFFICIAL Online survey are more likely to be in employment 51.2% 12.2% 5.1% 0.7% 0.6% 5.0% 0.7% 1.2% 21.0% 1.2% 1.1% 41.1% 10.6% 2.1% 2.1% 0.3% 4.9% 3.5% 0.4% 31.6% 0.2% 3.1% Full time employment (more than 30 hrs pw) Part time employment (less than 30 hrs pw) Self employed Unemployed/Seeking Work Unemployed/Not seeking work Not working due to long term illness or disability Looking after home/ family Carer Retired Studying at school, college or university Other Q13 Which of the following best describes your employment status? Online (n=1017) Phone (n=1016) Online 13% Council 0.6% On Ren 2% HSCP Phone 4% Council 0.2% OneRen 1% HSCP
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OFFICIAL Online survey more likely to have children in the household 12.5% 4.2% 31.3% 5.5% 29.2% 13.0% 4.2% 16.0% 11.8% 20.5% 6.9% 23.0% 14.4% 7.4% Single Adult Household (non- pensioner) and no children Single Pensioner Household Two parent family - two adults (non pensioner) and at least one dependent child Single Parent family - one adult any age and at least one dependent child Adult Family Household with two or more adults and no dependent children Older Adult Family Household contains at least one pensioner Other (please specify) Q12 What best describes your household? Online (n=1020) Phone (n=1016)
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OFFICIAL Renfrewshire as a place to live 13.9% 62.9% 18.9% 3.6% 0.7% 44.8% 48.1% 5.1% 1.3% 0.7% Very good Fairly good Fairly poor Very poor Don’t know / No opinion Q2 How would you rate Renfrewshire as a place to live? Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016) 77% Online 93% Phone
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OFFICIAL Rating of the neighbourhood 28.4% 52.8% 14.6% 3.8% 0.4% 51.8% 43.6% 3.5% 0.9% 0.2% Very good Fairly good Fairly poor Very poor Don’t know/No opinion Q3 Thinking about the neighbourhood that you live in, how would you rate it as a place to live? Online (n=1025) Phone (n=1016) 81% Online 95% Phone 95% SHS
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OFFICIAL Neighbourhood perceptions 73% 86% 62% 88% 47% 81% 64% 90% Online (n=1028) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1022) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1027) Phone (n=1016) This is a neighbourhood where people are kind to each other This is a neighbourhood I feel proud to belong to This is a clean and tidy neighbourhood This is a safe neighbourhood Q4 How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of these statements about your neighbourhood? 82% SHS 81%* SHS 85% SHS *SHS states feel safe when walking alone in neighbourhood after dark
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OFFICIAL Perceptions of Council services 19% 61% 18% 54% 11% 53% 9% 44% 12% 58% 14% 54% 21% 62% Online (n=1021) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1019) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1025) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1021) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016) Renfrewshire Council provides high quality services Renfrewshire Council does the best it can with the money available Renfrewshire Council is addressing the key issues affecting the quality of life in my local neighbourhood Renfrewshire Council is good at listening to local people's views before it takes decisions Renfrewshire Council designs its services around the needs of the people who use them Renfrewshire Council is good at letting local people know how well it is performing Renfrewshire Council is good at letting people know about what services it provides Q5 This is a list of statements that could be used to describe a local council. To what extent do you agree or disagree that they apply to Renfrewshire Council? SHS 42% SHS 42% 33% 23% 31% 30% 37%
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OFFICIAL Service usage - ranked 10% 15% 18% 23% 33% 35% 40% 46% 62% 7% 9% 20% 30% 36% 37% 44% 68% 81% Care services Museums and galleries (including Heritage Centre and archives, Renfrew Museum and Paisley Museum development) Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall, Johnstone Town Hall, Paisley Arts Centre) Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and Skoobmobile) Local schools and nurseries Children’s play areas Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres Household Waste Recycling Centres Parks, gardens and open spaces Q6 How often do you use the following Council and partner services? (% using at least once a month) Online Phone
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OFFICIAL Service satisfaction (all respondents) 43% 69% 43% 19% 70% 61% 37% 68% 40% 46% 37% 38% 36% 48% 29% 6% 40% 19% 9% 57% 37% 32% 23% 35% Children’s play areas Parks, gardens and open spaces Local schools and nurseries Care services Refuse collection Street cleaning Roads maintenance Household Waste Recycling Centres Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and … Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres Museums and galleries (including Heritage Centre and archives,… Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall,… Q7 How satisfied are you with the following services? (all respondents) Online Phone
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OFFICIAL Service satisfaction (excluding DK) 89% 88% 94% 75% 73% 64% 39% 87% 88% 84% 84% 85% 52% 50% 52% 20% 41% 19% 10% 61% 66% 46% 47% 57% Children’s play areas Parks, gardens and open spaces Local schools and nurseries Care services Refuse collection Street cleaning Roads maintenance Household Waste Recycling Centres Libraries (including services – access to internet, printing, classes and … Swimming pools, football pitches and leisure centres Museums and galleries (including Heritage Centre and archives,… Community centres, halls and facilities (Including Paisley Town Hall,… Q7 How satisfied are you with the following services? (excluding don't know responses) Online Phone
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OFFICIAL Balancing budgets 75% 82% 21% 33% 55% 64% 29% 46% 55% 81% Online (n=1009) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1015) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1021) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1019) Phone (n=1016) Online (n=1024) Phone (n=1016) Renfrewshire Council could make better use of its buildings and properties Renfrewshire Council could introduce charges for some services Renfrewshire Council could deliver services in new ways Renfrewshire Council could identify services it could stop providing that are not legally required (not statutory) Renfrewshire Council could target resources to areas and people with the greatest need Q8 The Council may need to take a different approach to help balance its budget in the future. How strongly do you agree or disagree that they should look at doing each of these?
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OFFICIAL Priorities – ranked 49% 62% 62% 77% 79% 86% 86% 88% 95% 96% 96% 97% 28% 43% 37% 66% 68% 82% 73% 74% 77% 69% 95% 90% Invest in measures to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events Support tourism and the visitor economy Support local businesses – for example, grants to occupy empty … Support libraries, community facilities and sports and leisure facilities Invest in school buildings and our learning estate Support people into employment, training or further education Provide community safety services to improve local community issues Support the health and wellbeing of children and families through… Support vulnerable people – for example, providing free activities to … Maintain and look after roads, pavements, open spaces and public… Support older people – for example, care at home and care homes Q9 On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all important and 5 is absolutely essential, how would you score these priorities? (excludes don't know) online Phone
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OFFICIAL Financial management 11.1% 22.6% 43.6% 5.6% 9.6% 2.0% 0.3% 5.3%5.3% 39.4% 42.8% 2.9% 1.9% 0.1% 0.4% 7.3% Managing very well Managing quite well Getting by alright Don’t manage very well Have some financial difficulties Are in deep financial trouble Don’t know Prefer not to say Q15 Which of the following best describes how you say your household is currently managing financially? Online (n=1026) Phone (n=1016)
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OFFICIAL Renfrewshire Resident Survey Focus Group Key Findings Report
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OFFICIAL Background Research Resource carried out Renfrewshire Council’s 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey. A representative cross section of 1,016 Renfrewshire residents were interviewed either face to face or by phone during May and June 2025. The objective of the Residents Survey was to measure residents’ current perceptions and satisfaction with the Council, access new information, ideas and suggestions which will improve planning and decision making in relation to budget decisions and help shape future activities around resident needs and priorities. 6 focus groups were then carried out with respondents to explore their perception and satisfaction in more depth and provide further insight into resident priorities. This report summarises the key findings of the focus groups.
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OFFICIAL Focus group profile 6 focus groups were carried out between 19th and 27th August 2025. Focus group participants were recruited from resident survey respondents who had said they would be interested in taking part in further research. Focus groups were carried out in person and online, daytime and evening. 4 focus groups were held in Renfrewshire House, Paisley and 2 were online in the evening in order to allow a wide range of residents to participate. Overall 37 residents participated in the focus groups. Residents were from across Renfrewshire, including the more rural villages and ranged in age from mid 30s to into their 70s. Participants included Council tenants and owner occupiers, single people, older couples and families with children. There were also a small number of disabled residents who attended.
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OFFICIAL Focus group themes Budget Principles Introducing charges for some services? How should resources be targeted? Suggestions for innovation in service delivery? Should the Council stop providing some services? Council priorities Understanding residents priorities for Council priority themes Where budgets are limited where do residents want the Council to focus? Place and Neighbourhood What is it like living in Renfrewshire? What impacts residents quality of life? General perceptions of Council services Cross cutting themes Improving transparency and communication Listening to residents Three focus group themes were covered with two focus groups covering each theme. There were also two cross cutting themes which were discussed at every focus group. These were:
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OFFICIAL Budget Principles
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Introducing charges • There were mixed views on charging for services. • There was generally a willingness to pay for non essential or discretionary services, especially if the charge is reasonable, the service is high quality and the money is invested locally. • Examples where residents would be happy to pay are aspects such as museums and other cultural activities, nominal library fees, leisure activities, venue hire and small parking charges. • Garden waste bin charge was already paid by most participants and it was reluctantly accepted. There were concerns about price increases and fly tipping as a consequence of charges for waste collection. It was believed that further charges should not be introduced or carefully considered. • It was believed that some services should always be free at point of use such as general refuse, schools/ education and care services, although there was discussion that some aspects that support older people such as a ‘meals on wheels’ type service should be means tested. • There was strong support formeans-testingandtargeting resourcesbased on need. • Residents expressed some confusion over what services arestatutory vs discretionary. • Residents had a desire fortransparencyon how charges are set and how revenue is used.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Targeting resources • There was strong supportacross both groups for the principle of targeting resources to those in greatest need. This is seen as afair and necessary approach, especially in the context of limited budgets. • There was some concern over prioritising one group or area at the expense of others and residents wanted there to be an emphasis on balance and inclusivity. Targeting should not mean neglecting others. • People in greatest need: In terms of people in the greatest need, elderly, disabled, those on low incomes were consistently identified as the top priority for support, reflecting vulnerability and limited access to services. Carers, especially unpaid carers were noted as important as were children from low income households. • Areas in greatest need: Geographically Paisley, Johnstone and Linwood were highlighted as needing more attention but there was concern that need could be hidden in areas such as Bridge of Weir and Bishopton and that those in more rural areas may have different needs that warrant support such as lack of transport and broadband which create isolation. • It was felt important that support should go beyond area-based deprivation, as children in “better” areas may still face hardship, particularly in single-parent families. It was highlighted that need isn’t always visible and sometimes people in more “affluent” areas are struggling. • It was also believed that there are services to help out there, but they are not always widely known about and residents pointed to a gap in communication and outreach.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Delivering services in new ways Participants offered several practical and creative ideas: • Digital Services: There was strong support for expandingonline accessto services (e.g. reporting issues, booking appointments , logging fallen trees or road issues) via the Council website. However, residents suggested improvements to theCouncil’s websitewere required to make it more user-friendly and intuitive. Inclusion for those not digitally engaged was also a concern. • Community-Led Initiatives: Residents believed that volunteering and community ownership should be encouraged. It was suggested that tasks such as park maintenance, flower planting, and events could be done by community groups and volunteers. Participants mentioned successful local groups likeBonnie Bishopton,Smile in Kilbarchan, andBridge of Weir volunteers. • In terms of transferring ownership to the community there was broad interest in the idea, though participants highlighted significant challenges around logistics, capacity, and sustainability. While some communities have managed successful transfers, others struggled to get projects off the ground. Potential barriers included the need for strong local leadership, funding, and governance structures like trusts. Furthermore, success was seen as dependent on community willingness to engage, volunteer, and sustain activities over time. • Better Use of Libraries, Schools and Town Halls: Libraries were seen as a venue which could be a hub for information and access to services. Schools were seen as a place that could be a focal point for children’s focused services out of hours allowing leisure clubs, cubs and scouts and other activities to be held at these venues meaning they are better used. Town halls could host events, weddings, cinema nights, and community meetings. A good example was that Johnston’s police now share a space in the town hall.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Stop delivering services that are not legally required • Participants were unsure what the Council is legally obliged to provide, with some questioning if anything is required at all. Schools, roads and child protection were mentioned as likely statutory duties, though with uncertainty. • When told about services that the Council is and is not legally obliged to provide, the biggest surprise was that parks and open spaces are not legally required, particularly as some had been gifted to towns. Others, however, felt unsurprised by the list. • Participants suggested thatlocal communities, charities, and organisationscould help deliver some discretionary services, especially where Council resources are stretched. • Examples of organisations who could help were local housing associations (who are already known to be involved in tenant participation and community development), local charities and social enterprises (who could take over community centres or run services like befriending, gardening or cultural activities). • There was strong support for community involvement, particularly around parks and open spaces. Examples were given of local groups already raising funding play equipment and maintaining flower beds, parks and organising local events. • It was suggested, however, that the council could share responsibilities on some of these services and that there was a need for support and co-ordination from the Council to help with funding applications, leadership skills and ensuring that groups have the capacity to do what is required.
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OFFICIAL Council Priorities
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OFFICIAL Council priorities and budget options Prioritisation activity Maintain roads, pavements, open spaces and public places 49 Support vulnerable people 39 Support older people 32 Support libraries, community and sports & leisure facilities 29 Support the health and wellbeing of children and families 28 Support local businesses 27 Support cultural activities, arts, museums and events 27 Support people into training, employment and education 26 Invest in school buildings and our learning estate 23 Support tourism and the visitor economy 22 Community safety services 19 Invest in measures to achieve Net Zero for Renfrewshire 16 • It was explained to participants that the Council’s funding comes from a number of different sources and that each year the Council has to agree on how this budget will be spent and that the Council has to balance its budget every year. Each participant was given tokens which they had to use to identify their greatest priorities. They must allocate one token to each priority and then could allocate additional to any priority as they saw fit. • This identified priorities in the following order:
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Cross cutting themes • It was noted that there are a lot of cross cutting themes across priorities and participants did not always find it easy discuss what was important about one particular priority without straying into other priority areas. • For example children and young people were a priority group but that crossed into health and wellbeing, education, school buildings and learning estate, and also libraries, community and sports & leisure facilities. • A further example is that supporting vulnerable people strayed into both older people and children and families.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Top priorities • Maintaining roads, pavements, open spaces and public places: Participants prioritised the general environment around them and how this looked and feels. They wanted to live somewhere they can take pride in and that stems from roads, pavements, open spaces, public places and buildings were also mentioned. Roads were a source of frustration with participants perceiving a lack of joined up thinking and frustration at seeing utilities companies digging up roads on repeated occasions and works not being co- ordinated. They were also frustrated at patch filling of pot holes and a lack of supervision of contractors. Participants said they don’t see cycle lanes being well used due to cars spitting stones onto cycle lanes and meaning that cyclists are instead using the pavements to cycle on. Parks are seen as a valuable community asset but they are often believed to be under used or neglected. There was a desire for more community gardens, green spaces and places to sit and reflect. • Support libraries, community and sports & leisure facilities: Libraries were seen as multi-functional spaces for study, safety, socialising and access to services. Some participants wanted to see longer and more reliable opening hours and tailoring to young people’s needs as well as providing a space for older people to socialise, to learn how to IT and to support their mental health. Participants raised concerns about libraries being closed down which they would not want and also spoke about having quiet areas as well as separate areas for children such as toddler groups. Community and sports and leisure facilities were also considered critical for health and wellbeing, socialisation and inclusion for all sections of the community, not just young people. There was a strong desire to use these facilities to build community connections. Participants also spoke about the use of schools in the evenings for clubs etc but spoke about the charges involved in using school buildings. Some felt that facilities were not accessible enough or evenly distributed across the area. There was also concern about lack of investment and poor maintenance.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Top priorities • Supporting vulnerable people: vulnerable people were noted as children and young people, those with a disability, drug addicts and older people. With respect to children and young people this was interlinked with the health and wellbeing of children and families. Discussions also highlighted the role of schools and community facilities. Vulnerabilities for older people are discussed below under this aspect. It was noted that it essential that services are joined up and have effective communication for example care services with the police and social work to ensure the safety of vulnerable people. A number of participants were unaware of what to do if they were worried about the safety of a neighbour who they believe to be vulnerable and where to access support to help them especially if they do not have a next of kin. Participants also said there can also be challenges when vulnerable people don’t want help. Mental health and trauma in adults was also highlighted and it was noted that mental health support is seen as inaccessible and underfunded. Participants shared stories of long-term trauma and the need for early intervention. • Supporting older people: loneliness and isolation were major concerns. Participants advocated for community visitors, befriending services and non clinical-support. There was also frustration that care services are being too task focused and lacking compassion. • Support the health and wellbeing of children and families: it was noted that many children face trauma, chaotic home lives and hidden disabilities. It was believed that schools are overcrowded and teachers are untrained to deal with the complex needs they are facing in class rooms. There was also concern that the education system is too focused on metrics and not sufficiently focused on emotional and social development. Children and families were believed to be key as without this early intervention, long term change was not believed to be possible. Safe environments and emotional and social wellbeing is believe to be key.
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OFFICIAL Budget principles Lower priorities and limited resources • When discussing lower priorities, the only priority that was unanimously agreed as a lower priority and one which does not require focus and could be one area where the Council withdraws some focus for a time would be Net Zero and environmental goals. • Participants did not entirely dismiss Net Zero and Environmental goals but they were seen as long-term goals that shouldn’t detract from immediate human needs which were believed to be a much greater priority. • When participants were asked to remove tokens to indicate where cut backs could potentially be made, there was a focus on Net Zero. However, it was also felt that there was potential for more prudent and efficient spending and planning across different areas. For example: • Road resurfacing was criticised for inefficiency and poor oversight. “same road done three times”. • Arts and cultural events: are these areas where spending could be reduced or restructured? • Older adults and isolated individuals: can community based support, partnership with charities and voluntary organisations fill service gaps? • Unused Council buildings: residents suggested selling or repurposing abandoned assets. They also wanted to see more communication about plans for buildings such as Paisley Grammar School and had concerns about the impact of the closure on local businesses within the area. • Participants who removed tokens from supporting local businesses said that this was because they felt that if other priorities such as parking, roads, cleanliness etc were fixed then this would help local businesses.
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OFFICIAL Place and Neighbourhood
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OFFICIAL Place and neighbourhood Positives about living in Renfrewshire • Overview: Overall participants found Renfrewshire a positive place to live. The majority had lived in Renfrewshire for many years, or since birth and several said that although they work or have worked in other areas outside the local authority, they have actively chosen to live in Renfrewshire and commute to their place of work because they enjoy living there. Participants spoke about the nice surroundings for example the Braes, walks and the rich history and that all contribute to making the area an enjoyable place to live. • Transport links: It was evident from discussions that one of the key positives about Renfrewshire is that it has good transport links such as motorway networks and public transport. As mentioned above, several participants chose to commute to their place of work due to excellent transport links. • Sense of community: It was clear from participants that one of the key things that makes Renfrewshire such an enjoyable place to live is the people who live there. In some instances, participants noted that they may like to live in other areas but ultimately it is their family and friends that prevent them from moving away. • Organised cultural events: Participants were positive about organised events that take place in Renfrewshire which are very well thought of by residents and a fantastic way to bring families together. • Local facilities: Participants were positive about many Council led services such as good schools and sports and leisure services. Others spoke positively about nice places to go for food, nightlife and for socialising with friends. Participants were also positive about new facilities opening such as the Observatory and museum which will be a positive addition and hopefully draw people into the area.
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OFFICIAL Place and neighbourhood Negatives about living in Renfrewshire • Facilities for young people: At both groups participants expressed the need for more facilities for young people in an attempt to get them off the streets and to reduce the potential for antisocial behaviour issues. It was felt that there is nowhere for young adults to go and participants spoke about the challenges facing facilities for young people such as a lack of volunteers and commitment from volunteers to take part in safeguarding training. • Neighbourhood appearance: A number of participants spoke about cleansing issues within their neighbourhood such as bins being on the pavements (particular issue in Paisley), dirty streets and a lack of street cleaning. • Roads: potholes, cars parked on street (across different neighbourhoods) and narrow streets mean people have to park on pavements which causes issues for pedestrians and also makes the area look untidy. • Decline of the high street: Participants spoke with pride about the renovated Town Hall and Paisley’s heritage, but also highlighted the decline on the High Street, the loss of major shops, and a need for regeneration and vibrancy. Participants spoke about shopping units lying empty, being an eyesore and in some cases being dangerous. It was felt that Paisley town centre lacks a range of shopping outlets and that there are too many of the same types of shops such as hairdressers and nail salons. • Transport: While participants were happy with the central traffic infrastructure a number of participants were unhappy with the local transport outside of Paisley and in more rural areas. Participants spoke about bus service timetables changing frequently and services being unreliable. Others spoke about the cost of the train being expensive and about a lack of connectivity between different bus routes and also the train service. They spoke about the Edinburgh bus service being an example of a good service where there is a more joined up approach.
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OFFICIAL Place and neighbourhood What could improve your quality of life? • Cleanliness/ maintenance: One of the main issues which impacts residents’ quality of life was noted as “the dirt”. Participants want to live in clean and well maintained neighbourhoods and gave examples of areas such as Dunn Square in Paisley which has a problem with pigeon mess and noted that people do not want to spend time in the square due to this issue. Another point of note was to ensure hedges are maintained on public pathways which can be dangerous for pedestrians as they often have to walk on the roads as not enough space on pavements . • Open areas: Having well maintained open areas such as the Glennifer Braes was identified as being important for leisure purposes and providing a good quality of life. Participants were very positive about the area in terms of it being well looked after. However, they did note that there can be a problem with motorbikes on open spaces such as this. • Town centres and shopping more locally: Participants spoke about a lot of derelict buildings and empty buildings within the town centres and that the Council should help address these, e.g. by putting a false face on the empty buildings or having initiatives to encourage people to take the buildings on. Participants said that while they would like to shop more locally parking charges and availability of parking prevent them from doing so. Others said that the parking charges were reasonable and they found parking to be easy compared to Glasgow and if there were more diversity in terms of shopping outlets they would prefer to shop in Renfrewshire town centres than in other areas such as Glasgow or Braehead. • ASB/ safety: Participants felt feeling safe in the neighbourhood and town centres was important to their quality of the life and that they would like to see more community police patrols or community wardens. Having more CCTV was also something participants highlighted as something that would make them feel more safe (Bridge of Weir).
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OFFICIAL Place and neighbourhood Perception of Council services • Care services: Services that deliver care such as to the elderly, disabled people or families in crisis were perceived as being very important. Respondents spoke about Council run care homes that have shut down had a perception that private care homes treat care as a business and aren’t of the same quality as council led facilities where participants were complimentary and said they had well trained and caring staff. Participants also spoke about people living longer and that there is more of a need for elderly care and rehabilitation care for patients to ensure that they are not using up hospital beds. • Local schools and nurseries: Participants felt that Renfrewshire had good local schools that perform well academically compared to other local authorities. One participant spoke about the schools in Howwood and Johnstone being of similar age and that they are looking rundown and shabby. Participants also spoke about the challenges facing schools and teachers with neurodivergent children who need extra help are in with mainstream children and the importance of ensuring that children are able to get the support they need as without investing in these things it will lead to problems later. • Playpark, parks, gardens, open spaces: Parks and play areas are valued by residents and residents were complimentary about these in Renfrewshire generally and in their local area. Some residents had concern about decline in facilities and also about facilities being taken away without consultation and that the Council should consult with residents when removing or adding facilities to find out what will be used and what is needed within the community. One participant had been involved with a community group and the Council to source funding for a local playpark and residents felt that this was something they would like to see the Council doing more to promote within neighbourhoods. • Libraries: Participants felt that libraries can offer much more activities to the community, particularly to older residents. Accessibility was seen as key and ensuring that there aren’t many stairs and that parking spaces are available nearby.
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OFFICIAL Place and neighbourhood Council services • Road maintenance: upkeep of roads, pothole repairs, and transport connections (bus routes between communities) were seen as crucial. Currently pot holes are a challenge around the Renfrewshire area – in and around local areas. Participants spoke about inconsistency in how roads are maintained with some areas having full roads upgraded whilst other areas have poor quality pothole filling. • Sports and leisure facilities – Participants who use the facilities were generally positive about the range of sports and leisure facilities available to them and were complimentary on the staff who deliver the services. However, a number of participants spoke about the buildings and facilities within the centres needing to be maintained. Others spoke about the cost of facilities and also community events and that it is important to keep facilities affordable to all and that for families of multiple children the costs can add up. • Street cleaning:– This was a service which had a lot of discussion around responsibilities. Participants noted the importance of living somewhere that is clean and tidy. There’s little evidence of ‘street cleaning’ in action apart from one participant who lives opposite a quarry and has noted bags lined up at the side of the road. Others noted that they are aware of street cleaning being done by volunteers, especially in Bridge of Weir. Participants suggested the Council could do more to encourage local residents to get involved with small grants available to provide equipment, flowers and plants etc. • Refuse collection: Participants believed that refuse collection was done consistently well in Renfrewshire. However as noted earlier the key issue was with residents leaving bins on pavements and participants wondered if bin collection staff could report these issues to the Council. Other comments related to the charges for brown bins which has seen an increase recently. • Customer care: Throughout the groups participants spoke highly of Renfrewshire Council staff being helpful and easy to contact within various departments such as the planning team, staff at council run leisure facilities and when telephoning the Council.
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OFFICIAL Cross cutting questions
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OFFICIAL Improving transparency and communication • Improving direct Council contact: In terms of communication, there was a feeling that the current systems where residents contact the Council could be improved. There was frustration relation to automated systems such as the website’s usability (which is seen as being confusing and hard to navigate) and the ability to speak to a real person as opposed to “Millie”. This led to some participants feeling ignored or unheard when trying to resolve issues. • Current sources of information: Participants felt that there is information available to residents but they have to search for it. It was suggested that having KPI tracking on the front page of the website would be useful. Local councillors were also seen as a good source of communication. Some older residents had concerns about communication being too focussed online, leaving some people without access to updates. While some receive council e-mails, others prefer or rely on paper copies. Local channels such as libraries and especially the Advertiser were highlighted as effective tools for sharing information. • Suggestions for improvement to communications: Some participants suggested having an annual report available to residents on Council performance. It was important that this was cheap to produce and residents suggested this should be made available on the Council website. • Transparency: Participants stressed the importance of openness from the council, particularly when resources are stretched or when the wrong or difficult decisions have been made. They felt residents should be kept informed, rather than issues being hidden. Transparency could be improved via things such as quarterly updates on actions taken, visible outcomes from resident feedback and more proactive outreach from councillors or officers.
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OFFICIAL Listening to residents • Participation: Participants welcomed the chance to get involved in future decision-making activities and suggested that their preference would be face to face meetings with Council representatives to input into things such as the design of future builds, or new facilities. Another suggestion was for a Community Liaison Officer who residents can speak to about any issues and can take forward to the Council, someone local within their community and who they can meet with regularly in the community. • Responding to complaints and queries: Participants felt that listening should be evidenced in the way that the Council can respond to residents queries and complaints. This meant things such as being able to speak to a real person if they want to, having acknowledgement of contact, following up on contact with updates and resolving issues effectively. • Providing feedback and updates: Participants wanted to see evidence that their input leads to action. Some suggestions were things such as quarterly updates on progress, publishing results from surveys and focus groups and evidencing visible changes in service or infrastructure as a result of resident input. • Transparency in decision making: Participants want to understand how decisions are made, where money is spent and why certain things are prioritised. They want to see clear evidence that the Council has heard residents and is prioritising the things that are most important. They want to know how money is spent and whether it is spent prudently. • Supporting communities: Listening to residents means also supporting and empowering them to take action. For example helping residents set up local clean ups or events, providing funding and co-ordination support and supporting local groups. • Using multiple communication channels: listening also means using multiple communication channels and acknowledging that not everyone uses social media or websites. This includes printed newsletters, library displays, community notice boards and local newspapers.