Democracy Spraffa

Council Plan 2022-27 – six months progress update for agenda

Renfrewshire Council · 6 December 2023
Back to Leadership Board — 6 December 2023 and its agenda

Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.

Original council PDF · Download plain text

Page 1

___________________________________________________________________
To:  Leadership Board
On:  6 December 2023
___________________________________________________________________
Report by:  Chief Executive 
___________________________________________________________________
Heading:  Council Plan 2022/27 – six months progress update
___________________________________________________________________
1. Summary 
1.1 In September 2022, the Council approved a new Council Plan for Renfrewshire,
which set the strategic direction and vision for Renfrewshire, covering the period
2022 to 2027. The plan replaced the previous Council Plan for 2017 to 2022. 
1.2 The new Council Plan was accompanied by a refreshed Community Plan, which
covers the longer period of 2017 to 2027, but was revised to consider how to respond
to and recover from the unique challenges over the last few years. The refresh also
ensures the Community and Council Plans work in harmony, aligning the framework
for improving community outcomes with the priorities for the Council. 
1.3 The new Council Plan sets out five strategic outcomes which the Council will work
towards, grouped as Place, Economy, Fair, Green, and Living Our Values.
Additionally, the plan outlines a cross-cutting theme of improving outcomes for
children and families, which will underpin the delivery of the five strategic outcomes. 
1.4 Alongside this, each Council service prepares a Service Improvement Plan, themed
around the Council Plan’s strategic outcomes, demonstrating how the services will
contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan. Progress is regularly scrutinised by the
relevant Policy Board. 
1.5 The reporting framework for the Council Plan includes an action plan and
performance scorecard, and is reported to Leadership Board biannually, which
ensures actions are adaptable to any emerging national or local changes in
circumstance while delivering agreed outcomes. The framework was approved in
November 2022 and contains 55 high-level actions to be achieved over the next five

Page 2

years and beyond, and a suite of 39 performance and data indicators, which will
allow outcomes to be measured over the life of the Plan, striving for improvement by
the end of Plan’s period. The first six-month progress report was presented at
Leadership Board in June 2023 and covered quarters 3 and 4 of 2022/23, between
1st October 2022 and 31st March. 
1.6 This report provides an update on progress made to deliver the Council Plan within
quarters 1 and 2 of 2023/24, between 1st April 2023 and 30th September 2023.
Council services have made good progress delivering the five strategic outcomes
and cross-cutting theme, as outlined in section 4 of this report. A detailed summary of
progress against the action plan and key performance indicators is provided in
Appendix 1. 
2.  Recommendations 
2.1 It is recommended that members of the Leadership Board:
x note the progress achieved against the strategic outcomes since the previous
update in June 2023, as outlined in appendix 1; and
x note that progress reports will continue to be presented to the Leadership Board
every 6 months. 
3. Background 
3.1 The Council Plan 2022-2027 was developed in a different economic context than the
previous Plan, with recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant
financial pressures for the organisation, and the cost-of-living crisis. These issues are
still causing huge impacts for our staff and our residents, visitors and businesses. 
3.2 The Council’s vision to 2027, as described in the Council Plan is ‘Creating a fairer
Renfrewshire built on innovation, wellbeing, and opportunity’. The five strategic
outcomes which the council is working with partners, communities, and businesses to
deliver are:
x Place: working together to enhance wellbeing across communities;
x Economy: building an inclusive, green, and resilient economy;
x Fair: nurturing bright, happy, and healthy futures for all;
x Green: leading Renfrewshire to Net Zero; and
x Living Our Values: making a difference together.   
3.3 Each of these outcomes is being delivered in a way that directly contribute to the
cross-cutting theme improving outcomes for children and families. Within the
appendix, actions which significantly contribute to this cross-cutting theme are
highlighted with a ‘CF’ and there is a section in the performance scorecard with
indicators relating to this theme. 
3.4 Council Plan activity also sits alongside the Council’s arrangements in relation to
progressing and achieving Best Value. The Best Value thematic report was
presented to November’s Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board and contains an action plan

Page 3

to be progressed by the Council in response to the recommendations made by the
external audit team. The action plan contains two actions which relate to
opportunities to strengthen the prioritisation of Council Plan activities, and related
monitoring arrangements. These actions will be taken forward with progress reported
to Leadership Board as part of the ongoing Council Plan progress arrangements. 
4. Progress of delivery of the Council Plan during 2023/2024 
4.1 Members will note from Appendix 1 that progress has commenced across the priority
areas with activity broadly on target for this point. As outlined in Section 1, the
Council Plan is a five-year programme, and this report notes the end of the first year
of the plan. Regular reporting to the Leadership Board over the term of the Plan will
ensure progress is closely monitored. 
4.2 Based on the latest available updates, key areas of achievement, progress and also
areas where progress has been delayed is summarised under each strategic
outcome below. 
4.3 Strategic Outcome 1: Place
x Delivering the £100m Housing Led Regeneration and Renewal programme,
providing modern, high quality, energy efficient, affordable Council housing.
Programmes for each of the 8 areas in phase 1 have been prepared and
implementation has started, with milestones for demolition, new build and
investment in homes being retained. Neighbourhood Renewal Groups have
launched in two of the eight Areas – Auchentorlie and the Howard Street Area
– and will now be rolled out programme-wide.
x The construction of 101 new homes at Tannahill is complete with all tenants
having moved in, 94 of which are social rent and five of the seven for Shared
Equity have been sold with the other 2 going through the sale process. The
development of 39 new Council homes at Auchengreoch Road, Johnstone,
was shortlisted for a Scottish Homes Award.
x A Tenants Support Fund policy has been developed and operational process
in place to support tenants experiencing financial hardship. The upscaling of
the Housing First approach has continued, supporting people who are
experiencing homelessness and have complex needs directly into a tenancy,
with the number of people benefitting from this ‘wraparound’ support at any
one time reaching 75, an increase from 13 in 2019.
x Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2023-2028 sets out the
strategic vision for housing and housing related services in Renfrewshire and
seeks to provide a clear direction for strategic housing investment. The LHS
was presented to the Communities and Housing Policy Board alongside the
Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2024-2029 in October. 
x As part of the Council’s Cultural Infrastructure Investment Programme,
Paisley Town Hall refurbishment was completed and opened to the public in
advance of Paisley hosting the Royal National Mòd in October 2023. This
transformational project has delivered a landmark entertainment venue which

Page 4

will help to drive new visitors and footfall into the town centre and surrounding
businesses. 
x Work has been ongoing to refresh the town centre strategies which will be
brought forward once applicable Supplementary Guidance is produced in
relation to Renfrewshire’s Local Development Plan outlining the overall goals
for our towns. In the meantime the team has been outlining potential
regeneration priorities and projects, including in Johnstone and a review of
potential projects in Erskine.  
x The Marketing team successfully delivered several destination campaigns to
raise the profile of Renfrewshire across visitor audiences, including promotion
of visitor attractions and activity, the summer events programme, and delivery
of a national campaign to bring visitors to Renfrewshire for the Mòd Phàislig
and Mòd Fringe events.
x The grant allocation process for the seven Local Partnerships took place in
May and June 2023 in which 142 grants were awarded for 2023/24 to a sum
of £433,991. The Celebrating Renfrewshire fund for youth projects was also
allocated in June 2023, following the votes of 1683 young people which led to
72 projects being awarded.
x The #Youdecide participatory budgeting campaign is well under way with 14
completed projects to date and contracts have been prepared for a further 22
projects. 
x The Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) programme which delivers fibre to the
premise, ultrafast full fibre broadband has now been completed and covers
over 80% of the Council area.   
4.4 Strategic Outcome 2: Economy
x The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) site has
been delivered with the first two centres of employment are now occupied
successfully.  A Joint Venture company has been registered and is now up
and running following a successful procurement process. Work has
commenced to progress the design of the next phase of development at
AMIDS which will continue through to construction. A number of enquiries for
occupying AMIDS are progressing, and this will continue into the long-term
future. The Council has strong links with National Manufacturing Institute
Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC)
as they are represented on the NMIS One Scotland Collaboration Group and
chair the AMIDS Strategic Advisory Group with both organisations
represented. 
x Renfrewshire Council receives employability support grants to deliver
employability services in the area and for No One Left Behind, a partnership
approach to shaping and delivering employability. The focus of the funding for
2023/24 is significantly different from the last year, with a much larger focus
on parental employability support. In the last 6 months, the employability
service, Invest, has supported 264 people into paid employment and 330
people to secure qualifications.
x Ahead of expected Community Wealth Building legislation, the Council has
been working with the Scottish Government, reporting quarterly, contributing
to national workshops, and participating in a pilot project with Scottish Excel
and the Council’s procurement team.

Page 5

x For the past 18 months the Economic Development team and Procurement
team, have been delivering a wide range of new supports to local businesses
to encourage them to bid for public sector contracts. This builds on existing
work with the Supplier Development Programme and Business Gateway
support to increase and sustain local economic growth and increase public
sector spend in the local area.
x The Council submitted four applications this year for the 2024/25 allocations
of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and are now preparing two stage two
applications. An application was also submitted this year to the Scottish
Governments Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme which is also
at stage two of the process.
x The Economic Recovery Group continues to meet regularly with a robust
focus on supporting vulnerable learners into positive destinations. All
secondary schools and our 2 schools for pupils with additional support needs
have a Developing the Young Workforce coordinator. The key priority is to
ensure all young people, particularly the most vulnerable, are provided with
opportunities to support them into positive destinations post-school including
bespoke work placements and alternative pathways as appropriate. Monthly
meetings take place to review the progress of young people and to ensure
that the right supports are in place for them. 
4.5 Strategic Outcome 3: Fair
x The Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee has been meeting since August
2022 and a Fairer Renfrewshire Officers Group from across services is
meeting monthly. In March 2023 existing funds were brought together into a
single resource for Fairer Renfrewshire at around £5million, and partners are
working together to further develop the programme. There are four key
emerging themes which are shared across all elements of the programme,
under which projects are being funded: Improving financial security;
Advancing equality of opportunity; Building community capacity and
resilience; and Listening to lived experience. 
x Work is continuing to implement the workstreams to ensure Renfrewshire
Keeps The Promise and delivers improved outcomes for individuals who are
care experienced. Renfrewshire’s Promise strategic planning and governance
structure, incorporating The Promise Oversight Group and four workstreams,
have been revisited and clearly aligned to Children’s Services Partnership
Plan and to the Council Plan.  
x Actions continue to be taken forward across Council services to address the
recommendations of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, MyLA (My Life
Ahead) launched last year delivered by Housing Service with Turning Point
Scotland, providing holistic wraparound support, using elements of the
Housing First approach. The project has provided targeted support for
individuals. The Alcohol and Substance Awareness Programme in education
establishments to develop self-confidence and support the healthy and
informed choices of children and young people has been recognised
nationally, winning a COSLA Excellence Award in the ‘Tackling Inequalities
and Improving Health and Wellbeing’ category.

Page 6

x A report was submitted to the Scottish Government detailing the number of
children, young people and parents benefitting from Ren10 approaches and
interventions. The data demonstrates that the early intervention and
prevention approaches available through Ren10 are having a positive impact
on those who access. This work will continue to develop with appropriate links
being made to the Whole Family Wellbeing plan. 
4.6 Strategic Outcome 4: Green
x Work continues to develop phase 2 of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero (the
route map), with a series of well-received engagement events.  Following the
Community Climate Conversation in June, an online stakeholder event was
held in September with local, regional and national organisations such as our
Community Planning Partners, local housing associations, Scottish Power,
Scottish Gas, Scottish Water, Transport Scotland and all 8 Glasgow City
Region local and neighbouring authorities to understand their influence and
their role in progressing to net zero as well as partnership working
opportunities. In October, a workshop was held in the Lagoon Leisure Centre,
with 70 officers from across all Council Services to identify opportunities and
collaborate in the development of the road map and action matrix. These
events have been delivered with colleagues developing Renfrewshire’s Local
Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy, to maximise and align the engagement
opportunities.
x The new Sustainability Communities Fund was launched in September 2023,
which combined funds from the remaining monies from the Community
Empowerment Fund and Climate Change Action Fund to create a single,
easy-to-access Sustainable Communities Fund. Available funding has been
boosted by an allocation of £650,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund,
giving total overall funding of approximately £1.5m 
x Renfrewshire’s journey to Net Zero is supported by the reduction of carbon
dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions across the Council fleet. Fleet Services
are piloting six commercial vehicles with a new fuel source for the heavy fleet.
There trials of alternative fuel sources and reduction of fossil fuel
consumption are having positive impacts.
x The funding strategy to deliver the Ren Zero Plan is currently being
developed alongside the costed delivery plans to ensure adequate
resourcing. This is being developed alongside Local Heat and Energy
Efficiency Strategy. Due to complex nature of these plans, the completion
date has been revised from 31st October 2023. An initial draft Carbon Budget
is also under development developed and is subject to internal review and
approval.
x The Sustainable Procurement procedure is now in place and relevant
contracts are now assessed to identify opportunities to help tackle the climate
emergency and maximise opportunities to achieve energy efficiency and
carbon reduction. This includes a sustainability test at strategy stage, and a
requirement at tender stage for bidder to evidence how their organisation
responds to the climate emergency.

Page 7

4.7 Strategic Outcome 5: Living Our Values
x The next phase of transformation as part of the Right for Renfrewshire
Programme is being implemented, and the Portfolio of Change has been
created by the Project Management Unit with weekly spotlights to the
Corporate Management Team. This aligns to the intensive programme of
work focusing on Financial Sustainability which is being taken forward by
Chief Officers and supported by the Project Management Unit and the
Finance teams.
x The implementation of the Council’s brand continues, increasing visibility and
access to the brand toolkit and understanding of the Council’s tone of voice,
embedding its consistent use and reflecting Our Values. This includes an
Accessible Communications Guide which has been developed and contains
includes advice and support on accessible and inclusive language, accessible
web content, digital content, interpretation, and translation. 
x A new absence policy was approved by Finance, Resource and Customer
Service Policy Board in November 2022 and the introduction of the policy is
planned for January 2024, enabling the team to review the underlying
processes in the online staff training system and to roll out the new training to
support the policy.
x The People and Organisational Development team are continuing to review
and update policies which support our new ways of working. The smoking
policy and Our People strategy were approved at the Finance, Resources and
Customer Services Policy Board in September 2023 and seven policy
priorities have been identified for the coming months. The Wellbeing Strategy
is currently in development and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
is being developed, informed by the findings of a recently completed staff
survey.  
x A new approach and model for undertaking a corporate self-assessment were
agreed by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) and the survey element
of the corporate self-assessment was completed by the extended Corporate
Management team. Follow up workshops took place over the summer and
CMT agreed a range of actions which align with key priorities. CMT also
agreed that a further self-assessment should be carried out with the ‘Our
Leaders Forum’ senior management cohort and this is scheduled for early
December. 
4.8 Cross-cutting theme: Improving outcomes for children and families 
x As described in the Council Plan, every strategic outcome contributes to
improving the lives of Renfrewshire’s children and their families as this lies at
the heart of our vision for Renfrewshire and underpins the Council Plan
strategic direction. In the appended action plan, actions which directly support
this are noted with ‘(CF)’. Within the append performance scorecard,
indicators which directly link to this cross-cutting theme are also grouped
together. All Service Improvement Plans also have this focus to enable
progress to support this cross-cutting theme to be closely monitored.

Page 8

4.9 Performance/data indicators on track 
x Performance in relation to the average time taken from households presenting
themselves as homeless to the completion of duty is currently under 22
weeks, against a target time of 26 weeks. Performance in Renfrewshire
remains very positive and compares well against other local authorities,
despite nationwide concerns about an emerging housing crisis. 
x Opportunities to see or hear something positive about Renfrewshire remains
high with many positive news articles about the area in relation to the
successful events programme, such as the Royal National Mòd and
Halloween Festival. So far in 2023/24 there have been almost 165 million
opportunities for positive news, against a target of 120 million.
x There has been an 80% increase in the number of businesses started with
Business Gateway support in quarter 2, with 85 business startups, compared
to 50 in quarter 1 and above the target of 80. Work is ongoing to encourage
those interested in starting their own business to take the final step.
x The number of people claiming employment related benefits has reduced
from 3,720 to 3,550 this quarter, which represent 3.1% of the economically
active population.
x As part of our commitment to Net Zero by 2030, the Council has been
investing in fleet which uses alternative fuel for a number of years. The
current fleet using alternative fuels includes 115 electric vehicles from a total
fleet of 408 vehicles. In addition, there are 6 vehicles piloting the use of HVO
as an alternative fuel with initial feedback being positive.
x The Council continues to meet its target in relation to responding to Freedom
of Information requests, despite long-term growth in the volume of requests
received and the complexity of requests.  In the second quarters of 2023/24,
the Council received 372 requests, 93% of which were completed on time.
x The majority of all looked after children continue to live in a community setting
either with their own family or with an alternative family.  A residential house
or school can be more suitable for a small number of children and young
people based on their particular needs, but the service will always seek to
have a child live in a family setting where appropriate. Last quarter 91% of
looked after children were cared for in the community, above the target of
89.9%
4.10 Performance/data indicators which did not meet target 
4.10.1 Some other indicators that are annual only missed target last year and were reported
in the first report presented in June 2023. There was only one indicator with quarterly
data available that missed target this quarter, though positive progress was made. 
4.10.2 The total amount of CO2 emitted in tonnes by the public fleet has been reducing as a
result of investments in vehicles using alternative fuels, reducing from 812.67 in
quarter one to 775.23 in quarter 2, closer to the target of 750. If this trend continues,
whilst comparatively small, the emissions would be slightly over target of 3,000
tonnes of CO2e, compared to 3,267 tonnes in 2022/23.

Page 9

5. Focus for the next 6 months 
5.1 Given how recently the Council Plan framework was approved, the key areas of
focus remain current and reflect the priorities of the Council at this time. However, for
each six-month progress update, there will be the opportunity to add to or adjust the
actions and indicators to best reflect the current context at that time and any
changing or emerging priorities. 
5.2 Areas of specific focus for the next 6 months include:
x Securing the Council’s financial sustainability through a range of targeted
workstreams to identify efficiencies and opportunities to reduce costs.
x Progressing the Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme across
Renfrewshire with further acquisition of private properties.
x Delivering the Cultural Infrastructure Investment Programme, with the Paisley
Arts Centre due to be completed in early 2024.
x Maximising the economic opportunities available by capitalising and investing
in Renfrewshire’s Growth Sectors.
x Progressing the new phase of Local Partnerships and implementing the
results of the ongoing review.
x Developing the new Connected Communities approach - considering how we
develop our ‘front door’ services for people accessing advice and support.
x Working with partners to further develop the Fairer Renfrewshire programme
under its emerging themes.
x Work is ongoing on Phase 2 of the Plan for Net Zero and following a series of
engagement events. 
Implications of the Report
1. Financial – updates in the appended report relate to areas that fall under the remit of
Finance, particularly relating to supporting the Council’s financial sustainability
workstreams 
2. HR & Organisational Development – updates in the appended report relate to
areas that fall under the remit of HR and Organisational Development, particularly
under strategic outcome 5, Living our Values 
3. Community/Council Planning – the content of the report relates specifically to the
delivery of the Council Plan and the appendix shows the associated progress for the
latter half of 2022/23. 
4. Legal - none 
5. Property/Assets - none 
6. Information Technology - none 
7. Equality and Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report
have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No
negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’

Page 10

human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the
report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual
impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and
monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s
website. 
8. Health and Safety - none 
9.  Procurement – updates in the appended report relate to areas that fall under the
remit of the procurement team, under both the strategic outcomes relating to
‘economy’ and ‘green’. 
10. Risk – none 
11.  Privacy Impact – none 
12. COSLA Policy Position – none 
13. Climate Risk – the Council Plan priorities are underpinned by actions which will
directly support the Council’s response to the climate emergency – ‘green’ has a
particular focus on activities supporting this priority area. 
Appendices: Six-month update report 
Background documents:  Council Plan, Council, September 2022   
Council Plan Framework, Leadership Board, November 2022
Council Plan 6 month update report, Leadership Board, June
2023 
Author:  Seony Ross, Senior Planning and Policy Development Officer

Page 11

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Council Plan
Six monthly progress update
December 2023

Page 12

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Welcome to the six month update on our Council Plan 
As Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council, I’m delighted to welcome you to this six-month update on our
Council Plan.
Our 2022-2027 Council Plan set out our priorities for Renfrewshire Council -areas our customers, citizens,
communities and partners told us mattered to them, and where our data and research showed a need for
the services and projects we are well placed to deliver. We grouped these into 5 main strategic outcomes
of place, economy, fair, green and living our values. Underpinning our priorities is a cross-cutting strategic
outcome to improve the lives of Renfrewshire’s children and their families -this drives all that we do.
The challenges for local government remain significant –and we continue to face significant financial
challenges at a time where demand for services in some areas is increasing. Despite this difficult context,
we remain focused on delivering the vision described in our Council Plan.
Despite this being the first year of the plan, we’ve got some good news stories we want to highlight –with
the completion of the major refurbishment of the Paisley Town Hall and Learning and Culture Hub
modernising the centre of Paisley; the work to bring growth, investment, and employment opportunities
into Renfrewshire.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far and I’m looking forward to seeing more progress as we move
through the term of this  Council Plan. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues
across Renfrewshire Council, who work hard every day to make a difference.
Alan Russell, Chief Executive 
Place
Economy
Fair
Green
Living our Values
Improving
outcomes for
Children and
Families

Page 13

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
How we report progress
• This update reflects on the past six months of delivering our Council Plan, highlighting areas where
we’re already making progress and some areas we’d like to focus on more, perhaps because
performance isn’t moving in the direction we anticipated or because of other pressures or factors
that makes this even more of a priority for us. We previously reported on our progress in June 2023,
and you can read that here.
• The following pages shine a spotlight on some great projects or practice but for balance also
highlight those areas where we’d like to improve or develop further. Towards the end of this
document, you’ll find a full update against all the actions and performance indicators we use to
measure progress.
• Many of our performance indicators are high-level, annual indicators –our Council Plan spans a 5-
year time period so it might take some time to show some trends and patterns, but to reassure you,
the Council reports a wide range of performance indicators to our Council Boards through our
Service Improvement Plans and also through regular operational performance updates –you can
access these reports here.

Page 14

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Place: Working together to enhance wellbeing across communities
Spotlight: Cultural Infrastructure
Programme
The major refurbishment of Paisley Town
Hall has been completed, delivering a
landmark entertainment venue. The building
successfully opened to the public ahead of
the Royal National Mòdin October 2023.
The construction of Paisley Learning and
Cultural Hub has also completed and will
open to the public in November 2023. Work
continues on Paisley Arts Centre with a
revised timescale of early 2024, and Paisley
Museum is expected to open in 2025
21.8 weeks on average from household
presenting as homeless to completion
of duty
Areas for improvement and development
• The next phase of local partnership development was scheduled for summer but had to
be delayed due to other time critical areas of financial insecurity work. The work began
in September and a report is due in December.
• The Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2024-2029 has been the subject of
consultation and engagement following discussions with the Scottish Government and
Registered Social Landlords operating in Renfrewshire. It was presented at Board along
with the Local Housing Strategy 31st October.
98.6% of Renfrewshire properties
can now access superfast
Broadband
Almost 165m opportunities to see
or hear something positive about
Paisley and Renfrewshire in Q1&2
£1.2m #YouDecide programme
resulted in 50successful projects with
14completed to date. Contracts have
been prepared for a further 22 projects
and work is ongoing to deliver the
remaining 14 projects.

Page 15

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Economy: building an inclusive, green and resilient economy
Spotlight: Investing in Growth
Sectors Two reports were
commissioned to analyse
Renfrewshire’s Growth Sectors
which highlighted growth
opportunities, and how to reconcile
existing priorities with future
challenges. These identified a need
to grow and increase visibility of
Renfrewshire’s inward investment
proposition to drive future economic
growth and development which the
Council teams are now progressing
This year approximately 400new
employers are offering a range of
opportunities for young people in
the senior phase as part of
Developing the Young Workforce
Areas for improvement and development
• The development of the Local Transport Strategy is underway. The preparation of a
consultation plan and 'public conversation' will be taken forward towards the end of
this financial year.
• A new Community Wealth Building (CWB)  Act is expected next year, and a Council
framework/plan is currently being prepared which will provide an overview of CWB
practice within the Council and will outline the Council’s key objectives and levers to
maximise the impact of CWB at a local level.
85business start-ups
supported through
Business Gateway in Q2,
up 80% from Q1
Number of Claimants reduced to
3,550from 3,720 in the previous
quarter (this is a national
measure which shows the
number of people claiming
benefit principally for the reason
of being unemployed).

Page 16

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Fair: nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all
Spotlight:Trauma Informed and Responsive
Renfrewshire Trauma-informed practice is mindful of
the impact of traumatic experiences on an individual.
Delivering services in a trauma-informed way means
demonstrating understanding, sensitivity and exploring
new ways of working (practice and policies) with a
trauma-informed lens.Training has taken place for
officers and senior managers and was offered to Elected
Members during Development Week in August 2023.
Following a development session in November, a draft
Road Map and Action Plan will be finalised, to progress
mainstreaming trauma-informed practice and policies.
We launched new School
Support (financial and other
advice) across all Renfrewshire
secondary schools, provided by
Renfrewshire Citizens Advice
Bureau (RCAB)
Areas for improvement and development
• Desktop work has commenced on a child poverty deep dive exercise agreed by
community planning partners.  A place based deep dive will shortly commence in relation
to Gallowhill.
• Work has already commenced on this year’s Winter Connections programme, with £85k
available for projects that support wellbeing and reduce isolation over the winter period.
At least 4,500attendances at
Summer of Fun summer holiday
camps led by CLAD
The Community Food Fund
opened in August 2023, with a
total funding of £25k available
for allocation to local
organisations and groups
A £50 per child additional
payment for winter clothing paid
to all families in receipt of free
school clothing grants in
November 2023.

Page 17

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Green: leading Renfrewshire to Net Zero
Spotlight: Sustainable
Procurement  A new process has
been developed to ensure relevant
Council contracts are assessed to
identify opportunities to help tackle
the climate emergency and maximise
opportunities to achieve energy
efficiency and carbon reduction.
This includes a sustainability test at
the strategy stage, and a requirement
at tender stage for the bidder to
evidence how their organisation
responds to the climate emergency.
Areas for improvement and development
• The Funding strategy to deliver the Ren Zero Plan is currently being developed alongside the costed delivery plans. Due to
complex nature of these plans, the completion date has been revised from 31st October 2023 to March 2024
• An initial draft Carbon Budget is under development and is subject to internal review and approval. The completion date is
estimated for January 2024, and the implementation date is projected to be beginning of financial year 2024/25.
29% of the Council fleet uses
alternative fuels
Fleet Services are piloting six
commercial vehicles with a new
fuel source for the heavy fleet
Over 4,900 members on our
online platform supporting our
Team Up to Clean Up campaign
£1.496m available in the new
Sustainable Communities Fund

Page 18

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Living our Values: making a difference together
Spotlight: Corporate Self-Assessment
Renfrewshire Council is committed to
achieving Best Value and ensuring the
services we provide are a good standard
and our resources are used efficiently.
To help us understand our strengths
and areas where we could do things
better, a corporate self-assessment has
been carried out and a range of actions
agreed by the Corporate Management
Team, developed through a series of
workshops. A further workshop with the
‘Our Leaders Forum’ is scheduled for
early December.
Areas for improvement and development
• The introduction of the new absence policy is now planned for January 2024, to ensure the team can review the underlying
processes in the Council’s Enterprise Resource Planner and to roll out the new training to support the new policy.
• Work on new and revised policies continues and 7 new or revised policies have been identified to review in the coming months.
The smoking policy and Our People strategy were approved in September
93% of Freedom of Information
requests were responded to on
time in Q2
85% of our complaints are closed at
the ‘frontline’ stage, giving a quick and
straightforward resolution for our
customers.
Following consultation, a new
Wellbeing Strategy for our workforce is
being finalised

Page 19

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Improving Outcomes for Children and Families
SpotlightThe Promise is a high-level aim for
Renfrewshire’s Children’s Services Partnership which
has agreed “There must be an urgency and
demonstratable evidence of a collective
understanding, commitment and activity in relation
to The Promise”. The Promise Strategic Oversight
Group ensures active representation from different
agencies and includes all key strategic corporate
parent partners, frontline staff and Care Experienced
people. The group is working together to deliver key
priorities to #KeepThePromise.’ One of the agreed
commitments is to increase the number of Promise
Keepers, currently 224, across our services.
Areas for improvement and development
• Discussions are underway to plan another school participatory budgeting process, which will focus on partnership working
between schools to address the cost of the school day, tackling poverty and inequality. This is a £50k project and will build
on the work already taking place to involve children and young people in funding decisions.
91% of looked after children are
cared for in community placements
The Celebrating Renfrewshire fund for
youth projects was allocated in June
2023, following the votes of 1683
young people which led to 72projects
being awarded.
Across all of our work and all of our efforts, we hope for loving and happy lives for Renfrewshire’s children –working togetherto
get it right for children, families and communities –protecting, learning, achieving and nurturing. Every priority of our Council
Plan contributes to improving the lives of Renfrewshire’s children and their families.
1081children and young people
accessed counselling through the Ren
10 approach, and 93parents were
supported via Empowering Parents,
Empowering Communities or Non-
Violence Resistance courses
d

Page 20

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Actions and indicators
Full list
December 2023

Page 21

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
1. Progress Renfrewshire’s Housing-
led Regeneration and Renewal
programme
31-Mar-2031
Programme for each area prepared and implementation started, with milestones for demolition, new build and
investment in homes being retained. In terms of the acquisition of private properties across the eight regeneration
areas, 89 have been identified and of those, 66 have already been valued. Agreement has been reached with owners
of 38 of these 66 properties and 25 of the 38 have now been acquired by the Council.
2. Deliver Renfrewshire’s Strategic
Housing Investment Programme in
partnership with other housing
providers in Renfrewshire
31-Mar-2028
The Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2024-2029 has been the subject of consultation and
engagement following discussions with the Scottish Government and Registered Social Landlords operating in
Renfrewshire.  The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) is updated annually to take account of progress and
completions in relation to delivering the affordable housing programme in Renfrewshire.
The SHIP will be presented to the Communities and Housing Policy Board on 31st October 2023 and thereafter
submitted to the Scottish Government.
3. Deliver Renfrewshire’s Local
Housing Strategy 2022-27 31-Mar-2027
The local Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) has been completed and identifies the 5-year affordable
housing estimates for each area in Renfrewshire, offering a profile of the property types and sizes that would be
most effective in meeting housing need.
The Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 has been prepared and will be presented to the Communities and Housing
Policy Board on 31st October 2023.  The strategy sets out the strategic vision for housing and housing related
services in Renfrewshire and seeks to provide a clear direction for strategic housing investment.

Page 22

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
4. Deliver the key outputs from
Renfrewshire’s Rapid Rehousing
Transition Plan (RRTP) 31-Mar-2024
The RRTP is in its final year of delivery (year 5) and is currently on target for 49% of lets to go to homeless
applicants. Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have been asked to increase number/proportion of lets.
Number of service users supported via Housing First approach has been upscaled to 75 at any one time from 13 at
Year 1 of RRTP.
5. Deliver Renfrewshire’s Cultural
Infrastructure Investment
Programme 31-Mar-2025
Paisley Town Hall has been completed and was successfully opened to the public ahead of the Royal National Mod,
which was the timeline target.  Paisley Learning & Cultural Hub has also completed construction and the building
has been handed over to begin the fit-out process.
Paisley Arts Centre is being managed closely to ensure deliver is achieved on revised timescale of early 2024. Paisley
Museum is expected to complete in 2025
6. Develop long term place visions
for our key settlements and town
centres including the approved
Paisley Town Centre Vision (2020)
31-Mar-2026
The transformation of Paisley following delivery of the Action Plan is advancing at pace, with achievements such as
creating an international culture and heritage destination and acting as a stimulus for property investment,
development and re-use. The publication of the Paisley Vision document will also act as a further catalyst to inspire
future development in and around the town centre. The Liberal Club, which was identified as a key building in the
Vision, is currently under restoration, securing its long-term status.
The Regeneration Team will be refreshing town centre strategies to reflect the post pandemic environment. These
strategies will align with the guidance and principles outlined in NPF4 following pending applicable supplementary
guidance. Until publication, the team has been outlining potential regeneration priorities and projects, including
commissioning visioning work in Johnstone and a review of potential projects in Erskine.  The team will continue to
bring forward regeneration proposals across our town centres.

Page 23

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
7. Deliver a participatory budgeting
framework for the Council (CF) 31-Mar-2024
The delivery of the 50 successful projects from the #Youdecide campaign is well under way with 14 completed to
date. Contracts have been prepared for a further 22 projects and work is ongoing including to deliver the remaining
14 projects.  Johnstone PB Christmas lights event (Pilot) is now in its voting stage, due to end on 1 November 2023.
Discussions are underway to plan another school PB process, which will focus on partnership working between
schools to address the cost of the school day, tackling poverty and inequality. This is a £50k project.
The CONSUL  site was provided by COSLA to the council and is being developed within the council alongside the
digital experience team, to ensure it is supported by council systems. Once this is in place, there is an agreement to
look at how it will be used to support the housing regeneration team.
8. Progress the next phase of Local
Partnerships development 31-Dec-2023
It was anticipated that this work would commence over the summer period, however key officers were required to
undertake a number of time critical programmes of work. This included the launch of the Summer of Fun Grants
programme, the Community Food grants programme, the development of schools and family advice models and
Local Partnership grant activity.
This process has now begun as of September 2023 and includes engagement from Local Partnership and elected
members, Local Partnership Chairs, Lead Officers and wider community groups. The key issues being explored are:
• Enhancing participation in Local Partnership meetings
• Facilitating greater engagement from Council services and partner organisations on issues which impact Local
Partnership areas
• Developing meaningful local priorities and action plans
• Identifying options for improving the grant allocation process
A full report and recommendations from the review will be submitted to the Leadership Board on 6 December 2023.

Page 24

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
9. Develop new options for services
and partners to work together more
closely across localities to provide
advice and support to local people
(CF)
31-Aug-2024
We are progressing new connected communities approach -considering how we develop our ‘front door’ services
for people accessing advice and support; exploring family advice services; and developing options for locality
working.  The date to achieve this has been extended from December 2023.
10. Deliver destination marketing to
promote Renfrewshire as a visitor
and investment destination,
maximising audience and product
intelligence and ensuring brand
relevance for all of Renfrewshire
31-Dec-2023
In addition to continued promotion of the council’s summer events programme, the priority for Q2 was the
promotion of Renfrewshire’s summer visitor season. The campaign to attract visitors included web, organic social,
paid-for social and always-on advertising. Visitor proposition social media ads ran across meta platforms until the
end of September. A Final evaluation will be completed in Q3, and results included: 5777 lands on Paisley.is;
300,000 accounts reached; 1,500,000 impressions; 9000 engagements, and; £0.53 cost per land.
A Scotland-wide marketing and PR campaign began in August to encourage attendance at MòdPhàisligand Mòd
Fringe events from regular attendees, visitors and local people.  In partnership with An Comunnwe have showcased
the programme of events taking place for the duration of the festival. Our plan included regular PR content, paid-for
advertising promoting the Mòdin the Scottish Highland and Grampians and Scottish Islands, out-of-home
advertising in Glasgow and Renfrewshire including bus rears, large poster sites, digital advertising activity and
social media. In addition to this, a new visitor guide was distributed locally and to Renfrewshire hotel and
accommodation providers to inspire visitors during their visit to the Mòd. A full evaluation will take place in Q3.
In Quarter 2 our overall media reach was: 591 articles in the press (printed and online); More than 73m combined
opportunities to see and hear (OTSH); 84,210 total page views (across whole website);  Facebook organic reach of
337K,Instagram organic reach of 85K, Facebook and Instagram paid reach: 329K. For the remainder of the year
visitor activity is focused on Paisley Halloween Festival and Christmas events across Renfrewshire.

Page 25

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
11. Carry out evaluation of Future
Paisley and prepare a transition
plan for the mainstreaming/external
funding of projects beyond April
2024
31-Mar-2024
Work is ongoing to evaluate the social, economic and cultural impact of the Future Paisley programme, covering over
100 different projects, activities and events. Mid-year Project Lead reporting of outcomes is underway and will be
reported to the council’s Leadership Board in December. Work on the programme retrospective has started, including
the evaluation of cultural funding programmes CHEF and CODF.
Future Paisley Evidence Reviews have been completed to help understand more complex assumptions, and to inform
policy development, thinking and analysis in the long-term:
The Role of Arts and Culture in Lifting Communities out of Poverty: A Review of Evidence; The Social Value of
Community Events: A Review of Literature; Measuring Wellbeing.: Gauging (Mental) Wellbeing Benefits of Arts &
Cultural Participation: Insights & Approaches.; The Impact of Co-Production on Community Wellbeing: A Review of
Evidence (underway)
Evaluation tools, case studies and evidence reviews are published at  https://ccse.uws.ac.uk/
12. Under Connectivity As A Service
(CaaS) complete the rollout of Fibre
To The Premise (FTTP) across 75%
of Renfrewshire as a geography by
the summer of 2023
31-Aug-2023 The fibre infrastructure –provided by City Fibre -now covers 80%+ of Renfrewshire as a geography.

Page 26

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
13. Delivering strong universal
services to all Renfrewshire citizens
(CF)
31-Mar-2027 Universal services provided by the Council are essential for keeping our communities safe, educated, involved, and
happy.
Finance and Resources provides customer service for residents, for contact by phone, email, digital form or in person. 
The service also provides support for the range of services being delivered online.  The team is responsible for
managing all Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates billing, and the processing of claims for Discretionary Housing
Payments, crisis grants, community care grants and energy support grants. 
Facilities and Property Services delivers services across schools and public buildings and undertakes repair and
maintenance functions as part of the internal service provider (Building Services) to Housing Services. Work continues
to improve and strengthen performance across all areas.
Housing Services manage and invest in our housing stock of 12,200 properties, whilst providing a full range of
landlord services to council tenants who live in our council houses ensuring they have safe and healthy places to live
and provide assistance to homeless people and those threatened with homelessness. Operations and Service
Development have continued to deliver well performing reliable universal services across Renfrewshire, this includes
improving our recycling rate by 2% from previous year and enhanced grass verge cutting to paths and footways.
Children’s Services deliver strong Early Learning and Childcare (ELCC), Primary and Secondary education provision
throughout Renfrewshire.  Pupils are performing consistently above the national average across almost all key
indicators.

Page 27

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. Proportion of
properties receiving
superfast broadband (%)
98 Data
only 98.6 Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *This is an LGBF measure;
2. Opportunities to see
or hear something
positive about Paisley
and Renfrewshire
314,
041,621
240,
000,000
204,
638,668
240,
000,000
90,291,4
22
60,000,
000
73,908,
495
60,000,
000
This indicator is focused on measuring the reach of the Paisley.is
destination brand. The events coverage secured in Q2 includes Mod
launch (What's On network, Gazette, Press and Journal, Event Base,
West Highland Press, Stornoway Gazette, BBC Radio Orkney), Schools
at the Forefront of the Mod, (Gazette, What's On Network, Paisley.org,
Renfrewshire News, Evening Times), Paisley Town Hall transformation
(Project Scotland, STV.tv, Evening Times, The Herald, Scottish
Construction Now, Scotland News Today)  Scotland News today, Scots
Language Awards, (The National, Yahoo, Banffshire Journal, The
Scotsman, Stirling Observer and Shopper ),Schools Pipe Band Win
(Paisley Daily Express, The National) and Halloween (Paisley Daily
Express, Paisley.org, Paisley Gazette, Renfrewshire News, What’s On
Network, Daily record online, Evening Times)..
3. Amount of Vacant and
Derelict Land 208.6 Data
only 254 Data
only Not measured for Quarters
The amount of vacant and derelict land in 2022/23 increased since the
previous year with 9 new sites were added to the Vacant and Derelict
Land Audit.
4. Street Cleanliness
Score -percentage of
areas assessed as clean
(%)
89.6 92 93.3 92 Not measured for Quarters
This figure is provisional and is awaiting verification by Keep Scotland
Beautiful. The cleanliness score is based on 3 sample surveys carried
out throughout the year by both the Council and Keep Scotland
Beautiful (KSB). This score represents the percentage of areas
assessed as acceptably clean (categories A and B) using KSB’s Local
Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) method.

Page 28

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
5. Average time from
household presenting
themselves as homeless
to completion of duty
(number of weeks)
22.25 26 21.74 24 21.43 26 21.8 26
Performance remains very positive and compares well against other
local authorities, despite the emerging housing crisis. We anticipate
this figure may increase in Q3 and Q4.
6. Percentage of Council
housing stock which
meets the Scottish
Housing Quality
Standard
57% 100% 68.31% 100% Not measured for Quarters
Since 2021/22 compliance with 5 yearly EICR checks and the new
smoke and heat detector standard are included in this calculation. The
programme of EICR checks and smoke detector upgrades has been
significantly affected by difficulties facing the construction industry. 
Work is ongoing to achieve compliance with EICR and detectors,
including a programme of forced access visits.
EESSH failures are also part of the SHQS score which impacts the
overall SHQS pass rate. EESSH was to be met by Dec 2020 but
exemptions were allowed, any fails we have due to EESSH are covered
by exemptions (normally due to no access, or owner refusals in mixed
tenure blocks, or it’s not economically viable to pursue further works
on a property to pass EESSH). Landlords have until Dec 2025 to comply
with EESSH1.
7. Affordable housing
completions 170 243 369 200 Not measured for Quarters
The affordable newbuild housing programme involves both Council
and Housing Association developments across a range of sites in
Renfrewshire. In 2022/2023 there were 369 affordable housing
completions across Renfrewshire including new homes being built in
Paisley, Johnstone, Renfrew and Bishopton. The Council continues to
increase the supply and delivery of a range and choice of affordable
homes to meet the housing needs of different groups.
The final Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy was presented to the
Communities and Housing Policy Board on 31st October 2023. In future
updates of this indicator the target will be changed to reflect the new
strategy.

Page 29

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Place
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
8. Private housing
completions 572 500 422 500 Not measured for Quarters
The Renfrewshire Housing Land Audit is completed annually. The audit
is a snapshot in time covering the duration between the 1 April to the
31 March each year. The audit records 422 private completions across
Renfrewshire during this time period. New site starts have slowed
during the past year however it is anticipated that private completions
will increase again to over 500 during 2024.
In relation to all homes under construction or future housing sites,
88% of these new homes will be built on previously used brownfield
land, creating attractive and sustainable places.
The final Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy was presented to the
Communities and Housing Policy Board on 31st October 2023. In future
updates of this indicator the target will be changed to reflect the new
strategy.

Page 30

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
1. Develop an Investment
Proposition for Renfrewshire that is
clear on our economic ambitions for
our place
31-Mar-2025
Two reports have been commissioned to analyse Renfrewshire’s Growth Sectors.  The first highlighted that there
are several opportunities which Renfrewshire needs to capitalise on to support the growth of its economy further. 
The second report aims to reconcile existing priorities, team capacity and skills engaged in the economic
development and regeneration functions of the Chief Executive’s Department, with the future opportunities and
challenges outlined in the first report and the Council’s Economic Strategy.  This report highlights that there is a
requirement to grow and increase visibility of Renfrewshire’s inward investment proposition to drive future
economic growth and development.  The development of a web site which signposts the area’s investment
portfolio is recommended.  Officers are now looking to progress this action in conjunction with the
Marketing/Communications team
2. Continue to invest in
infrastructure to support growth –
from road and rail links to bridges,
cycle and pedestrian  routes
31-Mar-2027
Renfrewshire Council continues to invest in infrastructure to support growth. Work is ongoing to expand the active
travel network. The Paisley to Renfrew Cycle Route construction is progressing along with the start of the Barnsford
Road section of the Airport to Erskine Route.
Improvements to our bridge infrastructure has included initial design works for PlymuirBridge. The build project
has progressed into its construction phase.
3. Develop a Transport Strategy
supported by revised Active Travel
and Public Transport Strategies
31-Mar-2024
The development of the Local Transport Strategy is underway. The initial phase of this process has included
discussions between the appointed consultants and Renfrewshire Council Officers. This will involve the preparation
of a consultation plan and 'public conversation' which will be taken forward in the second half of this financial year.
4. Monitor benefits of Glasgow
Airport Investment Area
(completed) and deliver Clyde
Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside
31-Mar-2025
Clyde Waterfront & Renfrew Riverside: All required community benefits have been delivered to date, with the rest
remaining on track during the project lifespan. Project is advancing with the completion of a new culvert and
foundations of bridge structure in place. Fabrication of bridge components is progressing with these due to arrive on
site in early 2024.
Glasgow Airport Investment Area project is now complete which is enabling the development of AMIDS.

Page 31

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
5. Work with partners to deliver the
Advanced Manufacturing
Innovation District –Scotland
(AMIDS)
31-May-2023
The first two centres of employment are now occupied successfully. Joint Venture company has been registered
and is now up and running following a successful procurement process. Work has commenced to progress the
design of the next phase of development at AMIDS which will continue through to construction. A number of
enquiries for occupying AMIDS are progressing, and this will continue into the long-term future.
6. Participate fully in all aspects of
the new National Manufacturing
Institute Scotland (NMIS)
Governance arrangements and
Medicine Manufacturing Innovation
Centre (MMIC) delivery
31-Mar-2023
The Council has strong links with NMIS and MMIC as they are represented on the NMIS One Scotland Collaboration
Group and chair the AMIDS Strategic Advisory Group with both organisations represented. CD&I team members
work closely with both organisations daily and continue to assist with the commissioning of their buildings.
Work has progressed with the Strategic Advisory Group to ensure partnerships are in place and a collaborative
approach is allowing NMIS and MMIC to lead on engaging with sector specific organisation to hopefully progress to
further occupation at the AMIDS site.
7. Develop a Community Wealth
Building Plan for Renfrewshire 31-Dec-2024
A new Community Wealth Building (CWB)  Act is expected next year, and a council framework/plan is currently being
prepared. Key actions to report are:
• Ensuring the Council CWB plan is aligned to a regional approach with Glasgow City Region.
• Reporting quarterly to the Scottish Governments Community Wealth Building Policy Manager Contributing to
Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS) and Centre for Local Economic Strategies [CLES] workshops.
• As part of a Scottish Government pilot, Renfrewshire Council (Economic Development and Procurement) were one
of four local authorities to participate in a CWB project delivered by Scotland Excel. The project involved data
analysis of local spend, practice sharing workshops and a Spotlight on Community Wealth Building from the
Scottish Government’s Heads of Procurement.
Economic Development are working on a draft paper which will provide an overview of CWB practice within the
Council and will outline the Council’s key objectives and levers to maximise the impact of CWB at a local level. In
order to ensure the paper is aligned to national policy, the draft paper will be revised to reflect the proposed new CWB
Bill which has been delayed. The due date for this action has therefore been delayed from 31 December 2023 to 2024.

Page 32

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
8. Maximise funding for
regeneration of Renfrewshire’s
places through grant submissions to
external sources  including UK and
Scottish Governments
31-Mar-2026
Between 21/22 and 25/26 the council has been allocated £4.4m from the Place Based Investment Fund for capital
regeneration projects. Between 22/23 and 24/25 we have received £1.5m in funding for capital and revenue
regeneration spend from the Shared Prosperity fund. 
The Council has consistently been successful in RCGF funding applications, most recently receiving £800k in funding
for the PACE theatre project.  Four applications have been submitted this year for the 24/25 allocation.  We have now
been invited to Stage 2 for two of these applications which will be submitted in November, with decisions expected in
the new year. 
An application was also submitted this year to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment
Programme (VDLIP) which, again we have been successful in progressing to Stage 2, with a further application to be
submitted in November. 
Funding worth £85k has been secured from SEPA to investigate the potential deculvertingand environmental
enhancement of the CandrenBurn in Ferguslie.
9. Develop a refreshed
employability programme for
Renfrewshire (utilising Youth
Guarantee and Kickstart funding) to
reduce unemployment among
young people (18-24 yrs.) and to
support local businesses (CF)
31-Mar-2023
Both Youth Guarantee and Kickstart have now completed, with over 500 young people benefiting from the
schemes. We have a very well performing employability service and this will continue to support unemployed
people into work.
10. Promote a Renfrewshire
Apprentice Framework that can be
rolled out across local businesses
wishing to participate (CF)
31-Mar-2023 This has been completed and this work is now mainstreamed as business as usual for the team and we will
continue to promote and deliver apprenticeships across Renfrewshire.

Page 33

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
11. Working in partnership with
Skills Development Scotland, West
College Scotland, Invest in
Renfrewshire and Developing the
Young Workforce West, we will
ensure planned robust approaches
to supporting our most vulnerable
learners into positive destinations
(CF)
31-Mar-2025
The Economic Recovery Group continues to meet regularly with a robust focus on supporting vulnerable learners into
positive destinations. All secondary schools and our 2 schools for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) have a
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) coordinator. The key priority of these staff is to ensure all young people,
particularly the most vulnerable, are provided with opportunities to support them into positive destinations post
school including bespoke work placements and alternative pathways as appropriate. Monthly meetings take place to
review the progress of these young people and to ensure that the right supports are in place for them.
The work placement programme continues to provide excellent opportunities for our young people. We have
approximately 400 new employers who are offering a range of opportunities such as site visits, training and long-term
work placements for young people in the senior phase.

Page 34

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. Percentage of
procurement spend
spent on local
enterprises
18.87% 23% * 23% Not measured for Quarters
* This is an LGBF indicator and data for 2022/23 will be available in
March 2024.
In the period 2021-2022 Renfrewshire Council recorded direct spend of
£36.5 million with businesses based directly in Renfrewshire.  This
accounted for 18.8% of our total spend.  A further 26.5% of our spend
was with businesses located in bordering local authorities (Glasgow,
Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire and West
Dunbartonshire), therefore 45% of the council’s total spend of approx.
£196m is spent within Renfrewshire and our neighbouring council
areas.
2. Gross Value Added
(GVA) per capita (LGBF) £22,002 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
* This is an LGBF indicator and data for 2022/23 will be available in
March 2024.
2019/20 figure reported as £24,701
2020/21 figure reported as £21,294
3. Number of people
supported, sustained in
work at 6 Months
through Renfrewshire
Council Employability
Programme (INVEST)
221 180 340 180 Not measured for Quarters
This end of year figure will continue to rise at there is a degree of time
lag with this indicator. The Scottish Government have supported a
development initiative named “Kickstart Plus” in Renfrewshire to
provide a further 6 months support to Kickstart trainees (with
employers also contributing) to allow them to continue in the
workplace.
4. Number of new
business start ups in
Renfrewshire with
Business Gateway
support
272 320 206 320 50 80 85 80
There has been an 80% increase in the number of businesses started
with Business Gateway support compared to the corresponding period
(Qrt2) last year.
Work is ongoing to encourage those interested in starting their own
business to take the final step.

Page 35

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Economy
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
5. Renfrewshire
Claimant Count (NOMIS) 4,180 Data
only 3,755 Data
only 3,720 Data only 3,550 Data only Claimant rate currently 3.1%, compared to 3% in Scotland, and 3.7% in
the UK.
6. Percentage of
Renfrewshire population
working age (16-64) 76.2% Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters * This is a national dataset and population estimates for 2022/23 are
not yet available.

Page 36

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
1. Develop the new Fairer
Renfrewshire programme (CF) 31-Mar-2025
The Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee has been meeting since August 2022 and a Fairer Renfrewshire Officers
Group from across services is meeting monthly. In March 2023 existing funds were brought together into a single
resource for Fairer Renfrewshire at around £5million, and partners are working together to further develop the
programme. There are four key emerging themes which are shared across all elements of the programme, under
which key projects are being funded: Improving financial security; Advancing equality of opportunity; Building
community capacity and resilience; and, Listening to lived experience.
In the recent Summer of Fun grant funded programme,  there were 4,500 attendances at the summer camps; over
45% of children were from lone parent families, over 42% were from large families and over a quarter were from
families where a family member has a disability. 190 families accessed support through summer camp activities
offered for young people with Additional Support Needs, with a further 14 young people from Mary Russell
supported on a weekly basis. There were 1858 attendances at Street Stuff activities provided across 7 locations and
47 families participated in summer family learning activities with the adult learning team.
It is estimated that 739 adults and 1,921 children benefited from the Summer of Fun grant funded activities in the
community and 412 children, and 74 adults attended Future Paisley funded sessions.
2. Work with partners to support
Renfrewshire residents through the
cost-of-living crisis
31-Dec-2024
The Community Food Fund grant guidance was updated during the summer and applications opened in August,
with funding of £4,000 available per application. The fund closed on 28 August 2023, and all applications received
were considered by an officer panel comprising of representatives from the Council, Engage and the HSCP.
Leadership Board in September 2023 agreed the awards for the fund totalling £25k. A £50 per child additional
payment for winter clothing will be paid to all families in receipt of free school clothing grants in November 2023.
The Summer of Fun programme was successfully delivered, providing free activities, targeted to children with
experience of poverty. Healthy food was provided, along with additional support for families and a small grants
programme which funded 17 projects with the £55k budget. There were at least 4500 attendances at summer
holiday camps across Renfrewshire’s, and 1858 attendances at Street stuff evening sessions. Planning is now
underway for the Winter Connections programme. Work is underway to launch the family advice service within
Advice Works. And a schools advice service in partnership with Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

Page 37

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
3. Develop mechanisms for
supporting individuals with lived
experience of poverty to influence
policy in this area
31-Mar-2024
The Fairer Renfrewshire panel continues to meet with officers across Council services to ensure the voice of those
with lived experience of poverty informs Council’s policy and practice.
The Panel have met with officers from the Council about Net Zero, with their ideas around actions feeding into the
Plan for Net Zero workshop which took place on 11 October. They also met with Advice Works to discuss barriers to
seeking advice, and better promotion of advice services.
Some changes have taken place within membership of the Panel. Two new members have been recruited, and
recruitment will continue to bring the panel back up to full membership. The Panel will continue to meet, with
Council communication and child poverty being amongst the topics planned for Panel input before Christmas.
4. Bring forward actions to reduce
health inequalities, improving
economic participation, more
secure earning  and greater earning
power
31-Mar-2024 This action is complete, and the team will continue to deliver on it
5. Carry out deep dive (planned for
early 2023) focusing on child
poverty, which will inform delivery
of local child  poverty action plans
(CF)
31-Mar-2024
The Fairer Renfrewshire Programme is currently being developed, and as part of that programme, officers are
undertaking a ‘deep dive’ child poverty exercise in order to fully understand child poverty across Renfrewshire and
across different communities. This will inform the Fairer Renfrewshire programme as well as local child poverty
action plans, helping the Council and partners understand the areas of greatest need.
Initial data has been gathered the ‘deep dive’ data exercise as a Community Planning Partnership, focussing on the
six priority family groups, with officers progressing this over the winter period, and to reflect this work the date to
achieve this has been extended to March 2024.

Page 38

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
6. The Promise Strategic Oversight
Board and workstreams will
progress and ensure Renfrewshire
‘Keeps the  Promise’ and delivers
improved outcomes for individuals
who are care experienced, wherever
possible keeping  children within
their families (CF)
31-Mar-2025
Renfrewshire’s Promise strategic planning and governance structure, incorporating The Promise Oversight Group
and four workstreams, have been revisited and clearly aligned to Children’s Services Partnership Plan and to the
Council Plan. The Promise is now a high-level aim for Renfrewshire’s Children’s Services Partnership and the
partnership has agreed that “There must be an urgency and demonstratable evidence of a collective
understanding, commitment and activity in relation to The Promise”. The Promise Strategic Oversight Group and
workstreams active representation from different agencies and includes all key strategic corporate parent partners,
frontline staff and Care Experienced people. The Promise Manager, started in post October 2022, manages the
Children’s Services Partnerships response to the implementation of The Promise in Renfrewshire. We will monitor
the effectiveness of the Oversight Group and workstreams and our response to #KeepThePromise will be informed
by emerging themes/priorities around The Promise Plan 21-24 and Plan 24-30.
7. Build local capacity for
transformational whole systems
change and to scale up and drive
the delivery of holistic  whole family
support services (CF)
31-Mar-2025
Good progress has been made with the development of the holistic whole family support services. Progress this
session is detailed below:
• In terms of third sector capacity, the 1st round grant funding process is underway and 17 applications were
received to be scored and prioritised.
• Scoping requirements for the request for assistance platform is underway and positive engagement with a
provider is ongoing.
• A pilot of the whole family wellbeing scale has commenced to explore the benefits of integrating a common
evaluation framework to evidence the impact of whole family wellbeing supports
• In terms of service re-design, good progress has been made with services. Engagement and consultation is
ongoing in relation to remits and service specifications.
Partnership working continues to be strong through the steering group and RSCP.

Page 39

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
8. Take forward the
recommendations of the Alcohol
and Drugs Commission
31-Mar-2025
MyLA (My Life Ahead) launched last year delivered by Housing Service with Turning Point Scotland, providing
holistic wraparound support, using elements of the Housing First approach. The project has provided support for 39
individuals -exceeding the target number -and there have been positive indicators emerging in terms of: reduction
in alcohol/drug use; people successfully accessing the specialist services they require; and those with a history of
non-engagement now working positively with the MyLA team. September Leadership Board agreed to extend this
project for a further 12 months until October 2024, which will also allow a more accurate assessment of the impact
it is having on the individuals it supports in sustaining settled housing.
Children’s Services and I Am Me Scotland have developed a digital, interactive, and progressive curricular
programme in substance use for early years to senior phase, aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence,
and reflecting the context of alcohol and drug use within Renfrewshire. The ‘Alcohol and Substance Awareness
Education’ pack, including nursery, primary, and secondary resources, has been produced with Renfrewshire
Children’s Services, Teachers, Police Scotland, NHS, Renfrewshire HSCP and, most importantly, children, young
people, and those who have lived experience of drug and alcohol use. Since its launch in August 2022, the
programme has built up over 1,500 users including schools, Police Scotland, and HSCP. It has been accessed by
over 400 Renfrewshire teachers. A recent evaluation of the programme recognised the need to expand on lessons
related to vaping within the programme. Consultation between colleagues in education and HSCPs across NHSGGC
is ongoing to coordinate development of additional materials. In September 2023, the programme won the COSLA
Excellence Award in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing category.

Page 40

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
9. Develop the Trauma Informed
and Responsive Renfrewshire
Programme
31-Mar-2025
Local networking and development activities within council services and partners of local HSCP, community
planning, and wider health board area continue in order to build on collaborative working. Regular meetings with
local trauma leads’ network group to identify further opportunities and schedule activities for collaborative
working and sharing of resources. Contributed to development group for Renfrewshire’s recent Adult Support and
Protection Conference.
A development session has been scheduled for mid-November and thereafter the draft Road Map and action plan
will go to CMT. 
In terms of building capacity through learning,  work has taken place with colleagues in housing support and
business support with learning programmes for their teams and with the OD team to develop online level 1 videos
from NES to be available for council and OneRen staff. Engagement continues with OneRenand HSCP relating to
learning programmes for their staff. Further STILT session took place on 3rd October. Post-STILT meetings continue
to explore next steps with those who attended STILT sessions.  Co-facilitation of learning session with East
Dunbartonshire Council and engagement with Police Scotland to explore training for police staff with Inverclyde
Council.
National engagement activities continue with Improvement Service, Adult support and protection leader, and NES
relating to evolving national developments to support local progress.

Page 41

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
10. Progress the design and delivery
of the Curriculum, Learning,
Teaching and Assessment; the
Families and Communities; and the
Inclusion Portfolios within
Children’s Services (CF)
31-Mar-2025
The benefits of the portfolio approach have been realised this session, particularly when producing the Education
Improvement Plan and Standards and Qualities report. The process was more streamlined and there was improved
collaboration around strategic planning. There has been an agreement to rename the 'Families and Communities'
portfolio to 'Family Care and Protection' as this better reflects the priorities of the portfolio. The next steps for the
approach will focus on the interface between the portfolios and cross-connections.
11. Deliver mental health and
wellbeing support, including Ren10
mental health and wellbeing
network to support children, young
people and their families (CF)
31-Mar-2025
A report was submitted to Scottish Government detailing the number of children, young people and parents
benefitting from Ren10 approaches and interventions.
• 1081 children and young people accessed counselling
• 806 reported a positive outcome.
• 199 children and young people accessed a Ren10 support
• 93 parents were supported via EPEC or NVR
• 85% reported a positive outcome
This data demonstrates that the early intervention and prevention approaches available through Ren10 are having
a positive impact on those who access. This work will continue to develop with appropriate links being made to the
Whole Family Wellbeing plan.

Page 42

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. Percentage of children
living in poverty (after
housing costs)
23.3 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
*Data has not yet been made available for 2021/22 and is expected
later in 2023.
The figure for this indicator is derived from the Local Government
Benchmarking Framework indicator CHN24 '% of children living in
poverty (after housing costs)'. The percentage in Renfrewshire in
2020/21 was 19.5% which was a considerable drop from 23.11% in
2019/20. Renfrewshire had the lowest rate amongst its family group for
this indicator, while the Scottish average was 20.86%.
2. Life expectancy at
birth (Females) 79.99 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *Life expectancy data is produced by National Records Scotland and
there is a considerable time lag in publishing these. Data for 2022/23 is
likely to be available some time in 2024.
3. Life expectancy at
birth (Males) 75.53 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *Life expectancy data is produced by National Records Scotland and
there is a considerable time lag in publishing these. Data for 2022/23 is
likely to be available some time in 2024.
4. Healthy life
expectancy at birth
(Females)
61.6 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *Life expectancy data is produced by National Records Scotland and
there is a considerable time lag in publishing these. Data for 2022/23 is
likely to be available some time in 2024.
5. Healthy life
expectancy at birth
(Males)
60.6 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *Life expectancy data is produced by National Records Scotland and
there is a considerable time lag in publishing these. Data for 2022/23 is
likely to be available some time in 2024.
6. Proportion of people
earning less than the
real living wage (LGBF)
19.8 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters *This is an LGBF indicator and data for 2022/23 will not be available
until March 2024

Page 43

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Fair
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
7. Percentage uptake of
free school meals in
primary schools (%)
49.3 75 53.4 52 51.6 52 * 52
*Data is not yet available for Q1 or Q2 of 2023/24
Uptake of free school meals in both primary and secondaries saw
improvements compared to the previous financial year with primaries
rising from 49.3% to 53.4% in 2022/23. This is above the target of 52%.
8. Percentage uptake of
free school meals in
secondary schools (%)
32.3 49 39.1 35 * 35 * 35
*Data is not yet available for Q1 or Q2 of 2023/24
Uptake of free school meals in both primary and secondaries saw
improvements in performance compared to the previous financial
year. Secondary performance increased from 32.3% to 39.1% in
2022/23. This is above the target of 35%.

Page 44

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
1. Develop costed, targeted
interventions and actions to
support our net zero journey within
the Council and working in
partnership with key stakeholders
(CF)
31-Mar-2024
Work is ongoing and recent progress includes working closely with stakeholders on phase 2 of the Plan for Net Zero
(the route map) with a series of engagement events.  Following the Community Climate Conversation in June, an
online stakeholder event was held in September with local, regional and national organisations such as many of our
CPPs, local housing associations, Scottish Power, Scottish Gas, Scottish Water, Transport Scotland, UWS and all 8
GCR local and neighbouring authorities (57 attendees in total) to understand their influence and their role in
progressing to net zero as well as partnership working opportunities.
And on 11th October, the internal workshop was held in the Lagoon Leisure Centre, with 70 officers from across all
Services to identify opportunities and collaborate in the development of the road map and action matrix. To allow
time for this level of engagement, the due date for this action has been revised to 31 March 2024.
Other achievements include:
• Officers within Facilities and Property Services have been undertaking pilot feasibility studies to assess getting
existing schools to a Net Zero building.
• A region wide collaborative group of Property Services Managers has been set up to look at different buildings
and undertake feasibility studies of different types of buildings 
• Work is being undertaken in PPP school estate to reduce energy costs across the estate. This follows the roll out
of LED lighting across the 10 schools.

Page 45

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
2. Development of Low Emissions /
Electrification Strategy 31-Mar-2024
Renfrewshire Council working in partnership with Glasgow City Region Partners to develop a strategy and
investment model for future provision of EC Charging Infrastructure.
Fleet Services are piloting six commercial vehicles 3x Refuse Collection,  1x Bus & 2x Crewcabtipper with a new fuel
source for the heavy Council fleet, HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel and significantly reducing greenhouse gas
emissions on combustion. This means that running vehicles with HVO fuel could reduce CO2 emissions by up to
90%, NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emissions by up to 27% and PM (particulate matter) emissions by up to 84%, all of
which are key factors to achieving improved air quality. Other Progress includes:
• Refurbishment of five signalised junctions from 'old' high energy consumption technology to more efficient LED
systems has been completed at Main Street/Torr Road Bridge of Weir, BeithRoad/HallhillRoad Johnstone, Main
Road/GlenpatrickRoad Elderslie, Paisley Road/Wright Street Renfrew and Kings Inch Road/Ikea Renfrew.
• EV Charging Infrastructure installed in Gallowhill, Arkleston, Hunterhill, Hawkhead, Johnstone and Seedhill.
• Continued Engagement with SPEN for the installation of new electric power supply at Underwood Road Depot
that will facilitate additional provision of EV Charging Infrastructure.
3. Pilot and test the creation of
active travel routes between
neighbourhoods, town centres and
business locations using these to
test SMART travel solutions and
evaluate benefits to biodiversity, air
quality and access
31-Mar-2023
In 2022 the Regeneration and Place Team commissioned specialist consultants Stantec to develop an active travel
strategy focussed on accessing the main areas of employment across Renfrewshire. A large-scale survey and a
significant number of employer interviews were conducted with the support of the Renfrewshire Chamber of
Commerce and the Renfrewshire Economic Leadership Panel. A final report has now been produced with a series of
recommendations to develop new routes and initiatives to promote travel behaviour change.  This will act as a
source document for the development of specific projects for Council and external funder support in the years to
come and may be reflected in new actions to be brought forward.

Page 46

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
4. Develop a Strategic Property
Review of Council operational, non-
operational and surplus assets
31-Mar-2025
Work has been undertaken to collect and assess data for the Council portfolio. This has included staff
resource/energy and usage. Visits to gather further information on Community Halls and Self Managed Halls has
also been undertaken.
An update report on the Strategic Property Review was taken to the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy
Board on 26 May 2023 to outline progress and next steps. Officers working to remove Renfrewshire Council from
leases (where possible and cost effective) and to consolidate staff into other buildings e.g. Renfrewshire House. In
particular, the lease for Abbey House will end in January 2024 with HSCP and Social Work staff being relocated to
Renfrewshire House from November 2023.
5. Deliver the Energy Efficiency
Standard for Social Housing post-
2020 (EESSH2) milestones
31-Mar-2023 This on hold whilst review is underway.
We are ready to implement as soon as the Scottish Government give the go ahead to proceed.
6. Develop a funding strategy to
support the resourcing of actions to
deliver net zero
31-Mar-2024
The Funding strategy to deliver the Ren Zero Plan is currently being developed alongside the costed delivery plans
to ensure adequate resourcing. This is being developed alongside Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy. Due to
complex nature of these plans, the completion date has been revised from 31st October 2023.
7. Establish a carbon budget for
Renfrewshire Council
31-Mar-2024 An initial draft Carbon Budget is under development developed and is subject to internal review and approval. The
completion date is estimated for January 2024, and the implementation date is projected to be beginning of
financial year 2024/25.

Page 47

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
8. Ensure that climate
considerations are taken into
account in our procurement
strategies and tenders with a focus
on reducing emissions
31-Mar-2025
This action is now complete.
At strategy stage:
• A sustainability test is completed for all relevant procurements.  This identifies risks and opportunities which
ensure that climate considerations are taken into account.
• The procurement climate emergency adviser supports the team with advice about policy and highlights
opportunities and good examples of best practice from the public sector at strategy stage.
• The evaluation methodology is agreed including whether climate should be assessed at Selection Stage or as
part of the award criteria.
Tender Stage:
• Where relevant and proportionate procurements include the new Selection Question 4C.7.1 which requires that
bidders should evidence that their organisation has taken steps to build their awareness of the climate change
emergency and how they will respond;
• Where relevant and proportionate bidders will be asked to provide responses specific to the procurement
confirming action that will be taken to mitigate climate impacts during the life of the contract;
• Where relevant environmental action will be built into the service specification, requiring that these actions are
delivered as a fundamental element of the contract.
9. Review opportunities within the
Council’s infrastructure pipeline
projects to align with the skills
transition and green skills
development for local people
31-Dec-2024
This action is new this year and will be developed following phase 2 of the Plan for Net Zero which sets out the
phased road map and costed, area-based delivery plans. Phase 2 is currently underway and the infrastructure
pipeline of projects and the identification of skills gaps will follow on once the outcomes and the phasing are
known.

Page 48

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
10. Deliver a programme of
enhanced operational
environmental and community
support activities for environment
and place (CF)
31-Mar-2023
Team Up to Clean Up continue to make positive impacts across towns and villages in Renfrewshire. Community
engagement through social media was up 100% in the 60 days to the start of October with a membership of just
over 4,900 local users engaging.
With the autumnal weather additional sweeping is being undertaken to ensure gullies are kept clear of debris and
leaves to reduce local flooding risks.
Environmental Task Force continue to work alongside Renfrewshire communities to reduce fly-tipping. The
digitalisation of fly-tipping data collection is building a data base of evidence for data led intelligence.

Page 49

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Green
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. Percentage of homes
meeting the EESSH 2020
standard (%)
78.4% 95 85.07 95 Not measured for Quarters
Whilst below target, performance has improved. Ongoing difficulties
within the construction industry have caused some delays in works
being completed. Landlords have until December 2025 to comply with
EESSH1.
2. CO2 Emissions area
wide per capita (LGBF)
(tonnes)
4.51 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
* This is an LGBF indicator and data for 2022/23 will be available in
March 2024.
For 2020/21 this was 4.02
More recent data relating to the Council’s emissions can be found in
our annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting here
3. CO2 Emissions area
wide: emissions within
scope of LA per capita
(LGBF)
3.91 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
* This is an LGBF indicator and data for 2022/23 will be available in
March 2024.
For 2020/21 this was 3.48
More recent data relating to the Council’s emissions can be found in
our annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting here
4. Percentage of the
vehicle fleet which uses
alternative fuels, such as
electricity (%)
25 25 27 25 29 25 29 25
The current fleet using alternative fuels includes 115 electric vehicles
from a total fleet of 408 vehicles. In addition, there are 6 vehicles
trialling the use of HVO as an alternative fuel with initial feedback
being positive.
5. Amount of CO²
emitted by the public
vehicle fleet
3,223 3,000 3,267 3,000 812.67 750 775.23 750
The total for the first 6 months of the year is 1,588.03 tonnes of CO2e. If
this trend continues, whilst comparatively small, the emissions would
be slightly over target of 3,000 tonnes of CO2e.

Page 50

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Living our Values
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
1. Implement the next phase of
transformation as part of Right for
Renfrewshire
31-Mar-2025
The Portfolio of Change has been created by the Project Management Unit with weekly spotlights to the CMT. This
includes portfolios such as Financial Sustainability and Digital.
2. Implement the actions arising
from the Council’s financial
sustainability workstreams
31-Mar-2024
In the 2023/24 budget £4.4m of savings relating to the Council’s financial sustainability workstreams were
incorporated. Some of these will take time to be realised because they rely on new charging policies to be
implemented, for example. To date £3.0m has been achieved. Operations and Infrastructure delivered the savings
target of £4m –this was achieved via a management restructure, implementing new and increasing existing
charges and in conjunction with CPU colleagues negotiating new contracts for disposal of recycling materials.
Work continues on the Strategic Property review, in particular the removal of Renfrewshire Council from external
leases wherever possible. Social Work and HSCP will leave Abbey House and re-locate to Renfrewshire House at the
end of 2023/early 2024.
Work also continues to understand the use of Community Halls and Self-Managed Halls to assess the potential for
savings/efficiencies and cost avoidance.
Children’s Services have reacted positively to reductions in temporary funding streams by ensuring that previous
patterns of spend were as sustainable as possible. In addition, they continue to work on supporting overall council
pressures in required efficiencies over the coming years and will put forward a number of options to be considered.
3. Support engagement
opportunities to influence national
policy direction and align the focus
of the organisation in response to
national legislation
31-Mar-2027
The Council continues to respond to national consultations and calls for views, either directly, via COSLA, or
through participation in the wide range of professional bodies of which our officers are members. Officers continue
to closely monitor emerging national legislation and consider any implications for the organisation.

Page 51

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Living our Values
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
4. Support the Council in
developing New Ways of Working 31-Mar-2024
The work on new and revised policies continues and the team has identified the next set of policy (7) priorities for
the 2nd half of 2023, the smoking policy and our people strategy was approved at the FARS board in Sept 23, with a
further 2 to 3 policies being reviewed for the Nov Board.  The terms and conditions review proposal is being
finalised, presentation to the unions are slightly behind due to the ongoing pay dispute, however, plans are in place
to meet in November 2023. The due date has therefore been revised from 31 October 2023 to March 2024.
5. Undertake a corporate self-
assessment exercise in line with
revised best value audit
methodology
31-Dec-2023
Approach and model were agreed by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) and the survey element of the CSA
has been completed by the extended Corporate Management team. Follow up workshops took place over the
summer and CMT agreed a range of actions which align with key priorities. CMT also agreed that a further self-
assessment should be carried out with the ‘Our Leaders Forum’ senior management cohort, and this activity will be
targeted for early December 2023.
6. Lead implementation of the
council brand, ensuring council
communications are responsive,
informed, inclusive  and accessible
(CF)
31-Mar-2024
The following has been completed in Q2:
•An independent agency has been commissioned to deliver an audience segmentation model to inform ongoing
corporate marketing and communications activities, which will be completed in Q3. This has included audience
research with residents, tenants, and businesses in Renfrewshire.
•Accessible Communications Guide has been completed for use. This includes advice and support on accessible
and inclusive language, accessible web content, digital content, interpretation, and translation. This will be
promoted across the organisation in Q3.
•A key objective within the implementation plan is to deliver a new council website, which is part of the Digital
Experience Strategy, and progress on this is monitored separately and reported below.
•A review of the implementation of the revised Social Media Strategy has demonstrated an increase in positive
engagement with residents with content performing higher than public sector industry averages. In addition, as
part of improving the council’s reach locally, the marketing team have concluded a review of the council’s paid-for
social media approach, with new processes tested and introduced across several campaigns.
A new council marketing and communications strategy will be developed for implementation in Q3

Page 52

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Living our Values
What we will do Due
Date
Status Progress update
7. Develop an overall strategic
recruitment and talent
management plan to enable us to
meet future workforce demands
31-Mar-2024
Due to the planned re-design within the People & OD team this will likely take longer to implement.  However,
innovative recruitment approaches continue to be explored, developments within talent link have commenced
with others planned, we have piloted some new types of adverts, work is ongoing but the People & OD team re-
design will also impact on the final outcomes of this.
8. Develop a Wellbeing Strategy that
meets the needs of our workforce as
we emerge from the pandemic and
look towards the future
31-Dec-2023
Consultation on the wellbeing strategy continues, consultation has taken place with the unions who are positive
about the strategy and support the principles behind this, this will be presented to CMT and then to the FARS board
in Nov 23.
9. Support the Council with
improving attendance and reducing
absence)
31-Dec-2023
The introduction of the new absence policy is now planned for January 2024, which will have enabled the team to
review the underlying processes in ERP and to roll out the new training to support the new policy.
10. Develop a new Equality,
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for
the Council
31-Dec-2023
The initial high-level report has been submitted and presented to CMT, a full report pulling all the information
together was received in Oct 23 and a review of that which will then develop our strategy is now ongoing.  A plan to
present a draft strategy to CMT will be late Nov for sign before the end of the year.

Page 53

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Living Our Values
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. Average number of
work days lost through
sickness absence per
employee
11.87 9.9 13.57 9.9 2.97 2.6 * 2.1
*Data for Q2 is not yet available.
For Q1, The council has recorded an overall absence rate of 2.97 days
lost per FTE employee, which is 0.37 days above the council target of
2.6 days.
2. Percentage of posts of
the highest 5% of
earners among
employees (excl.
Teachers) who are
women (AS) (%)
58.15 Data
only 56.84 Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
Total number of employees = 6,217
Total number of employees in top 5% = 329
(per guidance value 308 has been increased to 311 due to numbers on
the salary point)
Total number of women in top 5% = 187 (56.84%)
3. Percentage gender
pay gap between
average hourly rate of
pay for male and female
employees
2.29 Data
only 0.48 Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
The pay gaps were calculated using the difference between male and
female’s average hourly rate which excludes overtime. 
Average hourly rate of pay (Male) = £18.87
Average hourly rate of pay (Female) = £18.78
Gender Pay Gap % = 0.48%
The Council’s pay gap of 0.48% was calculated as at 31st March 2023
and highlights the pay gaps between male and female employees.
4. Number of complaints
closed at Frontline
Resolution as a
percentage of all
complaints (%)
86.8 85 89.2 85 85.5 85 * 85
1,854 Frontline resolution complaint cases were closed against a total
of 2,169 complaints received in Q1. Target was achieved for this period

Page 54

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Living Our Values
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
5. Percentage Of FOI
requests completed
within timescale (%)
95.4 90 94 90 96 90 93 90
In the first two quarters of 2023/24, the Council has received 757
Freedom of Information requests –385 in Q1 and 372 in Q2.
Performance continues to exceed the target despite an increase in the
number of requests compared with last year.  Anecdotal evidence from
officers suggests an increasing complexity in the requests received.

Page 55

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Improving Outcomes for Children and Families
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
1. No. of opportunities
for young people to
achieve through
accredited awards
808 1,130 * 1,130 Not measured for Quarters
*Data is currently being gathered for this indicator.
2. Average
complementary tariff
score of pupils living in
SIMD 30% most deprived
areas
545 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
*Figures for 2022/23 school leavers will become available in the
February 2024 Insight update.
Latest data on school leavers attainment shows 2021/22
complementary tariff score is down on the figure for 2020/21. Please
note for this and the following indicator -assessment methods were
impacted by the pandemic, and comparison with previous years
should be treated with caution.
3. Average
complementary tariff
score of all school
leavers in Renfrewshire
689 Data
only * Data
only
Not measured for Quarters
*Figures for 2022/23 school leavers will become available in the
February 2024 Insight update.
The average complementary tariff score decreased in 2021/22. The
average tariff of 689 is lower than the previous year but in line with
leavers from the 19/20 cohort
4. Percentage Point Gap
in % Pupils Achieving
Expected Level for their
stage in Literacy
between pupils living in
30% Most Deprived
areas and those living in
70% Least Deprived
Areas (SIMD)
15.4 7 16 10 Not measured for Quarters
The percentage point gap between the attainment in literacy of pupils
living in the most and least deprived areas has increased to 16
percentage points, in comparison to 15.4 percentage points in
2021/22.

Page 56

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Delivering the Council Plan –Improving Outcomes for Children and Families
Indicator Current
Status
Short
term
trend
Long
term
trend
2021/22 2022/23 Q1 2023/24 Q2 2023/24 Explanation of performance
Value Target Value Target Value Target Value Target
5. Percentage Point Gap
in % Pupils Achieving
Expected Level for their
stage in Numeracy
between pupils living in
30% Most Deprived
areas and those living in
70% Least Deprived
Areas (SIMD)
13.4 6 11 9 Not measured for Quarters
The percentage point gap between the attainment in numeracy of
pupils living in the most and least deprived areas has decreased to 11
percentage points, after a slight increase between 2021 and 2022.
6. Percentage of Looked
After Children cared for
in the community (%)
92 89.9 90 89.9 90.4 89.9 91 89.9
The percentage of looked after children in the community has
increased by 0.6pp in Q2 of 2023/24, compared with Q1
The majority of all looked after children continue to live in a
community setting either with their own family or with an alternative
family.  A residential house or school can be more suitable for a small
number of children and young people based on their particular needs,
but the service will always seek to have a child live in a family setting
where appropriate.

Page 57

Title can go here
• Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level
• Third level
• Fourth level
• Fifth level
Council Plan
Six monthly progress update
December 2023
For more information, please contact:
policycefar@renfrewshire.gov.uk